How to Pitch ET?

I have to admit, ten years ago, ET would have sounded a lot cooler then it does today. Aliens. A giant spaceship. But these are friendly aliens. What a novel idea. In this day and age, friendly aliens must be accompanied by CGI graphics and giant explosions, whether they be friendly or hostile.

But I digress...those are simply thoughts...if I had to pitch the movie I would package is as a Fantasy/Maturation film for sentimental adults who need something to beleive in, as well as an excellent choice of movie to see with their teenage kids. While I can't imagine pubescents flocking to the theaters to see ET, they very well may enjoy it while amongst kith and kin. It would be a meeting place for the young and the young of heart, a true feel-good movie that leaves you thinking about the value of simple truths and childhood memories.

And, of course, because our hero is an alien, the merchandising opportunities are virtually limitless. ET may have a squashed little head but that doesn't make him any less adoreable. His finger glows when you squeeze it. His eyes roll around his head when you shake him. He comes with a voice chip and says no less then ten words - which may be twice as many as he says in the actual film!

I think both angles (parent/teen film and merchandising opportunity) would work well enough in a pitch. I would just be very clear that this is a funny, exciting adventure, laced with the best kind of tissue opportunities. In this bleak world, don't we all want to see a little joy? And hey, add ET tissues to the merchandising list. We can sell them outside the theaters.

Bethany Dickens

Discussion Questions:

1. Weston talks a lot about subtext, and why it is important to a story. Are there any examples anyone can think of where a movie had too much subtext? Perhaps where a scene was over-the-top because the actors were thinking about the subtext for each and every line?
2. McKee's list of genres just blew me away. If you had to boil the list down to six or seven major genres, which would you pick and why? Can you think of movies that wouldn't fit at all into the genres you picked?