It's funny how a set of movies or a television show can influence so many people so dramatically. For me it started when I was a kid, watching Star Wars: A New Hope for the first time with my dad. I don't think he realized he was introducing me to a world of toy collecting, forum posting, and convention trips stumbling around in a very uncomfortable Stormtrooper outfit. As I got older, it wasn't just Star Wars, but all sorts of Science Fiction shows and movies that had a huge impact on my life. Besides all the crazy aliens, lightsabers, sonic screwdrivers, or cylons, there was great story telling. Story telling that allowed for important discussions about life, politics, and religion, with my friends and other fans.
The thing about Science Fiction in general is that it allows for those discussions about issues that are often controversial and hard to understand. It was able to take issues that are very polarizing to people and bring it into a fantasy world, making it easier to talk about openly and honestly.
Maybe the most important part about a lot of these stories were the characters. The characters who didn't seem special or worthy, but they rise to the occasion and do incredible things. In Star Wars the idea that the young farm boy would be one the to save the entire galaxy is a powerful message. Even at a young age it showed me that even the most ordinary of people can do incredible things, given the opportunity.
For me, the reason I choose to cover Science Fiction, is because it's such an enfluence in my life. It's what I really know and am passionate about.
I'm a big science fiction fan, myself, so I know exactly what you mean. Star Trek was personally my favorite and I know they did a lot of political or unconventional things to break the mold of television shows. Your writing really gives the impression that you care about science fiction deeply and I think you will be an excellent writer for it!
ReplyDeleteA few thoughts Han.
ReplyDeleteStar Wars was my childhood favorite too. That might be obvious since it was in our first lecture. I was also a film major, so I will enjoy your subject.
And your subject is the first thing to consider. Do you have any thoughts about your audience yet? Are you writing for Star Wars fans? Science fiction fans? Do you want to introduce science fiction to people who don’t usually appreciate it?
Why will someone keep returning to your blog? How will it stand apart from other sci-fi or Star Wars blogs?
Those are tough questions, worthy of a whole semester. Writing about sci-fi might lead to other posts and other ideas, on filmmaking, or about you. Or you might just create the best Star Wars blog out there. Let it evolve. Sit back and let your writing tell you what it wants to talk about.
In the meantime, you can clean up your language. Your first paragraph dances around its point.
It’s funny how a set of movies or a television show can influence so many people so dramatically.
Then you mention your dad. You almost blame him for the influence Star Wars had on you while avoiding saying that it influenced you.
You finally say it had a huge impact on you at the beginning of the second graph, though again indirectly. Why not just say it? Your photograph says it. Say it strongly in your first sentence of your first paragraph and pull me in.
“Star Wars had a huge impact on my life.”
Or say it with more creativity.
“That is me in the photograph. I own a Stormtrooper outfit and I’ve worn it to Star Wars conventions.”
Now the audience knows who is talking. A fan is with you and a non-fan is at least intrigued.
I like the rest of the post and the point you are making about science fiction, but in the same way that the Stormtrooper outfit specifically tells me Star Wars and sci-fi influenced you – I could use more specific details. You mention the powerful message of Luke the farm boy vs. the universe, but how about some more specific examples of your point.
District 9 certainly talked about sensitive issues in a fantastic setting. Or maybe use more Star Wars references in this post, but give me tangible examples alongside your ideas.
Story telling that allowed for important discussions about life, politics, and religion, with my friends and other fans.
This is vague (and not a complete sentence either.) Give me specific examples of these important discussions. Better yet, give me specific examples of these discussions from your life.
Good work. Thanks for posting. Welcome to 506.
Prof. Kalm
Your story brings with it my own nostalgia. I remember spending my childhood visiting conventions and enjoying worlds apart.
ReplyDeleteThere are qualifiers in your story that weaken it. "Maybe the most important thing..." It is or it isn't.