Genre Research Blog Activity

 

How is Science Fiction So Engaging?

Science fiction is one of the most exciting film genres out there. It captivates audiences by diving into futuristic worlds, advanced technology, and the mysteries of the universe. Directors like Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott have made a huge impact in this genre, making films that appeal to a wide audience, especially young adults aged 18-34. 

In sci-fi films, you will find:

Futuristic Settings: These movies often take place in the future or in outer space

Complex Themes: They explore ideas like artificial intelligence, time travel, and what it means to be human.

Dystopian Elements: Many stories show a future where things have gone wrong, serving as warnings about today’s choices.

For example, in "Interstellar," the characters search for a new home as Earth faces destruction, exploring themes of love, and survival along the way.

Genre Conventions – Production Techniques

Sci-fi films are known for their impressive production techniques:

Visual Effects: These movies often use technology to create stunning visuals and imaginative worlds.

Creative Cinematography: Unique camera angles and movements enhance the storytelling and keep viewers engaged.

Sound Design: The sound in these films helps create an a nice experience with futuristic sounds and scores that fit the themes.

Editing Styles: Fast paced editing can give viewers excitement especially in action scenes, while slower cuts allow for more thinking time for viewers.

For example "Blade Runner 2049" uses lighting and colors to create a mood that reflects its theme of humanity.

Institutional Conventions – How is Genre Marketed

Trailers and Posters: Sci-fi films usually have eye-catching trailers that highlight the cool effects and main ideas of the movie.

Franchising: Successful films often lead to sequels and spin-offs, creating a fan base that sticks around for more. "Star Wars" is a prime example of this.

Conventions and Merchandise: Sci-fi movies are often promoted at conventions like Comic-Con, where fans interact with creators and enjoy themed experiences.

The marketing for "Dune" showed its epic visuals and story, drawing in fans of the book.

Film Sample #1: "Inception" (2010)

Analysis: "Inception" is a great example of how sci-fi can combine action with deep themes. The plot revolves around manipulating dreams, making viewers question what’s real. The film’s unique structure, with its layered dream worlds, keeps the audience on their thinking. Its good visuals, especially in action scenes, pull viewers into a crazy experience. The marketing focused on the film’s mind-bending concepts, attracting both fans of action and those looking for thought like cinema.

Film Sample #2: "The Matrix" (1999)

Analysis: "The Matrix" changed the game for sci-fi with its combination of action. The story challenges viewers to think about reality as it follows characters in a world controlled by machines. Its famous "bullet time" effects and stylish visuals set a new standard for filmmaking. The marketing played up its unique thrilling action, helping it gain a huge following and paving the way for sequels.

List of Other Film Examples Within the Genre:

1. "Arrival" (2016) - Link/Image
2. "Ex Machina" (2014) - Link/Image
3. "Gravity" (2013) - Link/Image
4. "District 9" (2009) - Link/Image
5. "Interstellar" (2014) - Link/Image
6. "Her" (2013) - Link/Image
7. "Snowpiercer" (2013) - Link/Image

Blog Post: Representation in Stranger Things

 Blog Post: Representation in Stranger Things

The show Stranger Things is known for its supernatural mysteries and thrilling storyline, but it also has interesting ways of showing different characters. In this post, I’ll focus on two of the main characters: Eleven and Mike. They both represent different ideas about strength, identity, and friendship, which I think are important to the show.

Eleven:

Eleven is one of the most powerful characters in the show. She has these crazy telekinetic powers, but she also shows a different side of being a girl. Normally, girls in TV shows like this might need saving, but Eleven is the one doing the saving. For example, in Season 2, she faces off against the Mind Flayer and protects her friends. It’s pretty cool to see a girl character being the hero and not just a sidekick.

But it’s not all about her powers. Eleven also struggles with figuring out who she is, especially since she’s been raised in a lab. The show does a good job showing her trying to be more normal and finding her own identity outside of being just “the girl with powers.” I think this shows that strength isn’t just about fighting monsters; it’s also about figuring out who you are.

Mike Wheeler:

Mike starts off as the classic “leader” type. He’s brave and always looks out for his friends, like when he first finds Eleven and takes care of her. But as the show goes on, he shows another side. Instead of always being the tough guy, he shows he cares a lot about Eleven’s feelings. In Season 3, when Eleven loses her powers, Mike supports her and helps her feel strong again.

This is interesting because it’s not something you always see in male characters. Usually, guys in shows like this are all about being the hero, but Mike shows that it’s also okay for guys to be emotional and caring. I think this helps show that there’s more than one way to be strong.

Blog Posting - Sound

 Summary of Sound Lesson and Videos

In class, we learned how sound plays a huge role in storytelling, especially through things like foley sounds and sound effects. We also watched videos showing how sound can create emotions, like in Dunkirk, where Hans Zimmer used Shepard tones to make the audience feel more tense.

Directions for the Sound Project

We had to create a 1-2 minute audio project to tell a story using only sound, no video allowed. Four of the sounds had to be made by us, using random objects for foley sounds. We also needed to record ourselves making those foley sounds and edit it together.

My Approach to the Project

My partner and I brainstormed ideas for something that could happen in 1-2 minutes. We decided on a car crash. Having an outline helped us figure out what sounds we needed and the order they should go in. It also made downloading and organizing sounds easier.

Brainstorming Process

During brainstorming, we thought about real-world events that could fit within the time limit and chose a car crash. This gave us a clear focus and helped with sound choices.

How the Outline Helped

The outline kept us organized. It showed us exactly what sounds we needed and when they would happen, making it easier to plan out everything.

Editing Resources Used

We used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the soundscape and the video of the foley stage.

What Went Well and What Could Improve

Our sound layering went well, and the outline made the whole process smoother. Next time, I’d add more sounds to make it more realistic and work on keeping the volume levels consistent. I’d also spend more time editing to polish it up.

(PROJECT LINK)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wcY1l9ZZ9oo-RNG70_YsTfTV00wS1jHJ/view?usp=sharing

One Word Film

 The One Word Film project requires students to create a short film that represents a single word through visual storytelling, using no dialogue. The film should be 1-1.5 minutes long and include only instrumental audio. Each group must brainstorm, create a storyboard, shoot, and edit the film using their own footage.

For our project, we were assigned the word “sorrow.” Our film depicts two kids walking together before one turns on the other and bullies him. Later, one of the aggressors regrets his actions and helps the bullied kid up, highlighting the theme of remorse and sadness.

We brainstormed by visualizing the impact of bullying and mapped out a simple storyboard to outline the sequence of events. I used Adobe Premiere for editing, incorporating instrumental music to enhance the emotional tone.

One thing that worked well was the use of close-up shots to capture the characters’ emotions. Next time, I would focus more on smoother transitions between scenes. Here’s the link to our project.