Sci-Fi Research

 The Genre

As I stated previously, the genre me and my group will be working in is Sci-Fi also known as "Science Fiction" the following is my research of the Sci-Fi genre.

Conventions

A Sci-Fi film has many conventions. The most common ones is the Iconography, Characters, and Themes. The following is what I have found.

Iconography

-High tech 

-Holographic Images

-The use of CGI or Special Effects

-Weapons of mass destruction like laser guns

-Spaceships

-Laboratory

-Teleportation Machines

-White Lab Coats

-Robots

-High Tech Costumes

-Metal and shiny 

Characters

-Aliens

-Robots

-Humanoids 

-Test Subjects

-Protagonist

-Antagonist

-Artificial Intelligence

Themes

-Paranormal Abilities

-New Discovery of planet or new species

-Time travel

-Space Travel

-Fear of unknown

-Realm out of present society's stereotypes 

-Revenge

Setting

The world around the protagonist is usually around the following:

-Spaceships

-Space/ Planets

-Earth or Alternative version

-Parallel Universe

-Dystopian land

-Different Dimension

-Futuristic

Representation 

As the years past, the Sci-Fi genre has changed a lot. There is usually a male hero and a female hero but that seems fragile or weak. Like in the first film "Terminator" when the women are seemed as passive and insignificant while the male is powerful and goes on a journey. For the new “Terminator” film however where women are represented as bolder and more powerful than the previous “Terminator” film. This further proves that over time, Sci-Fi films have changed. Aliens and robots are represented as strong and the antagonist. They are also represented as emotionless but will fight back.

Intended Audience

There are no specific group of people that watch Sci-Fi films. Sci-Fi films age ranges from 25-40 years of age. For gender, mostly equal due to the fact that Sci-Fi films are known as for “geeks” so really anyone can enjoy a Sci-Fi film.

Titles

Sci-Fi films usually have there titles in a thin lettering in a encrypted type font. Usually have little to no lighting to give off a space/ alien feeling to the audience. There is also to a light to give off new life or new beginning. There's sometimes a dark shadowy planet to give a mystery for the island.

Sources:

-https://www.slideshare.net/SGurung-MediaStudies/the-generic-conventions-of-scifi-films

Portfolio Introduction

 The Film Genre

Today in class (January 27) I joined this group that had a film idea. I personally enjoyed the idea and further joined them. We plan on creating a Sci-Fi film. Since I joined the group late, I will have to work extra in order to catch up with them.

The Film

The film my group and I are creating is about a boys life as he tries to prove the existence of aliens. I personally enjoyed there film idea and thought that we should continue the idea. Sci-Fi films is usually involed with alien life so it would stick with the film genre. 

What I feel about the Project

I personally enjoy the overall idea of the film. I feel a bit nervous due to the fact that this film will be on my portfolio for colleges to see. Knowing myself, I will try my best to make the film perfect and try the best I can. None the less, I will try to keep a positive mindset and overall have a fun time.

What we want for the film

My group wants to follow the traditional conventions of a Sci-Film. (Artificial intelligence, Computers, Robots etc) My group want to follow the common theme of Sci-Fi films involving alien life so we made it the plot point. We also want the common "Mad Scientist" to the films story.

Researching

Our group strictly analyzed Sci-Fi movie openings as this is why the project is assigned. Our assignment was to make a at least 2 minute opening for the film. I plan on analyzing Sci-Fi films like Space Jam, Alien, Star Wars etc, and take notes from reliable sources about the Sci-Fi genre.

Mise-En-Scene

What is Mise-En-Scene?

Mise-En-Scene is everything in a scene. The following is mise-en-scene for a film.

How is Mise-En-Scene Designed

In a film, mise-en-scene would be integrated in the background, costume, makeup, and props.

Background Example:

-A sunny day in a field

-A rainy day on a sidewalk

-A beach near ocean side

Costume Example:

-Suits

-Hats

-Shoes

-Gadgets

-Jewelry

-Dresses

Makeup Example:

-Face Paint

-Lip Gloss

Prop Examples:

-Fake guns

-Fake Money

-Fake Gold 

-Fake Plants

-Fake Weapons or items used as a weapon

How I used Mise-En-Scene

What me and my partner had to do was to create a scene using props small items in class. I brought two toy cars and created a paper road to imitate a high car chase scene. I made a background out of construction paper and used a flashlight to imitate traffic lights. The following is my scene photo.

Cinematography

 What is Cinematography? 

Cinematography is everything in a film that involves camera angles and lighting. The following is the different types of shot angles.

The amount of shots and angles consist of:

-Close up 

-Extreme Long Shot

-Medium shot

-Extreme Close Up

-Long Shot

-Medium Close Up

-High Angle

-Low Angle 

-Medium Long Shot

-Straight Angles

-Tilted Angles 

-Establishing Shot

-Master Shot

-Cowboy Shot

-Reverse Angle

-Point of View Shot

-Single Shot

-Two Shot 

-Three Shot

-Tracking or Dolly Shot

-Crane Shot

-Hand-Held Shot 

-Pan Shot

-Tilt Shot

-Fade in Shot

-Fade out Shot

Genre Research

 October 5, 2021

For the past week in a half, my media studies class have been discussing the different genres in film. Our teacher had us choose a genre and present the history of the genre, the social functions, a comparison of a movie from the past to a current date film, and to choose a film that my group and I chose best represents our genre.

We would also have to take notes of the other genres the other groups presented. For example, my group and I chose the gangster genre. My class chose the following genre's:

-Action Genre
-Romantic Comedy Genre
-Sci-Fi Genre
-Crime Genre
-Comedy Genre
-Horror Genre

Once I have written down notes for the following genre's, I processed them and got a better understanding of the different genres.

Action Genre

-Action genre is a broad genre that shows a story through fights, vehicles and weapons.

Romantic Comedy

-Romantic Comedy is usually light hearted, two lovers usually young split apart and then come back together.

Sci-Fi Genre

-The purpose is to  bring up  technology advances in society.

Crime Genre

-Involves a criminal act, morally upright and isolated protagonist, and danger an or conflict faced by a hero