Mise-En-SceneScience Fiction

Costume and Make-upThe costumes within science fiction can be extremely varied, especially dependent on the narrative. A clear example would be a space opera or a film that heavily features spacecraft's and galactic travel as the costumes would often bare a resemblance to an astronaut's suit in the modern time. They are often innovated designs and more sleek and fitted. The make up can also be a heavy factor within said genre as a convention within film based in space often feature some form of foreign species. A foreign species that would notably be labelled as an alien due to the difference in facial features and biology. However within the films that I studied the outfits typically consist of casual clothing typically dark as this can connote a realistic effect and maintain verisimilitude. Then the outfit is often developed and changed for a more heroic altercation. The material often consists of leather or latex as this a conventional material used for superheroes and cinematic characters. On the left is an example of the casual attire that many characters within the genre would be seen in initially during the equilibrium if you were to follow Todorov’s narrative theory. The outfit would the then change as the character attempts to repair the disruption as the outfit would be more practical image in the centre. On the right is an image of the make up that could be used within film. Prosthetics area large parte of science fiction.

PropsMuch like the costumes and make-up within science fiction the props are also very dependent on the narrative. Some times they can feature large scale sets filled with mechanical props for continuity for example a space craft would need a number of props and additional lights. The main use of props within science fiction is the use of weapons, advanced weapons that are often an exaggerated version of an existing weapon. In older sci-fi films some props could be used for shots as prior to CGI the spacecraft's were shot from large models and a bit of camera trickery and scaling. Props can be used as a representation of a character due to the possessions they own.

LightingMuch like both thrillers and horrors science fiction has a very similar convention when it comes to lighting. By having a dark and gloomy set it emphasises the smaller sources of light that may be featured. Especially when science fiction related objects often have various dramatic and impressive colours and light sources. For example a GUI interface, a control panel or circuitry often has various LED looking lights that are emphasised when in a dark setting. The image on the left shows the various lights that the devices and machinery are known to emit when in dark lighting. The centre shows the lighting used on a different planet, really emphasises and captures the fantasy elements within science fiction. A great example of why cinema can be used as a form of escapism.

LightingMuch like both thrillers and horrors science fiction has a very similar convention when it comes to lighting. By having a dark and gloomy set it emphasises the smaller sources of light that may be featured. Especially when science fiction related objects often have various dramatic and impressive colours and light sources. For example a GUI interface, a control panel or circuitry often has various LED looking lights that are emphasised when in a dark setting. The image on the left shows the various lights that the devices and machinery are known to emit when in dark lighting. The centre shows the lighting used on a different planet, really emphasises and captures the fantasy elements within science fiction. A great example of why cinema can be used as a form of escapism. The shot in the centre shows the dramatic lighting that is featured within sci-fi as it is very atmospheric.