On Writing : Utopian Movies by Bianca Y. Michaels

Could it be because humans don't REALLY want to live in a utopian world?

People get bored without a conflict in the script. That's why Jerry Springer was so popular.

@Jon, I didn't say there's no conflict in the script :P The action can take place in a utopian society.

So... they could get away with having a Utopian SERIES which would allow the screenwriters to explore different characters without rocking the required "Utopian" world-building off its axis. The reason they cannot make a Utopian FILM, however, is that the structure of a film requires that THIS moment in time is THE most important - and that's usually at a moment of crisis, which by definition would take us out of the "Utopia" and, again, based on structure, would not be able to return to the original world. Does that make sense?

In that way, they could END a film with a "Utopia" having been built - and one could argue we often do (Pixar's Inbound restoring magic to the world, Free Guy allowing NPCs to make choices and live their lives as they wish) - but we don't spend enough time in this new world to confirm that it is actually a "Utopia".

Great question, btw! And yes, I think Black Panther is another great example of ending with a "Utopia" being built, but not yet complete. Hmm... now I really want The Take to do a video essay on this! LOL Check them out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thetake

Karen "Kay" Ross Thank you, Kay! I understand now! I see that people associate Utopias with perfect harmony across all sectors. For some reason, I feel that l separate the concept of Utopian society from the existence of any one individual inside said society, if that makes sense. Like if a society is perfect, it doesn't mean that all people are living a perfect life. It's confusing, I know.

Oh wow, The Take is sooo interesting! Yeah, wish they did a video on this, too! :D

(PS. Also, thank you Jon and Rohit for your valuable input!!)

Hi Bianca Y. Michaels , I think Kay is right, a series would really expand the writers ability to explore characters. We all like the idea of Utopia, but I love the idea of a dystopian route to Utopia. I find that a lot in Hunger Games. The idea of Utopia is always aimed for, despite the horror of the characters world. Let's rebel and really mix things up a bit!

Phil Bridge Yeah! Let's rebel! :) Well, my series is based in a Utopia, and when I was searching for comps, I noticed there are none, so I'm really worried... what if the whole thing will fall apart...

Bianca Y. Michaels what if you win, it takes off, flies, and producers scramble to offer you an unhealthy amount of money for it, and you end up sat on your sofa with your friends and family watching your name scroll up the screen on the credits under 'Written By Bianca Y Michaels'? What if you hear your series name being talked about on the bus, train or in the queue somewhere and you smile quietly, having that moment as yours, that no one can ever take from you?

A Utopia is very interesting Bianca Y. Michaels. But what is the conflict? What does it take to maintain Utopia? What was the route to getting there? Remember Logan's Run? It was Utopia right? But it was maintained in a horrid way. Or is Utopia attacked by those who don't believe its real. Then again what is Utopia? Utopia to some may not be Utopia to others . I remember a lady once said how great the 50's were when she growing up. I was like that wasn't the story for my family. There's a conflict right there. That could be explored in a Utopian society. Is Utopia actually achievable? There is a theme. Good luck to you. Love to see how you work through it.

Phil Bridge That's the dream, Phil! :) But I prefer to be surprised rather than disappointed hahah :)

Martin Reese YES! Martin! That's exactly what I'm thinking! Like, in my head, I separate the Utopian society from the individual, in the same way as you say, it's a different experience for everyone! But that's the thing - you see - I want to see what writers think of as being a perfect world for them. How they explore this "existence" and how they build it, how they deal with conflict in a perfect world etc.

Btw, I didn't know about Logan's Run! Thank you for sharing! I just watched it this morning!

I ALSO may have a SciFi "Utopia" project that starts with an apparent "Utopia" that inadvertently creates the real "Utopia" through rebellion O.O Hmm...

Also, I snagged this fantastic E-book a while back, "Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy" by Michael Knost - every chapter has an interview with a different SciFi/Fantasy author, and it's been truly eye-opening about how we approach the genre. Worth a read!

Because people wouldn't know how to create a real utopia.

Karen "Kay" Ross Uuuuh Kay, sounds awfully familiar hahah Do tell more!!

Ah the book starts with my favorite author, Neil Gaiman. Now I can't put it down until I finish. And so now I can't work. And then I won't get paid. And won't get to pay rent and will end up homeless. Jee, Kay, thanks! Moral of the story: never recommend me good books!

@Robert Russo Really? :D Neeheehee (also known as evil chuckle) if I can, does this make me a genius or delusional?

Id love to hear how you think you would make a Utopia. I had a great script idea for a story that tackles this exact subject but I wouldn't go into the deeper messaging of it here and give everything away. Don't share genius here, anyone could take your idea.

Bianca Y. Michaels there is nothing to say you will be disappointed. Have faith in yourself!

There's nothing inherently dramatic about a Utopia. Unless it's an existential threat to the Utopia. Drama is about conflict, essentially.

