SCI-FI GENRE By Ryan Bourne

WHAT IS SCI-FI? Science fiction (SCI-FI) is a genre of fiction in which stories often tell about the science and technology of the future. Many codes and conventions are used to make this genre effective to its audience.

TYPES OF SCI-FI FILMS There are tonnes of Science Fiction films all around the world. For example: 2001: A Space Odyssey Star Wars I-VI Terminator In Time Transformers

WHAT ARE THE CODES OF THIS GENRE? There are many codes that are used in Science Fiction, for example, these are used and they are very popular for this genre: Space Aliens These are two types of codes that are used in nearly every SCI-FI film or book. The conventions outrun the codes for this genre.

WHAT ARE THE CONVENTIONS OF THIS GENRE? 1 Many conventions are used to present this genre in many different ways: They use the setting – time: E.g. the future, alternative timeline or a historical past In addition to setting – place: E.g. outer space, other worlds or alternative versions of Earth. They also use different narrative elements (types of stories used in the film/how the stories are told in the film/what is used in the film to tell the story). SCI-FI makers will include a single or mixture of these narrative elements: A) new technology B) new scientific principles (e.g. time travel) C) new political systems (e.g. Dystopian/Utopia societies – Dystopian stories will deal with political issues like police states and repression. This type of SCI-FI doesn’t predict what happens but makes us fear what happens next – Utopia is a place of paradise where stories deal with humanity moving forward and there is no need for war. Technology has developed even more.) D) conflict between Good and Evil (an example of Binary oppositions – two opposites put together in film)

WHAT ARE THE CONVENTIONS OF THIS GENRE? 2 SCI-FI makers also use symbolism. This is the use of futuristic props, costume and setting that represent the scientific advancement at the centre of the film.

WHAT ARE THE CONVENTIONS OF THIS GENRE? 3 Film techniques are also used by SCI-FI makers. E.g. close-ups of futuristic technologies/scientific elements Also, don’t forget special effects. Without special effects, it may determine whether a film is a complete SCI-FI or not.

WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC TARGET AUDIENCE OF SCI-FI? Around the world, research has proven that the SCI-FI genre appeals to one type of audience. This is a male audience aged 17-29.

WHO ARE THE STARS AND CELEBRITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GENRE? Many stars and celebrities associate themselves with the SCI-FI genre. For example, many celebrities like: Robert Downey JR. Ian McKellen Hugh Jackman James Franco George Clooney Keanu Reeves Liam Neeson Jennifer Lawrence Gwyneth Paltrow Elijah Wood Patrick Stewart Steven Spielberg James Cameron Christopher Nolan George Lucas

BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.slideshare.net/Nikchik89/science-fiction-conventions http://www.imdb.com/list/ls051257870/ http://www.imdb.com/list/ls052136979/ http://attwillfoundation.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/audience-for-sci-fi-films.html http://bestsciencefictionbooks.com/utopian-science-fiction.php http://bestsciencefictionbooks.com/dystopian-science-fiction.php http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson927/SciFiDefinition.pdf