Special effects in space movies

Science-fiction films and television series are not meant to be technical treatises – they are intended as pure entertainment. Whether they succeed is due to a combination of script, acting and directing, but are there more technical elements that could be introduced? Possibly, although there is a danger that too much sticking to science could get in the way of the plot. Strict interpretation of the laws of relativity could stifle the interstellar journeys of the USS Enterprise, or the time-travelling antics of Doctor Who, but we would be all the poorer for that. This talk looks at the ways various aspects of science and technology are incorporated into the science-fiction media – where it works, and where it doesn’t!

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About Mat Irvine

Mat Irvine has been involved with many aspects of the media for more years that he cares to remember. Starting with BBC TV News at the time of Apollo, then moving to the Visual Effects Department for over 20 years, working on programmes such as Doctor Who and Blake’s 7. He also appeared in front of camera for Swap Shop and Super Store talking about space missions, co-presented the educational series TECHNO and was one of the creators of Robot Wars. He is the author of 11 books and numerous articles, and has probably the largest collection of space models in the country – or perhaps even the Galaxy.

Mat Irvine’s home page
Wikipedia entry