@Robert Russo I would make a Utopian world that is completely sustainable and equitable. Oh I wouldn’t worry about anyone stealing ideas, Robert. Having an idea is the easy part. Executing an idea to a successful production, that is something that nobody can take away from you. My Utopia wouldn’t be even close to anybody else’s since it’s based on my life experience of what I think it’s a perfect world, right? Thank you, btw!

Phil Bridge Thank you so much for the encouragement, Phil! Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in my vision wholeheartedly! I just need to be humble enough to improve it till it reaches ”le perfection” (with a fake French accent) ;)

@Shadow Dragu-Mihai. True true, Utopia seems kind of boring huh. Unless it’s disturbed mwahah which is what I’m after! Thank you!

Btw, are you Romanian? In which case, buna! :)

Bianca Y. Michaels one dark take would be The Island (2005),

utopia revealed as dystopia.

The subtle distinctions show us how subjective "utopia" can be.

For a sports fan, utopia might be a world of groomed fields and competition.

For young kids, utopia could be a world with no schools.

Every case will thrill some and disappoint others.

I'm writing a sci-fi series that is essentially about a "utopian" or ideal society on a spaceship. The conflicts arise from external challenges to that society, or internal psychological ones; but the narrative is a conscious attempt to move away from the usual melodramatic or violence-based conflicts in favor of ones that are more nuanced. The underlying "utopian" or ideal aspect of the story is how the characters treat one another. So the utopian thing is definitely viable from a narrative standpoint. You just have to push out any temptation to fall back on derivative story and character arcs or contrived conflict (well, I guess that's true for any narrative). And anyway, I already live in a dystopian society.

@Daniel, then the challenge will be to find a universal utopia then! (Challenge accepted!). Like, everyone would like at least 50% of what’s going on :) and there’s a little bit for everyone!

I think it's harder to find conflict in Utopia. Human nature being what it is, I'm sure someone would feel the need to bend the population to their will. Or and external force, sentient or otherwise could provide conflict. I think most writers take the path of least resistance and provide instant conflict in post-apocalyptic settings. The story I've written assumes a good life for the people of Earth and the bulk of the risks take place on colony worlds out in space.

@Bianca, yeah anyone can have an idea, thats true. But some ideas are so damn good, that the execution doesn't need to be five star because the story world/basic premise is just damn interesting and kind of creates its own drama. I would say that having an idea is easy, having an amazing idea is not easy. I have to say I find it a bit absurd to presume that a Utopia "based on my idea" is really a Utopia. You're presuming a lot of things about what a Utopia would be (apparently whatever it is that you view it as being is a Utopia) I dont think its a bad idea to write a story about this subject, as I have one outlined already, but I think people are more focused on what the environment/technology/government would be instead of how you would raise children in a way that they would be able to create/sustain such a place. The real struggle is in the soul of every human being, not in saving the environment, battling bad guys, etc. How can people be saving the world when they dont even know how to have peace and love within themselves. That is the real struggle we have as people.

David Kleve I see! Thank you! Yes, I understand how any one person would want to pull the odds in their favor in the detriment of the greater good! Typical human nature behavior’

@John Richard Sullivan Ohhh interesting! But it's so hard to push out the temptation to fall back on derivative story and character arcs or contrived conflict, because I feel like that's the backbone of every story. Now I'm curious about your series! (Thank you!)

Robert Russo A brilliant idea creates its own drama - I like that!

I mean, during this entire comment section I have learned that everybody understands the concept of Utopia differently. I feel like the general consensus is that it's "a world where everything is perfect for everyone". But probably in my mind, the way I see it is - the infrastructure is perfect, but the human drama doesn't disappear. And there's universal things that everyone wants: like a clean, safe environment, nutritious and delicious food, good education, good (free?) healthcare, universal basic income etc.

But this doesn't mean that all food is the same, all schools are the same etc. It just means it's an environment that caters for everyone.

With this said, I want to do exactly this: showcase "how you would raise children in a way that they would be able to create/sustain such a place. [...] How can people be saving the world when they don't even know how to have peace and love within themselves." That's what I want to do right there - I want to show people how to do it, give them a sneak peak of what could me. Because I know it, I lived it, I teach it. Not just me, but many others like me. So why not show that? Instead of battling bad guys and pointing fingers at the "villains", how about we focus on healing ourselves - and that will heal the planet and make it sustainable.

Ok this is getting long, but I am just excited to have this conversation with you :) And I really thank you for telling me your view and opinion!! This is gold!

I like your idea and goal.

"Peace is a time for gathering one's forces." The ancients weren't naive. So it has always been, and so it will always be. Contemporary writers forget the past.

Bianca Y. Michaels, I know what you mean. It's hard trying to balance staying true to your own vision, and perceived commercial and marketability considerations (by "contrived" I mean shoehorning in forced or cliched conflict for the sake of following dramatic and commercial conventions). I hope you can bring your story to fruition, Bianca. Who knows -- maybe there is a changing paradigm towards what we're both trying to do. :-)