Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What Can We expect from Science Fiction in the Future?

I have been reading that publishers and the entertainment industry have been cutting expenses, laying off people and reducing the number of books published due to a dramatic drop off in book and movie ticket sales and reduced advertising. I became alarmed that I would not have a variety of sci fi novels to choose from, fewer television shows to watch, and only movie remakes that are not even worth paying to see.
I read a funny list of the 10 Worst Science Fiction Remakes on the i09 blog and agreed with almost everything on their list!
This caused me to muse a little longer on this situation and I came to the conclusion that maybe this is not such a bad thing after all. Instead of wasting so much money shooting a crappy remake, why don't they instead put out one good science fiction movie a year, that is an original idea, worth paying to see and leave it in the theatre a while for repeat visits. I would see it twice if it where well made and well acted. I have a sneaky suspicion that this is my usual wishful thinking. More than likely the movie industry will save money rewriting a great idea, hire low budget actors, and continue making crappy movies.
As for television, some of the science fiction shows are so bad, no matter how hard I try, I cannot watch. Heroes and KyleXY are just too lame for my taste. I have tried on many occasion to get interested and end up in another room cleaning my bicycle chain instead.
What I said for the movies may be good for television. Get rid of the fluff and have one or two really creative sci fi shows to look forward to each week. If the show is good, ratings will be high and certain advertisers will pay for ads. (I know it was the 1950's but Phillip Morris single handedly paid for the I Love Lucy series for many years and the actors advertized the products personally. Later, Lucille Ball gave the green light to produce the Original Star Trek!)
As for publishing, I get more concerned, especially if an unknown author has some really good stuff, it may be harder getting in the front door to get looked at. If people are buying fewer books and even fewer science fiction books, I don't see how we will get new science fiction in English, but I am hoping for the best.
As things stand right now, I am not going to watch crappy television shows or lame remakes in the theatre. I am, however, looking forward to the new Star Trek movie because it will be original and the new Sci Fi series StarGate Universe because it is also original based on a great idea.
I hope from all of this we start getting quality shows but if not, I will be watching my DVDs instead.
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