Post Apocalyptic Films

1. Post Apocalyptic Films http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/post-apocolyptic-film-timeline Post Apocalyptic Films

2. Generic Conventions Typical conventions of post apocalyptic films include: • Conflict over survival materials • Threat of aliens or over species taking over the world • Usually a global issue • Journeys across the whole world or unfamiliar territories • Threat of fatal viruses and diseases • Struggle of human survival

3. Representation of Characters Examples of the typical representations of characters are: • Heroic male protagonist • Post modern ‘cowboy’ (often lonely) • Groups and Tribes- often opposing and very violent • Small group of pre-apocalyptic inhabitants who struggle to survive in the ‘new world’

4. Mise-en-Scene Aspects of mise-en-scene that need to be considered in post apocalyptic films are: • Setting- An area that has been focused on for its struggle to survive after the disaster. Time zones vary (could be directly after the event or much longer after) and often focuses on the psychology of the main character. Often based around a world with little or no technology.

5. Lighting- Very often dull and de-saturated throughout with very little bright scenes. Characters costumes are also of a very similar colour. Dimmed lighting • Character positioning and placement- Main characters are often placed very close together as they seem to take the ‘safety in numbers’ approach to surviving. However threatening characters may be more dominant of the screen size. • Costume/Make up- Costumes often match the surroundings and are very old and worn. Make up and props are similarly scruffy and withered.

6. Clips • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONMSe_zhq70 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDXzVgMihvs • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmf-HCCZYOg • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsL2NAgorBU