Early Promotional Uniforms

[Kirk1980]

I've always wondered what the provenance was for the uniforms worn for all those promo photos done before the series launched, but before they refined the uniforms (and hairstyles) for regular production.

You have the velour and color of the main series uniforms (except for Rand not being in red yet...and there may not have been a red at that point). You also have the simple gold rank stripes from the second pilot and the insignia from that, as well. Also, the collars are like a black version of the second pilot, lacking the shaping of the original series uniform. And, of course, Rand is wearing pants still!

Is there any particular knowledge we have about when/how these sets of photos were done? Why the hybrid uniforms? Basically, any information would be fascinating to me

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Particular knowledge, no. Just that those uniforms have always served as proof that this photo shoot occurred after WNMHGB and before The Corbomite Maneuver. The series was greenlit and they were getting it together.

Theiss probably made these in a hurry for the promotional photos, and then set about making a better-styled version. It's funny that he took two full years to perfect them with the third season costumes.

 

[Kirk1980]

Hm, was it a desire to perfect them... or just annoyance with how badly the velour uniforms wore over time? If I recall correctly, there were many complaints about how badly they shrunk, resulting in extra expense.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Hm, was it a desire to perfect them... or just annoyance with how badly the velour uniforms wore over time? If I recall correctly, there were many complaints about how badly they shrunk, resulting in extra expense.

You can already see Kirk and McCoy's tunics shrinking in this early episode, in the sleeve length:
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd025.jpg

Still, I would see a moment like that as a kid, and it looked so cool. Seeing a landing partly outdoors made me want to go out and play Star Trek.

And while I'm there, I notice "Miri" had many shots that look as finely composed as paintings. "Note the use of color..."
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd011.jpg
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd013.jpg
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd027.jpg

This could go on and on. "Miri" has so many artfully composed shots.

 

[GNDN18]

You can already see Kirk and McCoy's tunics shrinking in this early episode, in the sleeve length:
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd025.jpg

Still, I would see a moment like that as a kid, and it looked so cool. Seeing a landing partly outdoors made me want to go out and play Star Trek.

And while I'm there, I notice "Miri" had many shots that look as finely composed as paintings. "Note the use of color..."
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd011.jpg
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd013.jpg
https://tos.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x08hd/mirihd027.jpg

This could go on and on. "Miri" has so many artfully composed shots.

Vincent McEveety was that rare TV director that could achieve big screen composition and blocking while staying within his budget and schedule. Even the weaker-scripted episodes he helmed are a delight to watch.

• "Balance of Terror"
• "Dagger of the Mind"
• "Miri"
• "Patterns of Force"
• "The Omega Glory"
• "Spectre of the Gun"

 

[Tomalak]

A lot of the credit goes to DP Jerry Finnerman. You can really see the difference in season 3 when Al Francis takes over.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

A lot of the credit goes to DP Jerry Finnerman. You can really see the difference in season 3 when Al Francis takes over.

Yes. The S1 episodes are particularly gorgeous.

 

[Henoch]

You can already see Kirk and McCoy's tunics shrinking in this early episode, in the sleeve length:

Didn't the miniskirts get ... mini-er, too?

 

[Kirk1980]

Didn't the miniskirts get ... mini-er, too?

I think so? I remember something about Nichelle or Majel having to constantly keep tugging at their uniform to keep it 'decent'. That was either shrinkage or Roddenberry/Theiss alterations to get away with showing more!

 

[publiusr]

I keep trying to come up with a backstory for the three flashlight scene

 

[starfleettanner]

I actually think those promo versions of the uniform are perfect! They actually look a lot better than what we saw in Corbomite Maneuver. They should've kept that design.

 

[Noname Given]

I actually think those promo versions of the uniform are perfect! They actually look a lot better than what we saw in Corbomite Maneuver. They should've kept that design.

I think the uniforms of Kirk and Spock were the uniforms that were used in The Corbomite Maneuver. The difference is they were probably washed a few times during the filming of The Corbomite Maneuver, and that's when everyone started noticing the problem with shrinkage.

 

[starfleettanner]

I think the uniforms of Kirk and Spock were the uniforms that were used in The Corbomite Maneuver. The difference is they were probably washed a few times during the filming of The Corbomite Maneuver, and that's when everyone started noticing the problem with shrinkage.

Ah...that makes sense. Spock's collar in that episode was just a wreck. It definitely didn't look like how it does in this promo shot.

 

[Kirk1980]

I keep trying to come up with a backstory for the three flashlight scene

"Captain, are you quite sure this is what it means to light the darkest hour?"

"Shut up, Spock."

 

[somebuddyX]

I keep trying to come up with a backstory for the three flashlight scene

They were shining them at Gul Madred's grandfather but Sulu and/or Scotty was just out of shot.

 

[J.T.B.]

I think the uniforms of Kirk and Spock were the uniforms that were used in The Corbomite Maneuver. The difference is they were probably washed a few times during the filming of The Corbomite Maneuver, and that's when everyone started noticing the problem with shrinkage.

Maybe, but modified. The men's collars in the promo shots are pretty much a standard mock turtleneck shape, while the "Corbomite" versions definitely have the distinctive collar v-point. The "Corbomite" collars seem kind of work-in-progress, they don't have as nice a finish as later on.

 

[Noname Given]

Maybe, but modified. The men's collars in the promo shots are pretty much a standard mock turtleneck shape, while the "Corbomite" versions definitely have the distinctive collar v-point. The "Corbomite" collars seem kind of work-in-progress, they don't have as nice a finish as later on.

The episode is one of my favorites so I've seen it a lot oh, but the one thing I know is Spock's collar looked different from Kirk collar, and in the summer shot you could see a zipper line across the top of the shoulder. The one thing you can say at that point was that all the mail uniforms seem to be a work in progress, and some cast members honestly were wearing tops that have been constructed differently, including Sulu and Bailey. It's still in my opinion that the tops they're worn by Shatner and Nimoy were the ones used in the episode, based on the collars and how they look.

 

[J.T.B.]

The one thing you can say at that point was that all the mail uniforms seem to be a work in progress, and some cast members honestly we're wearing tops that have been constructed differently, including Sulu and Bailey.

Agreed.

It's still in my opinion that the tops they're worn by Shatner and Nimoy were the ones used in the episode, based on the collars and how they look.

The photos posted above clearly don't have the collar point that is evident in the episode. It's less prominent in the Kirk costume than McCoy's or Bailey's, and Spock's collar is noticeably taller than others, but that characteristic design detail is missing from the promo shots.

 

[PCz911]

Not to mention that grace has different hair. I guess the basket weave wig was t completed by then

 

[Doug Otte]

The episode is one of my favorites so I've seen it a lot oh, but the one thing I know is Spock's collar looked different from Kirk collar, and in the summer shot you could see a zipper line across the top of the shoulder. The one thing you can say at that point was that all the mail uniforms seem to be a work in progress, and some cast members honestly were wearing tops that have been constructed differently, including Sulu and Bailey. It's still in my opinion that the tops they're worn by Shatner and Nimoy were the ones used in the episode, based on the collars and how they look.

I've wondered about Spock's taller collar in Corbomite for years. I have two hypotheses:
1) They wanted to make him look more alien;
2) Nimoy had a long neck, and covering more of it with the collar reduced the amount of "copper" makeup they needed to use.
Of course, neither of these account for why they didn't keep the design after Corbomite.