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Star Trek Magic isn’t Needed…

….at least I no longer need Star Trek Magic to inspire me to track and record the behind-the-scenes aspects that fascinate me.  I’m still interested, but both Star Trek and Star Wars worlds are meeting that need themselves – very nicely, thank you!

Remember Wesley on Star Trek NG?  He grew up!  Wil Wheaton became an excellent st'Star Trek': Wil Wheaton Still Looks Really Good In 2020ory-teller, blogger, narrator, and host of The Ready Room.  I attended his talk at my very first Comic Con, in Phoenix and practically fell out of my seat laughing at his reading of his Unicorn Pegasus Kitten story. Unicorn Pegasus Kitten. That's really all that you need to know. Well, also Clown Sweater and Scalzorc, I guess. Sorry, I can’t find a recording to share with you and I certainly can’t do it justice myself. I’ll just say that it was an idea dreamed up by Wheaton and John Scalzi and it got me paying attention to him. https://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/05/30/fanfic-contest/ 

For each of the new Star Trek series, Wil hosts sessions with the actors, producers, and creators of visual effects, costumes, props,etc.  He asks the questions I’d like to ask and, as an unapologetic fan himself, has a point of view I can relate to.  Picard, Star Trek DiscoveryStar Trek Lower Decks – he hosts his sessions for each.  Check out this for Picard. https://www.startrek.com/videos/watch-the-latest-installment-of-the-ready-room

 

The Star Wars world now belongs to Disney and they are no strangers to providing behind-the-scenes peeks.  Look for The Disney Gallery for your favorites. You may not be able to see them without a DisneyPlus subscription, but I grabbed a screenshot of some of episodes of the Gallery for the Mandalorian to give you an idea of what they cover.

some episodes from The Disney Galley for the Mandalorian

Cool, eh?  I’m delighted to hand them my baton.

No More Star Trek Movies?? 😱

I’m mightily irked at Paramount for pulling the plug on the fourth Star Trek movie. So it didn’t make enough profit for them? Well, they sure didn’t do much to promote Star Trek ever since the reboot!  I was appalled that even at the Star Trek conventions there was little merchandise promoting the reboot. Whereas Star Wars merchandise is everywhere!  Grrrr.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Clearly Paramount’s heart has never been in it and the who-owns-what divide between Paramount and CBS hasn’t helped.

Stepping back from my own ire, it is interesting to look at the economics. This article from Forbes shows what the competition has been and where the numbers fall:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2019/01/10/paramount-has-canceled-star-trek-4-and-disneys-star-wars-is-to-blame/#5bff86421dc2

“Once Star Wars rode back into town, there was no reason for general audiences to get excited about another “new” Star Trek movie. Just as Star Trek Nemesis paled in comparison to the Star Wars prequels, the Harry Potter flicks, Spider-Man and Lord of the Rings, so too does Star Trek no longer play as an event movie alongside The Last Jedi, Avengers: Infinity War and Aquaman. But to the extent that Star Trek provided “the next best thing to Star Wars” in 2009, a follow-up to the $338 million-grossing Star Trek Beyond would be saddled with its existence both as damaged goods and merely a giant among giants, smaller than Fate of the Furious, The Last Jedi and Avengers: Endgame.”

 

 

35 Years Since Thriller Changed Music Videos

dancers at Thriller rehearsal

                                     Rehearsal for Thriller

Image result for ThrillerMichael Jackson’s Thriller isn’t Star Trek, but it changed its own world.  With a bit a time behind us, it’s fun to look at how efforts like Thriller came about.  At the time there was nothing like it. So of course getting the funding was a challenge. It was also groundbreaking that the dancers got a week to rehearse and that such complex make-up was used for what was in effect a “music video”. Jackson saw it as a “short film”, not just a music video.  Where would Lady Gaga be without Thriller breaking the way?

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8487679/michael-jacksons-thriller-35th-anniversary-interview-john-landis-john-branca

Michael Jackson was enamored of the work of American Werewolf Makeup artist Rick Baker who “… became the first artist to win an Oscar in the newly created Best Makeup and Hairstyling category for American Werewolf — one of only six horror movies to take home that statue to date.”  https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mvps-horror-monster-maker-rick-bImage result for thriller makeupaker-turned-michael-jackson-scary-thriller-140055233.html

Even 35 years later, Thriller still gives me a chill.

 

Tribble Invasion!

