Australian Speculative Fiction

[girliejones]

What is it about Australian Speculative fiction that makes it Australian? I mean, other than being written by an Australian, what is really unique about the Australian Spec Fic scene?

And why would it, or would it not, appeal to an international audience?

Comments

[curufea]

Because, like Farscape, it is less repressed and more raw than other "civilised" countries.

[girliejones]

Comparing say Farscape to Star Trek you mean?

[curufea]

Comparing Farscape to scifi that wasn't created in Australia.

[girliejones]

But farscape was filmed here - was it written here?

[curufea]

Some episodes, and was directed mostly by Australians.

Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

Writers

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[capnoblivious]

In addition to writing for television, Matt provides lead vocals for the musical group Machine Gun Fellatio, for whom (in the guise of persona 'Pinky Beecroft') he also plays keyboards/piano and guitar, and writes songs.

Huh. I think I saw him on "The Glass House" once.

I still find it hard to conceptualise Farscape as Aussie SF.

I'm mulling you're question, though, GJ. I'll get back to you.

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

You just have to look past Ben Browder :)

Any of the behind the scenes, or commentaries on Farscape will always mention how "they couldn't have done this in any other country" because of the attitudes of the cast, the crew, the writers and the directors who were Australian.

Hmmm... Should I review Farscape for As If?

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[capnoblivious]

Oh, I don't doubt it - it's a necessary mental adjustment I haven't made yet.

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

It's the budget and quality isn't it? All the great acting, stories, camera work and sets. You're thinking "This is too good quality - it can't possibly be Australian!"

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[girliejones]

Yet its clearly not American - it doesn't fit that mold.

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

No - it has original plots.

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[capnoblivious]

I suspect that's a strong part of it.

Other parts:
- my concept of Aussie SF is rooted in prose, so a TV show doesn't really factor in. Hence, reassessing.

- the Jim Henson influence is quite striking in Farscape.

- where you see homages, they're not recognisably Aussie homages. Mostly, it's to big SF, which is American. You *do* see little Aussie in-jokes, though.

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

There's kids aussie SF as well -
Ocean Girl, Silversun, etc...

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[capnoblivious]

Mm. I used to love that stuff!

Yeah, you're right - when I think of something like "The Girl from Tomorrow" or "Finders Keepers", the Aussie-ness is very strong.

Mostly in the cast's accents, mind. :)

Something I see but don't like in Aussie SF is a tendency to over-Australianise it. For some reason, stories set in Sydney or Melbourne grate terribly - usually, because "sense of place" is replaced with "artificial landmarking."

Re: Australian content in Farscape

[curufea]

It's the same with US movies set in New York - we're just used to it :)