Comments | girliejones: Australian Speculative Fiction

girliejones

Australian Speculative Fiction

Sep 16, 2005 12:00

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?

speculative fiction, australian writers

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curufea September 16 2005, 04:59:56 UTC

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

Fallout capnoblivious September 16 2005, 06:49:42 UTC

Thinking about it - another thing that deserves to be considered "Aussie SF" is the computer game "Fallout 2". A lot of the programmers and developers were based ... here in Canberra, I think (not sure about that). There's a lot of Aussie in-jokes, and the sensibility is a bit more Australian than you might expect for a game set in post-apocalyptic California.

The humour in the Reno section puts me in mind of some Aussie SF comics.

Re: Fallout curufea September 16 2005, 14:40:39 UTC

Same with Irrational Games - who worked in System Shock 2, and Freedom Force.

Re: Australian content in Farscape girliejones September 16 2005, 06:21:56 UTC

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

Interesting question.

While we think about the answer....

Do you think that the Australianness of Farscape is why it didn't appeal to a wider audience?

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 16 2005, 14:36:15 UTC

It did appeal to a very wide audience. It rated the second highest scifi show on a cable network in the US - and it had millions of viewers in the UK.

In Oz, it was completely screwed over with times, continuity and cutting.

Re: Australian content in Farscape capnoblivious September 16 2005, 21:08:54 UTC

Heaven bless DVDs.

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 16 2005, 21:47:03 UTC

Yes.

And if anyone hasn't seen the series, in order - let me know and I'lll lend you mine :)

Re: Australian content in Farscape gillpolack September 17 2005, 00:12:29 UTC

I haven't (what a shameful admission). I don't have a DVD player though.

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 17 2005, 02:10:22 UTC

I have, unfortunately, taped over most of my vids, and given may away :(

At one stage I had 2 and a half complete Farscapes on video I'd copied from DVD to lend to friends, who a that stage did not have DVD players.
Most of whom have now not only bought players, but bought the Australian versions of the DVDs.

The Australian versions of the DVDs, while cheaper, are unfortunately not very good quality.

Re: Australian content in Farscape gillpolack September 17 2005, 02:23:25 UTC

One day I will join the 21st century. maybe.

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 17 2005, 02:26:48 UTC

Xole used to run regular monday viewings of Farscape at her place.

I used to run regular video meetings amongst friends, and for a couple of fan clubs (Nextgen and Farscape).

Some friends of mine still do regular get togethers to watch things.

Perhaps you could pester a local who has the series? Gather folk together with nibbles and takeaway? Possibly even invent drinking games or other theatre sports related to watching?

Re: Australian content in Farscape gillpolack September 17 2005, 02:45:08 UTC

Your solutions always require me to make effort. Perhaps I ought to tell you how very, very lazy I am...

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 17 2005, 05:46:07 UTC

:)

It's a lifestyle choice that isn't for me. I couldn't handle the ongoing disappointments...

Re: Australian content in Farscape girliejones September 16 2005, 06:20:02 UTC

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

*I'm* mulling it that over myself. Wouldn't min calla_s coming in on this.

I'm mulling you're question, though, GJ. I'll get back to you.
Mull away. I think I'm thinking about it too.

Re: Australian content in Farscape calla_s September 16 2005, 10:19:02 UTC

Like GJ, I had *no idea* Pinky Beecroft wrote for Farscape. Whoa. That makes quite a scary amount of sense, now that I know...

I still find it hard to conceptualise Farscape as Aussie SF Me too. Actually I'm with what Lani Tupu said on one of the dvd commentaries - he disagreed with I-can't-now-remember-who-but-they-were-American that FS was Australian sf, and said that it was *hybrid* sf. I'd actually been wailing and gnashing my teeth over the "it's so Australian" claims, and was very glad to hear that from another Antipodean ( ... )

Re: Australian content in Farscape curufea September 17 2005, 02:13:04 UTC

Comparing Canadians to US citizens is much like comparing New Zealanders to Australians...

Risky :)

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