research powerpoint

1. Conventions of Science-fiction
The Last of Us
Conventions of
science fiction

2. Convention
s
• Science-fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that contains imagined
elements that don’t exist in the real world. Science-fiction covers a wide range of themes
that often explore time travel and space travel, the conventions that make
science fiction identifiable as a genre are elements and ideas that are not possible within
our current society.
• Some conventions of sci-fi share similar aspects as the horror genre conventions,
for example, the establishing shots of both sci-fi and horror typically show a large expanse
of area; the science-films usually show an area that is different to what the audience know,
usually a futuristic city whereas the horror genre typically shows an area the audience are
familiar with or relate to.

3. Features
• Most science fiction media explores a “what if” question. This is
a hypothetical question or idea that sparks the audience's imagination.
• Time travel.
• Teleportation.
• Mind control, telepathy and telekinesis.
• Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms and mutants.
• Space travel and exploration.
• Interplanetary warfare.
• Parallel universes.
• Fictional worlds.

4. Sci-fi conventions in The Last of Us
• The Last of Us is considered as a science-fiction series because of the infection that is the key focus
of the series. It is based on a real-world fungus that attacks and infects insects, changes
their behaviour and eventually kills them. As the cordyceps is not able to infect humans yet, the
idea that it can in the series makes it a ‘what if’ question. The fungus controlling the humans mind
includes the sci-fi convention of mind control.
• The unfamiliar setting of overgrown and crumbling cities and the extreme living conditions creates
a fictional world that the viewers cannot relate to, making it memorable for the audience. The
subtle critiques of society from this post-apocalyptic setting has an impactful effect on the viewers.