Science Fiction alternate possibilities of reality The 50s – The 1990s

Alternate Realities A setting in the future or in an alternate timeline where history has played out differently. A setting in the future or in an alternate timeline where history has played out differently.

Alternate Realities A setting in outer space or that includes aliens. A setting in outer space or that includes aliens.

Alternate Realities Stories that contradict known laws of nature Stories that contradict known laws of nature

Conventions of the Genre? Special Effects (SFX), Make-up, and Alternate Realities Special Effects (SFX), Make-up, and Alternate Realities Science Fiction tends to borrow the conventions of other genres Science Fiction tends to borrow the conventions of other genres

Conventions of the Genre If it follows the Western story- telling pattern, it uses those conventions—the lone hero, open spaces, clearly defined bad guys… If it follows the Western story- telling pattern, it uses those conventions—the lone hero, open spaces, clearly defined bad guys…

Conventions of the Genre If it’s a musical, it follows those conventions— high key lighting, bright colors…

Conventions of the Genre If it’s about the dark side of humanity, it follows film noir—low key lighting, femme fatale, questionable heroes If it’s about the dark side of humanity, it follows film noir—low key lighting, femme fatale, questionable heroes

What affected American Society? Communism Communism Nuclear destruction Nuclear destruction Invasion Invasion New Science/Technology New Science/Technology Space travel Space travel

Fears in the 1950s Fear of nuclear destruction—movies depicting invasions by giant creatures (ants, spiders, blobs...Them!) Fear of nuclear destruction—movies depicting invasions by giant creatures (ants, spiders, blobs...Them!) Fear of foreign invasion—the alien invasion movies (The Day the Earth Stood Still) Fear of foreign invasion—the alien invasion movies (The Day the Earth Stood Still)

Fears in the 1950s Fear of science/tech.—movies depicting “what can go wrong” in the lab (The Incredible Shrinking Man, Godzilla); or movies that have robots that “take over” (Forbidden Planet) Fear of science/tech.—movies depicting “what can go wrong” in the lab (The Incredible Shrinking Man, Godzilla); or movies that have robots that “take over” (Forbidden Planet) *Space travel was less of a fear than fascination. People became obsessed with the idea of other worlds and civilizations. *Space travel was less of a fear than fascination. People became obsessed with the idea of other worlds and civilizations.

Changes in the 1980s The Vietnam War and Watergate left audiences in the 1980s cynical; they no longer trusted their government leaders The Vietnam War and Watergate left audiences in the 1980s cynical; they no longer trusted their government leaders With a history of social activism (the Hippies grew up!), audiences held their government accountable, and demanded change. With a history of social activism (the Hippies grew up!), audiences held their government accountable, and demanded change. The emergence of the environmental movement—it wasn’t all about politics anymore. The emergence of the environmental movement—it wasn’t all about politics anymore.