The Odyssey File

by Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C Clarke sits at his Kapro II computer in far-off Sri Lanka transmitting files to Peter Hyams who responds in kind from his office in Los Angeles. Thus a fascinating computer correspondence develops. Now in The Odyssey File we get a unique opportunity to tap into the creative process as two of today's gifted writers work on a film of the future using the technology of tomorrow. In the actual electronic correspondence between Clarke and Hymans they chat about such things as details of set design, problems of casting, modifications necessary for the successful translation of a best-selling novel into a stunning screenplay, expensive and time-consuming searches for a house with a built-in dolphin pool and a believable high-tech substitute for the radio telescope at Arecibo. Plus off the cuff chit chat dealing with matters more personal. In the enlightening and entertaining opening section Clarke discusses the love affair with computers and explains in some detail how this unique correspondence originated and the joys and frustrations in communicating to someone half a world away.

Genres: Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Writing, Science, History

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Stories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.

Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.

He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Peter Hyams was tasked with creating a screenplay for Arthur C. Clarke's "2010," the studio provided Hyams and Clarke with matching copies of a Kaypro 2 (a ruggedized, portable, 8-bit computer with CRT, floppies, etc. all-in-one) and 300-baud modems. Clarke was living in Sri Lanka. Hyams was in Los Angeles.

This is their correspondence, using those two computers and really early modems.

Early in his morning, Clarke would fire up his machine and call Hyams' machine. Any correspondence written by Hyams would be waiting in a file for him to download. Clarke would ponder various questions and suggestions and, at the end of his day, he would dial back to Hyams' machine and upload a file containing his thoughts on the matter. The two were roughly 12 hours apart so Hyams' comments would be ready when Clarke started his day and Clarke's comments would be ready when Hyams started his.

This is in 1983 and 1984. The Internet as we know it simply didn't exist. Clarke usually had to call Hyams' machine because it was a lot easier to call from Sri Lanka to the USA and get a reliable connection than it was to call from LA to Sri Lanka (this frequently involved using a human operator, some whom didn't believe that Sri Lanka was an actual country). In the meantime, Clarke is entertaining all manner of notable guests from around the world. Occasionally, Hyams would have a question and Clarke would tell him "oh, get ahold of so-and-so; I called them and they're expecting your call." The person in question might be the head of NASA or other, high-level leader of some major organization. Hyams didn't have those connections; Clarke did. Or Hyams might mention that he has a meeting coming up with so-and-so and Clarke would mention that they visited him back in 1979 or so; ask if he still has my sweater.

In this era where many of us are sitting at home, at a computer, trying to find ways to be productive, this dialog (somewhat dated) between a noted author and a screenwriter / director is amusing.

Can you imagine trying to work over a 300 baud connection? Over dial-up connectivity? Connecting for a short period of time at the beginning and end of each workday?

They did. They found a way to make it work. If nothing more, it's a testament to just how adaptable human beings truly are.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Soon I shall be meeting an old friend for the first time.”

So ends Arthur C. Clarke’s introduction to The Odyssey File, a compilation of primitive "electronic correspondence" that passed between Clarke and filmmaker Peter Hyams beginning in late-1983. Hyams was in preproduction for the film adaptation of Clarke’s novel 2010 . I bought this literary pastry on eBay to celebrate the non-fiction decadal 2010 (the year we didn’t make contact, again, and it continues not to be Clarke’s fault).

Here’s the essential background. Mr. Hyams adapted Mr. Clarke’s novel without ever meeting him in person. The endeavor was nevertheless highly collaborative, and the resulting screenplay and film received much direct input from Clarke. This was possible thanks to their extensive e-mail correspondence using analogue modems and landlines.

I believe this book is only of value to two groups: 1) Hardcore fans of Arthur C. Clarke; 2) Internet historians. Frankly, and with no disrespect intended, any other persons attempting to read this book would find themselves lost and uninitiated. In a nutshell, The Odyssey File is tailor-made for serious fans of the movie. But I stress again that it also has real value as a piece of early Internet history.

I was delighted with The Odyssey File. It took a single Sunday afternoon to read. And it was a joy, sometimes to the point of laughing out loud, to read as Hyams and Clarke bantered back and forth about the film, about life, about parents and friends. There is a lot of good-natured ribbing that goes back and forth.

I also learned how some of the key elements of one of my favorite movies came together. Among these, it was a treat to read a few anecdotes involving one of my favorite actors, the late Roy Scheider, who came to play the lead role of Heywood Floyd. This book also provides valuable glimpses into how Clarke collaborates. He’s quite hands off, but you can feel the weight of his authority when he gives input to the younger writer.

Lastly, this book contains a well-worded summation of the key differences between the novel 2010 and the film adaptation. This is written by Steven Jongeward, who served as a joint-assistant to Clarke and Hyams as they communicated via their ancient Kaypro-II computers…and by ancient I mean now 27 years old).

[Konrad Crnkovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of e-mails between Arthur C. Clarke and Peter Hyams about the development of 2010 as a film is fascinating.