Intro to E.T.

A level Film Studies - Will's resource

1. E.T. – Intro

2. 3 things you liked and 3 things you didn’t like about E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Consider : Cinematography Sound Narrative Characters Messages/values Writing Performances

3. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Melissa Mathison Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote Country: USA Language: English Release Date: 11 June 1982 (USA) Budget: $10,500,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $11,911,430 (USA) (11 June 1982) Gross: $434,949,459 (USA) Production Co: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Runtime:  115 min | 120 min (extended) Aspect Ratio:  1.85 : 1

4. Steven Spielberg Undoubtedly one of the most influential film personalities in the history of film, Steven Spielberg is perhaps Hollywood's best known director and one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the world. Spielberg has countless big-grossing, critically acclaimed credits to his name, as producer, director and writer. Known for: Jaws The Indiana Jones films Saving Private Ryan Schindler’s List E.T. More recently: War Horse, The BFG, Minority Report, The War of the Worlds. https://www.biography.com/video/steven-spielberg-mini-biography-37491801

5. Watch Blu Ray special feature – Steven Spielberg & ET (12 mins) And the beginning (to 3:40) of ‘The Evolution and Creation of E.T.

6. You ARE going to need to know the names of the characters! Can you name these characters?

7. You ARE going to need to know the names of the characters! Can you name these characters? Elliot Gertie Mary ‘Keys’ Michael E.T.

8. If we look purely at the iconography, what genre would we class E.T. in?

9. Which genre conventions does the film use? Sci-fi: - Aliens arrive on earth to study it/collect things from it. Fantasy: Comedy: Coming of age story:

10. What genre would you argue E.T. belongs in? Is it really a science fiction film, or is it a different type of film with some sci-fi iconography?

11. Narrative structure Three act structure: Opening/set-up Introduction of problem Resolution

12. Narrative structure Three act structure: Opening/set-up We are introduced to Elliot and his siblings: Elliot is lonely and also the family are clearly affected by the recent divorce of their parents. We are also (separately) introduced to the eponymous alien who has been stranded on earth. 2) Introduction of problem E.T. reveals he is homesick. Shadowy government forces seem to be looking for him. Elliot and his siblings need to help E.T. to get home before the authorities catch him. 3) Resolution E.T. is captured, dies, comes back to life, and then is helped to escape earth with Elliot and his friends.

13. Does this film fit the Todorov narrative model? - What is the ‘disruption’? - Where is the film’s climax (state of disequilibrium)? - What is the ‘new equilibrium’ and what does it entail?

14. Each group needs to take detailed notes on E.T. in relation to these narrative features: A) Narration - Ellipsis : are there any elliptical gaps in the narrative’s chronology? If so: where, and why do these gaps exist? - Is the narration largely restricted or unrestricted ? What is the effect of this? - Which characters are the focalisers in the narrative? Where and why does this shift? B) Linearity - Is the film told in a linear or non-linear narrative? Does the chronology ever change? Which devices are used to build a sense of cohesion (so we understand the narrative and it follows logically). C) Exposition (backstory) - What information are we given about the situation of Elliot’s family, and what does the film do to ensure that we learn this? D) Closure - To what extent does E.T.’s narrative have closure? Are there any things left unexplained, and if so: why? Is anything meant to be deliberately ambiguous/mysterious?

15. Bordwell and Thompson (plot vs story) What elements of E.T. are part of the story but not the plot? Consider gaps in our knowledge of the characters and events of the narrative that we have to infer . Think in particular about… Elliot’s family life The things we don’t know about E.T . The government forces and other minor characters.

16. Create a web of character relationships. Consider not just relations, but more interesting ideas about how the characters feel about one another. Elliot Gertie Mary Keys Michael E.T . Brothers. Michael makes fun of Elliot but is also protective of him. SPARE

17. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’s themes Consider: what ideas does the film explore? Themes SPARE

18. From these themes, can we work out what messages and values the film has? Messages & values SPARE