Science Fiction

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Science Fiction

• Introduction to the genre History and Beginnings

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• Science Fiction film is a genre that incorporates
  hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot
  of the film. Often, this genre incorporates
  futuristic elements and technologies to explore
  social, political, and philosophical issues. The
  film itself is usually set in the future, either
  on earth or in space. Traditionally, a Science
  Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains,
  unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and
  advanced technology.

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The Beginnings

• Science fiction has been popular since 1902 with
  George Melies Journey to the Moon.
• The ideological messages of Sci.Fi. Appeared
  early and reflect the concerns of society at the
  time of the production.

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• Sci Fi stems from our want to see beyond our
  time.
• To know what will happen in the future
• Or more importantly what could happen.

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1927 - Metropolis

• Concerns
• The impact of new technology
• The dehumanising and exploitative potential of
  the machine age.
• Introduced the iconography of the genre- robots
  mad scientists.
• Began with the idea of Frankensteins monsters

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1950- Invasion Science Fiction

• Reflect USA Concerns
• Invasion by aliens a mirror of the Cold War
  anxieties - communist spies nuclear
  annihilation.

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1960s The Space Odyssey

• Optimism and spiritual development with the
  exploration of new worlds.
• The iconography of highly technical space craft,
  dangerous, self aware computers (HAL) and the use
  of inter-linked images and music to enhance the
  grandeur of space

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1980 Dystopian Views

• Films reflect a world that is disillusioned,
  pessimistic and decaying.
• A world in which nothing could be trusted and
  where everything and everybody had a price.

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1990 Technology issues

• Matrix Bladerunner reflect
• Concern about the relationship of man and
  technology.
• Cyborgs and the combination of human intelligence
  with virtual reality cyberspace.

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1990 Invasion Problems

• The return of the alien invasion theme.
• America combines against overwhelming enemy and
  triumphs.
• Good versus Evil.
• Patriotism rules.

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1990 beyond post-modern issues

• Bladerunner Matrix reflect
• A post modern world where the distinction between
  real and virtual are blurred.
• Raise the Frankenstein question What is the role
  of man in the new scientific age and what are the
  dangers inherent in acting as God?

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Elements of Sci Fi
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Central plots

• A conflict between Them and Us.
• The positive negative aspects of science
• The future possibilities created by social or
  technological advances.

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Advanced Technology

• Robots and Androids- Data, C3PO
• Ray Guns - Star Trek
• Teleportation Devices - Star Trek (A hypothetical
  method of transportation in which matter or
  information is dematerialized, usually
  instantaneously, at one point and recreated at
  another.)
• Space Ships- Star Wars, Serenity

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Futuristic Setting

• Outer space
• Subterranean earth
• Post-Apocalyptic- Following a large-scale
  disaster in which civilization has been destroyed
  or has regressed to a more primitive level (of a
  story) having such a setting.Alternate
  Timelines/ Parallel Universe

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Space Travel

• Time Travel- Traveling from one time period to
  another.
• Wormholes- shortcut connection between the two
  distinct regions of space-time.
• Faster-than-light Speed- arriving at a
  destination faster than a beam of light traveling
  the same distance
• Aliens- A being from another planet.
• Paranormal Abilities- an ability to perceive
  information hidden from the normal senses

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Themes in Science Fiction

• Unexplained Phenomena- Stories featuring UFOs,
  pyramid power, paranormal abilities, telekinesis,
  ESP, and other psychic possibilities and how
  those talents affect humans. (Super 8,
  Independence Day)

Telekinesis- The ability to move an object with
the power of one's thoughts. (The Fire Starter)
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The Individual versus Society- Tales where
the society has certain guidelines for
compatible living, but situations occur that
the rules dont cover. A strong individual
accomplishes daring feats and sometimes this
requires breaking rules. (Hunger Games, The
Giver, Enders Game, I, Robot)
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Humans and Technology- Stories describing how
humans interact with computers, nanotechnology,
bioengineering, virtual reality, artificial
intelligences, or other parts of technologically
driven society. These stories often question the
concept of what it means to be human. (I, Robot,
Terminator)
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Science Fiction vs. Fantasy

