Those little details you miss

Discussion in 'Star Trek Movies I-X' started by alpha_leonis, Aug 20, 2012.

  1. alpha_leonis

    alpha_leonis Captain Captain

    Joined:
    May 27, 2001
    I recently re-watched STIII:TSFS (I know it's generally regarded under the "odd-numbered curse", and not as well liked as other Trek movies, but it was the first one I saw in the theatre so I have a soft spot for it.)

    This time, however, I noticed a little tiny detail that I'd never seen before. The Merchant vessel at the beginning that is escorting Valkris, soon-to-be-destroyed by Kruge, has an alien crewmember. You only see (him?) for a split second as the ship is exploding. I'd never noticed before.

    Isn't it kind of odd to spend all the time it takes on alien makeup for that actor, only to show the character for less than a second as he's about to die?
     
  2. Grant

    Grant Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2006
    make-up was sub-par--just a background character.

    Like the 'baldcap' on the Deltan crewmember of Excelsior--sub-par background.
     
  3. SchwEnt

    SchwEnt Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2005
    These things happen. TMP featured extensive and elaborate alien makeup and costumes. Didn't see much of it at all. Far background crowd at SF HQ and then again a crowd scene on the Rec Deck. A few standout characters but nothing representative of the array of aliens they worked on. A lot of effort for comparatively little screen time.
     
  4. 22 Stars

    22 Stars Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2001
    That scene as shot was a bit longer. including a reveal of Valkris' face and ample cleavage. There are pics of her wearing a veil covering both that take place prior to the scenes cut into the final film.

    http://www.reocities.com/indygizmo/valmask.jpg

    I love III too, and think it is a very strong movie. With maybe 10-20 minutes of enhanced FX work, blending in the planet sets with some cg enhanced landscapes like LOTR, that movie would really open up and be much more appreciated.
     
  5. F. King Daniel

    F. King Daniel Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2008
    Location:
    A type 13 planet in it's final stage
    I really like STIII. Lot's of fun and adventure. I prefer it to Wrath of Khan.

    Is that really meant to be a Deltan? I've always wondered about Mr. Conehead.
     
  6. F. King Daniel

    F. King Daniel Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2008
    Location:
    A type 13 planet in it's final stage
    The ultimate example is STXI's Rura Penthe scenes, which featured dozens of elaborate aliens (including new-look Klingons, a Gorn, a Salt Vampire and a freaky guy with three faces) only to be left on the cutting room floor.
    At least the new look Klingons are being reused in the next movie.
     
  7. 22 Stars

    22 Stars Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2001
    Klingons have been confirmed for JJ Trek 2013? Where is that source? And they will look like Victor Garber from the JJ Trek 09? Where is that source?
     
  8. Sindatur

    Sindatur The Gray Owl Wizard Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Not confirmed with words, I don't think, but, JJ or one of the Producers/Writers pointed to a still from the Deleted material from ST09 or something like that and gave the indication that meant the Klingons would be in ST13 (Or something like that). See Trek Today articles from several months back
     
  9. pfontaine2

    pfontaine2 Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2011
    [​IMG][/IMG]

    I only just recently noticed a face in the Enterprise's window as Scotty docks the shuttle craft after giving Admiral Kirk the tour of the Enterprise in dry dock. I've watched the movie countless times and never noticed this before!
     
  10. F. King Daniel

    F. King Daniel Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2008
    Location:
    A type 13 planet in it's final stage
    This one-second flash from a JJ Abrams movie highlight reel during an interview a few months ago (done right after they wrapped filming) is NOT from the STXI deleted scenes:
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Indysolo

    Indysolo Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2001
    Location:
    Sunny California
    That poor guy is stuck there in Star Trek II as well. Doesn't anyone ever let him out? ;)
     
  12. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2003
  13. Captaindemotion

    Captaindemotion Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    May 26, 2001
    Location:
    Ireland
    ^Beam him out?
     
  14. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2003
    ...Curiously, the other window shows a wall with a grillework that closely matches that on the interior set. Which is good continuity, but the grille in the set is rather down low, below shoulder level, suggesting that the guy peeking out is crouching deep down, or a dwarf!

    The apparent floor level indicated by the docking port establishes this already anyway. What was Probert thinking, placing these portholes so low in relation to the doors? Perhaps he assumed that the interior set would have stairs not unlike those found in the "topside docking port" set through which Spock enters?

    Timo Saloniemi
     
  15. The Castellan

    The Castellan Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    May 2, 2004
    Location:
    The Plains of Cydonia
    I just say the ship was haunted, or something.
     
  16. RPJOB

    RPJOB Commander Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    They appear to be in a separate space, perhaps between the hulls. Makes you wonder why there's the portholes there and what exactly in in that space. And how do you get in and out of it anyway.

    http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/tmp2/tmphd0390.jpg
     
  17. Tribble puncher

    Tribble puncher Captain Captain

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2012
    Location:
    Somewhere witty
    [​IMG]


    The klingon ships torpedoes are MASSIVE, if those are in fact two rows of windows on either side of the torp launcher, then it looks as if the torpedo would be 3-4 decks high.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2012
  18. Therin of Andor

    Therin of Andor Admiral Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2004
    Location:
    New Therin Park, Andor (via Australia)
    There would have been some lingering looks at the ship/crew not ultimately chosen by the editor, along with dropped footage of Valkris removing her silver headcloth (see the kids' picture book version) to her shock reveal of Klingon features.

    The fish-like alien was featured in publicity pics and is also featured in the DC Comics adaptation. His over-the-head latex mask would have eliminated any chance of dialogue, so he was always intended to be a minor character.

    I believe there are interviews with the makeup crew that confirm that ST IV alien - female!, IIRC - was originally intended to suggest a Deltan.

    Ditto the bald aliens in the ST III bar - I read a quote that said "These were our Deltans".

    According to the script of ST II, Jedda was a Deltan, too, but they were deliberately avoiding callbacks to TMP, so there was no reason to force the actor, John Vargas, to shave his head.

    On another matter, have you ever run the Spock mindmeld from TMP on slow speed? You'll see flashes of many images, including Ilia's face and the NASA introduction-to-Earth plaque that was used on several real space probes.

    In ST II, there is Academy signage (sold in the It's a Wrap! eBay auctions) that indicates that Lt Xon, an unused character created for "Phase II", has an office there.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2012
  19. Hando

    Hando Commander Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    I had fun with "The Undiscovered Country", as I paid attention to the time shown on the digital clocks at the Enterprise's bridge.
     
  20. RapidNadion

    RapidNadion Commander Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2005
    Sorry for the bump, but I had to agree with this. Every time I watch TUC I think about what an absolute nightmare all those clocks must've been for the continuity people on set.