Gravity
The Target audience for this film would be fairly general in terms of both gender and age group, it is a mostly appropriate movie for young adults, it attracts the target audience due to its non specific approach to advertising in general and is not presented in a way that it is non suitable to certain age groups etc.
They advertised the film by attending multiple events such as San Diego Comic Con in order to reach a large amount of people to promote the film to possible viewers.
This was released by Warner Bros which are well known for releasing successful films.
It shows both male and female characters with a strong female protagonist surviving on her own which is not a typical representation in the sci-fi genre.
Due to the well known casting the audience would be expecting this movie to be successful and good and have a high budget for effects etc. improving the overall quality to a high standard.
Divergent
The Target audience for this movie would be young adults in general because young people are represented throughout the movie and sci-fi is a popular genre among young people especially.
Due to the young audience the cast promoted the movie through popular TV shows and events such as MTV and Comic Con that are also targeted at young people.
This was released by Lionsgate which is another large production company which is known for releasing successful movies.
The audience would have expected this movie to be very well executed due to the all star cast and the high budget which was given to the creation of the film.
The Hunger Games
The Target audience for The hunger games would also be the younger generation due to the young cast and the fact the storyline revolves around young people, ages 12-19, however it is also suitable for people both younger and older than this age group due to the mature plot and situations.
It attracts the target audience by attending well known events suited to young people and the stars being interviewed by extremely successful talk show hosts.
It was released by Lionsgate
There was a very high expectation for this film due to the bestselling book serious which came previous to the film and there was a high amount of hype previous to the films release.
The Matrix
The Target audience for the Matrix would more than likely be adults and possibly young adults also due to the complex technological theme which underlay the film plot, it also attracted any person which an interest in technology.
The film was advertised by releasing multiple trailers previous the the movies release and again having the well known stars of the movie appearing on well known talk shows in order to promote the movie previous to the release.
This was released by Warner Bros
The audience expectation for this movie would have been that it would be extremely technologically based but also it would have been expected to be extremely well made.
Terminator
The Target audience for this movie would probably adults and possibly young adults due to the complex nature of the storyline and the violence involved. This film was advertised through several television advertisements and trailers The film was released by Orian Pictures This movie would not have had a large expectation due to the fact it is the first movie of the series to be released however due to the high budget it would have been expected to be good.
0:00- 0:10 - Text "The Matrix" appears in white text and begins to fade out at 0:08 seconds whilst green code falls in the background
0:10-0:23 Screen remains black
0:26-0:48 Code falls, the column size shrinking until screen returns to being totally black
0:48-1:13 Screen remains Black
1:13-2:30 Code falls down screen in individual lines until the end of the title sequence
Terminator
0:00-0:15 Screen remains black and text pops up "Hemdale Presents A Pacific western production of a James Cameron film" and eventually fades away.
0:15-0:36 A spaceship hovers over a waste ground, smoke and lasers fly through the air with text underneath "Los Angeles AD 2029" until point 0:19.
0:36-0:42 A tank rolling over skulls in shown.
0;42-0;48 A wide shot of a Laser shooting tank is shown
0;48-0;53 A solider avoiding the laser runs through the wasteland
0;53-0;59 a wide shot of waste ground is shown
1;00-1;15 Text appears over wide shot of waste ground, the wide shot eventually fades out and then so does the text.
1;15-1;25 The names of the main characters and main production assistants is shown on screen over a close up of text spelling out the name of the movie the name of the movie
Many sci-fi films have certain character qualities that are widespread within the genre. This includes the 'anti establishment male protagonist', the 'authoritarian antagonist', and the 'strong female love IROBOT, Inception and The Matrix Reloaded Common character qualities for sci-fi:
•Intellectual Informer (normally a person of colour)
•Sarcastic and harsh female love interest
•Anti establishment male
•Authoritarian antagonist (often with a physical deformity)
•An innocent victim of conflict
In sci-fi films, the setting often has different purposes depending on the type of film. When the setting of a large city or a dystopian future is used, it allows the audience to see familiarity in an unfamiliar narrative as they can relate to the location. However in settings such as outer space or rebel bases the audience gains a sense of fantasy and although cannot relate to the location they are enraptured by the possibility of other worlds.
