CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[urbandefault]

I remember the goddamned "Captain Sulu and the Excelsior" campaign fifteen years ago. What a crock.

I remember it too, and I was against it 100%.

But when they announced Enterprise I questioned my position, but still was against a Captain Sulu show. Looking back, I think they probably should have shut it all down then and let it rest a while. It might have saved us from Nemesis.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I was just thinking... Putting aside the Alec Peters stuff for a moment, what sort of impact would you think this would have on those actors that have appeared in Prelude and the actress from the Vulcan scene?

 

[drt]

I've got a HUGE range of Axanar merchandise ready - on the very slim chance they win, I'll assume they'd have no problem with me using their product.

I recall hearing that someone put up 3D-printed models of the USS Ares on Shapeways and Axanar send them a C&D.

 

[urbandefault]

I was just thinking... Putting aside the Alec Peters stuff for a moment, what sort of impact would you think this would have on those actors that have appeared in Prelude and the actress from the Vulcan scene?

I would think that they're semi-insulated. Most can say that they were offered a job and took it, collected their money, and went about their business. Others, who have chosen to involve themselves in the bubbling mire, might not be as insulated.

But this will all play out as the case unfolds.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I would think that they're semi-insulated. Most can say that they were offered a job and took it, collected their money, and went about their business. Others, who have chosen to involve themselves in the bubbling mire, might not be as insulated.

But this will all play out as the case unfolds.

I was thinking of their job offers in the near future - some of them might have roles taken away because of this. Could Alec be sued personally if they are forced out of work because of being associated with the production?

 

[muCephi]

I recall hearing that someone put up 3D-printed models of the USS Ares on Shapeways and Axanar send them a C&D.

I wonder what the new law firm would do. Sending c&d's could add fuel to the CBS bonfire-in-prep.

 

[muCephi]

I was thinking of their job offers in the near future - some of them might have roles taken away because of this. Could Alec be sued personally if they are forced out of work because of being associated with the production?

probably only if the actors had a contract. and Axanar has said they haven't "signed" anyone yet.

 

[Amaris]

What exactly are they going to accomplish with $5K? Buy Worf lunch in Beverly Hills?

This. I looked about for a plan of action behind the campaign, but I feel like I'm only getting half of a story. $5,000... for what? Bring back Worf to whom? What production?

 

[BillJ]

I recall hearing that someone put up 3D-printed models of the USS Ares on Shapeways and Axanar send them a C&D.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

What exactly are they going to accomplish with $5K? Buy Worf lunch in Beverly Hills?

We could ask Tony Todd what a member of the KDF eats

 

[The Lensman]

I was just thinking... Putting aside the Alec Peters stuff for a moment, what sort of impact would you think this would have on those actors that have appeared in Prelude and the actress from the Vulcan scene?

What impact? Has Gary Graham been in anything other than Lifetime or Syfy level productions post Enterprise? His Hollywood career is on suicide watch and most likely he'll follow Jerry Doyle and get a political show dedicated to talking to morons.

 

[JD]

This. I looked about for a plan of action behind the campaign, but I feel like I'm only getting half of a story. $5,000... for what? Bring back Worf to whom? What production?

Yeah, that is amazingly vague. $5,000 wouldn't get you much of anything if you want to go for a real production. I mean if they're going to film in the dude's garage with cardboard sets it could work, but not if they expect to be able to compete with New Voyages, Continues, and Renegades.

 

[Albinator]

I remember it too, and I was against it 100%.

But when they announced Enterprise I questioned my position, but still was against a Captain Sulu show. Looking back, I think they probably should have shut it all down then and let it rest a while. It might have saved us from Nemesis.

I think if today's climate had existed at the time, an Exceslior series could make a cool 1-season series for All-Access.

In fact, my idea back then was an anthology series where each episode showed a different crew on a different ship or station or starbase or planet. Since crews only appeared for one episode (or two-parters) you could enlist top-level talent. If a particular crew proved popular you could do a sequel episode with them, or a full spin-off series or a movie.

With the option of streaming series today, and the popularity of shows that produce as few as 8-10 episodes a season, I think a new Trek series in the "True Detective" or "Fargo" style-- different story and cast each season-- would be really cool.

/Off-Topic

 

[Mudd]

I think if today's climate had existed at the time, an Exceslior series could make a cool 1-season series for All-Access.

Except for the basic suckage of everything about it.

"Let's build a new TV series around a second-banana character about whom nothing interesting has been established other than in the imaginations of a very small base of trufans. And then let's get an actor who outside of occasional appearances as that character over the last two decades has had a TV and movie career profile of zero."

"Great idea - what's the series about?"

"Oh, the exact same old thing, except with Takei instead of William Shatner - and a way uglier ship."

