GERTIE: Be good, be good.
ELLIOTT: Oh God!
E.T.: Elliott.
ELLIOTT: What?
E.T.: Elliott, Elliott.
E.T. Phone Home — E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Elliott discovers that his younger sister Gertie has dressed E.T. in doll clothes and taught him basic English. The scene reaches a pivotal emotional climax as E.T. uses his new vocabulary to express his desire to contact his family in space. The children realize the gravity of E.T.'s homesickness and the possibility of his departure.
Format: Scene · Genre: Sci-Fi · Source: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial · Author: Melissa Mathison · Characters: Elliott, Gertie, E.T., Mike
About This Scene
This scene, titled "E.T. Phone Home," is a pivotal moment from the beloved film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It captures the innocent yet profound discovery that E.T. can now communicate beyond simple gestures, having been taught rudimentary English by Gertie. The scene culminates in E.T.'s emotional plea to contact his home, revealing his deep longing and setting the stage for the film's central conflict and journey.
Character Analysis
Elliott is initially surprised and slightly exasperated by Gertie's antics, but quickly shifts to fascination and profound understanding as E.T. begins to speak. He embodies youthful wonder and burgeoning empathy. Gertie is playfully ingenious, proud of her teaching accomplishments, and genuinely connected to E.T. E.T. himself is vulnerable and expressive, despite his limited vocabulary, communicating a clear and urgent desire for connection. Mike, while briefly present, serves as a point of external perspective, highlighting the extraordinary nature of E.T.'s newfound ability.
Why This Works for Auditions
This group scene offers fantastic opportunities for young actors to showcase a range of emotions, from surprise and humor to deep empathy and wonder. The interplay between the children and E.T., despite E.T.'s non-human nature, allows for genuine reactions and connection that are highly effective in an audition. Its duration and contained setting make it ideal for self-tapes and general practice, providing clear emotional arcs for each character within a short timeframe.
Best Suited For
This scene is ideally suited for young actors under the age of 18, particularly those looking to portray "Everyman," "Girl Next Door," or "Vulnerable" types. It's excellent for demonstrating the ability to react authentically to an extraordinary situation and to convey deep emotion with limited dialogue. Actors who excel at portraying childhood innocence and growing maturity will find this scene particularly rewarding.
Performance Tips
Actors should focus on the genuine discovery and mounting realization throughout the scene. For Elliott, show his initial disbelief give way to awe and understanding. Gertie should lean into her pride and playful nature, then transition to recognizing the gravity of E.T.'s plea. E.T. (if played by an actor in place of the puppet) should emphasize vocal inflection and physical gestures to convey his urgent desire for "home" and "phone," making the simple words incredibly impactful. Remember the tone is vulnerable, so allow for moments of genuine emotional openness without overacting the sentiment.