Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*

We have reached over halfway through the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series! Today's episode (which is episode 3) I will be speaking to an amazing sound designer and a musicologist (yes that's a real job) to delve into the delights of the very spectacular sound design involved in the greatest sci-fi film of all time*.
As always, there are spoilers ahead! In addition to ones about 2001: A Space Odyssey there are light to medium spoilers for Odyssey (2026) and Paths of Glory (1957)
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If you are feeling rich and generous and would like to be a patron of the podcast, you can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm
 
A few notes from the conversation:
• Foley Sound Effects were named after Jack Foley who pioneered recording everyday sounds for the use in films in post-production all the way back in the late 1920s when sound was all brand new and shiny. (In film of course, although there is no evidence to suggest the whole world was absolutely silent before he came along. How could we ever know?)
• Midge mentions the Moog synthesiser which had actually been invented in 1964 but had not proliferated until Wendy Carlos released Switched on Bach in October 1968.
• I seem to have failed to mention the Stargate sequence when talking about dissonance and micropolyphony but the effects are in the background and if you watch the video you'll see it. Apologies.
 
I am so lucky to have two amazing guests to break down the sound of the film.
Midge Costin is Professor Emeritus of Cinematic Arts at USC and a retired Hollywood sound designer of multiple Blockbuster films. She is also produced & directed the award winning, and very fantastic, feature documentary, Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound. (Honestly this is a very inspirational and engaging documentary and I would highly recommend it!)
Christine Gengaro is a professor of music at Los Angeles City College, she has a PhD in Musicology and is author of the book Listening to Stanley Kubrick: The Music in His Films.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:58 Sound in Cinema
07:59 2001: Before the Dawn of Man
12:21 Also Sprach Zarathustra
18:11 Micropolyphony and what it does
22:18 Silence in Spaaaaace!
26:08 Breathing (in Spaaaaace!)
27:58 POV sound
29:54 HAL
31:42 Cultural context of the cold cosmonaut
34:25 The choice of old-fashioned music
41:55 The twee nature of Waltzes
44:51 Ligeti's lawsuit
48:33 Bookends
53:09 Legacy
56:49 Recommendations
 
 
Recommendations
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)
Gravity (2013)
Interstellar (2014)
Kubrick: An Odyssey by Robert P Kolker and Nathan Abrams
 
THE NEXT EPISODE!
The next episode we will be discussing the man behind the movie! Kubrick experts Nathan Abrams and Rodney F Hill will grace us with their wonderful brains! IN the meantime you can watch Night of the Living Dead (1968) as we will be heading for a zombie flavoured detour after the mini-series is over.
 
 
*Almost

"Please read the show notes!" She screamed into the void of a blank page. (I realise no one apparently reads the show notes but this time I genuinely think it might be useful to you.)
This is episode two of the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series!
I like to keep episodes under an hour to make them digestible but there is a 15 minute longer version of the episode available for Patreon members or to buy as a one off for £3 or $3. You can find it here: https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm
It is being released early because I am going on holiday and I have no idea how great my internet is going to be or how often I'll be able to check it while I am away. (I do know that in the summer of 2024 it once took somewhere between 3 and 6 hours to upload the podcast from my mum's house.)
We have two more episodes to go (one about the sound and the other about Kubrick).
If you missed the first episode I would suggest you go and take a listen to both parts. If you have not watched 2001: A Space Odyssey you can find an overview of it here on the Wikipedia page.
I have also mentioned the IMDB page during the episode and the full list of credited cast and crew can be found here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm
This episode is about some of the mind-blowing, ahead of their time (by at least 11 years or so when Star Wars came along) and fantastical special effects of the film.
I never watch videos for podcasts myself, but I would perhaps consider it for this episode as Paul expresses the practicalities of special effects quite well with hand gestures. There are clips of the special effects you may want to look at. You can find the video on YouTube and on Spotify.
As always, there are spoilers ahead!
You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky. 
The special effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey were shocking in 1968 but still amaze almost sixty years later. I have managed to procure two heavyweight guests to talk us through this mammoth achievement. (I wanted to make an ape pun but I remembered I don't actually like puns.)
Paul Franklin is a Special Effects Supervisor for many blockbuster films including the Dark Knight series and has won Oscars for his work on Interstellar and Inception.
Julie Turnock is Professor of Media and Cinema studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign she has written extensively about special effects in cinema including in Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
01:35 Special vs Visual Effects
06:12 Impact of 2001 A Space Odyssey special effects
12:45 Douglas Trumbull and more
29:03 The Discovery centrifuge
33:38 A slow visionary film
39:35 Defying gravity
41:47 Joy Sneddon's moon
43:51 The floating pen
45:34 Front projections on The Dawn of Man
49:53 Legacy
54:36 Recommendations
 
Recommendations:
The Lost Worlds of 2001 by Arthur C Clarke
Bodies in Space: Film as "Carnal Knowledge" by Annette Michelson: https://www.artforum.com/features/annette-michelson-on-stanley-kubricks-2001-a-space-odyssey-210883/
 
NEXT EPISODE!
I shall be speaking about the music and sound of 2001: A Space Odyssey so no need to watch any films in the meantime. If you are extra eager about what comes after the mini-series, I will be taking a detour (kind of) to discuss the 1968 origin of the modern zombie: The Night of the Living Dead.

