Conventions of a Sci-fi/Horror Show

1. Conventions
of a Sci-fi /
Horror Show
Molly Davis

2. Opening Credits – American Horror Story
• The opening credits play after the first scene of the episode. Within the credits firstly features a
POV camera shot, moving as if were a person crawling around what we assume is the murder house.
The camera the disappears into what looks to be a dark basement. Then a fast-paced cut is made, and
pictures of multiple Victorian babies appear on the screen, flashing between each other, while also
catching on fire. An intense eerie music mixed with almost industrial sounds are put over the credits too,
synchronizing to the pace that the clips cut. The pictures also quickly flash between being unedited to
then having an x-ray filter placed over them
• The credits also feature the same jars of body parts that we see in scene one of the episode.
Having this highlights that they are a key part of the storyline within the season as the same introduction
is placed in every episode of the season. As the jars are being shown through faced past clips from
different angles, shots of broken glass is shown too. This leaves the audience wondering if the glass is
the broken jars.
• The series has its own recognisable sans serif font that is used throughout the opening credits to
introduce the main cast. The cast and creators are put on a black background in the white signature
font. Having this font makes the show easily identifiable
• As the credits come to an end, all photos, jars and clothing are now seen to be on fire; the unrealistic
nature of the opening credits reinforces the abnormal theme of the series.

3. Opening
Credits –
The
Walking
Dead
• Creator, Robert Kirkman, made sure to convey the genre
of 2010 series 'The Walking Dead' as early as the opening
credits.
• After the first scene of the episode play the opening
credits. In the opening credits features, many of the key
location that are going to feature within the series,
including a school, the farmhouse, a grocery store and a
long shot view of the city where the series is set – Atlanta.
A darkened filter has been put over the images, along with
edited cracks to match the worn-down society that features
in the series. The opening credits also includes pictures of
only three of the main characters, implying that they are
the main storyline for season 1.
• The credits present the cast and production company in a
bold sans serif font that shifts between black and white
colouring dependent on the background.
• The title then comes on screen over a black background in
the same sans serif font, however it looks to have a
concrete-like texture placed over it – highlighting
the roughened world it is representing, which on turn
reinforces the genre of the series.

4. Opening Credits - WandaVision
• The opening credits of Marvel spinoff show 'WandaVision' was largely based off of 'The Dick Van Dyke
Show' that aired in 1961. Director, Matt Shakman, did this to not only pay tribute to the well-known 60's
show but to play into the plot of 'WandaVision' - as how that follows the life of Wanda and her synthezoid
husband, Vision, as they life their seemingly normal married life in the false world Wanda has created.
• The opening credits use a traditional happy song to juxtapose the reality of chaos the pair are living,
similar to the songs used in 1960's 'the Dick Van Dyke show'.
• Creators wanted the opening credits of the pilot to be fun and exciting and did so by using a variety of
camera shots. For example, the use of the two shot includes both Wanda and Vision driving back from
their wedding; the shot also includes a street sign that highlights the pairs new home, "Westview".
Having this shot illustrates the pairs unity now that they are finally together, seetling down and creating
the family they always wanted
• However, later in the episode, the true sci fi horror nature of the show is revealed when there is a "4th
wall break" as they step out of the traditional sitcom roles. This gives the show that eerie feeling and the
audience are now aware that everything going on in the show has been previously scripted by Wanda
herself. This is reinforced through the close up of Wandas fearful expression as she is anxious that her
secret is going to be exposed.

