Speculative fiction is an umbrella term for stories that explore the 'what if,'
Whether they do this through the lens of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, or other imaginative genres, . It can encompass everything from futuristic AI to epic magical realms. This online course will send your thoughts in new, creative directions. Science Fiction is a huge genre which can inform many kinds of story. It is a perennial favourite with film audiences. A major reason for its popularity is because there's something inherently cinematic about it. Why is SF Cinematic? In Science Fiction, the writer needs to create an entire world to support their basic "what if..?" proposition. For this reason, Science Fiction opens up stories. It also makes them more visual. Many of the clues about the "new world" will be things we see, not things we hear. I wrote a short blog piece which develops these ideas, using Spike Jonze's film HER (2013) as an example: you can read it here. A Modifier of Genres Science Fiction can act as a "modifier", putting a fresh, interesting spin on tired genres and giving them a new lease of life. |
Examine the ideas behind SF's diverse topics and suggest how these can be refreshed.
We'll look into important issues like: World-building. How do we build fictional worlds that are coherent, believable and surprising? Extrapolation. Science Fiction often takes an element of current reality and extends it so far that a new world results. Blending Genres. We’ll see how to use other genres to create novel and intriguing Science Fiction narratives. Practical exercises will give you the solid building-blocks for your own story in this ever-popular genre. We'll watch a selection of carefully-chosen and entertaining clips, and examine the ideas that animate them - where they come from, and where we should look for new variations. You'll finish the day with plenty of notes towards your own original Science fiction stories. And after the Workshop ... We'll set up a closed Facebook group in which we can continue to discuss the workshop's ideas. |
DATE & PRICES
Thurs. Feb. 20th (6.00pm—8.00pm GMT) Registration: 10.00am Workshop Starts: 10.15am Workshop Ends: 5.30pm VENUE Newman House 27 Newman Street London W1T 1AR map PRICE £99 (concessions £89) * EARLY BIRD OFFER!
(Before September 20th) £85 (concessions £75) EVENT CAPACITY
12 We offer the concessionary rate to all Concessions as well as to members of these affiliated organisations. If you are a member of one of these organisations, please book at the concessionary rate and show your membership card to the course tutor at registration. FURTHER DETAILS Email or phone: 020 8455 6166 Ian Long is an experienced screenwriter, script editor and story consultant. |