A-level Media

1. Film Opening Analysis – Alien
In the openingsequence of Alienwe are introducedtothe ‘real
world’of the filmwitha combinationof cinematographyof
panningthroughdarkspace pasta Saturnlike planetasthe
openingcreditsroll inandthe title slowlyrevealsitself,
accompaniedbyan eerie soundtrackandthe humof a giant
miningspaceshipgivesthe audience the feelingof discomfortand
the lonelinessof space travel andintroducesthe filmasa science
fictionthriller. The audience isshowntextinthe frame describing
the vessel asa ‘commercial towingvehicle’withacrew of seven
and that it’sona returningcourse forEarth as the vessel travels
towardsthe camera. Thisisslightlyunconventional andgivesthe
audience arealisticideaof future space exploration.Scottshowsa
close upof the vessel fromunderneathasittravelsby,givingthe
audience aglimpse tothe detail andmechanicsof the vessel,
there are guns,radar dishes,antennaandanarray of details
illustratingthe hugenessof the vessel.The lightingisdarkandcombinedwiththe soundtrack,the
humof the vessel,makesthe audience feel the lonelinessandemptinessandasense of discomfort
of suchan expedition. Scottshowsthe emptinessof the vessel withapanfromone corridor to
another,accompaniedbythe humand dark lighting.Thisfeelingisfurtherestablishedwithapan
fromthe emptydiningroom,pastcomputersandgadgetsandcontinuesintoacontrol room. Thisis
an extremelylongshotlastingaboutfortyseconds,andaffirmsthe emptinessof the huge vessel as
the audience isyettosee any people onboard.
Scott usesan unconventional shot,reverse-shotsequence whichistypicallyusedinconversation.
The computerswitchesitselfonanddisplaysasignal it has pickedup.We see pointof view shots
fromthe perspectiveof the emergencyhelmetsthatsitinfrontof the computerterminal.Scottuses
a mixture of subjectiveandobjectivePOV,subjectivefromthe helmetwhichillustratesthat
althoughnoone is sittingatthe terminal thisiswhattheywouldsee.Andobjective fromthe side to
showreactionshots,althoughitisnot a person,we see the reflectionof the computermonitorin
the visorof the helmet.The propsinthe sequence are muchthoughtoutand detailed,we see an
array of computers,switches,knobsanddials,the emergencyhelmet,the displayonthe monitor
and evendetail inthe wallsandcorridorsof the vessel are verydetailedandpurposeful.The lighting
isquite dark,preparingthe audience forthe nextscene of the crew wakingfromtheirstasis
chambers,showingthe shiptobe ina sortof stand-bymode andgivesasense of realismtospace
travel.Scottdoeswell doimpose the feelingof empty,lonely,darkandspookyspace travel onthe
audience withagloomysoundtrackandthe low humof the vessel,alongsideslow pansof a
seeminglyemptyshipwithpoorlighting.Alsothe careful arrangementof the setmakesthe
audience reallybelieve the ‘real world’of the filmandforcesthemto engage inthe experience.