Film script analysis

1. Style:Asthisscriptis designedforan audio-visual sequence (film), the scripthastoinclude avarietyof elementsto
ensure thatproductioncrew& actors are able to understand&execute.How DanO’Bannon(the mainscreenwriter
of the film) hasexecutedthe typical conventionsof Sci-Fi Horrorisbyconductinga seriesof stages(withinthe script)
whichreleasesalimitedamountof informationaboutthe locationof the actor/character& the imminentdanger
whichtheyare in. AsAliensitswithinthe horror&Sci-Fi genre,the scriptbuilds anarrative whichreleasesintense
suspense forthe character’ssafetybyusinglanguage thatenablesthe viewertoimagine the scene andunfol ding
circumstances.
Content:The scriptfor thissectionof the filmismeantto directthe soundeffects,music,actors, scenery concept,
camera direction &lightingtodeliverthe narrative onscreen.
Narrative:The Narrative theorywhichAlienfollowsisthe theorycreatedbyTzvetanTodorov.Whichmeansthatthe
filmhasfive keystages:
The existingequilibrium –A merchantvessel makingitslongvoyage toEarth
The Disruption of the Equilibrium –The merchantvessel perceivesanunknowntransmission asa distresscall,

2. causingthe merchantcrew to investigate. Whenpreparingtolandonthe planetthe shipbreakssoDallas,Lambert
& Kane go out to investigatewhile the othersstaybehindtomendthe ship.Kane comesacrossan aliencorpse & a
camberfilledwithleatheryeggs.Kane thenproceedstoinvestigatethe strange eggsandispromptlyattackedbythe
creature whichexiststhe leatheryegg.Dallas&Lamberttake Kane back onto the shipto try andremove the
creature of hisface but isrefusedby the tighteningof the creaturesgripaswell asitsacid blood.Eventuallythe
creature (Facehugger) diesandreleasesitsgripfromKane,Kane survivesthisandonlyseemstohave asore throat.
The crew decidestositdownand eattheirfinal meal before goinginto hypersleep.
Recognitionof the disruption –Duringtheirmeal an alienburstsforthoutof Kane’schest(killinghim),the creature
runs off.The crewdecidestheywon’tbe able togo into hypersleep withanalienonboardthe shipsothe crew
make a decisiontohuntthe creature down.
An attempttorepairdamage – AfterthisBrett& Dallasfall victimtothe alienandRipleydiscoversthatthe company
sentAshto ensure the alien’sretrieval backtoEarth.Ash attacks RipleybutParkerandLambertfighthimoff,
revealinghimtobe an android.TheyplugAshbackin to askhimhow to kill the creature,buthahaha(saysAsh) they
can't. Theyare fightingthe perfectorganism. Ripleydecidesenoughof this.They'll escapeonthe shuttle andblow
up the ship.Ripleyprepsthe shuttleandgoeslookingforJonesy,while LambertandParkergathercoolantforthe
journey.Withthe terrible timingof anytrue movie monster,the alienarrivestokill bothParkerandLambert. Ripley
setsthe self-destructonthe ship,escapesinthe shuttle,andwatchesastheyshipandalienare blownintospace
dust. However, the alienmanagedtoescape onthe shuttle withRipley.Doingsome quickthinking,Ripleyslipsintoa
spacesuit,strapsherself intoaseat,and blaststhe creature intospace.Whenit attemptstocrawl back intothe
shuttle throughanengine,she hitsthe throttle andblowsthe creature away.
NewEquilibrium –Ripleyentersalogintothe computerrelatingthe fatesof the Nostromoanditscrew.The final
shotis of RipleyandJonesyinhypersleepasthe shuttle driftsthroughspace.
Genre:
Alienisable todisplaythe genre of Horrorthroughthe use of terrifying&violentscene whenKane isbeingattacked
by the Facehugger.“Witha shockingviolence”andhow detailedthe attackis,Dan O’Bannon
Target Audience: Iwouldsaythatthe typical audience forthisclassical horrorfilm, wouldsitalongthe linesof young
adultsto olderadults(18+) my reasoningforthisisdue to the filmcontainingstrongbloodyviolence &horror,the
certificationforthe TA wouldbe 18.