Star Trek: Discovery

 

Can’t wait for Star Trek:Discovery!  It starts September 24 2017 on CBS All Access.  CBS is investing in it as a vehicle for promoting their All Access channel.  From the trailers, it looks pretty good.  http://www.treknews.net/2017/08/08/star-trek-discovery-promo-boldly-go/

 

CBS is starting All Access with one trial week free, $5.99 with limited commercials and $9.99 commercial free for on-demand. Like Hulu it will have all of its prime network series, but including the current season. Frankly I don’t spend that much time watching shows, but I’ll sign on just for Star Trek!

 

by Laurie Lee for TrekNews.net

Star Trek: Discovery was well represented at the Star Trek Convention at Las Vegas 2017.  Here’s a link to the panel with the writers Kirsten Beyer and Ted Sullivan and executive producer Akiva Goldman.  STLV ST Discovery Writers  These guys have serious Star Trek creds!

 

ALERT!!  SAMSUNG SMART TVS CAN’T SHOW CBS ALL ACCESS EPISODES!!

As of 8/14/2017 I’ve spend hours trying to get CBS All Access on my Samsung Smart TV.  I installed the right CBS apps, but get to a message that I need Adobe Flash 10 to view episodes.  Samsung says “Adobe Flash cannot be installed on the TVs. Adobe removed their support on all mobile applications. ”

A workaround? Buy a Roku or Firestick.  Grrrrrrrr
However I can get All Access episodes on my Samsung smartphone and tablet by getting the app:
CBS Full Episodes and Live TV

Somebody at MAC Sure Loves Star Trek!

Costumes and makeup have been big in Star Trek since the beginning – how else to get all those alien and futuristic looks pre-CGI?  Fans chime in, having a glorious time with cosplay (costume play).  STLV50 teamed up this year with cosmetic giant, MAC Cosmetics, both at the Star Trek Beyond premiere at the San Diego Comic Con and at the 50th Anniversary celebration at Star Trek Las Vegas.  Their  exhibit re-booted the whole vendor area with an Enterprise feel.

huge MAC display at STLV50

I posed with Seven of Nine - and can swear that her form fitting suit didn't have a wrinkle in it!Look that this huge display! You’re only seeing a third of it here – the engineering section, complete with “warp core” – and with “Seven of Nine”, an actor wearing the original hideously uncomfortable costume. She posed with us fans and surprised us with scenes from Star Trek Next Generation. She’s a good actress! Stayed in character the whole time. When I posed with her, I asked if the suit was hotter than H…. Seven replied, “It is very efficient” in those unmistakable Seven tones.

Engineering was one of the make-over sections, with artists giving free make-overs to feature the new Star Trek theme line. Yeah, I know. The blue light is hideous for doing make up.  But Nicole did a great job on me. But before I tell about that, look at the rest of their “ship”!

 

Data & Deanna on the MAC bridge

Another third was like the bridge of the Enterprise, complete with Data and Deanna, actors made up with MAC cosmetics who posed with fans and periodically enacted scenes from STNG. In the main hall – The Leonard Nimoy Theater – MAC demo’d make up for their new looks, based on Uhura, Deanna Troi, and Seven of Nine. They also showed the layering that created Data’s and Gaila’s skin, how it followed the contour of the muscles with shadows and highlights. Let’s face it, Star Trek fans aren’t generally looking for personal make up tips, but wiggle cosplay tips under their noses and they’ll sit up and listen!

MAC's bridge at STLV50

The third section was the transporter.  You could pose on the transporter pad for photos.    And pick up any makeup you bought.

MAC's Transporter, where cosplay teams can strike poses as they teleport in and out.

MAC’s Transporter, where cosplay teams can strike poses as they “teleport” in and out.

Gaila dancing in the transporter room

Gaila dancing in the transporter room

Actors playing Uhuru & Spock in the transporter room

Actors playing Uhura & Spock in the transporter room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I had to try their transporter effect myself! Cool, eh?

MAC has a new line of makeup with a Star Trek theme

I’m not so much into cosplay myself, but I’m vain as a peacock. I wanted to see what MAC’s new Star Trek line of cosmetics would look like on me.  The make over’s were free – and the lines weren’t overwhelming so I bellied up.

 

Starting the make over...

Starting the make over…

It was fun! Being in the Star Trek worldDay 2 make-over for a few days I threw restraint to the winds, telling artist Nicole to “go for it!” I’m no spring chicken so I held my breath. The starting me is here on the left – and behold! Nicole created magic! Day 2, she went for a dramatic look. Wow, those eyes! Great fun! Thanks, Nicole!

The colors are inspired by Uhura, Deanna Troi, and Seven of Nine. By the end of the convention they had sold almost everything they brought. Sorry folks, these won’t be available to the public until fall 2016.

