Hope for Science Fiction.

[Micheleh]

I think part of the threat to the credibility of Sci-Fi as entertainment is the fact that one, good Sci-Fi isn't cheap (yet), and two, right now there seems to be a trend among all the networks to try to get the most entertainment for the least money. This is not in terms of simply being sensible about budgets, but in terms of promoting absolute rubbish as long as it's dirt cheap- sensationalistic, live-action, vouyeristic reality tv being a prime example.

Hopeflly when the backlash against this trend hits, it will turn into momentum for quality programming, sci-fi among them. I see a possibility of equal backlash on both fronts- quality production, and quality storytelling.

Of course, the increasing accessability of proper equipment to the 'ordinary' artist is helping with this. Anyone here can probably do 1976 quality Star Wars fx on their pc now. This will only improve. I see a future where it is possible for media producers to be literally 'home users'. The Second Coming and the Magellan trailers are excellent examples of wha can be accomplished without the huge overhead and phenomenal expense.

Now, I think, is a better time than ever to start insising on quality programming. Or, little as they may believe it, we will soon be able to say "fine, I'll do it myself".

[joebeaudoin]

Actually, why not just read a good SF book? There are a variety of books out there. :-)

In general, TV is a lost cause, as so long as vacuous, greedy corporate interests run cable networks. SF television is no exception.

[Micheleh]

There's a thought. We could all protest by having a 'turn off the tube nd read a book' day.

[Artemis]

I have to start reading more, I just rejoined the scifi book club and got my first 6 book for $1, plus the $16 S/H :wtf:.
Then there is Paradis, Hatch's next book, Amazon already has it listed.

[Afan2]

Filmed science fiction has always had problems, mostly because:

1) It's expensive. In TV, especially, there often isn't enough budget for decent special effects.

2) In TV -- and recently in the cinema, too -- science fiction is usually made by people who don't really care about it. For them it's just a piece of garbage that some viewers happen to like.

Good science fiction films, like good science fiction television, are the exception, not the rule.

SF literature has always been a lot better, because:

1) The medium is more 'free'. There isn't the same obsession with pleasing the 'consumer', and there are no sponsors too.

2) Books are written by a very small number of people: the author(s), the editor, and that's it. It isn't done by commitee.

Sadly, I don't think that there's going to be any backlash. The Internet, and increasingly realistic video games, have changed everything. I think one of the reasons why television has been putting out so much crap lately is that it is struggling to survive against the harsh competition of computers.
It's an uneven battle, because everyone prefers to chose what they watch, if they have the chance. On TV you just don't have that, although they try to mimick it with those 'Reality TV' shows.
But the previous posters were quite right: if you like SF, take the time to get into written SF, if you haven't already. There are many, many priceless gems out there. They demand more from the imagination, but they're worth it.
And in books there is no recycled footage, no bad special special effects, no foolish studio executives... :)

[Micheleh]

Oh, I do. I didn't even own a tv for about 6 years, and I never missed it. I'm a long time bookworm.

What about examples of good sci fi writing that probably wouldn't take massive fx budgets? CJ Cherryh's Cyteen comes to mind. So does The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge, or Psion (same).

[Afan2]

I disagree about The Snow Queen. It would take huge amounts of special effects. Imagine bringing Tiamat to life, with the mers, the ancient city, Arienrhod's palace... And the spaceships! :eek:
Haven't read the other ones.

[Micheleh]

It would be a challenge, cg wise. The hall of the winds would be interesting. :)

[michaelfaries]

Would'ja believe that Paramount is still hesitant to proceed with the "Rendezvous with Rama" project? Morgan Freeman appears to be the lone holdout from that project, although David Fincher claims he's still attached.

And AICN reported today on Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" as a potential new project. Cross your fingers. (Anything by Heinlein would be welcome.)

Until someone like Tom Hanks tries again (and succeeds) to get Arthur C. Clarke's "3001" going (as he tried last year), I don't think Hollywood will jump on the serious sci-fi bandwagon. I totally agree that both Cherryh's and Vinge's works would make excellent screenplays. (Me, I'm hoping that H. Beam Piper's "Little Fuzzy" gets made eventually. ;) )

Like Michelle said, with home computers, we'll eventually see fans doing it themselves. :thumbsup:

Michael

[Micheleh]

"Me, I'm hoping that H. Beam Piper's "Little Fuzzy" gets made eventually."

