Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546075
32 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Fall 2026 How many projects have you done with Steven Spielberg? This was my third. I did Bridge of Spies and then The Post was the second. Disclosure Day is a much closer companion piece to Close Encounters than it is to ET. I was very happy that they asked me back. I really like working with Steven. Bridge of Spies at the beginning had an amazing multi-layered sound mix of the whole world with no dialog. But once they start talking, they never stop. It was a lot for us to do and I think they were really happy with the results. Then The Post was also similarly talky and had some huge scenes with lots of people in the newsroom. I like working with Steven, it's great, it's sort of a high- pressure situation with super-high expectations, but there's a lot of prep but everyone's ready. Steven is such a great storyteller with the camera. It is amazing the way he can move things around. In terms of how he works, he's there, he's ready, he's prepared, Steven is 100% present. Before call, he's making chalk marks on the ground. He's engaged. He answers questions. One of his great skills is decision-making. You can ask him a question, he's very accessible. You can go to him and say, "Hey, there was a thing where they came through the door and Emily talked to the woman at the door. I don't have a mic on them. Do you want to hear what they said? There was a little exchange there." And he'll say, "No, I don't. It'll be music all the way up till she hits the staircase." Or "Yes, absolutely. That was a cute little moment. Put a mic on them." And right then, he'll make a decision. Steven likes to rehearse somewhat. But he doesn't overrehearse Emily Blunt and Wyatt Russell receiving direction from Steven Spielberg