Star Trek: Equinox - New Fan Film

[JMar]

For any interested parties I'm in the VERY early stages of developing a star trek fan film based on the starship Equinox. The intent is to be very true to the Star Trek universe while showing the change in the crew from optimistic explorers to a desperate crew who will do anything to get home.

The intent is to make a 2 hour movie that chronicles their years in the delta quadrant. The script is still unwritten but it may be similar to Voyagers "year of hell" in that it covers a long period of time over the course of 2 hours.

Over the course of the next year (or two depending on costs) there are a lot of logistics to overcome, scripting, casting, props, set, uniforms, etc etc.

What I'm wondering is if there are any individuals interested in consulting OR taking part directly. One of the biggest components missing is 3D artists who can create virtual sets (though I plan on building a bridge) to be inserted in post production.

We're also looking for 3D artists/animators to create the ships and exterior scenes that will be needed.

I look forward to any replies to this thread.

A couple of things I should also say I have experience making films and most of the production aspects are covered. We also will be shooting in the Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) area.

Thanks in advance

JMar

 

[JMar]

No one...

Booooo
:eek

 

[JediG60racer]

I like the idea, but i'm not in Canada, eh? Hope it comes together for ya!

 

[micdavis]

Sorry... the words fanfilm and 2 hours long in one sentence makes me run for the hills.

 

[Vaderman]

Sorry, there have been a few Trek based fan films that I found embarrassing. Even the ones with incredible sets, costumes and makeup, good writers and some budget seem to fail when it comes to the actors (or lack thereof.)
So, it's hard to get exited about a story that sounds very much like Voyager's Year in Hell, with far less budget and very likely less in the way of sets and other assets for making it. No offense, I have no idea what you do and you might have produced many wonderful films but I am not in Canada anyway and so not likely to be able to participate greatly, eben if I were able to muster the enthusiasm.

Also, you didn't even give it 5 full months for a reply! Is that the same quitter's attitude you arre going to take with this film?

Okay, that last part was a joke. I am actually surprised you didn't get any replies before now.
Seriously and sincerely, good luck on your production. I love Trek and hope you can pull it together.

 

[JMar]

I've actually shelved the idea (perhaps permanently).

Once the writing started it did indeed look too much like year of hell.

Also my opinion is that the story is to dark (almost BSG) for fans to accept. I've found one off's where baddies get their comeuppance and the goodies get redeemed are OK, but a movie or series based on it may not fly.

Also based on my review of as many fan films as I've found in general the quality is low...Not too say that what's been done isn't an accomplishment I just feel that most of them aren't accurate representations of trek. Having said that if I can't do a proper trek film then it's probably best not to do it.

While on the topic of Trek fan films my biggest complaint is too much effort is put into VFX and not enough time is put into story. But that's just me.

 

[Larry Young]

No offense, I have no idea what you do and you might have produced many wonderful films but I am not in Canada anyway and so not likely to be able to participate greatly, eben if I were able to muster the enthusiasm.

How there hasn't been a "Darien Wallace saves the ship" fan film before now I do not know.

 

[micdavis]

You want to make a Trek fanfilm? This is what you do.

You make a Star Trek episode. Not some vision you have of Star Trek.

Prologue, three acts, epilogue, use the same music, and the same effects.

If you can't clip something out of an episode make sure the effects you add LOOK like they came from an episode.

There you go, now go do it.

 

[JMar]

I like the sound of that!

 

[TheDoctor]

Actually, I thought that the Equinox looked like Voyager SHOULD have been - All beat up, no spare parts, and maybe some external/internal modification so it doesn't look so much like a Federation Starship anymore.

Don't get me wrong - I loved Voyager (mostly) because it was trying to be another Next Gen, and, deep down, that's what I really wanted.

The thing about making a Fan Film based on an established ship/crew is that Fans will never truly accept it.

I also agree with Vaderman in that the Actors always suck in stuff like this and it makes any time you've spent on it fruitless - which is why you have to do it with Friends and do it completely for fun.

 

[nickytea]

I like the sound of that!

I also agree with Mic. Having a narrative like a Trek episode does a lot for giving your fanfilm a "Trek" feel to the experience. If you're open to collaboration, I'd be willing to read what you've got, and help re-structure into a 50 minute ep.

I'm pretty familiar with the style of TOS's structure, having analyzed a good deal of them at the blog linked in my sig, "Trek by Trek."

_Nick

 

[micdavis]

This is the exact reason New Voyages was good at first and then went down hill.

Their intention was to be the fourth and fifth years of the "five year mission", then they got all wrapped up in using Trek stars and writers they had to cater to and lost their way. Now their "episodes" are "stories" to pander to those giving their time for free, for the sake of a name on the billboard.

 

[JMar]

To Nickytea;

Been checking out your trek blog.

