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Through these episodes, audiences can see the pessimistic attitude that society has expressed with the increase in progress and development of science and technology. Twilight reflects the fearful aspect of science, especially when embodied in a child whose mental powers exceeded the individual's mature capability to control these powers. Quantum demonstrates the troubles an individual went through in order to "correct" and control the effects of his time-space experiment, while, on a similar vein, the X-Files episode "Soft Light" showed the adverse effects of an accidentally 'successful' experiment, especially when...
Twilight contemplates the possibility of the mind possessing powers that can go beyond its perceived capabilities; Quantum breaks the time-space continuum and enters a parallel universe and assumes a different identity as an individual; and X-Files focuses on specific advancement in physics through the discovery of a new and powerful, yet deathly, dark matter.
In this discussion of the science fiction genre in TV, three popular TV shows in three different periods are analyzed based on their depiction of scifi and its role or effects to society. The Twilight Zone, Quantum Leap and the X-Files are considered top-rating and among the most popular scifi shows in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s (to 2000), respectively. This analysis discussion posits that these scifi shows reflected society's attitude towards technological progress and development of the period, and to a certain degree, documents the level of scientific and technological progress and capabilities of human society of that time.
This mirroring of society's attitude towards technological progress and development is apparent in the focus of these scifi TV shows. Specific examples of these can be found in the following examples (episodes) of each scifi program mentioned: The Twilight Zone's "It's a Good Life," depicting the life of the child Anthony, who terrorized his town armed with his mental powers and terrible imagination; Quantum Leap's "Disco Inferno," which showed the main character Sam assuming the role of another man through his quantum leaps, and was reminded that he had a brother who died in the Vietnam War; and the X-Files' "Soft Light," which illustrates how deathly the consequences of a discovery in physics can be, both for the scientist, its unwitting victims, and even the government.
Through these episodes, audiences can see the pessimistic attitude that society has expressed with the increase in progress and development of science and technology. Twilight reflects the fearful aspect of science, especially when embodied in a child whose mental powers exceeded the individual's mature capability to control these powers. Quantum demonstrates the troubles an individual went through in order to "correct" and control the effects of his time-space experiment, while, on a similar vein, the X-Files episode "Soft Light" showed the adverse effects of an accidentally 'successful' experiment, especially when the success of the experiment meant the death of all living things exposed to this new "matter." To a certain extent, these three episodes also represent the different portrayals of scientific and technological capabilities and expected future trends of each period. Twilight contemplates the possibility of the mind possessing powers that can go beyond its perceived capabilities; Quantum breaks the time-space continuum and enters a parallel universe and assumes a different identity as an individual; and X-Files focuses on specific advancement in physics through the discovery of a new and powerful, yet deathly, dark matter.
Audiences and their equipment and expectations have changed, too. Many have DVRs, streaming video, portable television, and certainly hi-def or plasma sets. Therefore, not only do they expect higher quality programming and effects, but network scheduling is now a moot point. Audiences can also engage in repeat viewings, watching and analyzing more attentively, which leads producers to create "increasingly sophisticated narrative worlds that sustain and reward intensive fan involvement on
Science Fiction Films On September 11, 2001, many people reacted to the news reports as if these were advertisements for another Hollywood blockbuster like Independence Day. All of it seemed like a movie, including a scene with the WASP president addressing the nation in a moment of maximum danger. Not since December 7, 1941 had Americans felt so threatened on their own soil, although in general they had been spared the
SCIENCE FICTION & FEMINISM Sci-Fi & Feminism Origins & Evolution of Science Fiction As with most things including literature, science fiction has progressed and changed a lot over the years. Many works of science fiction were simply rough copies and following the altready-established patterns of prior authors. However, there has always been authors and creators that push the envelope and forge new questions and storylines that have not been realized or conceptualized before.
In terms of a feature film like the Spiderman series, there is much revenue to be generated from merchandise, DVD and video sales, tie-in promotions from companies like McDonalds, and spin-off video games. Therefore, the stakes are higher. A feature film producer who has been granted a 200 million dollar budget had better deliver an audience, and deliver it in spades. A telemovie producer, however, working much faster with
Government officials and elected officers become unwilling to provide limited public funds to broadcasters whose audiences are becoming smaller, forcing public service programmers to reach for larger audiences with different types of program content. "While multiple program sources -- cable, home video -- make it unlikely that these systems will move toward "mass audience programming" it is the case that the face of broadcasting is changing in these contexts"
In this area, meanings with their endless referrals evolve. These include meanings form discourses, as well as cultural systems of knowledge which structure beliefs, feelings, and values, i.e., ideologies. Language, in turn, produces these temporal "products." During the next section of this thesis, the researcher relates a number of products (terminology) the film/TV industry produced, in answer to the question: What components contribute to the linguistic aspect of a sublanguage