Starbase Studios Oklahoma City Starbase Studios is an independent film studio for Star Trek TOS fan made productions. The studio does not produce films of it's own but offers use of it's sets to anyone who wishes to produce their own fan film but could not afford the cost of building their own. There is no charge for use of the studio but donations will be accepted to help cover the operating expenses. Website - Forum - Facebook Starbase Studios started as part of Project Ajax but is now a separate entity allowing us to continue building sets and hosting fan production while Ajax prepares for filming. A large part of the bridge set was donated by Starship Exeter, to whom we are greatly indebted. We would have never been able to build this bridge without having their examples to go by. Since opening in September of 2013 we have had three productions film, three more set to film early in 2014 and interest from many others. Now in production, "Yorktown: A Time To Heal" "Starship Valiant: Legacy" "Hanlet: Episode 4 & 1/2: Attack of the Phantom Special" In pre-production, "Starship Valiant: Desperation" "Starship Ajax" "Kobayashi Maru" On set with Yorktown: A Time To Heal
Very cool! And a wonderful thing you guys are doing, making the studio available to others. It is this kind of inclusiveness and spirit of friendship that Trek is all about.
Their website mentions they only have the 360 degree bridge set, but will build a transporter room in 2014...
Thank you for all the kind comments. We currently only have the bridge set but funds and space have been donated for building the transporter room set. Work on that will begin in January and other sets will follow as time and funds allow. We could use everyone's help in spreading the word. The more people we can get to film their own productions the more Star Trek for the rest of us to watch. On set with Starship Ajax. (before the set was complete)
The studio must always remain free of charge and there are two very important reasons for it. 1: CBS says so. 2: When the studio does close, greed will be the cause of it. 1: CBS owns ALL the intellectual property rights to everything we do here. Some people try to argue that it's our set and they have nothing to do with it but in reality, it's our wood and our paint but it is THEIR bridge. It isn't our right to make Star Trek fan films, CBS allows us to do it. They have provided a simple, easy to follow list of guidelines, via Phase 2, that are written to keep both sides happy. Those guidlines clearly state we are not allowed to make money from their franchise. Simple minded people with dollar signs in their eyes are always coming up with the equivalent of get rich schemes that they don't think CBS could shut down because "technically" it's not breaking the rules. It's seems to be beyond these peoples comprehension that we don't have to be breaking rules in order for CBS to shut us down, all we have to do is get them unhappy with us. Not following the simple and fair guidelines from CBS would be the stupidest thing we could do. 2: I can't tell you how many people, with minimal involvement in the project, want to get their hands in the little bit of money we do have coming in. Even people involved don't want to spend the money on the things we raised it to do. It comes down to greed, if we don't keep a very good system of bookkeeping and spending we will lose everything. Because of these same greed motivated people, if we ever did find a way to charge for the facility, it would die instantly. With everyone who thinks they have a reason to have their hand in the pot, the charge to use the facility would be so enormous no one would ever be able to film here. If we even suggested the donation amount that some have been insisting we "ask for", we would be completely unaffordable. One side note about greedy people. The next person that comes up to me and says "Why don't YOU build another captain's chair so WE can make some money." is losing some teeth. If there were a third reason to keep if free it is because of the people who come to visit or film. Over the last two months I have been told by countless people that we have fulfilled one of their childhood dreams. That always brings on one of those warm, fuzzy feelings that money can't buy. In short, charging for use of the studio would completely countermand the purpose for building it and would instantly bring it to an end.
I really hope this will work out, because it would be great to have an opportunity for several productions to pool their resources.
What is particularly cool about this, is it has proven to be a catalyst to others who own sets to make them more available, and that in turn is generating plans for more fan films.
I guess the biggest worry, aside from the "greedy people" mentioned above might be "booking". It might prove awkward if two or more "productions" having "tight schedules" of their own for whatever reason need the set on the same set of days. Or, it might prove beneficial as the two or more teams could "pool" their resources, having "extras" filling the background and more production personnel to help stage the shots. Sincerely, Bill
We do have a calendar on the forum which shows what days are booked. Also, the first topic in the forum is for researching and reserving dates. Check it out.
New photos of the bridge set take by Michael L. King. 1-30-14 Starbase Studios Website Forum Facebook
Thanks, which one are you referring to, the forum calendar or the downloadable one? Starbase Studios Website Forum Facebook