Science Fiction Films - Essay Example

SCIENCE FICTION FILMS by Student’s Name \ Code+Name of Course Professor Date Introduction Science fiction films have numerous characteristics that merge with technology. They are scientific, quixotic, comic-strip-like and ingenious in nature. The settings in which they are visualized are usually artistic and involve adept designs in film production. Moreover, the films require technology gadgets that are advanced, such as robots and spaceships. Films are therefore made of significant scientific developments as well as eccentric distinct properties. Science fiction films contain far-reaching aspects, such as heroes; quests that seem impossible in real life, distant planets, impractical settings, futuristic technologies and extraordinary forces that are unknown. Some science fiction films feature fantastic journeys and travel times that take place on earth or in other planets. All these manipulations are made out of imagination visualized through technology. These technologies determine how the filmmakers splendidly bloc incredible action scenes with an intelligent story line (Barron 2004). Therefore, science fiction is always competing with technology. This is notable through its history that matches the motion picture’s industry. Even though it took long before taking the genre of science fiction seriously, most films were created in the 1960’s and they were very successful in enthralling a large audience as indicated by (Vivian 1998). Since then, this category of films has been developing gradually and hence has become a recognizable principal of the film industry. It is noteworthy that science fiction films have been at the top concerning the effects of technology that is very special in the film industry. They have become vehicles for social commentary due to indulgence in upfront technologies (Westfahl 2005). According to Barron (2004), science fiction films comprise of a very important body of the film industry since they provide a basis through which the social cultural matrix that deals with super objects can be examined and analyzed adequately. Science fiction films are determinedlyinformative. The filmmakers are interested in educating the viewers, and thus present predictable features of technology that exists in the context of a film. On the other hand, other cinematographers infer to technology and other social possibilities. In reference to the early stories told in film, they were full of fantasies and experiences that contained alien beings that masked social disparagement (Vivian 1998). These films were produced in cultures without any expectation of change. However, cultural and social changes have gone up drastically with the advent of industrial revolution and hence affecting the population as well than ever before. Therefore, technology, special effects, action, bugs and aliens, create anessential aspect of modern science fiction films and shade some light on other facets of these films (Westfahl 2005). Science Fiction Film and Technology, Special Effects, Action, Bugs and Aliens Science fiction film designers seek to achieve special effects through the integration of technology. The films contain peculiar and unusual microscopic organisms or even giants and mutant fiends. Science fiction films borrow from technology in this way although sometimes the filmmakers aim at disapproving technological events. For instance, by creating creatures that depict injudiciouslivid scientists or by nuclear mayhem, they are criticizing such technology because to them it is madness and destructive at the same time. For instance the science fiction film, ‘The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms’ is portraying the friction between technology and film design (Vivian 1998). Phil (1995) argues that science fiction tales are futuristic or rather prophetic in nature because they often attempt to depict the future. They are as speculative as technology about the future times. Sometimes, the films offer a dingy outlook of the world to portray a view of dystopia. Think of the underground population, which is in slavery as an effect created by industrialization as highlighted in the 'Big Brother' society in 1984. It shows how technology can destroy the world rather than make it. Therefore, this kind of competition imposed by science fiction films on technology express how the society may be destroyed by technology. According to the filmmakers, the society is very anxious about technology and thus seeks to offer a projection and hence control the effects that may arise from technological advancements on the contemporary society. Therefore, science fiction films seek to censure technology. According to (Richard 2007), this genre of art puts more emphasis on what is actual prognostic and hypothetical science. The presentation employs an empirical approach, which highlights an interface taking place in a particular social context. The science fictions films attempt to merge the human fraternity with the unknown through the transcendentalism of magic and religion. The contest exists between science fiction films and technology, special effects, action, bugs and aliens because of the visual style that the filmmakers use. A clash therefore arises between the familiar images and the alien that are modified through technology. For instance, the alien images may become familiar, when repetitions make the alien images appear more familiar, distortion of recognizable images hence making them alien and juxtaposing recognizable images (Milner 2012). Although technology is the main element of this genre, science fiction films are presented in studios, which are free from any scientific knowledge. For instance, films have been created which show a spacecraft steering in outer space. It is not that the filmmakers are not aware of spacecraft features, but they chose to focus on offering an acoustical atmosphere with familiar operations of the aircraft. Therefore, science fiction filmmakers have minimized the completion with technological advances and they have put science aside in favor of art. Some of the films present issues about the environment without putting technology as a reference point. For instance, films portray a planet destroyed in seconds by titanic explosions and yet the actual event may take quite some time (Milner 2012). Langford (2005) notes that with technology, science fiction film makers have been able to achieve special effects: both optical and mechanical effects. The cinematographers have been able to create a clear distinction between the visual and special effects through the digital film making tools. Therefore, special effects increase each day depending on the context of technology in place. Science fiction filmmakers are the main beneficiaries of such advancements since they can easily achieve a higher level of realism than before. They have also developed good quality films that have a high special effects benchmark. Richard (2007) notes that through the special effects, science fiction film makers have come up with better spaceship miniatures compared to the past. These objects are detailed and photographed carefully such that they offer a realistic and in depth field for the audience. It is possible to develop motion- work carefully within a film by combing the elements accurately in a camera. This often results into spectacular results. The new front projection technique is in handy in development of fascinating backgrounds as well as soundstage photography aspects. Some environments may be