Sci Fi and Horror Film

Elements of Science Fiction

I. Science Fiction Defined

a. Science Fiction (commonly known as Sci-fi or SF) is a sub-genre of fiction and is difficult to define because it is similar to the fantasy genre and has changed a lot over the years.

b. Definition: SF is a genre of fiction in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future.

II. Elements of Science Fiction

a. Setting: i. SF films are often set in the future, the extended past, in space, on a different world, or in a different universe or dimension.

b. Ploti. The plot creates situations different from those of both the present day and the past.

ii. Science fiction films also include humans, and explain what effect new discoveries and scientific developments will have on us in the future.

Elements of Science Fiction –cont.-

i. Conflict: (2 types) 1.People & their problems (human element)

a. Example: The evil scientist who tries to rule the world by contaminating the drinking water with a chemical potion.

2. Machines & the problems they can cause (technology element)

a. Example: A good robot gone bad. (Frankenstein)

b. Example: Computers who try to rule the world.

III. Extrapolation

a. When a writer takes a known scientific fact and imagines what might happen if certain events or circumstances take place.

i. Building a space shuttle

ii. Making a robot

iii. Constructing a time machine

IV. Science Fiction vs. Fantasy

a. Science Fiction and Fantasy stories are both make-believe tales, however,…

i. fantasies are stories that involve beings and events that do not exist in real life.

ii. fantasy has no rules—anything is possible!

iii. fantasy stories may or may not start realistically, but they always evolve into tales that could never really happen.

iv. SF focuses on real or imagined developments in science or technology and later contains elements of fantasy.

v. SF takes real science ideas and advances them so far into the future that they become fantasy.

V. Science Fiction may include:

a. scientific discoveries or developments

b. environmental changes

c. space travel

d. life on other planets

e. mutants

f. robots

VI.Where you may have seen SF

a. Space travel to and from other planetsi. Star Wars, Star Trek

b. Time travel to the past and futurei. Back to the Future

c. Psychological/biological changes to man brought about by scientific changes

i. The Incredible Hulk

d. Supernormal power/talentsi. Superman, Spiderman

Horror Films

Key conventions

Mise en scene

• Isolated, abandoned, historical, areas with a sense of claustrophobia and smothering atmosphere.

• Dark contrasting light clothing to show the good and evil, with color splashing when connotations are needed to illustrate a certain aspect of the characters representation.

• Props with signs that create codes of the horror genre: candles, blood, weapons, masks.

• horror

Camera Work

• Camera angles are low to show superiority of one character over another.

• There will also be many extreme closeups to show importance and fear.

• POV shots allow the audience to connect with the fear and intensity of the characters.

• Depth of field gives a sense of isolation.• Hand held shots can help the audience to

experience the action.

Editing

• The editing is very important to make the film give the atmosphere desired

• For example, if there hasn’t been a fast paced montage of shots in a while the chance is there will be something about to happen or scare the audience

• The use of continuity editing and jump cuts are usually used by horror films so the audience are more engaged

Sound• Sounds are very important for creating the

desired atmosphere and setting a tension within the audience who are made to feel jumpy

• Usually diegetic sounds are used against absolute silence making the loudness of a burst of action or jumpy scene even more tense

• Sounds such as footsteps, heart beats, breathing ect. are all diegetic and iconic in horror films.

Classic Character types to a horror film.

• The main protagonist – hero.

• The villian –

• The character who always gets

killed –

The Day the Earth Stood Still

• 1951

• Robert Wise• An alien lands and tells the people of

Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.

Carrie

• 1976

• Brian de Palma

• A young, abused and timid 17-year-old girl discovers she has telekinesis, and gets pushed to the limit on the night of her school's prom by a humiliating prank.

Independence Day

• 1996

• Roland Emmerick

• The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy. Fighting superior technology, Man's best weapon is the will to survive.