Science Fiction History of the Science Fiction film

Science Fiction

History of the Science Fiction film (1902 -) � � � “Science fiction films appeared very early in the silent film era. The initial attempts were short films of typically 1 to 2 minutes in duration, shot in black and white, but sometimes with colour tinting. These usually had a technological theme, and were often intended to be humorous. Le Voyage dans la Lune, created by Georges Méliès in 1902 is often considered to be the first science fiction film. ” “Movies during the 1930 s were largely influenced by the advent of sound and dialogue, and by the effects of the Great Depression that began in 1929. ” “Two events at the end of World War II significantly influenced the science fiction genre. The development of the atomic bomb increased interest in science, as well as anxiety about the possible apocalyptic effects of a nuclear war. [9] The period also saw the beginning of the Cold War, and widespread Communist paranoia in the United States. These led to a major increase in the number of scifi films being created throughout the 1950 s, and creating a Golden Age of Science Fiction that matched the one taking place in literature” “After the rush of science fiction films in the 1950 s, there were relatively few in the 1960 s; many of those made were more aimed at children more than an adult audience, mirroring the prevalence of children's television programmes of the period. ” “ 1970 s - There was resurgence of interest in science fiction films with a "space adventure" theme in the 1970 s. Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, both released in 1977, contained a mystical element reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The space discoveries of the 1970 s created a growing sense of marvel about the universe that was reflected in these films. ”

� “Following the huge success of Star Wars, science fiction became bankable again and each major studio rushed into production their available projects. As a direct result, the Star Trek Television series was reborn as a film franchise that continued through the 1980 s and 1990 s. ” � “Oddly, in the 2000 s (decade), SF films seemed to turn away from space travel, and fantasy predominated. Except for Star Trek and Star Wars films, the only films set off Earth that appeared in the first half of the 2000 s (decade) were Serenity, Titan A. E. , and the poorly received Mission to Mars and Red Planet. On the other hand, fantasy and superhero films abounded, as did earthbound SF such as The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. ” � I used this website: https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/History_of_science_fiction_films

Sub-Genres of the Science Fiction film � � � � Hard sci-fi – ‘ Science fiction in which science and technology take center-stage, or in which scientific concepts are explained in detail. ‘ Soft sci-fi – ‘Science fiction in which science and technology take a back-seat to characterdriven plots. ’ Military science fiction – ‘ Science fiction with a distinctly military theme. ’ Robot fiction – ‘ Fiction in which the science of robotics is a central theme’ Social Science fiction – ‘ Fiction in which future societies are extrapolated, explained and often criticised, usually for the purpose of social satire. The social sciences are the overriding theme in this type of fiction; however, science and technology will usually play a central role in the structure of the extrapolated society. ’ Mundane science fiction – ‘ Science fiction using only currently available or ‘achievable’ technology. This usually discounts faster-than-light travel. The aim is to create realism and explore science fiction ideas that are a little closer to home’ Time travel Utopia and dystopian futures

Iconography of the Science Fiction film �Aliens �Technology e. g. nanotech, robots, spaceships �Space �Futuristic costumes

Actors/Directors associated with Science Fiction films �Ridley Scott – Alien �James Cameron – Aliens, Avatar, Terminator �Stanley Kubrick – 2001: A Space Odyssey � Christopher Nolan – Interstellar �Alfonso Cuarón – Gravity, Children of Men �Scarlett Johansson – Under the Skin, Lucy �Sigourney Weaver – Alien �Will Smith – Men in Black, After Earth

Box Office – Top 10 films of the Genre (US BOX OFFICE) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Avengers: Endgame Avatar Black Panther Avengers: Infinity War Jurassic World Avengers Assemble Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi The Incredibles 2 Rogue One

Budgets – Top 10 films of the Genre (Dollars) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Avengers: Age of Ultron – 365 million Avengers: Endgame – 356 million Star Wars: The Last Jedi – 317 million Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – 306 million John Carter – 250 million Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice – 250 million Avatar – 237 million Men in Black 3 – up to 225 million Man of Steel – 225 million Transformers: The Last Knight – 217 million

Critically acclaimed examples � 2001: A Space Odyssey: Oscars – visual effects (winner), original screenplay, best director, production design �Alien: Oscars – visual effects (winner), production design �Interstellar: Oscars – visual effects (winner), original music score, sound mixing, production design, sound editing �Gravity: Oscars – original music score (winner), sound mixing (winner), cinematography (winner), best director (winner), visual effects (winner), sound editing (winner), film editing (winner), best picture, best actress, production design

Stretch and Challenge: Ideologies/Contexts �Technological Advancement �Nihilism �Existentialism �Determinism �Moralism �Environmentalism

Subvertion �Ex Machina: �“most science fiction films are fixated on expanding a world and introducing you to another realm. Ex Machina brings you to a hidden location that exists on Earth (just out of plain sight). It’s a stylish facility, but it’s still a facility that seems reasonably current (with the right amount of money, of course). ” �“Instead of teaching us about the ways of a new reality, we begin to question the reality of everything. Ex Machina is cleverly a modernist film in its own right, because it makes you hyper aware of this world, rather than simply guiding you into it. ” � I used this website: http: //www. tasteofcinema. com/2018/10 -great-recent-movies- that-subverted-genre-conventions/