Science Fiction: A Genre Research Analysis

The Universe of:

 

Science Fiction

 

Science Fiction, "Sci-fi" for short, has existed in the film world for over a century, starting with the revolutionary "A Trip to the Moon." Science Fiction is described as fictional fantasy work that explores scientific and technological advances. You know what I'm talking about; spaceships, teleportation, or time travel. Science Fiction movies can be anything; they can be exciting, sad, scary, which is why it appeals to such a great amount of people. Science Fiction doesn't have a specific target audience, since it can appeal to any gender of any age. It's not easy to give a concrete definition of Science Fiction because it has a wide range of concepts, themes, conventions, and examples.

Content

Science Fiction's appeal can simply be described as "it's just cool." Common conventions in Sci-fi include space travel, aliens, time travel, teleportation, mind control, spaceships, alien planetary travel, dystopian societies, futuristic weapons like laser or plasma rifles, and generally over the top, eye-catching, and bright futuristic imagery and special effects. These special effects seem to be a staple of science fiction, and are also the reason they are some of the most expensive movies to make, since all Sci-fi conventions are unrealistic and require lots of cgi or costume design for things such as spaceships or aliens, and are likely the main reason people see these movies.

 

For example: When Star Wars: A New Hope (previously only called "Star Wars") was released in 1977, it took audiences by storm because of its mind-blowing special effects. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. Audiences would gasp and cheer, and people would see it multiple times. The effects even won it the academy award for Best Special Effects in 1978.

 

 

 

As was previously mentioned, Science Fiction is very versatile. It can work with almost any other genre, for example, a comedic Sci-fi movie, a horror Sci-fi movie, a drama, or thriller, etc. Despite this, Science Fiction isn't a subgenre, as even these examples, they're mainly referred to as "Sci-fi."

 

     An example: Spaceballs (1987), directed by Mel Brooks, is a Science Fiction comedy movie that mixes both genres. It's a parody of the previously mentioned famous Sci-fi movie, Star Wars, and is a great example Science's Fiction great versatility and usage as a genre. It is renowned by Critics and Audiences Alike.

 

Science Fiction films that display tropes such as space travel/warfare and melodramatic adventures are referred to as "Space Operas," such as Flash Gordon (1980). However, not all Sci-fi films necessarily have to do with space travel, their plot and aesthetic simply has to be futuristic or alien. Many of these films explore dystopian settings, such as high tech, crowded, neon-colored cities, or cold, grey cities ran by a dictatorship, such as a film I have previously studied: Equilibrium (2002).

Production Techniques

 

As was said before, Science Fiction movies tend to be the most expensive to produce, due to the  extreme special effects and CGI. There are also many complicated props built for Sci-fi conventions, such as robot animatronics, space armor, or guns. The problem with Science Fiction films is that sets tend to be too complicated to produce in real life, so there is heavy use of blue or green screens. Because of this, actors may not do a very good performance because they’re only surrounded by green and blue and can’t get truly engrossed in their role. For example, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, often criticized for its poor acting, heavily utilized green screens.

 

However, science fiction doesn’t really have many specific production techniques to speak of, other than establishing mood or aesthetic. Since it's usually mixed with other genres, production techniques follow that of the other genre, but Sci-fi still has some techniques of its own. Producers usually increase the shutter speed, to create more intensity in movement. Also, these films tend to have colder, darker tones, so the colors used for the characters and backgrounds tend to be cooler and less saturated.

Marketing

 

 Since the target audience of Science Fiction films is very general, being able to appeal to almost anyone, depending on the film, a Sci-fi marketing team does not normally take advantage of a certain audience. The appeal of Sci-fi films is that they're very eye-catching and cool looking, so trailers, posters, commercials, etc tend to be packed with this imagery.

For example, a Science Fiction trailer may show scenes or short clips of intense cgi-packed action, with not much to take from it other than that it looks amazing. Usage of such clips hooks a person's attention much better than any other medium. Although most Science Fiction movies can be for all ages, for more adult-oriented films, advertisements may feature more violence or darker tones to attract older audiences.

Samples

 

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

 

 

    Star Wars is a prime example of a classic Science Fiction movie everyone knows and loves. Even if you've never watched it, you've probably heard many references and inside jokes about this movie and the saga as a whole. Despite being aimed at teenage males, everyone from children to adults of any gender has enjoyed it. The film is about a war in a distant galaxy where a tyrannical space empire wants to take over, but fights against a group of rebels. Young Luke Skywalker, a farm boy on a desert planet called Tatooine, recieves a message from Princess Leia Organa, a rebel leader, for help from an "Obi Wan Kenobi." An old Kenobi wishes to save Leia and train Luke to be a knight, and pays bounty hunter Han Solo and his alien furry partner Chewbacca to help. After the rescue the rebel base is threatened by a planet-destroying super weapon called the Death Star, and with the help of a supernatural phenomenon called the "Force," Luke destroys the weapon and all is saved. From the plot summary alone, there are many Sci-fi trops that can be spotted. Alien planets, futuristic super weapons, alien life, etc. The film was notable at the time for its top-notch special effects, with future tech like laser weapons, spaceships, sentient robots, and alien characters, which helped it win an awards for production design and visual effects. The alien characters won an academy award in 1978 for Best Costume Design and are iconic to this very day. The film can also be considered an action movie, with a heart racing score, firefights with lasers, and more, which also won academy awards for best sound mixing and music. However, there also many emotional moments, also complimented by the score.

The Matrix (1999)

 

The Matrix is an action Sci-fi movie created in 1999. It is a great example of the dystopian themes many Science Fiction movies use. The movie is about Thomas Anderson, who is referred to as Neo, a computer hacker who questions reality. He is contacted by a mysterious Morpheus and is pursued by secret agents revealed to be computer programs part of "The Matrix," a false reality that he has been living his entire life up to now. He is supposedly "the chosen one" who will help the surviving rebellion to defeat the Matrix. After being trained in combat in a ruined world, he shows proficiency in arms and helps to save the remnants of humanity. This film is different from before; rather than showing futuristic technology and aliens, the film doesn't have bright and colorful visuals, rather a very bleak tone. What helps achieve this eerie science theme is the colors. In "The Matrix," there is a slight green hue covering the screen, making the world seem digital and alien from how we normally see the world. In the real world in the film, it is a dark and ruined world, devoid of color. As was mentioned before, it doesn't have a kind of signature "Cyberpunk" tone other dystopian Sci-fi movies use. In fact, rather than using things like plasma guns or laser swords, more modern guns are showcased. Despite all this, there is a general future science vibe, which is achieved due to the machinery, colors, and acting by the cast, especially the creepy Agent antagonists. And like most sci movies, there is over the top, eye-catching action, most notably the destruction of the surrounding environment in action scenes.

 

Other Samples

Ghost in the Shell

Star Trek

 Blade Runner

 Ready Player One

 The Terminator