As an early indicator of his showmanship brio, Spielberg managed to find unique ways to fund and bolster his early efforts. For early 8mm efforts like western like The Last Gun, the youngster raised his budget by whitewashing citrus trees; for WWII drama Escape To Nowhere, Spileberg created such a palaver recreated the conflict in Africa that it attracted the attention of the police and a local news crew; for Firelight, his teenage magnum opus, Spielberg sweet-talked his way into shooting in a hospital and an American Airlines jets, created elaborate optical effects and recorded the whole score with an orchestra. The resulting film, with a budget of $400, grossed $500 from its one showing, giving the fledgling mogul his first box office bonanza.

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