Definition of Science Fiction

1. Definition of Science Fiction

3. Science fiction film is "a film genre which emphasizes actual science, extrapolative science (if I can do this science thing could I do....), or speculative science (guessing or imagining what might happen)and the empirical method (relying and predicting from evidence), interacting in a social context (our society) with a lesser emphasis... magic and religion, in an attempt to reconcile man with the unknown" (Vivian Sobchak, Screening Space: TheAmerican Science Fiction Film, 63). Definition

4. Common themes also include voyages and expeditions to other planets, and dystopias, while utopias are rare. Common Themes

5. Space – other planets/the universe • Time Travel • Technology – often new technologies (which are extrapolations of our existing worries and concerns about technological advances) – spacecrafts; computer; robots; imagines technology that is superior to our own; • Aliens or Non-humans • New Science (based on new or aspects of our new sciencific discoveries or breakthroughs and expressing either concerns or future hopes about what these may bring) • Stock characters/stereotypes- the mad scientist or scientist, the innocent child, the hero/heroine. • Scientific Narrative -Some scientific development or knowledge or technology will be central to the narrative. • Special effect(s) a permanent part of the genre Conventions