The Fabelmans tells a fictionalized version of Steven Spielberg’s upbringing, inspirations

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Steven Spielberg’s latest film The Fabelmans is a semi-autobiographical story inspired by his own family and upbringing.

Essentially, it serves as a fictional origin story of the passion for filmmaking that has led to countless classics from Jaws to Schindler’s List.

In the film we meet a boy who is obsessed with the art of filmmaking.

Sammy Fabelman is supported in his passion by his parents, played by Michelle Williams and Paul Dano.

Mitzi Fabelman is an artist at heart; Burt is a scientist and engineer.

The two realms would one day blend in Spielberg’s approach to directing, with incredible artistry and revolutionary special effects.

“You see his father and mother in him right?” Dano observed. “And you see it in all of his films too — that wild art and that sense of technology.”

Williams says the parents in the film deserve credit for inspiring their young son.

“They expose their children to their passions, their lives, overlapped with the way they are parents that didn’t leave them in another room,” she said. “It’s something they’ve really focused on. And they really lived a very creative life together as a family.”

Spielberg provided memorabilia from his own childhood to inspire the actors, including family photos and video footage.

“We saw a lot of footage, audio, the family photos, and beautiful resources,” said Dano. “And not to be too acting, but I mean, these photos, I feel like you can touch the photos and try to make something out of them. So it was really meaningful for him to trust us and just share it with us. “

Also starring Seth Rogen and Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans is in theaters now.