Donny’s Late TOS Movie Era Interiors

[Donny]

Star Trek VI was a pretty low budget production. I'm sure the set designers would've loved to have changed even more than they did, but sometimes you have to pick your battles.

Yup. This is the sentiment that Mike Okuda has mentioned to me several times, especially on this film. It’s amazing that the film turned out as sharp-looking as it did.

I’m sure they wanted to change that backlit pattern, but didn’t have time or money to do all the things required. First, if not using the honeycomb pattern (I wouldn’t have gone that direction), they’d have to design a new pattern, and then get it approved. Then to print the things, which couldn’t have been cheap. Then to install them. Doesn’t sound too bad but if the money and time aren’t there, what can you do? Sure, they were able to do this for Insurrection, but the budget was $40 million dollars more and there are several years of capability separating the films.

Again, after working on a commercial title and constantly butting up against time budgets for the last five years, I am much more understanding and forgiving of these things.

Anyway. The TNG backdrop stays for the canon representations of this room. But I may experiment with different patterns for the Excelsior transporter room or other non-canon designs. But I admit: I don’t want to use the honeycomb pattern of TMP-TSFS here.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

I’m sure they wanted to change that backlit pattern, but didn’t have time or money to do all the things required. First, if not using the honeycomb pattern (I wouldn’t have gone that direction), they’d have to design a new pattern, and then get it approved. Then to print the things, which couldn’t have been cheap. Then to install them. Doesn’t sound too bad but if the money and time aren’t there, what can you do?

Yep. You do the best you can with the time and budget allotted. I think STVI did a pretty amazing job of stretching their dollar, using existing locations for sets like the Starfleet briefing room and the Khitomer conference, new costumes and alien makeups, and even a bit of location shooting for establishing shots! It looks like a more expensive movie than it was, for sure.

Again, after working on a commercial title and constantly butting up against time budgets for the last five years, I am much more understanding and forgiving of these things.

Wow, was it really five years ago you took that job? Time flies. I still remember how nervous you were about interviewing for it and practically everyone here telling you, "Dude, your work is spectacular! This job is tailor made for you! You'll crush it!"

 

[GNDN18]

But I may experiment with different patterns for the Excelsior transporter room or other non-canon designs.

 

[Donny]

Ok, ok. Here's the proof. Here's what I have working for Excelsior so far. It's really hard to come up with a backdrop that isn't too distracting, so I'm opting for simplicity. I'm open to suggestions. Tried the honeycomb already; didn’t like it. Felt too much like TWOK.

 

[danellis]

I think STVI did a pretty amazing job of stretching their dollar, using existing locations for sets like the Starfleet briefing room and the Khitomer conference,

Ooooh, where was Khitomer a redress of?

Wow, was it really five years ago you took that job? Time flies. I still remember how nervous you were about interviewing for it and practically everyone here telling you, "Dude, your work is spectacular! This job is tailor made for you! You'll crush it!"

I was thinking the exact same thing!

Ok, ok. Here's the proof. Here's what I have working for Excelsior so far. It's really hard to come up with a backdrop that isn't too distracting, so I'm opting for simplicity. I'm open to suggestions. Tried the honeycomb already; didn’t like it. Felt too much like TWOK.

I misread the booth frame as a step ladder for a second and thought this was a literal WIP shot lmao


dJE

 

[GNDN18]

Ok, ok. Here's the proof. Here's what I have working for Excelsior so far. It's really hard to come up with a backdrop that isn't too distracting, so I'm opting for simplicity. I'm open to suggestions. Tried the honeycomb already; didn’t like it. Felt too much like TWOK.

The joke didn’t play out as well as I’d hoped: I was going to suggest smoked glass, but given what you said about honeycomb, going back to that well seemed out of the question.

That said, if the meme prompted you to roll out your Excelsior chamber a little earlier than planned, well, hooray for us. I think your conceptualization is simply exquisite. Bravissimo!

 

[cardinal biggles]

Ooooh, where was Khitomer a redress of?

The Brandeis-Barden Institute, a religious retreat center in Simi Valley, CA (outside Los Angeles). Their "House of the Book" building was later used as Lore's compound in TNG: "Descent," but it's probably most famous for representing the exterior of the Command Center on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

 

[danellis]

The Brandeis-Barden Institute, a religious retreat center in Simi Valley, CA (outside Los Angeles). Their "House of the Book" building was later used as Lore's compound in TNG: "Descent," but it's probably most famous for representing the exterior of the Command Center on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Thanks. I'd always assumed it was a location, but had misunderstood the original post to imply it was set.

