How Spielberg Got THIS Performance from a Child Actor

Steven Spielberg’s ability to direct child actors is unmatched, and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is the perfect example of his genius. From Henry Thomas’s tearful audition to Drew Barrymore’s imaginative connection with E.T., Spielberg created a set where magic and authenticity flourished. By shooting the film in chronological order and coaching kids with care and precision, he pulled off some of the most emotional performances in cinematic history. This video dives into the behind-the-scenes techniques Spielberg used, his personal connection to the story, and how E.T. shaped not just his career but his life as well.

If you're curious about filmmaking, directing actors, or just a fan of Spielberg's classics, this deep dive is for you. Learn how Spielberg turned playful improvisation, emotional guidance, and real relationships into one of the most iconic films of all time.

#ETTheExtraTerrestrial #StevenSpielberg #BehindTheScenes #FilmMaking

0:00 - Introduction. Working with kid actors?
4:38 - Why E.T. was a personal story for Spielberg.
5:49 - Casting Elliott. The audition process.
7:21 - A unique way of shooting E.T.
9:00 - Drew Barrymore's connection to E.T.
11:31 - They weren't acting anymore.
12:42 - The emotional final scene.
15:54 - How E.T. changed Spielberg.
20:13 - Outro.

[chichizekitty]

I recently watched a documentary, about other child stars getting yelled at and abused to get them crying.. The fact that Spielberg instead was DIRECTING them, like a director, on a level they understood, is mindblowing XD That is simply too cute

[ebinrock]

The fact that E.T. never shows adults until the third act of the film reminds me of the same kind of thing with the Peanuts TV specials, and when the adults spoke, it was always with an indiscernible trombone "wah-wah".

[ebonypegasus]

I felt a bit sorry for Drew, when she was crying and emotional for real, about ET being hurt, and Elliot being hurt. Young actors really do have it rough in that way. When she was talking about the close encounters doll and said "And that was the end of that!" it was so cute.

[spadoynkal]

Small story. I grew up watching this all the time. The family went to Universal and I get to ride the E.T. ride! While the rest of the family rode the other rides, my mom sat with me and rode it all day until the sun went down.
I had a chance to go back. Unfortunately my mother had passed but they still had the ride. I didn’t get to ride on the bikes because they took them out… that was my biggest thing when I was a kid. I didn’t care. They had made the ride more for the modern times but riding that same ride and watching the movie so much as a child… well, I went into the bathroom immediately afterwards and cried. I cried for my childhood and my mother who cared so much and was no longer with me. ET was a part of my life more than I ever realized. I just wanted to ride on the front bikes like the big kids.

I miss you mom. I miss you ET. Happy birthday to me.

[thegustbag]

So... I teach kids at an acting school in my city and when this video popped up on my feed I thought "well, heck, let's sit down and listen to some advice" and... I can't really say this taught me much? But that actually it reassured me tremendously. To me, and to my colleagues, teaching these kids is already a lot like what you describe Spielberg doing. We prioritize giving them room to be themselves, to feel comfortable and safe and ready to play and explore. Sure, we're an acting school and we love to see them honing their craft. But more than that, man, it's just something else to see them develop as themselves.


And because of that I actively try to go into everyday ready to listen, to relate to them, and allow a bond to form. Because I've noticed that when that takes place, magical things can happen. That shy kid that used to hide behind his mom's legs (yes, a literal thing that happened!) will suddenly one day be talking you ear off about their week and this show they watch, or whatever. These things matter to them. And they expect you to take them seriously. Because they're people. And when people feel valued, they just shine different. And I've also noticed the camera loves that.

[christianealshut]

Significantly, both Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore also ended up being quite prolific performers as adults. Wonder if that has to do with the environment they were given as first-time actors in E.T.; it just strikes me how respectful the team were with them as children.

[letsart]

How refreshing to hear a positive story about directors and children for once 😅

[theiaraine]

Harrison Ford only being in a deleted scene with his face hidden is VERY funny.

[CHMgamemedic]

I'm crying?! Wtf! Spielperg he just made a goodbye feel so real

[beltingtokra]

Im a voice actor, the "as if" technique works for me, really raises the stakes of whatever im doing.

[tb]

That was awesome that Spielberg shot the film from beginning to end instead of jumping around. I'm sure it helped the child actors a lot!

[Nintendoken]

That steven kept ET alive for Drew in those down times is so special and important to keep her engaged fully

[DannyDowd-fqpm]

11:09 Oh my god, that’s the cutest and most the sweetest things I’ve ever heard in my life. The relationship, and what they did for her. 🥲 And I actually mean EVER. Some people might or would say they lied to her as a child but no they gave her a friend on the stage and one who she’ll never forget.

[randomlibra]

This movie was nothing less than MAGIC.

[Kediil]

I went and watched the full audition, and besides that kid's amazing performance, it made me so glad to hear the masterful way the adult improviser helped to walk him back up out of the improv. Just another way that I'm sure Spielberg went out of his way for his child actors.

[kainaris]

Man I never cried with E.T. but now if I watch it again I'm gonna be a mess 😭

[nekoempress]

My mom had the pleasure of being one of Henry Thomas' teachers. She taught in the East Central Independent School District.

[jerrihadding]

I saw the first showing of “ET” in Santa Cruz, California with my partner. We had spontaneously decided to go to the movies without having any idea of what might be playing. I have been a science fiction/fantasy fanatic since I was eight years old. When we saw that a first view of an upcoming science fiction film was being offered, we joined the line. At the end of the film, EVERYONE was in tears. As one, the entire audience gave the film a standing ovation. For that brief moment we were family.

[amesville]

Henry Thomas is a little older than I am, and ET was THE movie when I was a kid. I watched it again as a teen, while babysitting, and I remember thinking how good the kid actors were, and then being once again emotionally devastated at the end. This is a great video, one of the examples of how YouTube’s short doc style can really hone in on a small aspect of a topic and bring it to light. Great job.

[Tylerson]

This was awesome. You told this well. I'd love to see more production stories like this, it was a great change of pace and fascinating to see. I'd never really seen much of any BTS content for ET.