"How do the directors of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and the Elephant Man convey to an audience that the central characters are outsiders in society?"

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“How do the directors of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and the Elephant Man convey to an audience that the central characters are outsiders in society?”

Throughout both films there are many similarities and differences between the directive strategies of Directors David Lynch and Steven Spielberg although it should be remembered that there is a theory that all stories derive from six basic plots.

The directors have chosen characters that compare with the general feeling of the period for the two similar plots.  Spielberg in ET developed a plot creating and using a modern day fairy tale whilst David Lynch creates his plot in Elephant Man with a more credible scenario by using a historic figure, John Merrick.  In Victorian times disfigured people were at the bottom of society whereas if John Merrick had been placed in the 1970’s he would have received greater sympathy which would not have been the affect that David Lynch sought to convey.

During the opening of ET there is an apparently insignificant but important scene.  ET bends down to grab a plant as the camera moves slightly to the right, showing a rabbit which is clearly comfortable with this ‘outsider’ being there.  Spielberg uses the concept of a rabbit’s instinct to show that ET is a harmless creature.  As the authorities arrive ET is left behind, on earth and Spielberg closes the scene with a long-shot of the city.  He has chosen to use this in order to illustrate the notion that ET is but a small spec in the big wide world.

As The Elephant Man film opens the music changes, creating an atmosphere of joy with traditional circus music.  The camera pans across a sign ‘FREAKS’  before moving to show the extensive queue as the mass try to get to this ‘alien.’

The respective openings of these films, both immediately emphasize that the central characters are outsiders.

 

If we now consider the secondary characters we see that they are also outsiders.  Eliot is friendless, no father figure about, Mum to busy to notice and rejected by his siblings.  Dr. Treaves is a more subtle in his outsider status.  He is extraordinary in that he has befriended a thing, layers and layers below him in the cultural pyramid.

After ET has evaded capture the film moves to a family house, where some teenagers are having a sleepover.  It becomes apparent, that Eliot is desperate to be accepted by the older boys but time after time his attempts are thrown back in his face. He is sent to get pizza not asked but sent however Eliot is so desperate to be apart of this group that Spielberg depicts him as eager to please.

When Eliot returns there has been a time shift and it gets darker and more mysterious.  Spielberg produces blurred shots that highlight Eliot, as a ball rolls out of the shed.  There is a pause before Eliot drops the pizza and flees back to the sanctuary of his home.  Although the older boys discover foot prints the fact that the pizza is ruined is an invitation for mockery.  

Later, Eliot goes outside. Spielberg uses the possibilities of cinematography well to orchestrate the concept that Eliot is in a somewhat hypnotic state i.e. drawn rather than lead outside therefore stressing the desire for a friend.

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Upon the discovery of The Elephant Mans whereabouts Dr Treaves goes to investigate and is forced to pay to quench this inquisitiveness. The transaction of money shows us that, to Bytes, this is just another business enterprise.

As the camera tracks the descent of the group we finally arrive at the cage.    Music begins to play as Bytes begins to perform.  The curtain is thrown back and a boy barks for it to stand up.  From history we know that the general cultural pyramid placed children at the bottom but here we can see a man being ...

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