• Science Fiction- a form of fiction that draws
  imaginatively on scientific knowledge and
  speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc.
• Enders Game, Brave New World, The Wanting
  Seed, Hunger Games, Dune, Hitchhikers Guide to
  the Galaxy, I am Legend.
• It always ties back to science.
• Fantasy- stories set in fanciful, invented
  worlds, an alternate and more fanciful version of
  our own world, or in a legendary, mythic past.
  Fantasy fiction stories generally involve magic,
  mystical elements, or supernatural creatures.
• Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings,
  Eragon

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Science Fiction Elements

• Science Fiction films commonly contain the
  following elements
• Low key lighting
• Cold dystopic colours (red, green, black, silver)
• Low angles on aliens, high angles on humans
• Impressive Special Effects and technology focus
  (SFX)
• Music menacing, threatening
• Plot - Science fiction plots often express the
  potential of technology to destroy humankind
  through Armaggedon-like events, wars between
  worlds, Earth-imperiling encounters or disasters.
• Contain a hero who saves the day
  (god/scientist/everyman)

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SCIENCE FICTION
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Types of Films
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Apocalyptic Film

• Apocalyptic film is a sub-genre of
  Science-Fiction film. The plot revolves around an
  impending disaster. Within this genre, the
  disaster is usually an alien invasion, a nuclear
  war, a pandemic, or a natural disaster. The
  development of technology plays a large role in
  these films and often serves as the source of
  conflict.  While many films in this sub-genre
  center around the disaster, many focus on the
  post-apocalyptic state of the world.
• Examples Independence Day, War of the Worlds,
  Armageddon.

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Dystopian Film

• Dystopian film is a sub-genre of Science-Fiction
  film that focuses on the upset state of the
  world. These films take place in the future and
  feature a world that is overrun with violence,
  oppression, and disease. In other words, a
  Dystopian film explores what it would look like
  to achieve the opposite of an Utopian society.

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Dystopian Film

• This sub-genre often holds the same themes and
  characteristics of a post-apocalyptic film.
  Generally, the common themes within Dystopian
  films include dehumanization, the repression of
  individuality, and uniformity at the cost of
  human rights.
• Examples V for Vendetta, Mad Max, Blade Runner.

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Time Travel

• As stated in its name, this sub-genre of
  Science-Fiction film centers around the concept
  of time travel. These films can explore
  traditional time travel through futuristic
  devices or space-time travel. The Time Travel
  sub-genre can also explore the concept of
  alternate histories, alternate realities, and
  parallel universes.
• Examples The Terminator, Back to the Future,
  Star Trek.

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Alien Film

• Alien film is perhaps the most prominent themed
  sub-genre in Science-Fiction film. These films
  can explore the existence of aliens, alien
  invasions, and alien abduction. Often, these
  movies include some sort of government conspiracy
  or cover-up. A common theme in this sub-genre is
  the coexistence between human beings and aliens.
• Examples Predator, Mars Attacks!, Alien.

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Monsters and Mutants

• Monsters and Mutants is a sub-genre with a long
  tradition within Science-Fiction film. Unlike
  horror films, this sub-genre contains a monster
  or mutant that derives from a scientific
  explanation or origin. These films can contain a
  scientific experiment or accident that produces
  the said monster. In many Science-Fiction films,
  these mutants can be created from technology and
  take the form of robots and technologically
  advanced beings.
• Examples Godzilla, Cloverfield, Tremors.

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Sci Fi Activity Story Building

• Regardless of the genre and its elements. Ideally
  these are stories.
• Get together into groups of 5.
• Using a Story I will give you, you will create a
  sci fi movie out of it and present it to the
  class.
• 20 Mins