E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Close-Up ("Halloween" Sequence)
-Overview-
The scene starts with Elliott preparing for Halloween by dressing up as a zombie. He, Michael, and E.T then come up with a plan to disguise E.T as Gertie in a ghost costume so they can sneak out without their mom getting suspicious.
They head out into the bustling streets filled with people in costumes and eventually meet up with Gertie, allowing Elliott and E.T to head into the forest while Gertie goes home with Michael to avoid any questions from their mom.
As they ride through the forest on a bike, they encounter a cliff ahead, prompting Elliott to realize they need to find another way. E.T uses his ‘magic’ to make the bike fly, taking a shortcut over the forest towards their destination. The iconic scene of them flying against the backdrop of the moon is a cinematic masterpiece. Despite Elliott's requests, they end up crashing upon landing, concluding the enchanting yet brief sequence that showcases the magic and beauty of the film.
-Cinematography-
When E.T gazes at the fake knife sticking through Michael's head, we are provided with E.T's point of view as he peers through the sheet's holes, known as a mask that is attached to the camera to signify the POV. This mask creates a vignette effect. Later, the sequence includes another shot like this but with two eye holes instead of one. The purpose of the POV shot is to reveal E.T's intentions and clarify why he is acting in a certain way, like trying to heal Michael with his glowing finger.
Additionally, there is a binocular shot depicting E.T observing people, particularly someone dressed as Yoda, which signifies the friendship between George Lucas and Spielberg and also helps us relate to the movie and make it seem more realistic as if you went out in Halloween in the 80s you would 100% see a Yoda walking about. Later on, as Elliott and E.T ride their bikes towards their destination to create the phone, the camera becomes more dynamic with tilts and pans to capture their journey. The scene transitions to a mat shot, where the cliff they ride off appears to be a painting, with Elliott and E.T's flying sequence filmed separately and combined together. The subsequent extreme long shot features the bike descending off the cliff, leading to the iconic image of the duo on the bike against a massive moon.
-Sound-
In this sequence, the music is a crucial element in expressing E.T and Elliott's emotions. As they soar through the air, the music intensifies, becoming more dramatic and loud, setting the stage for the thrilling moment when they ride off the cliff and into the sky. The iconic score by John Williams enhances the magical feeling of the scene as E.T takes control of the bicycle and they fly through the air. The music is perfectly timed to the action, creating a sense of wonder and excitement. Additionally, the use of diegetic sounds, like Halloween and trick-or-treating, adds to the overall atmosphere of the scene. John Williams' ability to capture a wide range of emotions through his music is truly remarkable, making him a legendary composer in Hollywood.
-Editing-
A mask is employed at the start of the scene featuring E.T. in his ghost costume to show the perspective of the character. This camera technique places an object on the lens to mimic what E.T. would be seeing through his costume. Additionally, a binocular shot is utilized in this sequence.
-Mise-En-Scène-
In order to carry out their plan, the children in this sequence must dress up in Halloween costumes to disguise themselves while sneaking out of the house away from their mother. Michael has a fake knife through his head and fake stubble, Elliott is dressed as a zombie with makeup and clothing, and E.T. is covered with a sheet and clown shoes. The choice to set the film in the USA allows the filmmakers to utilize the familiar tradition of Halloween, adding a touch of realism to the science fiction story. The homemade costumes the children wear emphasize the primitive nature of their plan, highlighting the importance of their disguises in carrying out their mission.