 

[UssGlenn]

It's really hard to come up with a backdrop that isn't too distracting, so I'm opting for simplicity. I'm open to suggestions.

Solid idea, but I think the vertical lines are too close together. However, I only think that because I'm getting distracting interference patterns on the scaled down version.

 

[Commander Troi]

Solid idea, but I think the vertical lines are too close together. However, I only think that because I'm getting distracting interference patterns on the scaled down version.

No, I opened the larger version and it's still distracting. Almost... hypnotic... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

 

[batboy853]

The backdrop graphic seen in the Enterprise-D interrogation / court room was used a few times during the time frame of the production of TUC, perhaps they might have used that?

The graphic also appeared in the Klingon transporter room in TFF

 

[STEPhon IT]

Star Trek VI was a pretty low budget production. I'm sure the set designers would've loved to have changed even more than they did, but sometimes you have to pick your battles.

My understanding the production over paid ILM for the work done; but IMO it was worth it, to this day it was the movies saving grace.

 

[Lt. Washburn]

I think STVI did a pretty amazing job of stretching their dollar, using existing locations for sets like the Starfleet briefing room.

Where was the briefing room filmed?

Donny, do you have any idea what was used for the light panels flanking the transport chamber?

 

[STEPhon IT]

Ok, ok. Here's the proof. Here's what I have working for Excelsior so far. It's really hard to come up with a backdrop that isn't too distracting, so I'm opting for simplicity. I'm open to suggestions. Tried the honeycomb already; didn’t like it. Felt too much like TWOK.

What elements which would lead a viewer to think Excelsior was taking them to TNG? A different color scheme may work; that vessel felt like a progressive work in progress. Although, from a production standpoint the team were using TNG sets but in the movie's continuity the corridors appeared beige and brighter, I would guess in universe their transporters would look different from the bridge and what was seen on the Enterprise. Since the Enterprise appeared to be rundown in Nicholas Meyer's brain.

 

[Jedman67]

I don't dig this one. The pattern seems similar to VOY sickbay. I like the court room circley pattern.

I'd think the Excelsior transporter room would be a little smaller and more techy, rather than mechanical. Perhaps using the starbase transporter room from TSFS as a starting point? Dunno.
Absolutely love the detailing!

Point in question - the Enterprise-E's transporter room in Insurrection was a redress of the Voyager set but it had different transporter back panels. The rest could stay the same.

They shot very close up so *all* you can see is part of the platform and a bit of wall.
FC took the VOY sickbay and just gave it a different paint scheme.

 

[Donny]

The backdrop graphic seen in the Enterprise-D interrogation / court room was used a few times during the time frame of the production of TUC, perhaps they might have used that?

The graphic also appeared in the Klingon transporter room in TFF

Hmm. I think it looks a little too Klingon and abstract to use in Excelsior. And, if I ever do a period appropriate Klingon transporter room, I’ll probably use that backdrop. I appreciate the suggestion however!

Donny, do you have any idea what was used for the light panels flanking the transport chamber?

Are you asking if I know the real world items that made up the light panels flanking the TUC transporter chamber? I have no idea.

Anyway, it’s going to be hard to come up with something simple that doesn’t remind us of the Voyager backdrops used in the transporter room and sickbay. I have a couple more ideas I’m going to try out tonight.

 

[cardinal biggles]

You could try diagonal lines; I don't think we've seen that on a transporter backdrop before.

 

[ashleytinger]

Those side panels are parts of freezer spacers that ended up in EVERY scifi production from the late 80s through the 90s. They used them all over Babylon 5 and Deep Space Nine.

https://prostack.com/product/freezer-spacer/

 

[UssGlenn]

Those side panels are parts of freezer spacers that ended up in EVERY scifi production from the late 80s through the 90s. They used them all over Babylon 5 and Deep Space Nine.

https://prostack.com/product/freezer-spacer/

I thought of those too, but dismissed them as too industrial. Perfect for a cargo transporter, however. I'd be surprised if Donny doesn't already have a set of those built from other parts of the ship.

 

[GNDN18]

Any background,

but not plaid. Can’t do it.