Wesley Hilliard
A range of interviews with Apple TV+ creators reveal a common truth for the streamer, that money makes good sci-fi, and Apple has plenty of it.
Apple may not spend as much as its biggest rivals on streaming, like Disney and Amazon, but it has some of the biggest sci-fi shows on television today. "For All Mankind" and "Foundation" are examples of shows that bleed technical quality in portraying science fiction.
According to a range of interviews from Inverse, Apple's ability to take on sci-fi with open minds and open wallets is what makes Apple TV+ stand out among other streamers. Producers and writers agree that sci-fi has often been a difficult pitch to studios, as they can be high-budget with limited reach, but this hasn't been an issue with Apple.
"As a lover of sci-fi and as a lover of stories on a big epic scale, I'm so happy that Apple is doing it and they're doing it right," Matt Shakman, an executive producer on "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters," says. "They do it correctly in terms of being able to bring these worlds to life. It takes a lot of resources and a lot of talented people, and thankfully, Apple is putting their support behind that."
The foundation of Apple, and by extension the legacy of Steve Jobs, lies in sci-fi concepts like futurism and the advancement of technology. That company ethos, in turn, seems to be what contributes to so many sci-fi epics getting the green light, like "Severance" or "Monarch."
"When you talk to the people at Apple, they're science fiction fans already," Ron Moore, creator of "For All Mankind," says. "They're people that have an affinity for this kind of material and speculative fiction and technology. They're always thinking about the future, and they were informed by science fiction in their youths. I think that goes all the way back to Steve Jobs."
Apple's willingness to hire talent and take on big budget spectacles sets the company apart from other streaming services. Ron Moore concludes that Apple TV+ is "a good place to do this kind of programming."
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9 Comments
While Apple may have the money to fund epic sci-fi programming, I've found that all too often the scripts and acting are uneven. They really need to be a bit more selective in determining which studios they're going to trust with their money. While I'm a huge fan of 'For All Mankind', and 'Monarch', there are definitely moments when the writing, acting, or both have fallen down and (unfortunately) undermined a moment in an episode. And I won't even get started on 'Foundation'... :neutral:
It won't stop me from watching because, on balance, I think the productions are super enjoyable, but it does mar the overall quality of the shows.
Sci-Fi shows use more Mac Pros then your average show to create too.