History SoYouWantTo / WriteASpaceOpera

* '''The LovableRogue''': Diametrically opposed to the staunch, just hero is this character, the amoral JerkWithAHeartOfGold. They are always portrayed as [[OnlyInItForTheMoney in it for the money]], and don't much care about SavingTheWorld or [[NotInThisForYourRevolution overthrowing the empire]]. They usually work as a [[VenturousSmuggler smuggler]], [[GentlemanThief thief]], BountyHunter, [[SpacePirates Space Pirate]], or some other profession that allows them to be charming yet more morally loose than TheHero. Expect them to be [[EnsembleDarkHorse the coolest character]], with the [[DeadpanSnarker best one-liners]] and the [[GuileHero best solutions to bad situations]]. If put on the same crew as TheHero, they will often be TheLancer, and the Hero might be presented as less witty by comparison and more of a stickler for the rules. They will almost always be--or, at least, consider themselves to be--an AcePilot. This is another trope that is [[AlwaysMale usually male]] and [[MostWritersAreHuman always human]]. (Examples: [[Film/ANewHope Han Solo]], [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014 Peter Quill]], [[Anime/CowboyBebop Spike Spiegel]]).

* '''The LovableRogue''': Diametrically opposed to the staunch, just hero is this character, the amoral JerkWithAHeartOfGold. They are always portrayed as [[OnlyInItForTheMoney in it for the money]], and don't much care about SavingTheWorld or [[NotInThisForYourRevolution overthrowing the empire]]. They usually work as a [[VenturousSmuggler smuggler]], [[GentlemanThief thief]], BountyHunter, [[SpacePirates SpacePirate]], or some other profession that allows them to be charming yet more morally loose than TheHero. Expect them to be [[EnsembleDarkHorse the coolest character]], with the [[DeadpanSnarker best one-liners]] and the [[GuileHero best solutions to bad situations]]. If put on the same crew as TheHero, they will often be TheLancer, and the Hero might be presented as less witty by comparison and more of a stickler for the rules. They will almost always be--or, at least, consider themselves to be--an AcePilot. This is another trope that is [[AlwaysMale usually male]] and [[MostWritersAreHuman always human]]. (Examples: [[Film/ANewHope Han Solo]], [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014 Peter Quill]], [[Anime/CowboyBebop Spike Spiegel]]).

* '''The LovableRogue''': Diametrically opposed to the staunch, just hero is this character, the amoral JerkWithAHeartOfGold. They are always portrayed as [[OnlyInItForTheMoney in it for the money]], and don't much care about SavingTheWorld or [[NotInThisForYourRevolution overthrowing the empire]]. They usually work as a [[Venturous Smuggler smuggler]], [[GentlemenThief thief]], BountyHunter, [[SpacePirates SpacePirate]], or some other profession that allows them to be charming yet more morally loose than TheHero. Expect them to be [[EnsembleDarkHorse the coolest character]], with the [[DeadpanSnarker best one-liners]] and the [[GuileHero best solutions to bad situations]]. If put on the same crew as TheHero, they will often be TheLancer, and the Hero might be presented as less witty by comparison and more of a stickler for the rules. They will almost always be--or, at least, consider themselves to be--an AcePilot. This is another trope that is [[AlwaysMale usually male]] and [[MostWritersAreHuman always human]]. (Examples: [[Film/ANewHope Han Solo]], [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014 Peter Quill]], [[Anime/CowboyBebop Spike Spiegel]]).

* '''The LovableRogue''': Diametrically opposed to the staunch, just hero is this character, the amoral JerkWithAHeartOfGold. They are always portrayed as [[MoneyDearBoy in it for the money]], and don't much care about SavingTheWorld or [[NotInThisForYourRevolution overthrowing the empire]]. Expect them to be [[EnsembleDarkHorse the coolest character]], with the [[DeadpanSnarker best one-liners]] and the [[GuileHero best solutions to bad situations]]. If put on the same crew as TheHero, they will often be TheLancer, and the Hero might be presented as less witty by comparison and more of a stickler for the rules. They will almost always be--or, at least, consider themselves to be--an AcePilot. This is another trope that is [[AlwaysMale usually male]] and [[MostWritersAreHuman always human]]. (Examples: [[Film/ANewHope Han Solo]], [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014 Peter Quill]], [[Anime/CowboyBebop Spike Spiegel]]).

Epic space battles between space fighters and warships! Equally epic land battles between footsoldiers and fantastical pieces of machinery! ''HumongousMecha fights,'' in land [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs AND]] space! Swordfights and gunfights [[RecycledInSpace WITH]] [[SlowLaser FRICKIN' LASER BEAMS]]! Anything goes [[RuleOfCool if it's awesome enough.]]

* SciFiFlyby: As a am establishing shot in visual mediums.

* '''That man or woman must confront aliens and exotic creatures:''' So we've established that the ''hero'' has to be human, but that doesn't mean that the entire cast has to as well. Just as important as the exotic locations are the exotic creatures that live in them, and a good Space Opera has a ton of interesting aliens. Sometimes they'll be the villains, but more often they'll be [[TokenNonHuman part of the main character's team]], or at least make the background look interesting. Expect the really exotic aliens--the ones who don't look human at all--to play minor parts in the story, often appearing only in a single scene. This is usually for budgetary reasons(in tv and films), but can also be because they will be harder to relate to for the audience (in other mediums). That shouldn't stop you from pulling out all the stops to create the weirdest aliens you can imagine. That's not you say [[AbsentAliens you must have aliens in your story]], but keep this information in mind if you want an expansive universe.

* Whenever aliens are involved in the story, the ones who often get the most attention are usually RubberForeheadAliens, HumanAliens, AmazingTechnicolorPopulation aliens (especially [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Green-Skinned Space Babes]]), TheGreys, LittleGreenMen, as well as other, very [[HumanoidAliens humanoid]] aliens. More exotic-looking aliens are often shoved into the background, or, if they are [[LizardFolk Reptilian Aliens]] or InsectoidAliens , are as AlwaysChaoticEvil races.. Really human-looking aliens are good for creators facing budgetary restraints, especially in the world of live-action films and television shows. Unfortunately, they also tend to look cheap, especially since space is a setting that is rich with opportunities. So, if you have a large enough budget, or you are working in a medium where budget is less of a concern, maybe you should consider making your alien characters more, well, alien. There are an endless number of creative designs to put together, from simply less human-looking [[HumanoidAliens humanoids]], to StarfishAliens, StarfishRobots, and [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]].