MEDIA STUDIES SCIENCE FICTION RESEARCH BY SACHATE

SCIENCE FICTION IN THE WORLD OF FILM

Science Fiction is a film genre defined by stories about conflicts between science and technology, human nature, and societal organization in futuristic or magical worlds. Science Fiction films are usually stories that have speculative science-based depictions of phenomena that is not included in mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, spacecraft, robots, advanced machinery, cyborgs, interstellar travel or other wonderous technologies.

Science Fiction is a genre that draws you in to the world building and atmosphere of the production presented, explains in it a way that makes audiences think of it for hours and the fantastical elements of some productions let viewers breakout into a new world. Movies based on portrayal's of the world's future, space travel, alien invasion, time travel, dystopian society, and altered reality are example's of this.

The majority of today's technological developments have been influenced by science fiction films. Because of the limitless possibilities, they are the most creative and innovative. They allow the filmmakers to discuss delicate topics in a non-directive manner, and they aid in the reflection of current society issues.

HOW ARE SCIENCE FICTION FILMS MADE?

Science Fiction films consist of heavy CGI, special effects, sound and editing techniques, and a stacked budget. Many of these films cost millions and millions of dollars to produce, after all, production companies spend a lot on set designs and hiring a production team to film. Science Fiction movies tend to be at a grand scope and require stunning set design and CGI to make it work. To capture the filmmaker's imagination, the set from top to bottom must be flawless.

HOW ARE SCIENCE FICTION FILMS MARKETED?

These films are marketed through varied uses of advertisements. Through images, movie posters, trailers, and sneak peeks is where audiences become drawn towards these films. Producers spend a large amount of money on marketing as most production companies spend around 15% of the film's budget strictly on marketing.

EXAMPLE 1; INTERSTELLAR

"INTERSTELLAR" (2013)

Interstellar is the first Science Fiction movie that comes to my mind. In Earth's future, a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl are slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable. Professor Brand (played by Michael Caine) is a brilliant NASA scientist who is devising plans to preserve humanity by moving the whole population of Earth to a new world via wormhole. But first, Brand must dispatch former NASA pilot Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) and a team of scientists through the wormhole and across the galaxy to determine which of three worlds could be humanity's new home. This movie is a perfect example of a Science Fiction film for many reasons. The complex story of humans attempting to save the people of their planet by going into space and orbiting into wormholes and landing on mysterious planets not knowing if they would make it back to earth alive provides the illustrious and fantastical element of this story. Interstellar features depictions of wormholes and is widely known to have the most accurate depiction of a black hole. It transcends time and space and draws the entire concept of existence into your soul. The exploration of different planets and the envoy into space Christopher Nolan provides for the audience embodies the Science Fiction genre to the fullest.

The breathtaking cinematography and the extraordinary score by Hans Zimmer captures the infallible atmosphere and scope of the film which makes the audience stuck to the screen and experiencing a whole different reality and showing space as no one has imagined it. This mind-bending masterpiece is one of the definite portrayals of a Science Fiction film.

EXAMPLE 2; DUNE

"DUNE" (2021)

Denis Villenueve’s Dune is a Sci Fi Cinematic Triumph. Dune is based on the book by Frank Herbert and is set thousands of years in the future and depicts the narrative of Paul Atreides, a clever and gifted young man born into a huge destiny beyond his comprehension who must travel to the universe's most hazardous planet to save his family and people.

This movie is placed in a future dystopian society where all forms of digital entertainment have been abolished and advanced space travel, and technological advancements in battle equipment have taken its place. In Dune, non-supernatural powers, space travel, futuristic science and technology are shown.

“Dune” Sandworm

Arrakis, the setting for most of the movie, is a desert planet with a unique ecosystem that has formed the people who live there. The planet was colonized since it is the only place where the spice drug (a drug in which prolongs life and bestows heightened vitality and awareness) can be found. Precognition, hyper-cognition, and other superhuman powers are possible. Pilots need spice to safely navigate ships outside of reality, which is how faster-than-light travel between planets is possible.

Spaceship in Dune

The fantastical elements of Dune and the complex societal beliefs indulge the viewers into this world and attracts a sense of wonder. “Dune” is a very complicated story as there are so many element’s of this world Herbert has created that it’s hard for one person to consume all of this information. Overall, the space travel, the drugs, the sandworms, and the story of “Dune” embodies the Science Fiction genre perfectly.

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