Genre Research: Dystopian

1. DYSTOPIAN
GENRE
relating to or denoting an imagined state
or society where there is great suffering
or injustice.

2. CAMERA ANGLES, MOVEMENTS AND SHOTS
The dystopian genre uses camera angles, movements, and shots to create very
dramatic scenes. Including close ups that emphasize emotions, most
commonly fear. Tilts are also used when tension or distortion are being
showcased. Many establishing shots and wide shots are used to display the
typically ruined setting that the subject finds themselves in. Additionally, a
common theme used in this genre is confusion, which is in many scenarios
achieved through the use of a dutch/canted angle. Aerial shots are also used
from time to time if expansiveness / insignificance is the desired effect.

3. COMMON MIS EN SCENE
In dystopian productions, the characters are usually dressed in a raggedy or bleak manner,
or quite the opposite. Some may be in hideously flashy attire, but both serve the same
purpose, and that is to make the audience feel unease. The lighting tends to be dim for the
purposes of showcasing that “gloom and doom” feeling. The acting is quite emotional, it
needs to live up to the dramatic world that dystopias are. The setting is usually in a big city,
so that when bad things are happening the main character(s) can feel like the
expansiveness of bot the world and its problems are out of their control. The props vary
based on the world of the dystopia, but thy always set the scene.

4. COMMON EDITING
TECHNIQUES
The most commonly used editing techniques in
dystopian films are:
● Straight cuts- a basic editing technique that
quickly moves from one scene to another
without interruption in order for the scenes to fit
together like a jigsaw puzzle.
● Fades- Show panic or distortion
● Jump cuts- show leaps in time which are very
often used in dystopian films

5. COMMON SOUNDS
There are many examples of diegetic sound in dystopian films, for example
fires, underwater occurrences, explosions, the sounds of aircrafts, handcuffs
and more!
Non-diegetic sound would include ominous music to create suspense, or even
fast-moving beats to simulate fear.

6. EXAMPLES OF DYSTOPIAN FILMS
THE MATRIX
RESSURECTIONS
CHAOS
WALKING
2021
2021
REMINISCENSE
2021

7. The most appealing element of the genre that is dystopian films, is the mis en
scen. The acting in itself keeps us interested at all times, not to mention we get
to create an entirely different world.
We love the idea of picking costumes for our subject that fit the gloomy and
tense mood they’ll be in.
Finally, choosing sound had been the main factor of our brainstorming. In one
conversation, we came up with sound techniques that would make the subject
seem so close, as though they were in the room with the audience. Ideas to
truly emphasize what would occur in our scenes.
APPEALING ELEMENTS

8. NON-APPEALING
ELEMENTS
One element we didn’t
necessaily dislike, but
thought it to be
challenging, was to find a
deserted area for our
subject. Living in a big
city, it’d certainly be quite
the ordeal to find empty
locations.