Codes and Conventions of the Science Fiction Film Genre

1. Codes and Conventions of the Science Fiction Film Genre JC Clapp, North Seattle College

2. Setting and Narrative • Set in a futuristic setting or an alternative history • Usually set in a city or a space-ship • Always some form of “not-real” alternate reality, time, or place • Often includes space travel and time travel • Often set on distant planets or in space • If set on earth, then it’s usually a dystopic reality (set after a nuclear holocaust, or after technology has taken over, or after an oppressive government has limited freedom or rights, etc.) • There’s an improbable quest or epic journey – usually to save humankind or the Earth against an invasion or oppression • There are binary opposites of good and evil

3. Typical characters • Hero on an epic quest, often is either totally arrogant or quite self-doubting. If arrogant, then he/she gets beaten down, but then pulls it back together and against-all-odds goes on to defeat the enemy. If self-doubting, then will question whether or not he/she is the right person (destined) to do the job – has to be convinced and developed before saving the world. • Side-kicks, mentors, or helpers (sometimes human, sometimes not – often at least one of them dies) assist the hero • Aliens or non-humans are the antagonists/villains (including robots, monsters, killer microbes, space creatures, androids, super-computers) – often the villains are stubborn and arrogant with cronies or soldiers to do the dirty work

4. Style and visuals • Plenty of special effects and lavish costuming (to portray the aliens, robots, spaceships, etc.) • Helmets, lasers, guns, metal • Often lots of explosions, crashes, and shoot-outs • Fast panning and tracking shots are used to follow the action and create tension • Establishing shots show the futuristic city or space-ship before moving in to closer shots • Lots of electronic equipment, computers, and technology that seem too complicated for us to understand • Sometimes taps into the Horror genre codes and conventions to add suspense and fear

5. themes • Dystopia – technological mis-utilization. The futures is bleak, oppressive, and to be avoided. • Commentary on Societal and Cultural issues such as the warning against over-use of technology, war, racism, ecological destruction, medical ethics (genetics), and one-world government oppression • Express society’s anxiety about technology and the future