presentation showing my analysis of the main conventions of a Sci-Fi/Horror series.

1. Conventions of a sci-fi, horror show

2. Opening
credits:
Stranger
Things
• Creators of the popular 80s
theme show, The Duffer
Brothers, used a creative editing
style and iconic font to create the
titles for the show. The use of this
serif, capitalized font helps the
title to become easily
recognizableby the viewer.
Furthermore, the use of sound is
evident in aiding the identity of
the show while furthering the
horror/sci-fi theme of the show.
The theme music done by
Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon
uses a pulsing, synth soundtrack
which is reflective of the 1980s
period in which it is set, while
also creating an underlying
scientific theme to the show.
Stranger Things | The First 8 Minutes
- Series Opener [HD] | Netflix -
YouTube

3. Opening credits: The Haunting
of Hill House
• The Haunting of Hill House, directed by Mike Flanagan
uses different shot-types, props, and sounds as to
create a motif for the show through the credits. For
example, in the credits we see the use of close-up shots
moving into long shots of different marble statues, that
are decaying and cracking. This is representative of the
horror theme of the show and how ‘Hill House’ is
possibly decaying like these statues. Furthermore, the
use of synchronous sound, of orchestral music, heavy
with piano and violin helps to create a feeling of
discomfort within the viewer, as it helps to embed the
feeling of fear, and further the horror genre. The use of a
serif font listing the credits links into the historical,
older setting of Hill House, which helps to embed the
horror aspects of the production.
The Haunting of Hill House | Opening Credits / Intro | Netflix - YouTube

4. Opening credits: Loki
• Marvel Studios' Loki series, is a clear
exploration of sci-fi and action, with
elements of horror embedded. The opening
and end credits heavilyreflect the sci-fi
theme of the show, with the use of different
shot types and sound, which techniques
were seen in the two shows shown prior.
The use of synchronoussound of synth,
techno music helps to further sci-fi theme
of the show, while also leavingviewers
excited to get into the story. The titles of the
show are seen in a mixture of different
fonts that glitch and change on each
individualletter, until the final fonts are
picked for each letter to spell out Loki. This
here, helps to embed the mystery within
the show, and the 'variants'of characters
and events you will see
Natalie Holt - TVA (From "Loki") - YouTube

5. Opening scene: Stranger Things
Directors of the show, the Duffer Brothers used
each camera angle, placement and shot
meticulouslyas to embed fear and tension into
an intriguing sci-fi opening scene. For example,
we see the use of a high angle shot used looking
down onto the panicking scientist. This can also
be considered as a point-of-view shot from
our unknown monster as it looks down on its
prey.Furthermore, we see the use of costuming
and prop work to be heavily prevalent here, with
the use of lab-coats and key cards to further
represent the sci-fi genre and how this show will
be surroundedby possiblescientific research
and discovery.In addition, the use of lighting and
location helps to further the genre identity. We
see the use of low-key lighting with flashing
lights which helps to create a tone of
emergency and embed fear within the viewer.
Furthermore, the use of a lab location allows the
viewer to easily identify the location as a
scientific, secretive area, helping them to
somewhat understand what the show might be
about. Finally, the use of sound and editing here
is very beneficial in creating a gripping opening.
This can be seen in the use of diegetic sound of
blaring sirens and fast paced cuts which furthers
the theme of danger and how there is something
mysterious going on this so-calledsuburban
town of 'Hawkins'.

6. Opening scene: The Haunting of Hill House
• Director of the show, Mike Flanagan used a variety of different
aspects to create a tone of horror for his show, for example he and
the costume designer: Lynn Falconer worked together closelyto
create pieces that embeddedthe characters emotions, personalities
and backstories. In the opening scene we see one of the main
characters, Eleanor (Nellie)lying in bed,crying after she was
awoken by what appears to be a dark, terrifying figure with a broken
neck, equallycalled 'The Bent Neck Lady'.This helps to heavily
convey the horror genre by shocking the audience, so they too feel
the same way as 'Nellie'and can identify with her. Nelliebeing
dressedin pink illustrates her innocence of being a little girl, while
also contrasting the dark and blue nature of the supposedly'haunted'
house.Furthermore, we also see the use of many different shots to
create meaning as well.For example, the use of a close-upwith
foregroundfocus and a blur on the background, of Nellielying in bed
as she cuddlesa stuffed teddy-bearwith an eerie figure behind her
helps to create a mysterious,underlying tone of terror and how she
almost is always watched by the ghosts of this house and cannot
escape it (this is seen later in the show as well).To add to this, the use
of sound is also heavily prevalenthere also. For example, we see the
use of non-diegetic sound of a narration from one of our main
characters of Steven Crain, as he reads a passage from his book in
the show, 'The Haunting of Hill House'.The use of the retrospective
narration here indicates he survivedhis experiences at the house
and shared them with the world. Furthermore, we also get to see the
use of piano, orchestral music as Nellie'sfather speaks to her about
dreams. The use of this shows the importance of the conversation for
Nellieand how it had a catalytical effect on the events of her life and
how she perceivedand handled fear. At the end of the opening scene,
we see the use of non-diegetic sound of distorted, un-natural music
creates an uncomfortable feeling in the viewer as the see a pale face
close in behind Nellie.The use of this embedsthe horror genre. Also,
the use of low-keylighting throughout the scene manages to put the
viewer 'on edge'and creates a sense of the unknown and how the
Crain family are unable to truly discoverthe truth behind Hill House
Watch The Haunting of Hill House | Netflix Official Site

7. Opening scene: Loki
• Director of the episode,Kate Herron managed to use a collection
of different techniques to emphasize the sci-fi theme of the show.
For example, we see the use of non- diegetic sound right at the
beginning of the episodeof dramatic, heroic, orchestral music, to
show how there is an important mission occurring. Furthermore,
the music hear here has also been used previouslyin the MCU
(marvel cinematic universe),in the Avengersfranchise. This
Easter Egg used here helps to attract fans of the MCU and
intensifies the excitement for the show. To add to this, the use of
pleonastic sound of the 'Tesseract' (a well-known artifact from
the Marvel Comics),creating a portal that transports Loki away
from the current difficult situation he is in helps to embed the sci-
fi nature of the show, while also creating mystery for the show as
viewers eagerly wait to find out where he transported to.
Additionally,the use of a variety of shot types helps to create
effect in the show by exciting the viewer and easily reeling them
into the plot. For example, the use of low-leveldollytracking of
the 'Tesseract' embedsits importance and the affect it may have
on the events of the show. Furthermore, the use of an
establishing shot of New York City shows it is set in a
recognisable location, while also reflecting previousevents in
Marvel movies and how this may affect other events that will
occur in the cinematic franchise. Moreover,the use of editing is
heavily prevalent in the opening scene as it helps to embed the
sci-fi nature of the show. The use of staccato and delineated
typography here embeds how there is an abnormal nature to the
show and how there will be a mystery that involvestime.
Marvel Studios' LOKI | Episode 1 - FIRST 8 MINUTES | Disney+ - YouTube