Film Time, Not Screen Time: Using E.T. to Communicate

A foundational tool in the English classroom is identifying overarching themes, as well as studying symbols and motifs that relate to those themes. Both for the experienced reader, as well as the novice, honing tools of film analysis can help the reader with close reading and writing skills. In film, there are concepts of “plants” and “payoffs.” As the hangout explains, a “plant” is a symbolic object that is used in a scene to help build story themes. For example, candy and stuffed animals are objects of childhood and they connect with the importance of childlike wonder in the story. It is through childlike wonder that family connections become secure and ET is able to return home. The blooming flower relates to the natural inquiry in the film. Indeed, ET arrives to study plants, but it is the adult scientists who become a threat to him. Examining ET’s connection to pure nature helps students understand the dichotomy between the world of adult scientists versus the childlike wonder in pure nature. The process of identifying “plants” and then the “payoffs” train students to structure the arguments and evidence in their writing, especially when writing about symbols. Students can consider what objects from their childhood (a favorite toy, a favorite tv show, an article of furniture) reveals about them and their identity. 

The “ET and Elements of a Myth/Fantasy” is a handout intended to direct an engaged viewing lesson. Engaged viewing is an approach to watching films that uses film language to unpack and interpret film scenes. In this case, in order to understand how ET functions as a myth or fantasy, students are asked to identify examples of visual, aural and production techniques. Teachers first introduce the terms of “myth/ fantasy” and then have an introductory conversation about how films use tools to tell their story. Teachers ask students to write down what they notice about visuals (lighting, shots, camera movement). This discussion may include asking students to notice who is in the dark and who is in the light. Also, noting that high angle shots may make a character appear small and vulnerable, while low angle shots may make a character appear powerful. Similarly, teachers ask students to notice the types of sounds that they hear (music, voice-overs, sound-effects). In the case of ET, there is no dialogue in the opening scenes and the viewer pays more attention to the sounds that ET communicates. Finally, production choices may seem effortless, but they are carefully constructed and worth noting. Teachers ask students to note how the sets, locations, costumes, props help create the fantasy of ET’s world.