My wife and I are watching the original series now. Just finishing devil in the dark at the moment.

I like your reviews/perspectives.

 

[nickytea]

Thanks, man. Can't go wrong with The Devil in the Dark. Great ep.

 

[JMar]

I'd also like to say I agree with micdavis.

New Voyages looks GREAT, but I don't get a star trek feeling from it.

It's interesting to get cast and crew from the various series involved but the stories don't really fit.

The acting is what it is, it's fans creating a tribute. If I was making it though as much as I may want to play kirk, or Spock or McCoy I'd stand aside if someone came along who could pay the part better/accurately.

Once again this isn't mean to be a criticism of the New Voyages team. I'm just stating there are things I would do differently (and may do...:$)

 

[TheDoctor]

The acting is what it is, it's fans creating a tribute. If I was making it though as much as I may want to play kirk, or Spock or McCoy I'd stand aside if someone came along who could pay the part better/accurately.

I'd say they key is to NOT play Kirk/Picard/etc. Come up with a different Starfleet Captain saving the day on a weekly basis. People already have their own bias on the characters. New Voyages would be much more interesting if it were another ship and not the Enterprise and Kirk.

Hidden Frontier at least gets this part right. They have their own characters and stories. Hidden Frontier still sucks (mostly because of production values and, again, the acting) - but at least I don't have to mentally adjust for the characters.

It's not just Fan stuff - as cool as the new Star Trek movie was, I was never able to buy that any of the characters were who they said they were. To me, it was a good Trek Story with a completely different crew.

 

[Starchwreck]

I also agree with micdavis, lol. I think its just a combination of all of these things, acting (my main problem with them) the visuals/sets(which is understandable considering "Fan" film) and other such things, that really just makes these fail. The acting is worse and the budget is definitely lower, but the Farragut one is more interesting than New Voyages because its different characters. New Voyages did what the franchise did, went from trying to tell stories, to trying to make a name and money by using Special Guest Stars... I know they still are trying to do neat stories, but still, it seems like they're veering away from their original inspiration. How come Star Wars gets the cool ones, like TROOPS lol? IMPS was kinda neat too, at the very least for the sets and costumes. They can't do a Trek one like those?

 

[Demode]

I'm working on a Trek fan film right now in Toronto. It's 20 minutes long, which is a reasonable length for a fan film. 2 hrs is a bit long. I wouldn't go past 50 minutes (the length of a TOS episode), unless it was a two-parter. Otherwise you could be working on the project forever.

The project I am working on is Yorktown: A Time to Heal. It was started way back in the 1980s(!) but never finished. George Takei actually appears in it as Sulu. Even at 20 minutes, it will probably take a year for us to finish in terms of editing and new CGI FX. My advice for a first film is to do it as a short film and keep it under 30 minutes.

I agree with those who say stay away from characters like Kirk and Picard. A secondary character like Saavik might work (who was played by two different actresses in the series), but using a well known Trek character can take people out of the story. I like New Voyages, but I would have preferred a new crew on a different ship, like what Farragut and Excalibur are doing.

 

[acwild]

Hello, I'm down in NY but it's a shorter plan ride to Canada then when I visit my Grandparents in Florida. Being involved in a Star Trek project would be both challenging and fun.

I directed and edited the full length film "Obama-a journey to destiny" in 2009 for the DNC on Long Island. I'm also a screen writer and I recently had a short film named "What might be under the bed" featured on the homepage of thesmalls.com for Halloween. I also produced and edited a short promo for the book "7 keys to love", all the photography there is mine.

I'm currently working on a 60 commercial for the Long Island Men's Center, with a concentration on helping troubled youths keep out of gangs.

Let me know if you want to chat more.

What might be under the bed (short) YouTube - Short film: " What might be Under the Bed"

7 Keys to love (promo) YouTube - Promotional video for the new book 7 Keys to Love

Obama a Journey to Destiny http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=05B1C4CFD750F950

 

[IndyFanChuck]

I love Star Trek, I dont know how I could help, but I will. I'm down in Memphis so anything you can think of. Here's my suggestion though.

Come up with a plot. Then do your thing with basic costumes and props. Then film what would be a COMMERCIAL for the episode. Then see if you can take it from there.

I've always wanted to build a replica of the Enterprise D, make a few sets, and film a few SHORT Episodes. I don't give to craps if anyone likes it. I know that a few people would have a LOT of fun doing it. It's a dream, I'd love to make it happen. I wanted to play a small part - a grumpy Chief Engineer who is always dirty and grumpy. Thought that would be a nice change to the cleanliness and sterility of TNG. hahaha

Anyway, good luck. If I can help, let me know. Just do me one favor, TAKE ADVICE. A lot of people on this forum could offer you tremendous advice that can only make your show/episode better. Look before you leap.

Keep in touch


---Chuck