Sci-Fi or Fantasy?

Sunshine13 · Sep 1, 2007

Alright, genre question here. I've always been under the assumption my script was sci-fi, because they use "hovercraft's" and travel through time and space and all that jazz. But it also feels fantasy to me, what with a crystal palace, men fighting with swords, fantasy type creatures, etc.

Anyway, I think I already know my script is sci-fi....but when you describe it in your query letter, would putting sci-fi/fantasy be redundant? I've seen examples with "Action/Thriller" or "erotic Thriller" or psychological thriller" or "family-oriented fantasy".

I'm trying to think of examples for sci-fi's. Isn't it assumed most sci-fi's are adventurous? My script is pretty much an adventure/sci-fi with a bit of romance in the end. Saying "Epic sci-fi" may make myself come across as over arrogant, which I really don't want to do (as Chris has noticed lol).

DanielD · Sep 1, 2007

You probably could put Sci-fi/ Fantasy, or simply Sci-Fi.
Sci-Fi usually covers futuristic technologies, unknown or unknowable forces, ect, ect.
They also share similarities with Action/Adventure movies.
Log in Genre's, or Sci-Fi/Fantasy on your browser, I'm sure you'l find a website or two offering very indepth, and clear definitions.
One Article by Tim Dirks titled FILM GENRES, is quite good in that it defines, Main Genres, Sub-Genres and none genres.
Daniel.

Sunshine13 · Sep 1, 2007

Thanks Daniel, but I've heard it's good to use an adjective, or extra word describing more of the genre. Like previously stated examples. It just seems boring to have my first line be:

Dear Mr./Mrs. SoandSo:
I am seeking representation for OBLIVION, a 115 page science fiction (or should I just say Sci-Fi?) screenplay.

I feel like adding that extra word would give it more. Or should I not even approach my query like this? I'm simply using examples I've seen on other threads here on the forum, along with my book of fun screenwriting resources. Should I just start out with my logline? There are just way too many ways I've seen them done, so I am struggling to find the one that would work best for me. I'm going off topic though. Feel free to ignore my last few sentences.

DanielD · Sep 1, 2007

Agreed.
Noting that most, if not all movies include two main genres along with a couple of sub genres in their overall story, it should not be a problem having two main, and also alluding to the other sub genre elements as you describe your overall story through your query letter.
Certain elements(In the description) of your story would provide this.
I concur with you mentioning, the amount of info(With varying approaches) in regards to writing Screenplays.
Whether it's for writing a log line, Synopsis, Treatment, Beat or step outlines, character, structure, format, ect,ect.
Though I have to admit, I just love reading(hearing about) these different approaches.
Log-Lines were covered a little while back.
I have a print out which describes the following.

(Your Story name) is a (Genre) about a (Description of your hero)who, after (something big happens to them), wants to (what is the solution he/she seeks?) by (What is the hero's plan?) This becomes increasingly difficult because (What obstacles and complications happen?)

Eg; THE FUGITIVE

The fugitive is a Drama about an innocent doctor who after being wrongly sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife, manages to escape and wants to clear himself by finding the real murderer.
This becomes increasingly difficult because a determined police detective is hot on his trail.

Take care.
Daniel.

Sunshine13 · Sep 1, 2007

Thanks, again, Daniel.

So, what does anyone think of using the word epic? Big no? Is there a better word that is similar? Am I stressing over nothing?

DanielD · Sep 1, 2007

Just heading off for a while, I'll post a reply upon returning.
Daniel.

Big PS : STOP STRESSING.

NikeeGoddess · Sep 1, 2007

yeah, stop stressing

the word epic sound like big bucks to me - i wouldn't use it. it might scare off the frugal.

btw - you're not ready to query. it's okay to work on it now but it's like shooting your wad too soon. and once you do that they won't look twice at your script. you get one chance per production company to show your stuff. if you blow it, you can't take it back. wait until someone of significance tells you you're ready. then query. but practice writing and rewriting your logline and synopsis in the mean time.

Sunshine13 · Sep 1, 2007

I know, I'm not. It isn't like I plan on sending out queries next week. I'm working on what I can when I have the time to, and this evening I wasn't where I needed to be to really work on my script, so I'm working on something else that is still part of the project.

But thanks, for your concern.

As for using epic, that's exactly how I felt about it. I may just stick with something simple.

