Task 36 unit 4
sci fi
Sci-fi is one of the most popular genres in the film industry at the moment, with the progression of
CGI and more money being invested in Hollywood films the possibilities of Sci-fi are endless. Sci-fi
seems to have the most dedicated fan base of any genre, with chat forums giving Sci-fi films free
publicity. All events like Comic Con gain a lot of media attention and can promote films and video
games.
There is a strong bond between fans of Sci-fi films, people seem to want to join in, in the made up
universe and be a part of it. Directors of Sci-fi also leave little ‘Easter Eggs’ in all of their films.
Sometimes they link in with other films. For example the Sci-fi film ‘Watch Men’ has Batman posters
in some of the background shots and it was being shown on a cinema screen. This is one of the main
reasons why I love Sci-fi, there is the obvious story line that you follow but there are always sections
in Sci-fi where you have to look more in-depth. It also encourages you to watch more Sci-fi as you
can find it quite humorous when one film cleverly references another. I enjoy Sci-fi because it can
require in depth knowledge of the universe that the director has created for the film.
Video games also play a big part in Sci-fi films, with most action/adventure films a video game is
normally released based on the film. This gives fans a chance to explore the directors “universe:” To
walk around playing as their hero and playing along with the story line, quite often the video game
will contain extra information about the film, maybe something to do with the main story line or side
plot. For a big Sci-fi fan this encourages me more and more to get involved in the film, to go back
and watch the film to see what small “Easter Eggs” I can see.
Also sci-fi film directors love to make inter textual references in there sequels. For example in Alien 4
(Directed by Jean Jeunet) has a famous scene where the main character throws a basketball up into
the air backwards from the half way line. This seems like an ordinary CGI shot but, fans of the Alien
films they will know that thought the shot was meant to be edited so it looked like the shot went in,
the shot actually went. This was a video that went viral on the internet and was a big hit with fans of
them film. In the sequel film Prometheus
I think that Sci-fi is the easiest genre to get into, there is so much to explore as a genre. I believe you
can watch a Sci-fi film as many times as you like and you will find out something new in the film.
I believe that Sci-fi is something that only curtain audience
members can find enjoyable (Depending on up bringing,
genre, age). It requires audience members to have an
open mind about that they see, the main theme of sci-fi is
that impossible things happen. If an audience member can
accept what they see on the screen they could easily loose
interest in the film or find the film silly.
Adaptations of books/comics tend to be popular in Sci-fi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vFkTOmPkms8
http://www.totalfilm.com/features/30-clever-movie-easter-eggs/return-of-the-jedi1983
An example of a Sci-fi Godzilla (the 2014 one director by Michael Bay). Godzilla has been one of the
most anticipated films of the year. It has advertised itself throughout the UK and has built itself up.
When the mention of a Godzilla was released, 100’s of forums were opened all over the internet
with 1000’s of people getting involved with in depth discussions about what the next film could be
about. It also had fans posting leaked information about Godzilla that they find online. The
information that was leaked onto the internet was no accident. Michael Bay researched into all of
the classic themes that have occurred with in Godzilla films and dropped subtle hints that he was
going to include these inter textual references. Godzilla kept fans on their toes as more and more
information about Godzilla was released.