Generic conventions of Science fiction Leah McCallum

Generic codes and conventions of science fiction

As our film has conventions of both a thriller and science fiction, I have researched into the codes and conventions of both genres in order to effectively demonstrate them within our film. I wanted to subvert the typical conventions of  science fiction thrillers but to do so I needed to research in depth of the two genres. I began with looking at the history of the genres in order to establish what the codes and conventions are and how they have adapted on screen form the nineteen hundreds to the present day. It was interesting to identify the types of science fiction and thriller films from the past as they are somewhat replicated in the present day.
                           Science Fiction 
The science fiction genre incorporates science based themes into the plot of the film. It can often feature futuristic elements and technologies to explore social, political and other issues. Science fiction films are often set in space or in the future.

History of Science Fiction Films 
1900-1920
Science fiction films appeared in the early 1900's in the silent era, the first space related science fiction film was George Melies La Voyage Dans La Lune(1902) which featured early trick photography to portray the journey to the moon. The first feature length science film was Metropolis by Fritz Lang.





1950's
The 1950's produced an array of science fiction films and many featured elements of aliens and UFO's due to the fascination of space audiences had at the time. During the 1950's The day the earth stood still and was one of the first films to use the theme of aliens and extraterrestrial life.


1960
Due to the success of science fiction films in the decade before, there was a small decline in the amount of films in the 60's. However, the films that were produced in this era did change science fiction cinema. Here are few examples of films from this era:  The last man on earth, Planet of the earths











1970

During the 1970's, a popular science fiction film called Star Wars, was released which has gone on to be one of the biggest science fiction franchises in film history. The first Alien film was produced in the 1970's, however Alien had elements of horror which introduced the idea of Horror science fiction films.


1980-1990
The film Star Wars had such a success in the 1970's that in the 80's the sequel was released. The theme of space and alien life continued with E.T and the use of  computer graphics and animation was becoming more frequent and improved the quality of be-livability in film.
Along with a star wars sequel other classic films were produced for the genre such as The Terminator and Back to the future.Following the 1980's, the 1990's had a wider variety of science fiction films including the Matrix, this brought forth more technological science fiction films.











2000's 

Avatar

During this era the advancement in technology has allowed film makers to create visually immersive experiences due to the computer generated images and the budgets films now can have in comparison to the films of the 1970's and 80's. One of the most noteworthy science fiction films of 2009 was Avatar by James Cameron as it created a whole other world entirely computer generated.Other successful films of this era are: Transformers, Interstellar, and X men.





Examples of Science fiction films 

The Matrix




2001:Space Odyssey

CONVENTIONS OF SCIENCE FICTION FILMS

Futuristic Worlds

Dystopian London 

Internal setting of space shuttle

Blade Runner

The setting: Within science fiction films the settings are usually in an alternative timeline such as the future, this allows audiences to connect with the film as it is a possibility that what films depict of the future will be a possibility and  replicate what it is presented in the films. The setting can also be in outer space, other worlds or even alternative universe's. The unusual setting within a science fiction film generates interest from audiences as it is different to the present day and offers unfamiliar settings such as a Dystopian or Utopian society which again is possible within the near future. An example of a film with a dystopian future is Blade runner. However, some science fiction films can be set in familiar settings that the audience will recognise to present a realistic world with a potentially surrealist situation such as an alien invasion. I believe settings within science fiction films, specifically in recent times to replicate situations that are arising, causing somewhat of a moral panic, for example the possibility of living on Mars is now in succession and therefore from 2013 to 2016, there have been an increase in the amount of science fiction films set in outer space. Films such as Interstellar, Gravity, The Martian and Apollo 18 have all been distributed in the year 2014 to 2015.

Interstellar

Lighting:

Within Science fiction films the lighting may be unrealistic as it is an alternative view of the world, vibrant yellows may be used and blues to convey a futuristic world but to also subvert the conventional lighting that is expected within films. The lighting may also be low key to convey a dark tone to the film. It can also cast shadows on certain characters to suggest that their true identity is half hidden and that the audience must be wary of them. Lighting helps create the tone of the film but in literal terms light can represent the good and the bad characters, for example in Star Wars the light Sabers are different colours to represent good and evil. I have selected three science fiction films(AI: Artificial intelligence, Alien and War of the worlds) that convey interesting lighting in order to effectively create an atmosphere that is intense, visually unnerving and representative of a future and the science fiction genre. Within Alien the lighting is low key to evoke the sense of the Alien lurking in the darkness and to also reinforce the idea that they are in space with no natural light force. The low key lighting is significantly contrasted with the ominous light within the space pods, it allows the audience to identify that the light space pods are a seemingly safe environment and the low key lighting scenes indicate a sense of danger.

The Alien is in a low key lighted area

The low key lighting in this scene creates tension, for the
characters are approaching the dark unknown, rather like the audience 

This similar lighting can be seen in The War of the Worlds, to evoke an unnatural atmosphere to the film and to evoke a sense of depression in the morale of the human race and to also highlight the ways in which the aliens can seek out the humans even in darkness. In the scene where the protagonist must hide out in a basement is a good example of low key lighting and the effect it causes on the audience.  The only light source is from the Alien life form itself making it more suspenseful when the characters are in darkness.

