^^^ They probably received a C&D of some type and are attempting to work something out with CBS (although I doubt CBS will do anything publiclly that undercuts their stance RE: the Star Trek Fan Film Guidelines - but who knows. Either way, all we can do is wait to see what if anything happens WRT this fan production.)
I have to admit... with the big name stars attached... I wish they would drop the Captain Pike/young Spock angle, and have it be a new crew on a different constitution-class starship (like Starship Exeter). I just don't get a Captain Pike vibe from the actor, and I feel like I'd enjoy the story more if he was playing a new character.
How would this advance the release to the public. CBS still is 'banning' (while the term is debatable it still is the end result) all inclusion of pro or semi pro talent in front/behind the camera. It is such a shame .. but the future is unknown.
I thought the embargo only applied to those who have appeared or worked in past Star Trek productions, not the entire industry.
Firebird, allow me to clarify. The actors and creator who may be associated with any previous production would not be permitted to participate. Per CBS guidelines. The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees. http://www.startrek.com/fan-films
Suggestions and options, not set in stone laws. There is no sign that CBS will drop a hammer over a small production breaking or bending a "guideline." It takes a whole damn lot to become an "Axanar."
The Captain Pike movie started filming before the new rules came out. So I think they would be fine. As for changing the names of the characters (like turning Captain Pike into Captain Bob), I don't think that would be an issue either, as they had started production before the guidelines came out. That would just be a "creative change", and one that I doubt would happen anyway. For all we know, they may be turning the film into 2 15-minute segments. CBS didn't have an issue with Continues finishing their films with well-known professional actors, so I don't think this film will have issues in that regard, as they started before the guidelines came out.
It's been stated there's no 'Grandfather clause" to the guidelines. Mr. Van Critters did say that any fan film currently in post production and near public release at the time (IE June 2016) of the Guidelines release would probably be okay - but (obviously as we haven't seen such a release from this group) that wasn't/isn't the case here (IE that they were in post and ready to release around that time in 2016). So, yeah, if they did a release that isn't in line with the Guidelines, they take their chances WRT how CBS might respond.
So release it, get a C&D, take it down, and its still immortalized on the internet. Anyone that took fundraisers and kickstarter money, IMO, would be doing the *right* thing by releasing what they were paid to do.
As I said in my post above - what makes you think they haven't already been hit with a C&D - and are attempting to work something out?
The problem the Captain Pike production has is that the script was written to be 90 minutes long spread over three parts. They only raised the funds for part one and were intending to do more crowdfunding once part one had been released. So even if they release what they have filmed so far we would only get to see 1/3 of the story. They could change the script to comply with the guidelines, but it would be such a radical change that they would need to re-shoot everything they have done already. Most of the scenes filmed feature Star Trek Alum. They could change the name to 'Captain Cod' or 'Captain Haddock', however the premise of the whole film was to expand upon the character of Captain Pike. Changing the central character of the film would be more then a simple creative change. If you changed the name of the Captain as some suggest, you would also need to change the name of the ship and the name of the Vulcan science officer who is also central to the story.
I would go ahead and put all the effort into completing Part 1. Show us what you have done and what you can do. Then see if there's interest in Part 2 and 3. Then and only then should you be worrying about the future. If you're paralyzed by what COULD happen, nothing will ever happen.
It worked for Renegades, which is clearly an alternate universe Chekov/Tuvok/etc adventure. And, Pike has already re-imagined the visuals and characters of Trek so some extent, would going a little further matter much?
Well that is debatable Unlike Renegades episode two, the Captain Pike production had already spent the money raised on filming and production for part one. They were still trying to raise funds for post production when the fan film guidelines came out. As I said above, any serious transformative changes would require starting from scratch.