All,
I'm taking another genre leap into a new and equally popular genre: Sci-Fi.
I'm taking classes and reading books and watching movies. This is one hard nut to crack.
So far, I'm starting on the beat sheet to further help me crack the story.
Wish me luck.
Question: Who out there is a sci-fi aficionado? What should an aspiring sci-fi writer do/watch/read?
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Congratulations on taking another genre leap, Anthony McBride! Stage 32 has a webinar called "How to Write Sci-Fi That Sells: Turning Bold Concepts into Producer-Friendly Scripts." www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-write-sci-fi-that-sells-turnin...
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Congrats - sci fi is a great genre. I had the fortune to study with one of Canada's top SF writers, and I learned so much.
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Congratulations! I wish you all the best.
I’m also a sci-fi author, and I believe sci-fi inspiration comes from a deep enthusiasm and interest in science.
The more you watch documentaries, listen to scientific podcasts, explore popular science videos, and read about real discoveries, the more your brain begins to question the future.
Those questions become your sci-fi inspirations, predictions, and even warnings to humanity about the technologies emerging today.
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Choose an advancement in science with ethical implications that bounce off a theme you want to explore.
Most episodes of Star Trek do this. For example, Measure of a Man talks about slavery and personhood when Data is put on trial do defend his rights as an android.
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Mike, I think that is one of the best episodes of sci fi television that I had the privilege to watch several times. Some of the best writing and acting combined to create a brilliant piece of cinematic television that stands as an exploration of human values, ethics, and principles.
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I absolutely love science fiction! I’d highly recommend short stories byRobert Sheckley, as well as Isaac Asimov’s "I, Robot"and "Foundation" series — classics that really shaped the genre. I found Philip Dick is interesting too. If you write screenplays, I can recommend reading sci-fi books and watching their film adaptations. This gave me a deeper perspective.
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Ilanna Mandel Could you, please, tell us a couple of things you've learned?
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I honestly love Sci-fi than any genre. Can't wait to see your work.
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If you like Asimov check out "A Penny in the Sky". I won't give it away but it's brilliant. Also please read Ursula K. LeGuinn, Connie Willis, Spider Robinson, and N.K. Jemisin.
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Thanks for all of your insights, guys. I'll be watching Stage32 sci-fi classes this month. I may just wait until the New Year to write both of them.
You're welcome, Anthony McBride.
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Three Body Problem, The Expanse, and Pantheon for grounded sci-fi. Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Altered Carbon and Blade Runner for the cyberpunk genre. Dune and Dune II because Dennis Villeneuva is the best filmmaker working today not named Christopher Nolan. Mad Max: Fury Road for post apocalyptic sci-fi (and because it's a masterpiece). And Arcane because it's also a masterpiece and one of the single best examples of "show me don't tell me" stoytelling I've ever seen.
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Yes, but all of these filmmakers are grounded in literature. There would be no cyberpunk without William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. There would be no sociological sci fi without Ursula LeGuinn. PK Dick wrote a lot of pieces transferred to TV and film. Asimov created space opera and more.