Paranormal romance (the non-SFR, non-fantasy romance kind) is one lucky duck, let me tell you. 
The genre rose to prominence on the smokin’ heels of Joss Whedon’s smash television series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997-2003). In terms of visual mediums, BUFFY set the stage for paranormal romance in that it reinforced the dark appeal of vampire characters, featured a heroine with depth and kick-ass righteousness, and created an engaging mythology with a splash of humor. BUFFY’S unique influence, as far as I know, is unprecedented within the history of romance.
I can’t remember how many times I’ve read a paranormal romance described as similar to BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. That’s not a complaint, merely an observation. However, I don’t believe I’ve ever read a science fiction romance compared to THE X-FILES or BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. (And that *is* a complaint--wahh!)
Despite the incredible success of the current STAR TREK film, I don’t think it’s the vehicle that will help boost science fiction romance to paranormal romance-like proportions. STAR TREK will undoubtedly pique continued interest in the franchise, and may pave the way for a round of SF films, but I have doubts the benefits would extend to science fiction romance as much as BUFFY did to paranormal.
Science fiction romance the literary genre could benefit from a popular story in a visual medium with a female-centric premise. However, I don’t think either STAR TREK or even a major motion picture is the answer. 
To be realistic, we might not know the “it” SFR film or TV show until years after the fact. FARSCAPE could have been “it” but I’m guessing the Jim Henson generated characters were a detractor for many potential SFR fans. For all we know, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is “it.” But if it’s as influential as BUFFY was for paranormal romance, we have yet to see results in terms of book pitches or as part of a marketing package.
Or there may not be an “it” film or TV show at all.
Grim reality aside, I’m all for speculating about what type of story elements and factors would be involved to create a science fiction romance in a visual, non-print medium that we could later claim as our Vampire Slayer.
I’m not alone in this speculation. On a related note, Jacqueline Lichtenberg has been working on “...the puzzle of how to get an SF Romance onto TV or into the movies to do for the genre what we have done (according to NEWSWEEK, anyway) for SF.”(Urban Fantasy Job Hunting). In The Puzzle of Romance, she notes that “Science Fiction became much more publicly acceptable, more accessible, and attracted feature film money and even won Emmy and Oscars where SF never did before, after Star Trek hit the TV screen.”
Okay, so paranormal romance has BUFFY, and SF owns STAR TREK and probably STAR WARS as well. But the new STAR TREK has definitely planted a seed:
In Star Trek’s Reboot Seeks Out New Life, New Civilizations, New Audiences, Lisa Paitz Spindler notes that “As a fan of all things Science Fiction, I hope the new Star Trek movie not only introduces the genre — both in TV/movie and book formats — to a new audience, but I also hope the new audience realizes that Science Fiction is as much about the characters as it is about science…This kind of character-driven engine of the story should strike a cord with Romance readers since a defining feature of Romance is that relationships influence character.”
All of the above is spot on, but unless the director is James Cameron (who has a predilection for strong female characters), the director and writer of studio feature films often have limited control regarding creative aspects. Therefore, an SFR project in a visual medium has numerous obstacles to overcome.
Never fear—I propose a few factors which might mitigate such obstacles:
Embrace the “Small” Screen
The framework of a miniseries or television show has the most potential for success, for several reasons. In general, they are less expensive than films. Because SFR stories are character-driven, a television show or miniseries can take more time to develop both the characters and the romance. And there’s always cable. Because many cable channels cater to audiences enamored of niche shows, they can take more creative chances than network TV.
Plunder the Comic Book Goldmine
Much as we’d love to see original material, Hollywood is averse to risk-taking. Therefore, I propose that this SFR project be adapted from an existing source. Comic books are hot now, and there is plenty of science fiction romance present if you know where to look.
ADAM STRANGE is one such property ripe for the plucking. Wikipedia describes the character as such: “Strange is an archeologist suddenly teleported from Peru, Earth to fictional planet Rann through the ‘Zeta Beam.’ Called on to protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats using high-tech weaponry, Strange grew to care for the planet and its inhabitants, especially the blue-haired Alanna. Independently wealthy, he traveled Earth, intercepting the regular patterns of the Zeta Beam to defend Rann and be with Alanna.”
Sound like it has Hollywood potential...?
Each story finds Adam Strange desperately searching for where the Zeta Beam will strike next on Earth. If he misses it, he misses his window to travel to Rann, where he is reunited with his love, Alanna. The characters see plenty of action: He always has to confront some new alien or planetary threat. They also bring on the romance: Alanna and Strange are always separated—aaaah!—just as they vanquish the threat and the Zeta Beam wears off, transporting him back to Earth and tearing them apart until next time.
Updated and nudged the right way, this could have the visual science fiction action combo with strong romantic elements that would appeal to plenty.
There’s No Time Like The Past
But if original material somehow manages to slip past the Hollywood gatekeepers, another way to make an SFR project appeal to a wider audience would involve familiar, accessible elements. And what could be more appealing than steampunk? A steampunk miniseries or show has the potential to interest viewers who would be open to alternate history SF than the futuristic kind.
It’s All in the Pitch
Pitch and market the project as anything but science fiction romance. But it would be imperative to include buzz words like “action-adventure,” “romance,” and “edgy.”
Those are just a few ideas. I’m sure there are other factors to consider. What type of science fiction romance show do you think could capture a certain chemistry or “it” factor similar to the one that J.J. Abrams and his team harnessed for STAR TREK?
