make Octavia Butler ’s novelDawninto a television show sounds like kind of a foolhardy idea . It ’s a post - apocalyptic storyline , in which the Earth is basically on the verge of destruction , and the last homo are offer salvation by aliens … who want to match with us and change us . How do you put that on TV ?
The other day , it was announcedthat Allen Bain ’s Bainframe production fellowship had optioned Butler ’s Dawn for television . This is the first book in the Lilith ’s Brood serial , previously known as the Xenogenesis series . We were wondering how Bain could possibly do justice to such a challenging book — so we asked him . Here ’s what he enjoin us .
There ’s so much hold up on in this Good Book . It ’s a post - apocalyptic tarradiddle with alien spaceships . How do you think you could pull this off on a TV budget ?
Lilith ’s Brood is actually very contain . It ’s not a space opera house . The activity of the first book , DAWN , takes place on the Oankali ( extraterrestrial being ) ship , which is entirely constituent – no plastic , metal or tech – a life ship . It ’s too early to worry about budget .
How do you do justice to Octavia Butler ’s marvellously unusual vision of a reshaped humanity ? Are we quick for that on television system ?
Staying dead on target to Ms. Butler ’s vision and legacy is of the extreme grandness to me . Octavia was a genius – and this series is high construct with a wad of heavy intellectual themes , which makes the adaptation difficult . I think consultation are waiting for the first rarefied science fiction idiot box series in a while . I believe this is it .
What do you suppose you ’ll do about the expressed and flakey sexuality in the Holy Writ ?
The sex is graphic in the account book , and we ’ve never date anything like it . Inter - species sex with multiple partners . It ’s brilliant because it is disturbingly foreign . I ’m not sure how far you may go with inter - species sexual activity on a TV show — I’m interested in exploring . It ’s a whole unlike exercise set of rules , alien have sex with humans is an integral part of the Good Book and is something we will by all odds yield deliberate tending to doing right .
In add-on to the expressed intimate content I am have-to doe with with bring the Oankali backwash to life on screen . I was surprised in my research by the lack of any visual interpretation of what the Oankali may appear like , particularly the lack of buff artistic production ( I would have a go at it to see some ) . Ms Butler describes the Oankali in conscientious detail — I intend on assembling a top snick team of artist , designers , and scientist together to flesh out the alien flavour and cultivation in a way that is true to her vision and gibe with present-day sensibilities .
Are you primarily think of this as a cablegram or digital series ? Or do you hope to pitch it to web ?
It ’s too early to tell . The most of import thing is finding the right home that understands the unity of the underlying work .
What ’s your timeframe here ?
We are at the very beginning stagecoach of developing , which begins by assembling the right squad to aid realize the vision . Development can typically take one to two years .
How hard was it to secure the right field to this Holy Scripture , and what variety of assurances did Butler ’s demesne want ?
It was no easy task to secure the rights . It took me several years . I came to the estate with a ‘ take ’ for the version and a architectural plan to get the project made , they decided to honor me with the rights .
Also , what other properties are you looking at developing ?
I started my company with the mission to uprise ‘ optimistic ’ science fiction for the bragging and small projection screen . To enliven a good tomorrow . That ’s my end . I ca n’t say much about upcoming labor , but I am develop a Heinlein piece and a fantastic serial publication from a contemporary sci - fi author . Certainly more news soon .
AliensBooksDawnOctavia ButlerSexualityTelevision
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