Speaking of make-up – but totally unrelated to STLV –  I found this interesting tidbit about the history of Spock’s hair and brows:  http://www.vogue.com/13461690/star-trek-beyond-spock-hair-eyebrows-history/

Live Long and Prosper!

“The Thing That Star Trek Never Let Go Of Was Hope”

Whoopie's 1st ST Convention

Whoopi’s 1st ST Convention

There seems to be some common spirit that links the people attending the Star Trek 50th anniversary convention being held this week in Las Vegas,  but I couldn’t pit my finger on it.  Whoopi Goldberg did, here at her very first Star Trek convention. Interviewer Scott Mantz asked her , “Why Star Trek? Why are we still here 50 years later?” Whoopi’s answer -“The thing that Star Trek never let go of was hope” – points to Roddenberry’s dream that we could solve our problems eventually and build a society in which all races would participate as equals, with enough resources for all.

The feeling here is exuberant. I’ve meet people who have come to  STLV since the beginning and some here for the first time, drawn by the 50th anniversary.  Many are from the US, but I also met a Brit, an actor from France, a scientist from Spain. Costumes abound – “cosplay”- such as a delightful group in starfleet uniforms who get together to play out different scenarios.

Borg regeneration station

The look of this convention is gorgeous!  The ones I went to in 2009 & 2010 felt a little…well, dusty, worn. In contrast the entire wing of this convention is brightly decorated & full of interactive photo ops. You can pose with a pile of Tribble,  in a Borg regeneration station, coming through The Guardian of Forever, and more.

wp-1470360980487.jpg

Surrounded by tribbles!

me coming through The Guardian of Forever

The Guardian of Forever

 

 

 

 

 

 

huge MAC display at STLV50

Gorgeous MAC display dominated the exhibit area

The exhibit area is lit up with a huge display by MAC – engineering bay, transporter room,  bridge – where Make-up artists do makeovers using the brand new Star Trek inspired products. Plus there are scenes and photo ops with actors representing major Trek characters and a neat transporter effect. (see http://www.startrekmagic.com/2016/08/10/make-up/)

Whoopi had wonderful stories about her experiences – what a wise & delightful person!   I’m very glad I came.  This is a treasure box experience I will long hold in my heart.

“a TINY taste of Beyond”

Michael Giacchino seems to having so much fun scoring Star Trek and other blockbusters! I love how he shares tidbits with his followers.

 

Did that leave a grin on your face?

Here’s another.

 

It was a delight of watch him with the San Diego Symphony at an outdoor showing of Star Trek at San Diego Comic Con in 2014.   IMG_20140726_225215325

 

Blast from the Past!

Roddenberry’s company is releasing pieces from their “vault” about early days of Star Trek.  One letter shows some of the considerations in having Klingons as the heavies in the future.   Good heavens! Might we have lost our Klingons???? By this time, 1973, the original series had been cancelled and was entering immortality under syndication.  The animated series started in 1973.

Letter - Klingons 1973 p1

Letter - Klingons 1973 p2

 

 

I wonder what in the guilds meant Klingons had to be “fully humanoid”.

If you’d like to see what else these “vaults” have,  check out “Roddenberry” on Facebook.

The Pendulum Swinging on CGI?

mechanical effects

King Kong with “Practical effects”

CGI 13kong.3.650

                 King Kong with CGI

 

 

 

 

 

A recent article in The New Yorker, “Hollywood’s Turn Against Digital Effects”, claims Hollywood is extolling “practical effects” over CGI. “You could hear boasting about “real” sets and practical effects in the hype around nearly every one of last year’s non-Marvel blockbusters.”  Fury Road led the pack with its stunts by real people swinging on real poles mounted in real cars.

There are a number of problems with CGI, aside from showing unrealistic events.  The economics are deadly – the CGI company that so brilliantly created Life of Pi went bankrupt even as the movie got an Oscar. (See my article on this.)  It’s hard on actors who have to react to empty blue screens as though something profound is happening.

Don’t get me wrong – I love the magic of CGI!  It engages my imagination in a way that’s hard for physical effects to do, although 2001:  A Space Odyssey (1968) certainly managed.  But the emphasis on CGI has gone overboard.  I’ll be glad to see some balance.

For the New Yorker article, click here.

I was also fascinated by the history of physical vs CGI effects in a two part article about how accustomed we get to the spectacular. Check it out:  CGI and the Banality of the Incredible by Bill Mesce and Ricky Frenandes.

GoT: Prop dragon vs CGI

GoT: Prop dragon vs CGI

UPDATE:  A friend just posted this link which lets you swipe to see the difference between what was shot and the image with CGI – fascinating! http://brightside.me/article/17-favorite-movies-before-and-after-visual-effects-64705/