|
|
|
I'm quite interested in your project but I'm troubled by two aspects:
First, you say that Star Trek isn't science fiction because it's about the human condition -- only people who don't know science fiction say this seriously. Science fiction isn't just Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon and SFX. The best science fiction has always been about the human condition -- H.G. Wells wrote it because he wanted to make political and social commentaries. Read Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein, and all the other greats -- there's nothing mutually exclusive about science fiction as a genre and stories about the human condition. Genuine science fiction isn't the empty pap put out by TV and films and never has been. Star Trek is indeed science fiction -- that's why SF fans took so much notice of it when it first came out. It was the first time TV tried to portray SF as a genre seriously and deal with the issues present in print SF for decades. And few SF fans use the term "sci-fi." That's a Hollywood invention. I've read SF since I was a child and have never been interested in the hardware/SFX stuff. My interest has always been focused on stories dealing with social, political, moral, religious, philosophical, ethical issues and how technology affects all of them.
Second, I'm troubled by your focus on fans who wear uniforms all their lives, base their lifestyles on living Trek, et al. A dentist who wears a uniform in his office, as well as his staff. A guy who puts a uniform on his cat. I can see how this will play with non-Trek audience. Stereotyping us all. There are a very large number of us who have perfectly normal lives, don't put on uniforms (unless it's to appear in a costume contest or maybe wear one at a con -- I for one have never worn one and have no interest in doing so), and don't consider Trek so central to our lives. It would've been better to focus on a more balanced portrayal of Trek fans instead of sticking to people like the woman who went to a jury trial wearing a uniform. I'm a political journalist and editor, English teacher and researcher in the human rights field. I've traveled all over the world for many years and have been in many conflict zones. I don't have an apartment full of Trek memorabilia (though I have a few commemorative plates and collect fanzines), wear no buttons, have no Trek t-shirts or uniforms, and have a small number of photos. I'm on a couple of private Trek discussion lists online and go to cons occasionally.
This skewed focus on the nuttier folks out there merely plays into the typical media stereotype and does us no service.
Sandra Necchi
********************************************************************
Dear Sandra,
Thanks for writing. We love to hear your feedback.
Regarding the Richard Arnold quote, that Star Trek isn't science fiction. I believe he was saying that it's not LITERALLY science fiction--which would be only about science. And I'm sure he would agree with your comments about what comprises the best science fiction--the same qualities that comprise quality fiction in general.
Regarding the film's perspective, the subjects profiled in the documentary span the entire spectrum of fans, from non-uniform wearing doctors, scientists, and teachers to the Trek-uniform-wearing Dentists, Jurists, mothers, and others, whom I would argue are just as "normal" as anyone else. Why is wearing a Star Trek uniform not normal? Who gets to decide what is and isn't normal? The beauty of America is that it's a place were we're free to say and be whatever we want, as long as we don't infringe on another's right to do so. The beauty of the philosophy of Star Trek is that it is all inclusive--all races, genders, sizes, shapes, political backgrounds, etc., are equally accepted.
The people in the documentary are shown as they exist, in real life, warts and all. One can never please everybody, but a documentary shows all sides of a subject. If we showed only one segment of Trek fandom, the side that somebody personally decided was "normal," the film would be less a documentary, and more of a propaganda piece for that viewpoint. A journalist should be aware that a "balanced portrayal" includes ALL sides.
Thanks again for writing. I enjoy discussing the subject of Trek fandom.
Best,