Firefly/Serenity Case Study
I. Introduction
- A. thesis: Firefly/Senerity is a unique sci-fi fantasy film that follows a common yet effective formula for storytelling.
- B. subarguments
- 1. Many elements from the film are special from the director’s creativity like The Reavers and The Alliance. Both are important elements that help create a stronger attachment to the viewer’s interest
- 2. The factions and causes in the story follows factors from cliché stories of good versus evil.
II. Body
A. Generic Story
- 1. Firefly contains a black and white sense of atmosphere where good and evil clash
- 2. Factions like The Alliance are presented to the viewer like a corrupt government. The image the average viewer gets is like a fascist regime like the Soviet Union. Certain roles and characters are favored over too much.
- 3. The theme of good and evil relates too much to the general story of a hero and villain
B. Creativity saves the play
- 1. Even though the story structure is comprised of obvious antagonists and protagonists, the setting and situations thought from the director/author are unique and interesting.
- 2. The creation of the future setting such as The Alliance is something different enough for the audience to have interest in. Other creative spots are the design of vehicles and characters.
- 3. There are reasons for having generic stories but creative concepts are meant to show the differences of this film from others.
C. Cliché story that never gets old
- 1. Story and characters may be over used but they are over used for a reason because people love the types of heroes and villains they are used to seeing.
- 2. The protagonist Malcolm Reynolds represents the wronged hero fighting a struggling war still makes the viewer favor their sides because the connections are clear to the viwer
- 3. Good and evil is portrayed as black and white because viewers enjoy seeing the problems and solutions clear so that they can judge earlier on.
III. Conclusion
- A. Firefly at first may look like a story told once before but its creative thought behind the setting and characters makes it fascinating. Building from the unoriginality of the story, people enjoy the over played themes because they understand the sides of black and white easier so that they can fully enjoy the story telling.
- B. Most story lines follow a formula of the hero and villain but its up to the creative director/author to gather interest of the audience.
