Analysis 2: Film Openings of E.T & Independence Day

How are narrative & genre established in the opening 5 minutes of E.T & Independence Day?

The opening of E.T begins with a panning of a spaceship hidden in the depth of the woods at night. This connotes a sense of mystery and makes audiences inquisitive into what is happening. To add on to the mystery, smoke is shown as well as key lights coming from within the spaceship, which further emphasises the mystery as well as making the scenery enchanting. Also, slow haunting music and a close up of E.T's hand makes the atmosphere seem spooky and inflicts the feeling of spying amongst audiences. Later on, a low key lighting close-up of a rabbit is presented. The rabbit is shown as minding it's own business, therefore connoting a sense of peace. This informs us that E.T doesn't intend to cause any harm to nature and is very harmless, either wise the opposite would have occurred and E.T may have caused harm to the rabbit. All the while, non diagetic sounds of trees, insects and such is played in the background, emphasising that E.T is in the woods.

In comparison to this, Independence Day has a dramatical opening too E.T. The first shot we see is a medium long shot of the American flag on the moon. This may connotate two things: that America is a very triumphant country and also that perhaps outer space creatures that lived on the moon may be seeking for revenge on the Americans as they trespassed on their territory, which is very common in many science fiction films. To enhance the idea that this is a futuristic film, satellites and a spaceship are used as an iconography to distinguish the genre of the film. We are also exposed to a particular red light, which connotes that danger is most likely to be heading towards America.

The first character shown in Independence Day that is introduced to us is an Asian young man around 20 - 26 years of age playing golf. He appears to wear glasses. His appearance helps us to believe that he is very intellectual & while also giving him the typical 'nerd' image, a very common stereotype in many science fiction films. His actions show that he is unprepared for what is going to happen. In the background, we are exposed to a vast majority of machinery & gadgets which yet again are iconographies that represent the science fiction genre.