Firefly/Serenity question...

Gotham Central · January 20 2013, 04:27 AM

Does anyone know why the flag of the Union of Allied Planets was changed from the Sino/American Flag in the series to the more space based one in the film?

It seems like a good deal of Firefly's Chinese and old west elements were sharply downplayed in Serenity. Does anyone know why?

Christopher · January 20 2013, 05:08 AM

There's a lot of Chinese dialog and signage in Serenity, comparable to its usage in the series. Also other Asian cultural influences, like the Companion house and the Japanese-style Fruity Oaty Bar commercial.

And there were definite Western elements too, particularly in the opening heist. It's just that the movie focused mostly on other aspects of the universe, which was never strictly a "space Western" (see "Ariel" -- the core worlds were much more high-tech and urban). It's possible those aspects were de-emphasized in order to make the movie more accessible to the general audience, but maybe it's just that the story Whedon had to tell focused more on other facets of the 'Verse. After all, while the series took place mostly on the outskirts of civilization, the movie dealt more directly with the Alliance and its agents and activities.

The Wormhole · January 20 2013, 05:25 PM

Yeah, I'd go with just an attempt at making things more accessible for an audience that hadn't seen Firefly. There's actually a lot of this with Serenity, for example, the opening scene with Simon breaking River out of the Alliance facilty features two guys chasing after them wearing suits like the Blue Hands, except they aren't wearing blue gloves. Or that Mal seems to have greater reverance and respect for Shepherd Book than he did in the series. Or the rather cool and unique office-building style Alliance starships are no where to be seen and all Alliance military ships are rather boring and generic looking.

Christopher · January 20 2013, 07:37 PM

Part of the design differences could just be because the movie had a different production staff than the series, or maybe because they were designing for the big screen instead of the small and wanted details, colors, etc. that worked better for that. Or maybe it was just because they had to rebuild everything and decided to tweak the designs while they were at it. It's not in the nature of creative people to be perfectly satisfied with their work and never want to see it changed.

Mr. Laser Beam · January 20 2013, 08:59 PM

Perhaps one of them was the flag of the Alliance as it existed on Earth (i.e. the actual union of the USA and China) and the other one was the flag of the space based organization known as the Union of Allied Planets?

Grasping at straws, yes. But it would also explain the different names (i.e. "Anglo-Sino Allliance" and "Union of Allied Planets"). Who says they have to be the same organization? The former may have been Earth only, whereas the latter is the one in use currently.

137th Gebirg · January 21 2013, 08:06 PM

^^^ Good explanation as any I've heard.

Lindley · January 22 2013, 12:53 AM

I don't see why an Earth flag would still be in use, but perhaps one is the flag of the political entity and the other is the flag of the Alliance Navy.

Mr. Laser Beam · January 22 2013, 12:55 AM

This is the Alliance public affairs office speaking: The phrase "Union of Allied Planets" has been brought to you by our own Department of Redundancy Department.

sojourner · January 22 2013, 01:58 AM

What? There can't be allied planets that aren't part of the union?

Mr. Laser Beam · January 22 2013, 04:24 AM

^ Perhaps, but you can't be in a union if you're not allied...

I think they were just looking for an excuse to put the word Alliance in there. Or, hell, why not just have the whole, entire name be 'Alliance' and that's it? That's descriptive enough.

marillion · January 22 2013, 05:46 PM

Alliance of Allied, Unionized Planets? Strike! Strike!!

Mr. Laser Beam · January 22 2013, 06:11 PM

The Union of Federated Imperial Planetary Friendly Allied Planets in Alliance With Each Other Together.

You can look it up.

ThunderAeroI · January 22 2013, 07:15 PM

isn't everyone a member of

UFIPFAPAEOT?

January 20 2013, 04:27 AM	#1
Gotham Central Vice Admiral Location: Under the Globe with Clark	Firefly/Serenity question... Does anyone know why the flag of the Union of Allied Planets was changed from the Sino/American Flag in the series to the more space based one in the film? It seems like a good deal of Firefly's Chinese and old west elements were sharply downplayed in Serenity. Does anyone know why? __________________ Well maybe I'm the faggot America. I'm not a part of a redneck agenda. Now everybody do the propaganda. And sing along in the age of paranoia Green Day