I don't know that one. Is it stillin print? I'll have to check.

Cordwainer Smith is another good one. Anyone else read Norstrillia? The Lady Who Sailed the Soul? Scanners Live in Vain? Excellent fiction.

[Muffit]

Originally posted by michaelfaries
Would'ja believe that Paramount is still hesitant to proceed with the "Rendezvous with Rama" project? Morgan Freeman appears to be the lone holdout from that project, although David Fincher claims he's still attached.

And AICN reported today on Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" as a potential new project. Cross your fingers. (Anything by Heinlein would be welcome.)
Michael

I am eagerly awaiting Rama, didn't know about Harsh Mistress, Michael - that would be really cool(!) Once upon a time there was talk of doing Ringworld. CGI would make that really come to life. Wish I knew what happened to that one too.

:muffit:

[Afan2]

Originally posted by michaelfaries

Like Michelle said, with home computers, we'll eventually see fans doing it themselves. :thumbsup:

Michael [/B]

But who's going to market it?


And, since the matter was brought up, I just have to say that I have very low expectations for a Hollywood adaptation of Rendezvous with Rama (hey, it's my opinion...). Rendezvous with Rama is a classic of SF literature, but the sets would require tons and tons of special effects. I wonder what those show-bizz people were thinking when they came up with that idea for an adaptatoion.
In fact, I wonder if they even know what the novel is about. Practically all the action takes place inside an enormous alien spaceship with very un-earthly features.
There are so many good SF stories that wouldn't require half as many effects, but no, they had to go with that one! :rolleyes:

[Micheleh]

"But who's going to market it?"

You may be surprised at how much of the cg for "The Second Coming" and "Magellan" were done, ah, 'independently'. ;)

I'm sure that, as potent as home systems are getting, it's only a matter of time. It's already possible- it jsut takes more time, but the tradeoff os the overhead. I'm already working toward building a 2700 on an nforce board with a gforce fx. (Can you tell I like NVidia and AMD?) A bit pricey, user wise, but it will rock.

(I wonder if you can jump a ge4 up to a Quadro like you can the 2's? Hmm...)

[Stevew]

The second comming was made on PIII 120's and PIII 450's not sure about GWOM . I have an XP2700/ Nforce2 very fast but with 500-600K polys it drags it to its knees. I am looking for the Hammer. The Barton is pricey and only a little faster. Quadros are cool for Open GL and Solidworks loves them

[jewels]

I'll stick with my G4 Mac, dual processor, and a little over a gig of ram. Still waiting on Quark to get OS X ready though. 2D is fine for me (pays for my software and hardware habits, LOL), but all you 3Ders make me drool.

[Stevew]

Macs are OK but for my all around use PC's are a must
S:D

[jewels]

Have you ever heard of the kid's show "Veggie Tales?" They reach to a niche market (Christian parents of preschool/elementary age groups) but everything they've done (other than last fall's "Jonah" which was out in theatres) has been direct to video without any cable or broadcast support. Big Ideas Productions (their creator/producer) is a little group out of Illinois but they are merchandised into not just the Christian bookstores but Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kohls, as well as all the bookstore and video chains. Toys, books, T-shirts: tons of "stuff".

Started with 1 guy (Phil Vischer), his wife, a computer and a Cucumber and a Tomato. And their stuff is as funny as PIXAR, just younger audience funny.

The age of the independents is coming. It can be done. No reason sci-fi folks can't do the same thing. (and Big Ideas has a kiddie sci-fi show called 3,2,1 Penguins, btw. It's hysterical.)

[Muffit]

I am still using my Timex Sinclair. I have a whopping 4k of ram and the modem I added cooks at 300 baud. I am hoping someday Max or Photoshop will run in 4k so I can join you guys :D

I am so silly on Fridays(!) Somebody stick a toothpick in me I think I'm done! :D

:muffit:

P.S. Ooh I love penguins Jewels! Wish I were younger!

[Stevew]

No sorry I have been alergic to kids for years LOL
Yes there are so many things that can be done with a computer that we have just scrached the surface
S:D

[Micheleh]

"Nforce2 very fast but with 500-600K polys it drags it to its knees."

I just got a ge4. Moray, the program I use, (even though Warrior hasn't made a little icon yet, even though I mailed him one, hint hint ;) ) and POV love openGL, so it works fantastically.