Common settings for sci-fi:
•Hospitals
•Foreign planet
•Rebel Bases
•Outerspace
•Research facilities
•Dystopian Future
•Deserted towns
•Large cities
Common storylines for sci-fi:
•Oppressive government
•Lost in space
•Alien Race threatening human existence
•Time Travel
Mise en scene:
•Futuristic props
•Minimilist backgrounds
•Futuristic computers
• Spandex jumpsuits
•rugged clothing
•metallic suits
•helmets
•capes
•bright hair colours and unusual styles
Title
GRAVITY
Straight, modern looking text. Typical of sci-fi films.The text appearing on the horizon of the Earth along with the name itself being Gravity tells the audience from the beginning where it shall be set and a vague storyline.
Sound
•Throughout the opening of this film all the characters use a lot of scientific language, showing the audience their status as astronauts and their intelligence. This type of language is common in sci-fi films and the use of it allows the audience to identify the genre.
•The use of the slow pace, relatively tranquil music at the very beginning of the film shows the incredible isolation of Space, and how nothing has really occurred here prior to the arrival of the crew from Nasa.
•Once the crew begin to realise a problem is approaching the music quickly changes to ominous and dark. The quick change in the music shows the danger of space travel and how quickly something can go wrong. The use of this ominous music is very typical for sci-fi films as most involve the prospect of extreme danger.
Mise En Scene
The use of mise en scene in the opening of Gravity immediately helps the audience identify what genre this film belongs to.
This film uses traditional sci-fi costumes such as the brightly coloured spacesuit, which not only identifies this as a sci-fi film but it's eye catching nature in the following shot it establishes who will be the main character.
Shot types
wide shot - shows all characters and familiarises the audience with them
Zoom in close up of main characters face - establishes importance as victim- singled out- ominous and crates a sense on impending doom
Establishing shot of space- This allows the audience to immediately get a feel for the setting in which the movie is based as draws them in.
Character and Themes
Within the opening scene we are able to see the characters interacting with one another and we can immediately place them as highly intelligent astronaughts which sets the scene for the remainder of the film
Overall I feel that this film successfully succeeds to stick to the typical sci-fi codes and conventions
Title
DIVERGENT
Straight, modern looking text. Slightly rusted looking which reflects the main character's lifestyle. Establishes genre as sci-fi for audience with use of the word Divergent
Sound
The ominous and dramatic sounding voice over used conveys to the audience what the ongoing situation is and has an ominous tone.
Shot Types
This close up of the eye may be a metaphor for the closeness in which the people are required to fit in to the associated personality assigned to their section of the world, it allows us to get a feel for the intensity felt by the characters, this is a recurring motif also with the beginning of Blade Runner
In this long shot we see a large amount of people within a reasonably small area this may show us this is an overpopulated area and therefore gives us the impression of a lower quality of life within the area
In this wide shot we are show a scientific lab, this is fairly typical within sci-fi films and sets the scene as a futuristic movie
Mise en Scene
Throughout the opening scene we see a vast contrast between the rise en scene in different areas, we see simple and minimalistic clothes in the scene when the workers are out in the field which contrasts to the advanced scientific clothing worn by the scientists and the advanced outfits worn when climbing the wall.
Characters and Themes
In the opening scene we do not get to know the individual characters prosy however we are introduced to the 4 different sections in which the world is divided into and we can see the contrast between them
This film does in fact stick to the typical sci-fi codes and conventions
Title
TERMINATOR
modern looking text, quite metallic in scolor and style. The background helps the audience know that machinery will play a big part in this film. The title itself immediately allows the audience to predict that it shall be a sci-fi film involving robots.
Sound
•The music at the beginning is dark and ominous,The audience can see that something bad is about to, or has already happened, just from the type of music used.
Shot Types
When the scene opens with this wide shot it immediately tells us to expect danger, death and ominous themes to run throughout the movie with use of a skeleton in a run down car, it sets a dark tone in a futuristic society common in sci fi films
This Mid shot informs the viewer that this film will heavily revolve about machinery and robots as well as dark and ominous violence.
This wide shot immediately lets the audience see the conflict between human and alien/robot which is a common theme throughout the sci-fi genre
Mise en Scene
The use of the robot that appears as a shock to the main character conveys the stark contrast between his world inside his home, and the world outside. This shows the audience what technological advancements have been made and also how the protagonist feels about them.