EDIT: Oh, and to Daniel, because I just now noticed your reply, I've stopped. I can't help it. Ask Derek. I stress over everything. I'm a perfectionist, in many ways. In other ways, not so much.

Kentuk · Sep 1, 2007

How about 'EPIC SPACE FANTASY' .

Sunshine13 · Sep 1, 2007

Sounds like Star Wars. And space really isn't part of the story. They travel THROUGH it, but you don't really see that. It's more of a wave of a god's hand, and Earth is suddenly spinning below them sort of thing. You don't see space ships, but you do see advanced hover crafts and the like on the planet's surface (not on Earth. Earth is in the middle ages when they are there...).

But, THANK YOU for trying to help. I really appreciate it, Kentuk. Honest.

I'll get there. I just wanted some input.

DanielD · Sep 2, 2007

Samuel . L . Bronkowitz presents...
A movie of..... EPIC PROPORTIONS.
Yeeeaaah...... I like it.
Sorry, I just remembered that from many, many moons ago.
Daniel.

Plot Device · Sep 2, 2007

My feeling on a query is you want to use whatever words will get a positive response. (Now if you just plain want to be ACCURATE, that's another thing entirely.)

My own current rule of thumb on sci-fi (which I'm sure sci-fi purists would disagree with) is that its backdropped against technology. But my rule of thumb on fantasy is that the backdrop will be magic. To me, sci-fi is driven by science, while fantasy is driven by mysticism. Granted, there are plenty of hybrids out there--technicaly Star Wars is more fantasy than science, and is perhaps best described as a "space opera".

There's a more sublte genre called "speculative fiction" that's used to describe such non-reality tales as Brazil and Being John Malkovich. While that has nothing to do with your current story, it's something to keep in mind whenever you find yourself grappling with a genre label.

I personally would default your story off into "fantasy." But by calling it "sci-fi-fantasy," you'll have your bases covered.

Sunshine13 · Sep 2, 2007

Awesome, I'll take that advice, thanks dear.

small axe · Sep 2, 2007

My take would be: avoid the word "epic" at all costs! Plot Device is right, "epic" tells the movie guys you're gonna spend all their $$$ with huge special fx and sets and exotic locales.

They hate it when that happens.

As for the "Science Fiction" vs "Fantasy" issue ... I think maybe in Hollywood they'll assume "Fantasy" is either only Magic, Ghosts or Conan.

They probably think X-Men is "Science Fiction" because it has technology, they think Spiderman is Science Fiction, because mutants are SF too, throw actual science out the window ... they pretty crazy about that.

I'd just say, it'll be the level of Techno that colours their decision of genre. Me, I'd rather call my thing FANTASY, just as a marketing thing, because maybe they'll be thinking Harry Potter-sized box office $$$ ... ???

dpaterso · Sep 2, 2007

I'd probably genre-label it Sci-Fi/Fantasy (note the capital letters and the oblique

).

I'm just saying, here's imdb.com's genre definitions of Krull (1983):

Genre: Fantasy / Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Tagline: A world light-years beyond your imagination.

Plot Outline: A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet.

...and who knows, maybe a word or two from the tagline and plot outline might prove useful? I'm just sayin'.

-Derek

valen_sinclair · Sep 3, 2007

i read some of it, and it seemed more fantasy to me.

If you look at for instance spaceballs.....that wonderful paraody from mel brooks. You could say it is ANY of the following.

Sci-Fi
Comedy
Paraody

But I would call it Fantasy, cause that's the basics....it is a fairytale even.
I don't know. Am new, and I hate making judgements when I am unpublished...so

zeprosnepsid · Sep 4, 2007

Looking up Krull in wikipedia they describe it as a 'heroic fantasy film'. That's not a bad description (not for your film, but just in general).

Anyway, I'd find something similar and see how it is described. From above, your movie sounds like His Dark Materials to me (some sci-fi, some fantasy, and that series takes place in Victorian times so perhaps they have a crystal palace?). So you could see how the movie The Golden Compass is described. But I haven't read your screenplay or His Dark Materials so who knows =)

Sunshine13 · Sep 4, 2007

Thanks

I'll check it out.

Sci-Fi or Fantasy?

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

DanielD

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

DanielD

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

DanielD

NikeeGoddess

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Kentuk

I want to write what I want to write

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

DanielD

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

small axe

memento mori

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

valen_sinclair

Blowing bubbles in the wind

zeprosnepsid

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!