The whole campaign was orchestrated by some fans whose approach to dealing with criticism makes Alec Peters look like a public relations genius by comparison.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, that is amazingly vague. $5,000 wouldn't get you much of anything if you want to go for a real production. I mean if they're going to film in the dude's garage with cardboard sets it could work, but not if they expect to be able to compete with New Voyages, Continues, and Renegades.

Exactly. So what is it people are funding? The videos don't say what the money goes towards, and there are no indications of any kind of production planning aside from what sounds like spitballing. The Facebook page links to their website, but the website is unavailable for me (though I've been having connection troubles tonight anyway), so I'm not sure what the whole point is beyond wanting Michael Dorn to play Captain Worf in some kind of fan series.

 

[Harcourt F. Mudd]

Exactly. So what is it people are funding? The videos don't say what the money goes towards, and there are no indications of any kind of production planning aside from what sounds like spitballing. The Facebook page links to their website, but the website is unavailable for me (though I've been having connection troubles tonight anyway), so I'm not sure what the whole point is beyond wanting Michael Dorn to play Captain Worf in some kind of fan series.

You see web petitions aren't cool anymore, so now if you want to build support for an idea you get people to sign with money!

BRB, I'm about to make a kick-starter for world peace. I urge all of you who share my noble goal to give me money in solidarity!

 

[Albinator]

What impact? Has Gary Graham been in anything other than Lifetime or Syfy level productions post Enterprise?

I think the question I might have is, let's say the new Trek series is set a few years after Enterprise. Let's say there's interest in guest appearances from that cast, or even having actors from previous series' guest-star in new roles (as Rene Auberjonois did on Enterprise).

Would involvement in Axanar sour CBS on Gary Graham or JG Hertzler because of their involvement with Axanar? I think a lot of it will have to do with how the actors react to the whole situation. If they claim ignorance and are apologetic, maybe no harm. But if they "ally" themselves with Axanar, defend it publicly, then perhaps it gives CBS pause.

If somehow Axanar comes away with any kind of win (where the produce any kind of version of Axanar) and someone like Graham continues in his role (as another similar character, but not Soval) CBS might still be hesitant to cast him in any new role, perhaps just out of principle.

As for their broader careers? Not sure it will have much effect.

 

[jespah]

And we covered it again on the G & T Show. Blog is here. YouTube to follow. Thank you for all of your kind support.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I think the question I might have is, let's say the new Trek series is set a few years after Enterprise. Let's say there's interest in guest appearances from that cast, or even having actors from previous series' guest-star in new roles (as Rene Auberjonois did on Enterprise).

Would involvement in Axanar sour CBS on Gary Graham or JG Hertzler because of their involvement with Axanar? I think a lot of it will have to do with how the actors react to the whole situation. If they claim ignorance and are apologetic, maybe no harm. But if they "ally" themselves with Axanar, defend it publicly, then perhaps it gives CBS pause.

If somehow Axanar comes away with any kind of win (where the produce any kind of version of Axanar) and someone like Graham continues in his role (as another similar character, but not Soval) CBS might still be hesitant to cast him in any new role, perhaps just out of principle.

As for their broader careers? Not sure it will have much effect.

That is exactly what I mean

 

[Amaris]

You see web petitions aren't cool anymore, so now if you want to build support for an idea you get people to sign with money!

BRB, I'm about to make a kick-starter for world peace. I urge all of you who share my noble goal to give me money in solidarity!

Alright, but I better get my Prelude to World Peace patch!

I think the question I might have is, let's say the new Trek series is set a few years after Enterprise. Let's say there's interest in guest appearances from that cast, or even having actors from previous series' guest-star in new roles (as Rene Auberjonois did on Enterprise).

Would involvement in Axanar sour CBS on Gary Graham or JG Hertzler because of their involvement with Axanar? I think a lot of it will have to do with how the actors react to the whole situation. If they claim ignorance and are apologetic, maybe no harm. But if they "ally" themselves with Axanar, defend it publicly, then perhaps it gives CBS pause.

If somehow Axanar comes away with any kind of win (where the produce any kind of version of Axanar) and someone like Graham continues in his role (as another similar character, but not Soval) CBS might still be hesitant to cast him in any new role, perhaps just out of principle.

As for their broader careers? Not sure it will have much effect.

I don't think it will give CBS pause at all. How many times did people want William Shatner back, and nothing happened? Seriously, Bill Shatner could demand to be put back in Star Trek, with thousands of fans to back him up, and CBS would probably say "That's nice, Bill, but this is our property, and we don't want to move in that direction."

No loss of money, no loss of face. CBS simply does not care to that degree about individual actors, nor should they.