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July 1995, Week 3

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Subject:
From:
"NAME \"Rich Washabaugh\"" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 16 Jul 1995 13:43:50 -0400
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        I ralize that this is no doubt an old dichotomy to most of you, but I'm
taking a Film class for the first time and am just curious as to the opinions
of some people more experienced than I.
        In the class, a 5-week summer course, we have two project assignments.
For my first assignment, I decided to take a look at how spectacle can
adversely affect narative structure, particularly in science fiction, horror,
and fantasy films, and the overall effect that has on thses particualr genres.
Going by the disparity in the number of these movies produced compared to other
genres (thats not a scientific accounting, just observation from several video
stores) and the general response from friends when I tell them I rented "2001"
or "Stargate", the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genres are not overly popular.  (I'm
going to abbreviate these three into just sci-fi to save typing and space)
Aside from the idea that the realities constructed by sci-fi are not readily
understood by audiences, "Dune" for example, my guess is that the special efx,
though nice to look at, actually keep people from enjoying the story.  The
movies turn out to have long, boring flight sequences, shots that contain so
much visual info that most people can't assimilate it all, etc...
        I guess what I'm asking here is whether this is a valid observation.
Any and all comments are welcome, both pro and con.  If I'm OK here, let me
know; if I'm off my rocker, let me know!
        Feel free to e-mail me directly, if you don't want to flood the server.
Thanks,
Rich Washabaugh
 
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Rich Washabaugh                    |             Internet:[log in to unmask]
635 Church St. Apt. 2              |                      Phone: (412) 357-8826
Indiana, PA 15701                  |
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"I want room service!"             |"When you say 'others' do you mean OTHERS?"
                 -Keanu Reeves     |                     -Cary Grant
                 "Johnny Mnemonic" |                     "Arsenic and Old Lace"
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