E.T. Page #2

EXT:
SPACECRAFT: NIGHT

The lights dim on the footings of the spacecraft, presumably because the

spacecraft is preparing to takeoff.

[The protagonist has the added jeopardy of being abandoned.]

EXT:
FOREST: NIGHT

E.T. screams as he races for the spacecraft. The glow from his red-heart

reflects off the bushes as he runs towards the white light of the

spacecraft.

[The audience still hasn't seen the face of the protagonist.]

EXT:
SPACECRAFT: NIGHT

A lone alien stands before a large round white light, as he signals for the

other aliens to return to the ship.

EXT:
FOREST: NIGHT

Men with flashlights run through the forest, as they pursue the red glowing

light racing towards the spacecraft. One of the pursuers is the man wearing

the keys on his waist.

EXT:
SPACECRAFT: NIGHT

The grated gangplank lifts up, blocking the entrance to the ship. Behind

the grate stands the alien against the large round white light. The red

light of the aliens heart lights up as he stands behind the barrier.

[This image exhibits an obstacle to E.T. returning to his ship.]

EXT:
FOREST: NIGHT

The men reach the edge of the clearing and stop as they watch the

spacecraft lift off.

One red lighted heart races along an old country fence towards the

departing spacecraft. Men with flashlights are still in pursuit. They stop

at a wooden gate as they watch the spacecraft fly away.

E.T., with face obstructed by a branch, and with red-heart aglow, watches

the spacecraft fly away into the night. He utters a sorrowful moan.

[He has been abandoned in a hostile alien world. This situation is

guaranteed to generate audience empathy.]

The men with flashlights pointed up towards the sky watch the space- craft

fly away. They hear E.T.'s groan, and in unison point their flashlights in

his direction.

[Not only is the small childlike creature abandoned, but he is still in

jeopardy of being captured by those who pursue him.]

[This is the inciting event in E.T.'s story: his spacecraft has deserted

him.]

EXT:
HILLTOP: NIGHT

Below lies the city, lit up against the dark night sky. E.T slowly makes

his way down the slope.

Men with flashlights follow. They reach the hilltop, search the underbrush

for the alien, then start down the slope after him.

[This concludes the prelude to the story. Both the protagonist and

antagonist have been introduced, and audience empathy has been established

for the protagonist. The protagonist's primary objective is to survive and

find a way home, while the antagonist's primary objective is to capture the

alien.]

EXT:
SUBURBAN HOUSE: NIGHT

[This is an establishing shot.]

INT:
ELLIOTT'S HOUSE: NIGHT

A group of boys are sitting around a table playing a DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

game. One boy is on the telephone ordering a pizza. They throw wads of

paper at each other as they play.

Rate this script:3.8 / 4 votes