January 20 2013, 05:08 AM	#2
Christopher Writer	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... There's a lot of Chinese dialog and signage in Serenity, comparable to its usage in the series. Also other Asian cultural influences, like the Companion house and the Japanese-style Fruity Oaty Bar commercial. And there were definite Western elements too, particularly in the opening heist. It's just that the movie focused mostly on other aspects of the universe, which was never strictly a "space Western" (see "Ariel" -- the core worlds were much more high-tech and urban). It's possible those aspects were de-emphasized in order to make the movie more accessible to the general audience, but maybe it's just that the story Whedon had to tell focused more on other facets of the 'Verse. After all, while the series took place mostly on the outskirts of civilization, the movie dealt more directly with the Alliance and its agents and activities. __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Updated 5/28/13 with discussion of Rise of the Federation Book 1. Written Worlds -- My blog

January 20 2013, 05:25 PM	#3
The Wormhole Admiral	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... Yeah, I'd go with just an attempt at making things more accessible for an audience that hadn't seen Firefly. There's actually a lot of this with Serenity, for example, the opening scene with Simon breaking River out of the Alliance facilty features two guys chasing after them wearing suits like the Blue Hands, except they aren't wearing blue gloves. Or that Mal seems to have greater reverance and respect for Shepherd Book than he did in the series. Or the rather cool and unique office-building style Alliance starships are no where to be seen and all Alliance military ships are rather boring and generic looking. __________________ "Internet message boards aren't as funny today as they were ten years ago. I've stopped reading new posts." -The Simpsons 20th anniversary special.

January 20 2013, 07:37 PM	#4
Christopher Writer	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... Part of the design differences could just be because the movie had a different production staff than the series, or maybe because they were designing for the big screen instead of the small and wanted details, colors, etc. that worked better for that. Or maybe it was just because they had to rebuild everything and decided to tweak the designs while they were at it. It's not in the nature of creative people to be perfectly satisfied with their work and never want to see it changed. __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Updated 5/28/13 with discussion of Rise of the Federation Book 1. Written Worlds -- My blog

January 20 2013, 08:59 PM	#5
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... Perhaps one of them was the flag of the Alliance as it existed on Earth (i.e. the actual union of the USA and China) and the other one was the flag of the space based organization known as the Union of Allied Planets? Grasping at straws, yes. But it would also explain the different names (i.e. "Anglo-Sino Allliance" and "Union of Allied Planets"). Who says they have to be the same organization? The former may have been Earth only, whereas the latter is the one in use currently. __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

January 21 2013, 08:06 PM	#6
137th Gebirg Rear Admiral Location: Who is John Galt?	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... ^^^ Good explanation as any I've heard. __________________ Gebirgswick - Ind, Tra, Sec & Env.

January 22 2013, 12:53 AM	#7
Lindley Moderator with a Soul Location: Fairfax, VA	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... I don't see why an Earth flag would still be in use, but perhaps one is the flag of the political entity and the other is the flag of the Alliance Navy. __________________ Lead Organizer for EVN: Firefly. "So apparently the really smart zombies have automatic weapons!" -Torg, Sluggy Freelance

January 22 2013, 12:55 AM	#8
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... This is the Alliance public affairs office speaking: The phrase "Union of Allied Planets" has been brought to you by our own Department of Redundancy Department. __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

January 22 2013, 01:58 AM	#9
sojourner Vice Admiral Location: I'm at WKRP	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... What? There can't be allied planets that aren't part of the union? __________________ Baby, you and me were never meant to be, just maybe think of me once in a while...

January 22 2013, 04:24 AM	#10
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... ^ Perhaps, but you can't be in a union if you're not allied... I think they were just looking for an excuse to put the word Alliance in there. Or, hell, why not just have the whole, entire name be 'Alliance' and that's it? That's descriptive enough. __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

January 22 2013, 05:46 PM	#11
marillion Vice Admiral Location: Hangin' with Smokey Bear	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... Alliance of Allied, Unionized Planets? Strike! Strike!! __________________ Find a new way of life - www.marillion.com

January 22 2013, 06:11 PM	#12
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... The Union of Federated Imperial Planetary Friendly Allied Planets in Alliance With Each Other Together. You can look it up. __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

January 22 2013, 07:15 PM	#13
ThunderAeroI Commodore Location: Perpetually being chased by airplanes	Re: Firefly/Serenity question... isn't everyone a member of UFIPFAPAEOT? __________________ No Where to be found, but everywhere you are - I'll be there looking for ways to save your life.