Why Does Steven Spielberg Watch Audition Tapes With The Sound Off?

Steven Spielberg is known for watching tapes with the sound off. Why?
Because auditions are the actor’s close-up, and close-ups aren’t about words. They’re about emotional information.

Most actors get an audition and immediately go to their lines.

But here’s the truth:
If you don’t know who you are, you’re in trouble.

It’s not about how you say the lines.
It’s about who this person is.

Stop worrying about your lines.

A close friend of mine - a casting director with over 25 years in network television - recently said:

“I watch tape after tape, and I see the same thing: great actors who don’t know what the scene is about.”

That’s not a performance problem.
It’s a preparation problem.

A great coach knows what questions to ask:
What do you want?
What are you doing?
Why now?

Working with someone you trust - someone who elevates your work - is a strategic investment in your career.

Without it, you’re missing opportunities.