Since I was young, I've been a huge fan of Star Trek, and science fiction in general. My Dad used to get mad when I'd stay up late Friday nights to watch Star Trek on NBC in New York when it was on late in it's last season.
For years afterwards, I'd watch the reruns on WPIX channel 11 in New York. My sister would get mad because she knew I had seen every episode many times over.
In the 1970's, before the release of the first of many Star Trek movies there was talk of Star Trek returning to television with the original cast, picking up where the series had left off when it was cancelled.
Sadly, that never happened. Though, we did get a series of movies. Some of which were great, others... not so great.
Star Trek did return with different characters in the form of Star Trek: the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. But except for an infrequent mention, and a couple of cameos by several of the original series actors. there were no further adventures of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty and the rest of the crew.
In April 2003, that changed. A dedicated fan and former assistant to William Ware Theiss (Costume Designer for the Original series and Star Trek: The Next Generation) James Cawley, brought the adventures of the Original Crew back to the small screen.
The pilot episode, "Star Trek: New Voyages - Come What May" was an amazing first outing. It wasn't perfect, but it proved that Star Trek could be done today, just like it was done in 1969.
James and his volunteer group of amazing people (whose names are too numerous to mention here), have continued to make episodes. The show is now called Star Trek: Phase II (Wikipedia Entry), taking it's name after the aborted television series that became Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
James and crew have rebuilt museum quality replicas of the Bridge, Briefing Room, Sickbay and Transporter Room as standing sets. They build corridors and other sets as needed. They replicate the lighting techniques, and use nearly-exact replicas of (and in some cases actual) costumes from the original series.
Through an agreement with Paramount, they can make these shows and distribute them as long as no profit is made from the production. These episodes are very expensive to make, and rely on the donation of time, money, equipment and materials by many dedicated fans.
The 2009 Star Trek movie was a direct result of the Phase II crew proving to Paramount that fans would accept other actors in the iconic roles of Kirk, Spock, et al.
If you watch closely, James Cawley makes a cameo as a bridge officer twice in the movie. Spock walks past him as he exits the turbo lift just after Kirk assumes command, and Chekov bumps past James as he rushes to the front of the bridge to tell the assembled command staff his plan to catch Nero's ship.
James Cawley maintains that these characters transcend the actors who play them, and while we all love the original actors performances, these roles can also be played by any competent actor. Just like Shakespeare's characters, Superman, Batman, and others.
I have to say I agree. I especially enjoy John Kelley as Doctor McCoy on the show. He does a great job. I think James is good as Captain Kirk, and both Andy Bray and Jonathan Zungre are excellent as Chekov. Both are better than Anton Yeltsin who played Chekov in the movie.
For me, Ron Boyd as Vincent DeSalle is a breakout character from Phase II that in the original series was a little used, rarely seen background character. And, I can't forget to mention Paul Sieber, the man of a thousand faces who plays Security Chief Prescott, and several other characters in the show. His performances in "Enemy Starfleet" and "Blood and Fire" are great!
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men was also produced using the sets and talents of the Star Trek: Phase II crew.
Phase II accepts volunteers for their twice yearly shoots, and I was lucky enough to have been able to participate in the June 2008 (Enemy: Starfleet), and the June 2009 (Kitumba) shoots. I was sick as a dog for most of the 2008 shoot, so didn't contribute as much as I wanted to. I was the Prop Master for the June 2009 shoot, replacing Greg Schnitzer prop man extraordinaire for one episode he couldn't make.
It was an amazing experience, and thanks to James Cawley and crew I crossed a few things off my bucket list. As well as befriending many, many wonderful people. It is a warm and welcoming family that makes these shows. And that attests to the magic that is Star Trek, and to the example of kindness and generosity that James sets, and we all gladly emulate.
Some of the original actors have appeared in episodes, including: George Takei, Walter Koenig, Barbara Luna, William Windom, Grace Lee Whitney, and many more.
Each production is better than the one before. There are three shows in post production now (Enemy: Starfleet, The Child, and Kitumba - the last two adapted from scripts written for the aborted 1979 Phase II series). They hold lots of treats in store for all Star Trek fans. Especially Kitumba, which is the most ambitious show filmed to date.
Another episode "Star Trek: Origins" is set to film in June 2010. It will cover Kirk's Academy days. I'm looking forward to it.
You can view the episodes from links on the Star Trek: Phase II website, or YouTube. If you want to volunteer to assist at a shoot, you need to join the forum at their website and watch for the crew calls to go out. You must be prepared to pay for your travel, lodging, and food when assisting. Check the forum for more details.
Walking the bridge of the original Enterprise was an experience beyond any other. Being able to contribute in a small way to make two of these shows is a dream come true.
The 7 year old kid, who stayed up past his bedtime to watch Star Trek on his little black and white television, could never have dreamed that he'd walk those decks, and help make further adventures of the crew of the Enterprise.
Thank you James, for my dreams come true! And love to Patty, Charles, Doc John, Sarge, Rob M., Mark, Terry, Greg, Gary, Jeff F., Bill T, Bill (Mouse), Kent, John and Annie, Jeff and Melissa, Jaimie, Max, Troy, Dave, Tony D, Tony and Linda, Karl and Barbara, Ron, Paul, Meghan, Kim, Jonathan, Doug, Pony, Mabel, Cesar, Rob F., MissRiva, J.T., Bobby, Vic and Michelle, and everyone else I haven't mentioned by name. You know who you are.
Stand by to blast off for the 25th Century because Buck Rogers is next on their plate!
No comments:
Post a Comment