staged with mirror shots, hidden wires and rotating sets that are place in large scale. All these features of special effects take the audience through a realistic voyage that is mind-blowing. According to Bloomer (2010), colour is one of the special effects that the science fiction filmmakers employ and manipulate in their work to stir certain emotions and responses from the audience. Besides the natural and different wavelengths of the sunlight that are visually perceived, the filmmakers often create colors that make objects virtual. The computerized wavelengths are identified through the common colors such as red, white, blue, green, and black. The physical properties of color include hue, intensity, and value. The identity of the color resides not on the color itself but on its context. Therefore, in the background of a film, there may be darker objects as compared to elsewhere within the film. Langford (2005) argues that the different color intensity aids in the perception of shape. This color value gives the image a three dimensional perception. It also creates variety in the image design. Variety improves on the visual perception of the images by making it more interesting. When an image is interesting it is perceived better than that which is dull or single colored. Therefore, science fiction filmmakers strive with technology in the aspect of color in the quest to prove that certain things may not be of the presumed color always. In this way, they have successfully managed to manipulate the perception of images by the audience (Phil 1995). The Alien life forms are common in science fiction films. According to McClean (2007), the entire concept of life is based on other worldly origins and is a very popular principal of science fiction films. In early times of science fiction film development, the alien forms of life were used to indicate threats to human life. Invaders were often military threats or even political threats on earth that were purely fictional representations. Later science fiction films however had alien forms that were beneficial and were presented as benevolent and kind in nature. Science fiction films often contest with the aliens, which keep changing with times because of the subject matter. It is prudent to note that in any film, the audience needs to relate to a given subject matter and hence the films present intelligent races of aliens. The aliens often have human emotions and motives and they are anthromorphic in nature. For instance, films such as ‘contact’ and ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still,’ have used aliens that are human in nature in terms of physical appearance and communication (Richard 2007). Some films however have used aliens that are not human in nature or shape such as aliens from the solar system, the stars, and the other shaped creatures. Therefore, the science fiction film is non-existent without aliens, which the filmmakers manipulate to suit a particular subject matter. According to Barron (2004), science fiction films constantly use bugs to portray a world that is full of reality, which is unsure and cannot be relied upon; sometimes is virtual and non-existent. Through technology, science fiction filmmakers manage to blur reality with objects and images that are look alike, virtual, or fake. This kind of imagination is presented through computer simulations and many filmmakers are fascinated by this technology a great deal. For instance, the ‘Alien Intruder (1993), which is set in the futuristic year of 2022, a bug in the form of an evil virus which is extra -telluric in nature got into the minds and thoughts of a crew that was in spaceship (Richard 2007). With the integration of technology, many science fiction filmmakers use bugs to portray their creativity while presenting full reality to the audience. In my opinion, the mise-en-scène of the film is well presented and coordinated due the various elements of film observed above. In this manner, the message intended is relayed. For instance, lighting costumes and make up work in harmony to create and control the space of the scene. The design element is very much congruent and it largely complements the filmmaker’s vision for the scene. It is very easy to identify the main character since each detail emphasizes on him or her in. the special effects ensure that the character is the most frontal and that he or she is clearly lit. Conclusion Conclusively, the role played by a scientist in a science fiction film is varied considerably depending on the perception of the audience regarding advanced science and technology. In some films, the scientist’s role in the society is significant because he often offers a technological solution for any oncoming doom. Scientists may also be rebellious and hence may be distrusted by the society in question. Moreover, a scientist may be a threat to the society. The various situations are depicted according to the filmmaker’s perception of science and technology. If Science fiction films fail to contest or rather exploit technology, special effects, action, bugs, and aliens, they may be second rate with flicks that are designed in well-worndiscourse, low quality screenplays, stumpy acting, and full of production values that are slapdash in nature. Therefore, science Fiction films rely on technology, special effects, action, bugs, and aliens in their making. These elements influence the visual effects of the film a great deal and determine its interpretation by the audience. The films are visually stunning to the audience and the films manage to twist reality, which is unreal effectively. Sometimes they disguise the audience that humanity has neither a past nor a future through these elements. Special effects are achieved through the elements, which allow the filmmaker to manage a futuristic world controlled by vindictive alien beings, which may be underground and strange. The beings depicted also possess distinct powers that they can halt time and even reality. It is notable that films achieve effects through these features and that is why the science fiction cinematographers constantly seek ways of manipulating these elements to suit their needs and that of the audience at particular times and settings. The success of the science fiction films requires great investment in heavy fantasy effects. This allows for fine-tuning of the techniques that are already in existence for better results. The integration of technology, special effects, action, bugs, and aliens may lead to the development of new techniques like the computer-generated imagery. Reference List Barron, N 2004, Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction (5th Ed.), Westport, Conn, Libraries Unlimited. Bloomer, M 2010, Principles of Visual Perception, New York, Psychology Press. Langford, B 2005, Film genre: Hollywood and beyond (2nd Ed.), Edinburgh University Press. McClean, T 2007, Digital Storytelling: The Narrative Power of Visual Effects in Film, The MIT Press Milner, A 2012, Locating Science Fiction, Liverpool, Liverpool University Press Phil, H 1995, the Overlook Film Encyclopedia, Science Fiction, William Morrow and Company, New York Richard, R 2007, Special Effects: The History and Technique, Billboard Books Vivian, S 1998, Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film, New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press Westfahl, G 2005, The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works and Wonders (three volumes), Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press Read More