Star Trek Continues

[Jeff T]

I linked something about this somewhere before but I want to create a separate thread for this inspiring new TOS-based web series: Star Trek Continues

This is probably the most authentic re-creation of TOS that I have seen. The bridge, sickbay, hallways, Jeffries tube etc... have all been masterfully recreated in amazing detail. The filming, camera angles, music, color, tones, etc... are truly artistic and a real tribute to the original look, feel, sound, and atmosphere of TOS. More importantly, the story-telling aspect is spot on with its integrity, and true to the philosophy and interactions of the Star Trek characters.

I was especially blown away by the authenticity of the Scotty character, only to learn that the role is actually played by James Doohan's son Chris... to virtual perfection. WOW! Now.... he (Chris/Scotty) is hoping to get an engineering set built sometime soon! I mean Scotty has to have an Engineering section to work all of his miracles in!

The actor who plays Kirk is such a long time Star Trek fan that you can even see old footage of him playing Kirk at about 10 years old in home-made costumes and props. This... is a dream come true for him and his castmates, and it shows in their attention to details and their passion for this series. 

So this is a really a collaborative effort by true die-hard fans of Star Trek. It is a work of love and passion by the cast and crew and they are dedicated to continuing with this series... with the help of friends, fans and small donations. 

In episode 1: Pilgrim of Eternity, Michael Forest, original series actor who played Apollo in the TOS episode "Who Mourns for Adonais", a truly great episode of the 2nd season, reprises his role in an astonishing first episode of this new web-based series. The script was great... as was the premise itself. It really makes me hopeful about future episodes to come.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57606536-1/super-authentic-star-trek-fan-series-warps-into-kickstarter/

Here is a link to their kickstarter page where they are accepting modest donations to raise money to continue making more episodes: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/125377036/star-trek-continues-webseries?ref=live


So if you were at all inspired by TOS, like I certainly was... and is... then I believe that you may appreciate what these dedicated fans/actors are striving to accomplish here.

Here is their Facebook page as well: https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekContinues

[Kheren]

Indeed... I posted about this several weeks ago and I urge everyone who truly wants to relive (or discover) the true Star Trek to watch it and follow it. It is as close to the Roddenberry vision as Abrams' pair of disasters were a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away from it.

[Jeff T]

Another brief article about this series released yesterday: http://www.geekexchange.com/star-trek-continues-gets-fan-powered-89877.html

They've already exceeded their fundraising goal of raising $100K (I donated to it as well) and therefore are just now wrapping up the 2nd episode... with several more episodes to follow.
Note: this series literally takes place after "The Turnabout Intruder" the last episode of season three. Their goal to to complete the last 2 years of their intended 5 year mission. AWESOME!

Here is an interview with "Kirk" "Scotty" and "Sulu" telling how they got started, background info. and confirming their true love and respect for TOS... especially since this cast is literaly doing all of this work this without being paid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvG3MqSJLDM

Here you can series a series of fun and informative videos related to this show, casts, props, quests, etc... along with some videos about Star Trek Renegade too. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheProjectWorkBench?feature=watch
Note: Vic (Kirk) even plays a Cardassian in a Renegade episode... so an interesting crossover occurring there. 



Note: This series premiered here in Phoenix at the Phoenix Comic Con  May 24, 1013

[Jeff T]

Chris "Scotty" Doohan and the pretend vocal coach. Lol... funny stuff.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWeTrpEg1yQ

Note: The 2nd episode of Star Trek Continues "Lolani" will premiere Feb 8-9 at Dallas Comicon/Sci Fi Expo at the Irving Center! It will then hopefully be uploaded and available soon afterward. Those in that region may want to attend this Comicon event. If it were closer I know that I would.

[Jeff T]

The 2nd Original Star Trek Continues episode entitled Lolani was released tonight.

Again... time-wise this occurs at the start of the 4th season of TOS... had it continued on.

I will refrain from making any statements (yet) other than a recommendation to watch it as soon as you have an opportunity.

I finished watching it myself just moments ago.

Here you go:  http://www.startrekcontinues.com/episodes/#.UvcTK_ldXtu

[BLZBUB]

 lou Ferrigno ! ! ! Awesome. 

[Jeff T]

The "Lolani" episode has garnered more than 30,000 hits in less than 48 hours. I'm sure that number will continue to grow as blogs, shares, sci-fi articles, etc... continue to give it positive reviews.

The third yet-to-be-titled episode is scheduled to start filming in 4 weeks. 

Hopefully, while their fan base continues to grow and their process of filming, editing, mixing, etc... become more streamlined, their upcoming episodes will be able to arrive in less time as well; as they continue on.

So far, the writing/storytelling has been spot-on... so that doesn't even seem to be an issue. And their sets are permanent, so they don't need to re-create them every time they film an episode.

[Kheren]

Although I'm not a great fan of those "social issues" style of episodes, Lolani is still better Trek than 90% of what  I have seen since TNG.

Hopefully this will not only get a greater following with subsequent episodes, but eventually attract attention from someone at CBS. Not necessarily to get Star Trek Continues on the "official" airwaves, but to prompt the return of a new series with the same feel and vision, that of true Trek, of which we have been moving away at transwarp speed in the last couple of years.

If anything, Lolani and the previous episode, Pilgrim of Eternity, are proving that Star Trek is not about Fx, lense flares, rehashing old dialogs and scenes or "boobs in the shuttlecraft."

[Jeff T]

Excellent points. (I love these kinds of episodes though that deal with real issues... they are the ones I always come back to)

I would not want CBS to take over and interfere with this series either. This team has already proven that they know what they are doing... far better than CBS/Paramount or whoever has control over the franchise. 

But it could be helpful if they (CBS) would sit down and sincerely watch the episodes and read the type of responses that it is getting from fans already all over the place on their website; that is growing in numbers on a daily basis. Read the discussions that they are inspiring. They would realize that it doesn't cost millions to have a great episode. It takes a collective team of cast and crew committed to excellence and focused at what is at the heart of the best of Trek... an excellent story/script that has a purpose.... something to convey... and allows the actors to bring substance, life, dignity, emotions, and an overall realness to the script. Decent/believable sets, appropriate lighting, with Film-makers intent on capturing a scene, using music to enhance the scene... all of these elements working together to bring cohesiveness to each episode.

This is a project created from the heart and filled with integrity and passion. The positive reactions from hard-core fans to the more casual ones are similar.... which is rather unusual but not surprising. People recognize, even if they cannot explain it, a level of quality and authenticity that has been lacking for a long time. Quality is not a fad... it doesn't go out of style. It is sustained now matter how many years, decades, or whatever passes. It is why Star Trek goes on 50 years after its first pilot was created and will continue, in some form, long after we have perished.

[Kheren]

Indeed. Notice that they use the same half a century old imagery, the same 50 years old style sets, costumes and props, even the same muscial scores and sound effects of 5 decades ago, all on a modest budget with a full crew of unknowns or minor celebrities... and yet, here we have quality entertainment, quality storytelling, quality media production.

 That is what hundreds of millions of state of the art "novel" FX, hip-fashion sets, costumes and props and even new big orchestral musical score and big stars utterly failed to do in the last two blockbuster feature films we got.

CBS/Paramount, take note; you got the wrong people for the job. They just proved that any idiot can make money with something called Star Trek. STC on the other hand is proving that someone with the true understanding and love of Trek can bring back the magic again even without fame, money and power.

Now, find someone like that and give them money and power... and the name Star Trek to create with. You'll still get your money; and we will get Trek back again.