Re: Space Themes in Entertainment
Peter,
Peter Wainwright wrote:
>
> Hmmm... maybe we need a series based around the exploits of some
> adventurous private company. Something like the first part of
> Encounter with Tiber with a bit of Larry Niven's Falling Angel mixed in.
> We could probably persuade a few RLV companies to lend material and
> locations in exchange for the odd logo :-)
Actually there was a series back in 1979 about a rogue space
entreprenuer. The shows name was "Salvage 1" and it starred Andy
Griffith. The launch vehicle was amazingly similar to the Delta Clipper
SSTO. If someone could get a hold of the syndication rights for this
show it might enjoy some nostalgic popularity in the near future when
the X-Prize contenders get closer to flying hardware.
--------------
A recent posting of mine responding to Greg Bennett's comments on the
same theme:
Greg Bennett said:
> With only a few exceptions, the entertainment media have been openly
> hostile toward the concept of someone actually earning a living and doing
> productive work in the realm beyond the sky.
Real life is rarely as "exciting" as Hollywood's version. After all
sci-fi is almost synonymous with escapism. No doubt that it can be
done, but we must realize that the entertainment industry is a business
also (orders of magnitude more competitive than the space business) and
makes what sells. The challenge is to present them with interesting
events and personalities (not currently tolerated in the NASA/contractor
version of space development) that will sell.
> As part of a program to turn the common man's perception of space
> travel, I recommend we make sure to include the concept of people living
> normal lives and earning a normal living in space, in our entertainment
> ventures. Let people know it's not just a playpen for rocket scientists
> with bulging foreheads, or for big, tax-funded programs.
The recent "Rocketman" movie does a good job of satirizing the
exclusiveness of space travel. Maybe Buzz's book "Encounter with Tiber"
will attract some interest in Hollywood. Dan Graham, Jr.'s book, "The
Gatekeepers" could have made an interesting movie if not for the
political overtones and the businessman being cast as a hero-villian.
It is difficult to even find any popular science fiction that cast's
entrepreneurs in a good light. Some of that is a cultural thing - most
fiction writers are not experienced in the business or engineering
world. Possibly Clancey will stray from his genre' and do a space
entrepreneur themed book based on "Rotary Rockets" approach?
--
Mark Reiff
<mreiff1@xxxxxxxxxx> new e-mail address
"I think we are all trying too hard to push space
versus finding the pulls that attract people and their money."
"The heavens reward great deeds, not excuses."
References:
Re: Go See "Rocketman"! :]
From: Peter Wainwright <peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Re: Cape
From: Mark Reiff <mreiff1@xxxxxxxxxx>
Re: Cape
From: Peter Wainwright <peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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