Generic Conventions of Sci-Fi Films

Generic Conventions Sci-fi Films:
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life. It often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations, and has been called a "literature of ideas".

Science fiction is difficult to define, as it includes a wide range of sub-genres and themes. Author and editor Damon Knight summed up the difficulty, saying "science fiction is what we point to when we say it".

Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures. It is similar to, but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated physical laws (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation).

The settings for science fiction are often contrary to those of consensus reality, but most science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements. Science fiction elements include:

• A time setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in a historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record. 

• A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g. spaceflight), on other worlds, or on subterranean earth.

• Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or humanoid robots and other types of characters arising from a future human evolution.

• Futuristic or plausible technology such as ray guns, teleportation machines, and humanoid computers.

• Scientific principles that are new or that contradict accepted physical laws, for example time travel, wormholes, or faster-than-light travel or communication.

• New and different political or social systems, e.g. dystopian, post-scarcity, or post-apocalyptic.

• Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation.

• Other universes or dimensions and travel between them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction

The most common conventions in sci-fi alien/supernatural: 

• Set in future (it doesn't have to be 100+ years, it can just be 5 years from now). It is often used because it gives people room to create things that currently wouldn't be possible.

• Alien Worlds or Aliens on Earth are the most common.

• Time travels- travelling backwards and forwards through time has always been popular in science fiction film because similarly it gives the impression that anything can happen in the future.

• Spacecrafts and robots are used because it conveys that soon humans will be completely dependant on them.

• Imaginative settings

• Alien abductions

• War between humans and aliens. Audiences enjoy the idea of other species and that they won't be friendly when they get to earth. (3 conventions below go into war category)

• Galactic Empires that oppress everything
• Rebel(s) going against the empire
• Conflicts between alien and human

• The concept of extraterrestrial life is a popular convention in science fiction films, where the aliens are seen as a threat to the human race.

Main focuses in Sci-Fi films:

• Political and social issues (e.g. District 9)
• Philosophical issues like the human condition (e.g. Yellow)

https://prezi.com/wmf_qtaszbgu/codes-and-conventions-of-sci-fi/

http://mustafaaomar.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/science-fiction-films-codes-and.html

Themes: xenophobia, suspense, the future,