Cross Media Studies Research Task

Sci-Fi

The three texts we have chosen to analyse are Mutant X, X Men and The Twilight Zone Radio Series, the genre that links them all together is science fiction as they all involve speculations based on current or future science and technology.

Mutant X

(TV Series)

When a secret government project to create genetic mutants goes wrong resulting in them being released into the general population one of the scientists responsible, Adam has sworn to try and help those who have been affected by it, while his co-partner, Mason Eckhart plans on using the project for his own ends. Adam assembles four mutants and forms the group “Mutant X” to help mutants everywhere, and oppose Eckhart.

Following up the a comic book, Mutant X went on to become a very well known show with all 3 series being released on DVD.

Mutant X was television series that

first aired on 6th October 2001 to the 17th May 2004, it followed the adventures of a team of human mutants possessing extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering. Like hundreds of other unsuspecting subjects, these new mutants were altered in secret experiments conducted in a covert government project. Realising that events have spun out of control, the organisation that created them is now hunting them down in an urgent "product recall." Mutant X's mission is to seek out their fellow mutants to help them come to terms with their new amazing abilities and protect them from their creators.

Even though Mutant X is no longer being shown it was originally created by Avi Arad who is the chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, a Marvel director, and chairman, CEO (chief executive officer) and founder of Marvel Studios.

The show was originally distributed by Tribute Entertainment and Fireworks Entertainment which was the producer and International distributor of Mutant X.




X Men

(Film)

X Men is a 2000 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comic characters of the same name. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Bruce Davidson, James Marsden, Halle Barry and Tyler Mane.

The time is the near future. There is a rift between normal humans and mutants. These mutants have gifts, these gifts can give them supernatural powers. X Men focuses on the ongoing conflict between Professor Xavier's X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto. Magneto intends to mutate world leaders at a United Nations summit with a machine he has built to bring about acceptance of mutantkind, but Xavier realizes this forced mutation will only result in their deaths.

X Men started off as a comic book series which later developed into a trilogy of films based on the original comic books.

The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas

(Radio Series)

With a mixture of horror, fantasy and drama The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas feature a full cast, music and sound effects and today’s biggest celebrities in modern radio dramatizations by Dennis Etchison of creator Rod Serling’s classic scripts. Hosted by Stacy Keach, The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas will keep you glued to the edge of your seat whether listening in your home or while driving in your car.

The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas is a nationally syndicated radio adaptation of the classic television series The Twilight Zone, launched in October 2002. Many of the stories are based on Rod Serling's scripts from the original Twilight Zone series and are slightly expanded and updated to reflect contemporary technology and trends; for example, the mention of “cell phones” and “CD-ROMs” which of course weren't around when the television show aired in the 1960s. Taking Serling's role as narrator is Stacy Keach.

Sirius satellite radio channel 118, “Radio Classics” and on XM satellite radio channel 163, Sonic Theater. It was originally distributed by Dick Brescia Associates but later distributed by Syndication Networks, beginning in August of 2007 the series became distributed through Westwood One which is a major American radio network.

 http://www.twilightzoneradio.com/contact.html

...Similarities and Differences...

The main similiarity between these three texts is that they are all sci-fibased broadcast fiction texts as they have supernatural elements within them, for example, they all focus on things of which you wouldn't necessarily think would actually happen in everyday life. The similarity between X men and Mutant x is that

• they are both created by Marvel studios
• Both have comic books
  
• Both shown in the USA
  
• Both sound mixes are from Dolby Digital EX
  
• There cirtification are both in Australia
  

The differencies between these three text is that they

• Twilight Zone doesnt focus on mutants
  
• It has different elements of the supernatural world
  
• There not distributed by the same company
  
• They don't have the same production companies
  

...Promotion...

The target audience for these texts are probably those who enjoy things based on science fiction and those who like a bit of action.

With Mutant X being distributed by Tribute Entertainment and Fireworks Entertainment which was the International distributor of it, it was able to be promoted world wide as many people from different countries were able to view it.

As X Men is distributed by 20th Century Fox, the trailer was shown within cinemas before other films made by 20th Century Fox were shown, the film was rated 15 which allowed a wider range of audience to view it as it would have grabbed their attention if they were interested in this aspect of science fiction.

In addition to this, pop ups while browsing the Internet also had a means of advertising the film while posters did aswell as it allowed a number of people to see it therefore expanding the number of those who watch it.

Those who enjoyed watching the original series of The Twilight Zone would have listened to it on the radio while driving and at work. The Twilight Zone Radio Series was able to be promoted through the use of it's website which enabled listeners to listen to different stories and to find out who would be starring in them.