Post Apocalyptic Films

Narrative conventions of post apocalyptic films

• The typical narrative themes for a PA film usually stem off a disaster/war which changes the face of the world we know. Using real time issues such as Global warming or Nuclear war as examples of how films create an authenticity relating to fears in society today.

• Plot wise most PA films are similar and conventional. Usually stemming of the the idea of people struggling to survive or setting on a path of finding tranquillity in harsh worlds. Often the characters are searching for a sense of equilibrium which was present pre apocalypse but it usually proves to be inevitable that the world they used to know is gone for good.

• Examples of post apocalypse films which follow the traditional conventions are : The Road, Dawn of The dead, 28 weeks later.

Character Conventions in Post Apocalyptic films

• There is most often or not a male protagonist, portrayed as a ‘post modern cowboy’. Who starts off as a lone wolf type character but eventually is forced into saving people from the fate of the new world.

• Groups/gangs form to survive/ to profit from violent anarchy at the despise of others. Cannibalistic/animalistic traits are common within these groups.

• The protagonist will find a group of survivors from the pre apocalyptic world who will rely on him to save them/ aid them. He will refuse to at first but his morals are too strong to not help them in the end.

• Once he helps the group of survivors(against the gangs/tribes) he feels like he doesn’t belong in either world and will end up striking out on his own.

• Typical camera shots used in PA films can vary but mostly involve the use of POV, long establishing shots, surveying pans.

• POV shots are often used from the point of view of a character known as ‘a carrier’ for example an infected human in 28 days later. It is used show where the danger is coming, and implies a person in the film is about to confront the ‘carrier’

• Long establishing shots, also common is PA films. They can show the audience a view of a particular landscape in the film. For example the dystopian land of Mad Max, showing the wastelands in which the film is set. Surveying pans are usually used within the establishing shots to show a greater level of detail of the settings of the film.

Typical Camera Shots

Typical Editing Techniques• Editing techniques are again quite varied, using a lot of

common techniques used in other genres of film. • However I would say dissolves and fades are used more

than most. They can set the tempo of the film and are a good technique to use for a change of scene/ setting.

• Slow motion effects can be used in PA films in scenes of action or where the director feels the scene is of importance. An example would be in The Book of Eli in which the female character is being attacked and is saved by Denzel Washington’s character near the last minute

• Another effect which is used in The book of Eli is the use of Desaturated/ Decloured camera effects. Its used emphasize the bleakness of the world the film is set.