As always there are spoilers ahead!
This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 2. If you have arrived here before treading the ground of part 1 turn back now! 
The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey
Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification. (Yes I'm repeating the same text from part 1. Do you even know how busy I've been and now I must copy and paste to get this out on time!) 
You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.
If you have money to invest in further space or other scientifically romantic adventures and would like to be a patron of the podcast, pay heed! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

Thankfully my two guests are heavy weight bearing beams (of light?). I am indeed getting my metaphors in a mix. That makes no sense. Apologies. 
Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.
Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner.
Clarification: The quote I use near the beginning "Politics and religion are obsolete. The time has come for science and spirituality" originates from Indian philosopher Vinoba Bhave. Arthur C Clarke used the quote in a keynote address. Kubrick underlines the second half in his copy of the speech. (Michael then goes on to open his fantastic book with this quote.)
28:25 The concept of a technological singularity is a theoretical scenario in which technology increasingly becomes so advanced that is has unpredictable and irreversible effects ono humanity.
34:13 JPL is short for Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. 
48:23 Mad magazine's parody of 2001 is available to view here: https://www.tumblr.com/keirdullea/34795391907/201-minutes-of-space-idiocy-a-mad-magazine
Lastly: I concede that my internet search for the giant baby may have led me to some very dubious sources. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
19:00 The Sublime
11:30 Kubrick's minimalism
20:32 HAL
34:58 Doug Trumbull and George Lucas' Star Wars droids
37:57 Slow pace and filming restrictions
39:58 Legacy
46:50 Recommendations for the listener
 
Recommendations
Childhood's End and The Sentinel both by Arthur C Clarke
201 (minutes of) A Space Idiocy by Mad Magazine. (Link above)
 
NEXT EPISODE!
In the next episode we will be prepping to discuss the special effects of 2001 in two weeks' time!

As always there are spoilers ahead!
As we chronologically venture through science fiction history it is finally time to examine one of the heaviest of heavyweight sci-fi films. 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey
This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 1. Part 2 is also out. (Why two parts? Because I prefer a more digestible length of podcast.)
Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification.
You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.
If you have money to invest in further space or other scientifically romantic adventures and would like to be a patron of the podcast, pay heed! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm
This is the longest episode I've ever recorded (hence the two parts) and I simply couldn't cut much of it down because of my phenomenal guests.
Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.
Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner (which we will get to in good time).
34:48 The literal translation of "alte kackers" which is how Stanley Kubrick's wife Christiane described the people at the premiere is "old shitters".
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:43 Childhood cinematic experiences of the film
07:31 Not understanding the film
09:57 The impact on sci-fi cinema
10:28 The proverbial good science fiction film
14:35 The philosophical nature of science fiction
17:09 Kubrick and Clarke in the mid 60s
21:26 Initial intentions
25:46 Special effects and immersion
33:04 The reception of the film
46:32 The ape arm throws a bone
51:15 Kubrick and improvisation
53:52 Outro to part one
 
NEXT EPISODE!
The next episode is already out and it's part 2 of this discussion! After that we will be prepping to discuss the special effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey in two weeks' time.

As usual there are spoilers ahead!
You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.
If you have an air of gravitas and money to spend and would like to be a patron of the podcast, please do! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm
The novel Planet of the Apes was released in 1963 in France by French author Pierre Boulle. In that same year publicist Arthur Jacobs bought the screen rights while he was looking for something "like King Kong".
Five years later in 1968 the film was released with one of the most famous twist endings of cinematic history.
The film is a fun "off-planet" sci-fi adventure story with heavy commentary on societal expectations and standards.
I have two lovely guests to help us understand this sci-fi classic.
John Wills is a Professor of American Media and Culture at the University of Kent. He has written lots about popular culture including his new book Doom Town USA
Phil Nichols is Senior Consultant to the Ray Bradbury Center at Indiana University, and formerly Film & Television course leader at the University of Wolverhampton.
The Scopes trial was a 1925 case in the USA in which a teacher was accused of violating the law by teaching evolution in schools. The trial was set up on purpose to challenge the Butler Act which prevented the teaching of evolution.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Book vs film
03:53 Arthur Jacobs
06:28 From astronaut to animal
11:10 Simian society
15:43 Concepts of civility
20:07 Western vibes
22:39 The Trial
26:40 Race
32:46 1968 USA
39:25 The twist ending
42:34 Liberty in ruins
47:37 Legacy
52:18 The brains behind the ending
53:19 Recommendations
 
Recommendations
Inherit the Wind (1960)
Soylent Green (1973)


 
NEXT EPISODE!
Eep! It's finally here. I tried to put it off for as long as I could but the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series will begin next week with a two-part first episode. 
The film is available widely. According to Just Watch (where you can find the availability in your region) it is included in the HBO subscription in the USA and Australia. In Canada it's included in the Crave subscription. In the UK it's Prime video and Now Cinema. 
But the film can also be bought or rented online from many outlets including Apple, Fandango, Spectrum and Prime. Or you could buy a fancy DVD of it to add to your collection.