Heartland Film Indianapolis, IN
Maurice Broaddus
Author, Teacher, Librarian, Community Organizer
The Martian— Intergalactic world building
Program Description
Science fiction author Maurice Broaddus talks about what it means to create a realistic fictional world. World building is the process by which we create an imaginary world or build a fictional universe. Let's look at what goes into the world building for an imaginary or realistic setting so that we can see how well the world building of The Martian holds up.
This event is part of our 2024 National Evening of Science on Screen.
Presented At
Heartland Film Indianapolis, IN
Film Synopsis
When astronauts mistakenly leave Mark Watney behind on Mars, the stranded visitor must use his wits, spirit, and scientific know-how to find a way to survive on the hostile planet.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian was nominated for three Golden Globes.
About the Speaker
An accidental teacher (at the Oaks Academy Middle School), an accidental librarian (the School Library Manager which part of the IndyPL Shared System), and a purposeful community organizer (resident Afrofuturist at the Kheprw Institute), Maurice's work has appeared in Magazine of F&SF, Lightspeed Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Asimov’s, and Uncanny Magazine, with some of his stories having been collected in The Voices of Martyrs. His novels include the urban fantasy trilogy The Knights of Breton Court, the steampunk novel Pimp My Airship, and the middle grade detective novel series The Usual Suspects. As an editor, he’s worked on Dark Faith, Fireside Magazine, and Apex Magazine. His gaming work includes writing for the Marvel Super-Heroes, Leverage, and Firefly role-playing games and working as a consultant on Watch Dogs 2.