This film does in fact stick to the sci-fi codes and conventions
Title
THE HUNGER GAMES
Sound
Aggressive and ominous backing track is used throughout the opening scene this immediately engages the audience so that they are rightly led to believe that the events that will occur throughout the entirity of the movie will have an aggressive undertone
Shot Types
Initially we see a medium shot showing both characters on the stage, it presents them in an authoritative manner in there professional nature, then whenever it cuts to the main character and her sister at home we see a vast amount of close ups, this is used to show the genuine emotion the two characters have for each other which contrasts to the scene on the stage where it is an impersonal relationship.
Mise en Scene
The opening scene consists of text explaining the current situation to the audience this engages them and successfully sets the scene it then cuts to a shot within the capture which is extremely hight tech and this contrasts to a lot of the movie as Throughout the movie the scene settings are quite minimilist wand several of them are shot outdoors, this contrasts with what is typical in sci fi fils as many of them are set in a modernistic society as this is the setting in the capitol where we initially see two of the villainous characters
Characters and Themes
In this scene we are presented with these characters as being powerful and important, we can tell this by the high tech futuristic mise en scene used on the stage this immediately sets the characters apart from the female lead who is wearing simple clothing due to lack of finance compared to the two on the stage.
This does in fact stick to the typical sci-fi codes and conventions as well as possibly being considered an action movie
Title
THE MATRIX
Straight, modern looking text. Typical of most sci-fi films. Appears as if it is computer code, hinting at the film's setting of a virtual world.
Sound
As typical in Sci Fi movies the background music used creates an ominous sense among the viewers of what is about to happen or what will happen throughout the movie
Shot Types
When the first see the characters they begin with a close up, this could be in order to reflect the close nature in which the characters are required to watch the matrix, later in this we see a woman watching from behind a computer screen at what is happening, she is exhibiting a cool and calm facial expression toward the camera which contrasts to the chaos we are shown in the wide shot we see where soldiers are being told to go in
Mise en Scene
The mise en scene used in this movie is quite contradictory as we see the characters in what appears to be a tunnel which is quite minimalistic, we then see the characters outfits which are quite futuristic and advanced and we see the technology the woman is using which reflects the technological nature of the film.
This film does in fact stick to the typical sci-fi codes and conventions
Many sci-fi films have certain character qualities that are widespread within the genre. This includes the 'anti establishment male protagonist', the 'authoritarian antagonist', and the 'strong female love IROBOT, Inception and The Matrix Reloaded Common character qualities for sci-fi:
•Intellectual Informer (normally a person of colour)
•Sarcastic and harsh female love interest
•Anti establishment male
•Authoritarian antagonist (often with a physical deformity)
•An innocent victim of conflict
In sci-fi films, the setting often has different purposes depending on the type of film. When the setting of a large city or a dystopian future is used, it allows the audience to see familiarity in an unfamiliar narrative as they can relate to the location. However in settings such as outer space or rebel bases the audience gains a sense of fantasy and although cannot relate to the location they are enraptured by the possibility of other worlds.
Sound is Diegetic when the source of the sound is visible of implied
Sound is Non- Diegetic when the source is not present or implied
Synchronous Sound is when all noises whose origins can be seen on screen
Asynchronous sound is when noise is not matched with a visible source on screen
Sound Effects are sounds other than speech or music made artificially for use in a play, film, or other broadcast production.
a sound motiff is arecurringsubject,theme,idea,etc.,especiallyinaliterary,artistic,ormusicalwork A sound bridge is When the scene begins with the carry-over sound from the previous scene before the new sound begins. A voiceover is a piece of narration in a film or broadcast, not accompanied by an image of the speaker
Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film
Modes of address can be defined as the ways in which relations between addresser and addressee are constructed in a text
A sound mixer is a person or machine that combines or balances sounds for a recording, broadcast, or movie soundtrack A sound perspective is the sound’s position in space as perceived by the viewer given by volume, timbre, and pitch The sound track is a recording of the musical accompaniment of a film.
A score is awrittenformofamusicalcomposition incidental music is Musiccomposed to accompanytheaction or dialogue of a drama or to fillintervalsbetweenscenes or acts. Ambient Sounds is Relating to or beinginstrumental or electronicmusicthathasmelody,gentlerhythm,andlimitedharmonicdevelopmentand is intended to induce a relaxedmood.
Terminator