5. Opening Scene:
American Horror Story
• Director, Frank Darabont, made sure to use each camera angle, shot type and placement flawlessly in order to create fear
and tension surrounding the opening scene. Doing this highlights the genre creators are trying to create, while also creating
fear and tension to those watching the scene. For example, the use of the The opening scene begins as a low angle shot
while the camera tilts upwards into a tree. The camera then rapidly cuts to another low angle shot of the mansion and the
young girl standing in front of it; having this type of shot accentuates the sheer size of the house and at the same time,
making the girl look smaller. Also, with the use of the zooming in effect, gives the audience the feeling that they are entering
the gates of the home. The opening scene begins as a low angle shot while the camera tilts upwards into a tree. The
camera then rapidly cuts to another low angle shot of the mansion and the young girl standing in front of it; having this type
of shot accentuates the sheer size of the house and at the same time, making the girl look smaller. Also, with the use of the
zooming in effect, gives the audience the feeling that they are entering the gates of the home. This is followed by an
establishing shot of the house; this gives the audience a clear view of the home and therefore displaying where the episode
is going to be set. Having this wide shot also allows the camera to capture the overgrown trees, grass and vines that cover
the house; this underlines the desertedness of the home.
• As the twins enter the scene, they are captured in a two shot. This highlights the closeness of the relationship, making it so
when they pair are inevitably separated by death, the audience will feel a further sense of distress. The shot
also captures the pairs key prop of their baseball bats. We are also met with a POV shot. However, it is seen to be from the
perspective of one the ghosts that haunt the house. We can assume this because as the twins move the camera looks as
though it is chasing after them. This gives a spooky theme to the episode as we are made aware of supernatural beings
being within the house before actually meeting them. As the scene goes on, more POV shots are put in place but from
the perspective of different ghosts from around the house and as this is .A close-up shot is used to bring attention to the
animals and body parts that are in the dozens of jars that are in the basement, highlighting this such as the minor details of
the wrinkles on one of the head that lay within one of the jars – doing this makes the body parts seem more realistic and in
turn gorier. After searching for his brother, there is then a constant switch from a low and shot to a high
angle shot feature each of the twins, one of which has just been attacked. Having this low angles shot of the dying boy
highlights his lack of control and vunerablity in the situation. This is also reinforced by the high angle shot of his brother,
pointing out the difference between them .The scene then cuts to the same low angle establishing shot of the house and the
young girl, however this time the camera is zooming out, leaving the gates of the house where the boys will stay for eternity.

6. Opening Scene: The Walking Dead
• The opening scene opens as a low angle long shot as it shows Ricks car speeding down a highway, doing the
this captures the neglected surrounding and the extreme nothingness that surrounds him. The camera then
uses a "dolly" movement to follow the car as it slows down. As Rick gets out of the car, the shot cuts from beside
him to then being in front of him, making it look as though he is walking towards the camera that is placed at a
low angle. The camera then slowly zoom in to Rick as he walks, creating a mid-shot and then eventually a
closeup shot of his face, highlighting the concerned and perplexed look he has upon his face. Rick then walks
out of shot which then led the camera to cut to a low angle shot, featuring him walking towards the gas station. A
point of view shot is then put in place, making the audience view the world as Rick sees it, also having
the movement as if we were his eyes; the camera focus' on the abandoned children's toys that lay on the floor
which emphasises the destruction that has taken place. As he finally reaches the gas station, the audience are
met with an over the shoulder shot which features Rick looking at a sign, stating "NO GAS", this shows the
pointlessness of Rick's journey. There is then a low angle shot of Ricks shoes under the car, which emphasises
the importance of the sound of his shoes. The camera then cuts to another low angle shot of a different car
which shows a young girl walking and eventually picking up a teddy bear (pinpointing her age), which also
accentuates that sinister theme. The camera then follows the little girl, starting at a low angle shot of her legs,
but then panning upwards so the audience can see the back of her head. The camera then holts at the mid shot
of the girl as she slowly turns around, revealing her bloody and bruised zombie face. The camera then zooms in
to the girl's face, creating a close-up shot to exemplify the disturbing reality Rick is now faced with in 'The
Walking Dead'.

7. Opening
Scene:
WandaVision
• The series editors: Zene Baker, Nona Khodai,
Tim Roche and Michael A. Webber managed to
replicate that of a 1960's romantic comedy
using colour science. This combined with the
specialized lenses and framing work created
the 60's look director, Matt Shackman, wanted.
The fast-paced cuts, fade ins and outs that
editors used managed to reflect the 1960's
format. The sci-fi genre is conveyed through
the mix of mise en scene and CGI of the
character, Vision. CGI is used to transform
Visions robotic figure into his 'human form',
where he is seen to be wearing stereotypical
1960's attire, yet again conveying the era the
episode is set. This infers to the audience that
there is some form of supernatural abnormality
within the show.
• Further into the pilot episode, an advertisement
is placed during a peak climax. Director, Matt
Shakman, did this in order to reflect on
the stereotypical 1960 social contexts, as it
was normal to see embedded between show
viewings. During the advertisement, the use of
pleonastic sound is used intertextually as the
sound of the toaster popping is a reference to
MCU's 'Iron Man'.