Sci-fi films:Conventions of the genre

Sujata Gurung

The genre incorporates hypothetical and science based themes into the plot of the film. The genre often includes futuristic elements and technologies to explore social, political, and philosophical issues. In many cases the film itself is set in the future, either on earth or in space. The generic convention of sci-fi incorporates heroes, villains, quest, advanced technology and unfamiliar locations (such as different planets)

WHAT IS THE SCI-FI GENRE?

Character types Aliens(Alien invaders; extra-terrestrials who mount an invasion against earth) e.g. Body Snatchers, War of the Worlds.) Robots Androids Humanoids Humans; Scientists/Researchers, hero, victim Mutants Protagonist(The hero who has to save the world) Antagonist Artificial intelligence Sidekick

Iconography High-tech gadgets (e.g. light saber) Holographic images Use of CGI/special effect/makeup Weapons of mass destruction Spaceships Teleportation machines Laboratory Lab coats Robots High-tech/unique costumes(usually metal, shiny with unique design)

Narrative Overcoming obstacles (E.g. trying to save the world from an invasion. Another example is ‘Star Wars: Episode VI-Return of the Jedi-The rebels rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and battle the Empire whilst Jedi and Luke attempt to bring his father away from the Dark Side.) Often based on scientific principles and ideology (sci-fi films often comment on important issues in society) Exploration of world’s concern(or interest) coming true e.g. Global Warming(It plays on the audiences concerns and fears of the future due to the current situation today and as a result makes the film attractive and familiar. An example of this could be ‘The Matrix’-The fight for the future begins when a computer hacker learns the world exists in an alternate reality and he is chosen as ‘The One’ who can save man kind in the war against the computers. This also overlaps with other narratives such as ‘overcoming obstacles)

Destruction of Earth(End of the world; apocalypse scenario, last person left on earth) Development of new technology or species and the consequences of it.(E.g. in Gattaca the discovery and development of genetically modified humans leads to issues in the social system. As well as this the sci-fi genre gives the audience a chance to show or create a belief about what the future might look like)Many sci-fi films take real scientific ideas and advances them so far into the future that the become a fantasy Psychological or biological changes brought onto characters due to scientific changes and

over experimentation. Alien Invasion: In this narrative extra-terrestrials invade Earth with the intent to replace

human life, or enslave it. Examples are ‘War of the Worlds’ and ‘Independence Day’. Similarly there are many sci-fi films when robots rebel against man kind. Example is ‘I, Robot’. From time to time there are narratives where human interference in extra-terrestrial life leads to revenge from the Alien invasion and the destruction of earth.

In conclusion, these narratives are commonly seen in sci-fi films however some of these narrative are mixed with other narratives, as a result making the film more interesting and unique.

Setting

Earth or Alternative versions of the earth

(this allows the manipulation of the world around the protagonist)

Futuristic setting Parallel universeSpace/planets

Dystopian landDifferent dimension

Spaceships

Themes Binary opposition (theory proposed by Claude Levi-Strauss)Good/Evil, Life/Death, control/panic, Human/extra-terrestrials Paranormal abilities e.g. levitating New discovery (of planets, new species) Time travel Space travel Fear of the unknown (This is usually the fear of the future, and what might invade the earth. Or the fear of the unknown could also be interpreted as fear of ‘the other’ or ‘the unexplained’ Realm out of stereotypes presented in society Extra-terrestrial life invasion Revenge (Example: Human intervention lead to an imbalance in the world or in other planet, as a result leads to negative outcome. This is most commonly due to humans curiosity with the unknown. It plays on ideas of how much can we learn and explore about the earth and the outer world, and to what point is it safe to know about these things.)

Representation There is often a male hero and a female character that needs to be

protected and fragile. Women are shown to be weaker and passive character, this can be more often seen in earlier sci-fi films such as the first ‘Terminator’ series however as the sci-fi genre is being modernised throughout the years the gender representation is changing. An example of this is the recent ‘Terminator’ film. Women are represented to be bolder and fighters.

Aliens/robots are usually represented as strong and lacking empathy and emotions whilst on the other hand humans are often represented as vulnerable but willing to fight back.

Arguably sci-fi has changed over time, and the society they reflect are different. There are different social concerns that recent sci-fi address