Star Trek: Las Vegas is one of the world’s largest official Star Trek conventions, and is held yearly in the US’ biggest sin city. On top of being a huge gathering of Trekkies from all corners of the world, the people who are responsible for making Star Trek the success it is also come along. Actors, directors, producers, writers and more have their own panels where they discuss the past and future of Star Trek and their own lives; sometimes they might slip in some details about future prospects for Star Trek. Read on to see some of the most interesting highlights of the convention.
Star Trek: Axanar was advertised throughout the convention, with a screening on Saturday night and a shout-out by Tony Todd during the first Star Trek: Deep Space Nine panel. As of last week the 20 minute Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar is available to watch on the Axanar Kickstarter, which you can view here. Also promoted at the convention was the Axanar Podcast, which the studio produces in collaboration with Trek.FM. The podcast offers a look into the logistics, procedures, and difficulties of creating a feature film, focusing on a different aspect in each episode. The latest episode focuses on sound design, with the episode’s description detailing that “Spectacular visuals and captivating acting are two of the most noticeable elements of a film, but take away the sound and what are you left with? In the absence of sound effects, even the greatest story doesn't feel quite right. Weapons fire, starships zipping by, footsteps, and the gentle ambient hum of the engines…” Axanar’s Kickstarter has already broken its $100,000 goal, having raised over $180,000 as of writing.
In a panel featuring visual effects consultants Mike and Denise Okuda, producer Roger Lay, and director Jim Conway, the group answered questions about the process of converting Star Trek: The Next Generation into High Definition. Lay confirmed that the CBS Digital team are in their “last couple of weeks” before finishing work on TNG. The Okudas shared their feelings about almost being done with the series: Mike lamented over feeling some “separation anxiety,” and Denise added that while there was a “little bit of melancholy… it is exciting too because of ‘hey, what’s next?’” The panel gave details of three of the Season 7 Blu-ray’s special features, including a “2-hour feature-length documentary closing out the storyline of TNG.” There are also two featurettes, one of which will “take the viewer into the process” of producing the series, allowing the viewer to “understand the machinery of making weekly television;” the other featurette is a “home movie” shot on set by the Okudas in secret in 1994, before the sets were destroyed after TNG wrapped shooting. Mike Okuda pointed out that “you are not supposed to wander around the stages… and you are certainly not supposed to bring a camera. One day we did.”
During the panel’s Q&A, a fan asked “when are we going to get Deep Space Nine?” followed by the audience giving a round of applause. Mike Okuda carefully worded his reply, confessing that “First of all, we love Deep Space Nine. Second of all, if you look very carefully [Okuda points to the audience] there are executives from CBS out there. So please understand when we say ‘we aren’t allowed to say anything about potential or future projects.’” Lay added “We all love DS9 and its holy mission. Hopefully these TNG Blu-rays keep selling. And if you guys love the show please support them and pick them up. And hopefully we will move on to the next show.”
Later, another fan asked if Star Trek: The Animated Series would ever be remastered, as well. Mike Okuda replied: “We would love to see [TAS in HD] happen, who knows?”
On Thursday, Karl Urban, who plays Dr. McCoy in JJ’s Star Trek reboots, had a panel where he divulged details about the next Star Trek movie. Urban was sure that the third film would happen, confidently stating that he would “put a fiddy” on it being produced. He hinted that he “knows stuff”, but didn’t spoil anything beyond the film being set during the Enterprise’s five-year mission. Urban mentioned that he was “super thrilled” about the direction the film and series was heading, and said he would welcome playing McCoy even “twenty-five years down the road.” Urban told of how he'd been watching Star Trek since childhood, and that it “was humbling and an honor” to play McCoy, the character who he said “anchored the show.”
In a chuckle-worthy side note, Urban lamented over falling for Chris Pine and Simon Pegg’s infamous “neutron cream” prank during shooting for Star Trek Into Darkness, along with co-stars John Cho and Benedict Cumberbatch. Urban noted that JJ Abrams “was pissing himself” laughing over the prank, and remarked that “I’m planning my revenge.”
In the Men of TNG panel featuring Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton and Michael Dorn, Dorn talked about the prospect of the proposed “Captain Worf” Trek series. He mentioned that, while it was indeed proposed, nothing has come of it yet, and conceded: “You know the business.” Spiner, Burton and Dorn are still excited for any future prospects for the series, with Dorn noting that “there is always room for Star Trek on television.” Spiner asked the audience to write to CBS asking for a new Star Trek show, emphasizing that “we need one.”
Later, asked if he would join Spiner, Burton, and Wil Wheaton in doing a guest spot on CBS’ sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Dorn calmly yet firmly replied “No… not interested.”
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WRITTEN BY FLICKY
EDITED BY TORINTH - STEPHEN.HALL@UFPLANETS.COM