Within Artificial Intelligence the lighting is interesting as it is low key lighting in key scenes of where David finds himself in danger and the unknown, this is a common theme for lighting to convey a sense of danger. The lighting also within this film is fluorescent and well lit to contrast the dark sky and elicits the city David finds himself in.

There is no naturalistic light and therefore
heavily relies on man made lighting

Low Key lighting to elicit the danger and unknown

Latex clothing in Matrix

Costumes: The costumes within Science Fiction films are varied as science fiction films have varied narratives, for example the narrative can have elements of space and others can have elements of Aliens and therefore the costumes and makeup differentiates depending on the film. In science fiction films where the central characters that cause a disequilibrium are aliens and therefore have prosthetic's to make them look unworldly and biologically different, this is often achieved by having green skin, an example of this is Yoda in Stars Wars. However, in recent times, science fiction films are adopting costumes that are verisimilitude to present day clothing to elicit a normalcy about what the films are presenting. Another common convention of science fiction film costumes is the use of leather or latex to suggest that the common material in the future will be more durable. 

Latex in sci fi film

Latex suit in the Hunger Games

Sound: The sound in science fiction films vary, however the typical sound effects heard in science fiction films are spaceship related sounds, machinery working, alien adapted voices, and ambient music to create a vast ominous world. The sound in essence is used to create a world that is unnerving for the audience,  strange metallic sounds can be heard to immerse them in this new world or unfamiliar setting, as well as the visuals the sounds convey the world and its atmosphere. Among other sounds to be heard in sci fi is non diegetic sounds effects and diegetic sounds of the action taking place in particular scenes.

The heroic father role

Typical characters: Within science fiction films there are typically characters who portray good and characters that portray evil. This is a binary opposition which allows the audience to root for the good to win the evil. For example the binary opposition of good and evil can be seen in the science fiction film Star wars. In Alien, it is the Alien that is the representation of evil and Ripley that is the hero. The good characters have various traits of a hero or begin to develop the traits to present a development of a particular character, For example within War of The Worlds the alien invasion results in protagonist becoming a better father to his two children after each obstacle the aliens provide for his character development. The characters can come in the form of  a human, alien, artificial intelligence, etc. I have selected the typical characters that frequently occur throughout the science fiction genre. 



The Robot
The robot can either be representative of good or the evil or in some cases be a sidekick to a human. The use of a robot immediately creates a sense of science fiction via the artificial intelligence and is in some cases is used to suggest that artificial intelligence is becoming more adaptive of the human condition.

David:AI

Ex Machina



Abe

•  Some science fiction films use existing fairy tales, morals and fables and adapt them to reinvent the classic story, for example Pinocchio is adapted within the film Artificial Intelligence to present a Robot who wants to be real, this is a typical character as machines want to be real or be with a human. 

Star wars

 Robot Sidekicks commonly feature in science fiction films to present an alternative to the human sidekick/pet. 

Star wars

• The other typical robot character is an evil artificial intelligence that infiltrates the world and harms the human race. These characters aim to translate potential circumstances in the future as technology is advancing daily. 

  

  Sonny, I Robot

  
  

  

  Terminator Salvation

  
  

  

  Space Odyssey

Heroic men
Well known actors are used within sci films to present an heroic character that is either in a situation to save the world or save someone in a particular situation. The use of the actors in this role is to generate interest in the film and the actors are typically strong and overt in authority. For example:

• Will Smith: Independence Day and Men In Black

• Bruce Willis:Fifth Element

Female characters
Females within science fiction can either subvert the stereotypical view of a women or use the stereotype to represent them as a heroin that the male character needs to save.

• Subverted: Ripley: Alien franchise

The use of CGI in Avatar

Editing and Cinematography: Science fiction films usually feature CGI to create a dystopian future and enhance the way the world is today, however the director must balance the familiarity with the unknown in order to keep the audience engaged. Other uses of CGI is to create settings such as space which replicates the reality of space. The use of CGI can also be used to create characters such as Aliens that are visually unique. Within Avatar the majority of the film is filmed in CGI to present the world Pandora and the Avatar characters, the CGI is immersive for the audience and can create scenes that could not simply be filmed on location. The editing style of the science fiction genre usually has a series of jump cuts to transition effectively throughout action sequences and also builds up the tension for the disequilibrium that may be the invasion, for example an Alien invasion. 

Iconography: The iconography of Science Fiction films can vary due to the plethora of settings and narrative content. The most typical of a science fiction film is a weapon of mass destruction to kill the opposition, for example Aliens, Zombies, ect. The iconography establishes the genre of the film.

• High Tech Gadgets

• Holographic Images

• CGI

• Spaceships

• Robots

Narrative Content: The narrative content within science fiction films usually consists of a new technological development such as robots or advanced high technology that will elevate the human race thousands of years ahead. Other archetypal narratives contain extraterrestrial life, new scientific principles, or a new political system such as a dystopian dictatorship. This type of narrative is used to create a sense of dialogue between these new ideas and connects with the audiences imagination. Within science fiction the concept of good and evil is the basis of the narrative as it is familiar to the audience but can be presented in an unfamiliar way. The portrayal of good and evil is generally an underlying message of existing conflicts within society or to comment on the cultural differences between countries.

Symbolism: Futuristic elements are presented to the audience to depict the advancement of technology which is at the centre of the film. The symbols the film presents the audience with are used to make them believe in the images.