Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ask Slashdot: Is Crowd Funding the Future of Sci-Fi?

Posted by samzenpus on from the best-of-show dept.

First time accepted submitter TBNZee writes "Mainstream TV has has for a long time under-served the sci-fi loving viewers, but with declining production costs there seem to be two potential sources of alternative production/distribution: digital content (e.g. Netflix, Hulu) and crowd funded projects. There's still not a lot of sci-fi shows that are being produced by the major streaming services, but we'll probably see more with the success of Hulu's exclusive U.S. distribution of Misfits or Netflix's success with Buffy and Doctor Who. On the other hand, you have many enthusiastic upstarts on Kickstarter that look novel and engaging, while having a surprisingly professional look to them. Which do you think will ultimately be more successful? Will either be able to replace network content?"

2 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Most main-stream sci-fi isn't science-friendly by DaveV1.0 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What I have noticed with main-stream sci-fi is that it doesn't involve actual science. Oh, it might have a shiny, modern or even futuristic veneer, but it is really just fantasy. Firefly was really a western set in space in a very different solar system. Even Star Trek seems to often resorts to magical thinking and the "lone hero" narrative, devolving into a morality play or social drama with a futuristic backdrop and technobabble.

    The biggest offenders are the modern science fiction movies. Think about how often in science fiction movies the plot is "clueless mainstream scientists ignore dangers and the warnings of lone genius who spent his whole career pushing an unsupported theory leading to impending disaster requiring said lone genius to do 'science' and save the day".

    I think the closest thing I have seen to an actual science fiction movie in the last 30 yeas is "Deep Impact".

    --
    There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
  2. Whatever happened to... by rossdee · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Whatever happened to JMS ? Babylon 5 was the best SF on TV IMHO

    And also what happened to the creators of the Stargate series's . I admit SGU wasn't as good as SG1 or SGA, so I wasn't that surprised to see it cancelled, but it would be nice to see some more of Stargate.

    I don't watch anything on the PsyPhy (or whatever they are calling it these days) channel. The only channel with SF on is the Beeb (BBC America), they even have ST:TNG although what that has got to do with the BBC I am not sure.

    Maybe the best thing will be if some of the Amazon produced stuff gets popular. (I subscribe to Prime)