Transcript The family unit in science fiction films Lost in Space

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Starter
Do you recognise this statement?
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its fiveyear mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new
civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
(Play the first one minute – until end of statement – NO
IMAGE – Sound only)
https://youtu.be/hdjL8WXjlGI
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Starter
Trivia Question
How many Star Trek films have been made?
5
10
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Starter
Trivia Question
How many Star Trek films have been made?
5
10
12
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Star Trek franchise
Films produced over 37 years!
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Space travel in science fiction films
In the 1960s, with the advent of TV in many households,
the TV series was introduced to audiences.
Funnily enough the most popular were in the form of
science fiction stories such as Star Trek and Lost in
Space.
Both were transferred successfully into the film format –
Star Trek still ongoing. Star Trek Beyond is anticipated
in 2016.
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Living on a spaceship
Life in spaceships is depicted as providing all home comforts with
the added bonus of goods and services which provide the ability
to teleport anywhere, immediate health cures, instant food,
weapons and communication. No such thing as housework!
Stealth military protection and the ability to travel at very fast
speeds. Computers and robots provide a point of reference for
the truth.
However, the ability to travel into and live in space like this does
not yet exist – although there are models and even plans to build
The Enterprise.
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Life in a spaceship!
ACTIVITY
Watch this short six-minute video on the spaceship Jupiter
2 as flown in Lost in Space showing real-size replicas of
spaceships
https://vimeo.com/53747144
What would you have in your ideal spaceship?
A worksheet is provided for your ideas
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Life in a spaceship!
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The family unit in science fiction films
Lost in Space (1998)
The audience for Star Trek and Lost In Space is mainstream and
both films contain messages of conflict and resolution, as well as
representing family values and role models.
This is juxtaposed to the ideals and values as represented by alien
species who often challenge our ideals and values, hence conflict
and the best resolution.
The Family System theory – Dr Murray Bowen (1950) is
demonstrated in both these films – in Star Trek on a much bigger
scale but with a much larger chain of command, but Lost in Space
on a small scale
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The family system theory
• A family system is made up of individuals, which form a whole
and any action or change affects each part of the family.
• They have ingrained roles of behavior, i.e. father, mother,
younger or elder sibling.
• Each family forms their own rules that are self-regulating and
peculiar to itself.
• A family has a goal. Usually the goal is to remain intact as a
family.
• For families to function well, boundaries must be maintained.
• Despite resistance to change each family system constantly
adapts to maintain itself in response to its members and
environment.
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The family unit in science fiction films
Lost in Space (1998)
ACTIVITY
Watch the trailer for Lost in Space - https://youtu.be/ktiYA8dXbSM
What are the problems faced by the family?
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The family unit in science fiction films
Lost in Space (1998)
ACTIVITY
Problems:
• The ship they are travelling on is out of control
• They have unknown enemies
• They are not sure how they will survive
• They want to find their way home
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The family system theory
The trailer for Lost In Space depicts the family system theory as
each action taken impacts on the family as a whole, and they all
work together to maintain the family unit.
This would be much the same on a spaceship on a much bigger
scale. All cogs work together.
However, still representative of the patriarchal model, which sees
the male (father) as being the head of the family and in charge of
all decision-making.
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Plenary
What is it really like to live in space?
It’s not really all about home comforts and life as usual in space.
Take a look at some of the videos and information on the NASA
website.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/dayinthelife/
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Plenary
What is it really like to live in space?
Hopefully you understand that film representations are fictitious
and that the reality of space travel and living in space is very
different!
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Homework
Make a case study of a science fiction film which
depicts space travel.
Complete the worksheet, which provides a template
for you to complete your case study.
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Homework
Complete the
worksheet, which
provides a template
for you to complete
your case study.
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