ET-SCI-FI

 

The opening of ET, released in 1982 and directed by Steven Spielberg, successfully depicts the films out of this world, sci-fi narrative, engaging the audiences universally shared morals of family and love through the aliens' own morals.  

Firstly, I can defer instantly of the films sci-fi narrative through the use of its romantic, galactical non-diegetic soundtrack, as the camera pans over the establishing shot of the location, revealing the clarification of the spaceship which addresses audiences' suspicions of the clip containing a fantasy element. From this, the audience are instantly able to predict a rough idea of the narrative containing out of this world, galactical subjects which simultaneously engage their interests through the unpredictable, non-naturalistic element. Furthermore, the use of the fading transitions between shots further emphasizes the magical and exciting imagery already established from the soundtrack and the use of the darker and more ominous choices of color again establish the mysterious yet intriguing atmosphere.  

The key conventions establishing the sci-fi genre within the very start of this opening are mainly entrenched through the unusual location of the shot, with it set within a forest. This in itself instantly suggests to the audience the mysteriousness of it as the continuous shot panning the spaceship moves our attention to inside as we transition from ‘outside’ observers to bringing us into the action which again elaborates on the alienist aesthetic. In this instance, as the audience focus shifts it is also established through the change in tempo and rhythm, forming a faster pace as the scene builds audiences suspense as we ‘enter’ unknown territory.  

As the scene progresses, we are introduced to the space shifts inhabitants through the use of pleonastic grunts and murmurs not associated with language understandable, again establishing that these characters are aliens. After a while, the audience's attention narrows onto the POV of a particular creature as its shown ‘exploring’ its surroundings, suggesting to the audience of the curiosity of the creature as we instantly sympathize with this universal theme. This is further established as the scene cuts to an establishing shot of the alien and its location, shows to the audience the vulnerability of the alien in this ‘unknown’ world which is further explored through the low angle shots which act as a POV of the alien. This again emphasizes the audience of the sci-fi narrative of the opening scene.  

Audiences' predictions are further embedded as our focus switches from the curiosity of the creature to a contrasting dangerous atmosphere as new characters are introduced. The anonymity of the collective group of men and their foreboding introduction from the vehicles demonstrate the danger that their presence brings to the already sympathized alien. The contrasting elements of each group of ‘beings’ further establish to the audience that this narrative isn't futuristic and establishes the modern era through the cars and of the time costumes used. 

Our sympathy for the alien is increased as the ‘threat’ of humans are built; an example of the conventions used to stabilize this growing threat is through the increased pace camera shots as the camera darts from one threat (human) to another indulging the tension and grasping the audience's attention with the risk of the vulnerability of the alien. The new characters introduced and the dynamic they bring to the scene as a danger essentially alter the audience's prediction for the film's narrative as we revert our attention to the vulnerable aspect of the alien as opposed to the curiosity of it; as a result of this, our predictions change to following the journey of this creature amongst the growing threat of being found by human, authority figures.  

From my understanding of the characters as an audience member watching this clip, I can defer the strong opposing differences between human and alien. The human characters are presented as being very powerful and thus dangerous to the opposing group; an example of this power is strongly presented using shadows, as it upholds anonymity and hints of menace. Contrasting to this, the alien, specifically the one left behind, is presented as vulnerable and weak shown predominantly by low angles that represent the creature's point of view which simultaneously engages our sympathy for it.  

Overall, I believe this opening sequence successfully establishes to the audience the thrilling yet dangerous tone within the evident sci-fi genre through its beginning narrative working to engage audiences' suspicion towards specifically the safety of this unknown creature. I also found the universal themes of family and love worked extremely well in establishing the heart felt element of the narrative reaching a larger target audience as opposed to focusing predominately on the sci-fi ad galactical elements, which would limit audience range massively. This opening sequence clearly confirmed the films genre and equally engaged audience through the action elements and the universal themes explored, all of which would build the predictions for the rest of the narrative.