Joyfully yours,
Heather
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Will Science Fiction Romance Ever Get Its Own BUFFY?
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15 comments:
Great points all around, Heather! I think that's it right there. Networks and studios have to want to take a risk and in this economy and shaky entertainment industry, the people who are willing will be going to be the independents rather than the big guys. As soon as something comes along that looks like it'll make waves, networks cancel it before it can fly.
Case in point the StarHunter series. Particularly 2300. Awesome futuristic action sci-fi series with not one but two strong female characters. One of which was a pampered heiress who rejected her family's name and money to become a bounty hunter. Sadly it was canceled after it's first season much to audiences and even the cast's surprise. It had the chance to be an awesome continuing series from the first StarHunter that dealt with the hero's father. And there was even a romance blossoming throughout the show with the two leads.
I'm hoping James Cameron's Avatar will be one that starts to get the sci-fi action romance genre to full steam ahead. He definitely has something groundbreaking up his sleeve.
There are many rumors flying around about Whedon making a Buffy movie. I think if tv shows being made into movies make money, like Star Trek, then we have hope the Scooby gang will hit the big screen.
A recent TV guide said definitely no Buffy movie. Because TV guide knows all, doncha know! *heh*
Type in Spock and Uhura and search for fan fic - the livejournals and fanfiction.net are already hopping with it. Also youtube vids with Spock and Uhura.
Thanks for the quote and link. As much as I love Jim Henson and the Muppets, I really do wish Rigel had not been part of Farscape. I agree that this aspect of the show really turned people off. However, Aeryn Sun and John Crighton are probably two of my most favorite SF charcters ever. I loved both of their character arcs. Even though it's more Urban Fantasy than SF, I also hope we get to see more of Sactuary.
One of the reasons I started my Danger Gal blog was out of my search for an SF Buffy kind of character. There are many characters that share more than a few traits with Buffy, but what one element that set Buffy apart was that she was the primary character of her own show. The ensemble that supported her were amazing, but she was iconic because she was the main character.
I don't think Star Trek could ever be a vehicle for something like that. It's purpose is entirely to depict an SF bromance.
Old prejudices die hard. If you don't have a penis, you don't have a brain for science or science fiction. Until that belief changes, there will be nothing new.
No matter how much we complain or beg, we're only going to get more of the same because it's too much of a financial risk to try something new.
And so the prejudice will persist and we will do without.
Or, we can make up our own stories and trade them among ourselves.
I'm a little confused by something. Are ya'll wanting more of "her stories" or "their stories"? Because while I liked and enjoyed Buffy, I certainly didn't tune into because I considered it to be a romance. It had it's romantic moments and themes, don't get me wrong - but it was definitely a "her story" series. And that's what I liked about it. It was Buffy's story.
Which is all well and good but that is not the same thing as a romance driven vehicle. The truth is that TV doesn't do romance very well and I'm not sure I'd want them to attempt it because they'd probably mess it up. They definitely didn't know what to do with Lois & Clark once they actually got them married - it was like they had no concept of what being married was all about. Uh, no different than what they'd been doing before, investigating stories.
And holding up an example of something like Adam Strange as somethi to aspire to where they're constantly separated? No thank you. Not what I want to see in a romance either.
That's not to say that both TV and movies can't do romances given the right properties but usually there's one key ingredient that has to be present - an equal partnership. It's found in the best detective and mystery types shows.
What was appealing about Farscape? Or even Stargate or the various Star Treks? They treat each other as equals. So, to me the answer is the breakout is going to be when someone figures out how to showcase in a science fiction setting a strong enough pairing to catch everyone's attention in a believeable fashion.
If you are interested in reading a good erotic, romantic Space Opera, LUST IN SPACE might be up your alley:
http://www.ravenousromance.com/breathless/lust-in-space.php
Corny name, great pulp sci-fi characters and storyline. ;-)
Lisa
I like the idea of a well done mini-series blazing the trail to a media breakout for SFR. I'd love to see one of the same quality as Lonesome Dove.
I just keep dreamin'. :)
The truth is that TV doesn't do romance very wellWhich is why I think an SFR series might find more success if it tilts slightly more toward the speculative/high concept elements. But then you could have episodes where the romance takes center stage at times.
In addition to equal partners as Bev pointed out, I want there to be great chemistry along the lines of Mulder/Scully--or even something like the chemistry between David and Maddie in MOONLIGHTING (only not so wacky).
I definitely want it to be a "their story" and I'm open to any type of setting, time period, and speculative elements. It could even be Mundane SF which has the potential to make an SFR extremely accessible, particularly for viewers steeped in shows like LAW AND ORDER and ER.
I'm sure the synchronicity required for such a project (right director/writer + supportive network + affordable budget + cultural receptivity) is the number one obstacle. Which is to say, every obstacle rolled into one.
Ooooohh...a "Law and Order: SFR" edition. I'd be all over that.
Didn't the networks try a Law & Order SF type show not too long ago? The one where Horatio Hornblower/Mr. Fantastic was a lawyer for a firm that specialized in cases involving evolving science? Can't remember the name and I think it only lasted a couple of episodes - which I missed for some reason. *Sigh*
Anon, yes--Century City (a "futuristic legal drama"). That must have been lingering in my subconscious, lol! Or maybe it was Ioan Gruffud, rowrrr.
There's an interesting discussion going on right now you might want to check out if you don't already know about it:
http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2009/05/27/are-we-speaking-the-same-language/
Thanks, Bev! That's given me an idea for a blog post there....
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