Typical ConventionsSci-Fi Trailer

Genre

The genre of a film dictates how a film will be presented to the audience. This includes the cast (some may be known for being in a specific genre or could fit a character well) and storyline.

The sci-fi genre The essential details are made up through mise-en-

scene, sound, cinematography and edit. These are used to create an atmosphere full of suspense.

Typical Conventions of a sci-fi include: Conflict between good and evil Futuristic technology Special Effects Outer space, other worlds or the future New technology Time travel Dystopian society Sci-fi is often used to warn us about how technology can

be used against us or political issues.

Mise-en-scene

Costumes in movies are used as visual iconography to speak to the audience. They may reflect climate, class etc., and will normally easily be recognised as sci-fi.

Sci-fi often uses white and blue colours as this is connected to technology which is a common convention of sci-fi. It also features a lot of bright blue and teal colours.

Props common in sci-fi are weapons (often futuristic involving lasers e.g. lightsabers, laser guns), high tech machinery (time travelling machine, portals, teleporter), spaceships and shots of space.

Cinematography

Different camera angles are important when showing the audience what the world looks like. For example, panning across the city or dessert.

The most common shot types are panning, birds eye view or establishing shot.

Camera angles are often used to show how superior a person is compared to other characters.

Editing

Sci-fi films often rely on special effects and CGI in order to make the current world look dystopian or more technological. However, the director must balance familiarity and difference in order to ensure audience engagement.

Quick cuts are used in order to create suspense and action scenes.

Sound and Text Sci-fi often uses exaggerated diegetic sound Sci-fi films will often use sound effects in order to voice

aliens or other new noises that aren’t in the world commonly.

Music is commonly slow leading to crescendo in order to create suspense. Furthermore, there can be loud explosions or other noises in order to create fear in the audience.

Theory Many trailers and films use Todrov’s theory of

equilibrium: Everything is in order There is disruption to the order The characters recognise this disruption has happened There is an attempt to repair this The characters either return to the original equilibrium or

create a new one.