Which fan fiction series would you watch?

[TheLoneRedshirt]

I like the idea of a UT anthology. I also think the Jerry LaSalle stories over at The Phoenix Inn would be fun-if you could translate telepathy to the screen(don't ask, just go read them, its easier than explaining).

In fact, the UT anthology idea could be a hoot-the way you all interweave your characters in each others stories would be a casting dream but you'd have to hire a continuity editor that liked living on three hours sleep a night.

You beat me to the post with the anthology idea.

I wonder if Morgan Freeman is open to doing a TV series? . . .

 

[mirandafave]

But sure in my head they are all on the telly!

Dark Territory has big stories and compelling characters that I think would translate well to the screen. Any of the UT series simarily share that and are enriched by sharing each other's world and in doing so flesh them out even more but visually Dark Territory has that and its Captain is a marmite kinda character - you love him or hate - and if you serve on his crew quite possibly die for him!

Independence has a great over riding story arc that would help to move a series along and has plenty of bangs for your dollar - plus it is a series not afraid to lose that ever so central character - the ship itself! The latest Klingon 'For the Empire' story would have been a real treat to see on the screen.

But I think CeJay is right in that so many of the great stories on here would not work for the television audience because the strength lies in their character development and interplay so much of which would end up on the cutting room floor or be difficult to translate. For example who could be beautful and serene enough to play Demeera?? Some of the stories from the Suthy would need late night viewing because of the antics of her captain! And Gralt's cursing and grousing on the Bluefin might cause the censors some difficulties too!

 

[Mistral]

I think all of your points are valid, Mirandafave-and that they would be selling points for a new series. Its not the 1960s anymore-look at nBSG.

 

[Admiral2]

Star Trek My Way - though many Trekkers' heads might explode, I think this is the BEST re-imagining of Trek, period!

Yay! Finally a vote for MWTrek! [Sally Field]You Like Me! You Really Like Me![/Sally Field]

Of course, I think all the Trekker heads that were going to explode at my little series pretty much have already done it, then another bunch exploded at the Star Trek: Reborn reboot that came after, and I'm pretty sure s-loads of Trekker heads are going off like roman candles at this half-assed reboot JJ's perpetratin'. I figure by the end of STXI's run enough heads would have 'sploded to pave the way for a serious reimagining.

And I gotta say something here. mirandafave, it would be hard to cast DeMara Deen? Really? I don't think so. I think all you gotta do is pull Hayden Panitierre outta "Heroes", blonde her back up, give her some purple contacts and a TNG uniform and throw her on stage and tell her to look "sereeeeene". Add some angelic harp music every time she crosses the threshold and you're golden.

Do you know who it would really be hard to cast from CeJay's stories? Michael Owen. Do you know why? Because the author has never bothered to really describe the man. Ever. In fact, the only reason I can picture him at all in my head is because Ceej let TLR borrow him once and TLR actually described him. TLR, not the guy who created him! I had no clue what to think of him until then! And Captain Owen should be the one with the clearest image, cause he's the freakin' star of the series! But the problem here is clear. The most insight CeJay has given us into Owen is that he doesn't like "Ride of the Valkyries" and he's good friends with DeMara Deen.

Owen is not the only character that suffers from this problem. You know So'Dan Leva's a half-romulan. You know Lif Culsten's the typical eager Lieutenant, but you really know that DEMARA DEEN'S BEAUTIFUL AND SHE'S SERENE AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE PUPPIES AND FLUFFY CLOUDS WHENEVER THEY'RE NEAR HER AND HER PEOPLE ARE SO MYTHICAL AND MAGICAL AND MYSTERIOUS THAT OTHER RACES WITHIN TEN LIGHT YEARS OF HER HOME PLANET SING DAHOO DORAY DAHOO DORAY WHENEVER THEY VENTURE OUT INTO THE VASTNESS OF SPACE!

And you have no idea how utterly frustrating that makes it to read his stories!

 

[Gibraltar]

^ So, you're... uh... not a Demara Deen fan then?

 

[SLWalker]

^ So, you're... uh... not a Demara Deen fan then?

Wonder where you got THAT idea.

 

[mirandafave]

And I gotta say something here. mirandafave, it would be hard to cast DeMara Deen? Really? I don't think so. I think all you gotta do is pull Hayden Panitierre outta "Heroes", blonde her back up, give her some purple contacts and a TNG uniform and throw her on stage and tell her to look "sereeeeene". Add some angelic harp music every time she crosses the threshold and you're golden.

Do you know who it would really be hard to cast from CeJay's stories? Michael Owen. Do you know why? Because the author has never bothered to really describe the man. Ever. In fact, the only reason I can picture him at all in my head is because Ceej let TLR borrow him once and TLR actually described him. TLR, not the guy who created him! I had no clue what to think of him until then! And Captain Owen should be the one with the clearest image, cause he's the freakin' star of the series! But the problem here is clear. The most insight CeJay has given us into Owen is that he doesn't like "Ride of the Valkyries" and he's good friends with DeMara Deen.

Owen is not the only character that suffers from this problem. You know So'Dan Leva's a half-romulan. You know Lif Culsten's the typical eager Lieutenant, but you really know that DEMARA DEEN'S BEAUTIFUL AND SHE'S SERENE AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE PUPPIES AND FLUFFY CLOUDS WHENEVER THEY'RE NEAR HER AND HER PEOPLE ARE SO MYTHICAL AND MAGICAL AND MYSTERIOUS THAT OTHER RACES WITHIN TEN LIGHT YEARS OF HER HOME PLANET SING DAHOO DORAY DAHOO DORAY WHENEVER THEY VENTURE OUT INTO THE VASTNESS OF SPACE!

And you have no idea how utterly frustrating that makes it to read his stories!

First off I don't find reading his stories frustrating. As for not describing Owens I hadn't ever really noticed that but perhaps by leaving it a blank slate it allows for versitility it helps a reader to perhaps put themselves into the Captain's boots for purposes of reading the story - a kind of every man perspective.

My point about Demara was not which blonde female could you get to play her but in part what you complain about in regard her character that she appears ethereal and mysterious and how you could convey that onscreen. I think CeJay has said often enough that he actually steers away from casting his characters allowing himself and so other readers to imagine the person for themselves. Physical characteristics left out? Perhaps. But how they interplay with one another is usually very well detailed and crafted. He doesn't tend to skip on such details.

Yes I know you have a gripe about Demara and that's your opinion and so valid but is it so hard to believe that if there are an infinite number of species in the Star Trek universe that one cannot turn out to a mysterious elven angel like species - we have species more or less cats - the Voth were reptiles that originated on Earth and flew away, Cardassians are tortoises without their shells! It is sci-fi so anything should be possible when an author uses their imagination.

Personally reading Demara i do know what you mean - she seems so magical and that perhaps made her a harder fit in a sci-fi world. But the main thing to me she represents is the utopian hopeful optimism of gene Roddenberry's vision for Star Trek. It is as if she is a personification of that ideal and therefore a tool in which to explore certain concepts or moral dilemmas. Maybe I read too much into that but it is my take on her.

One point regard characters like Demara to put across is how they would make any fan fiction hard to produce onscreen - many of us use characters who are usually so painstakingly beautiful or otherwise alien to be portrayed by budgetery constraints but then the idea was to just think not actually consider which most practically could be made for television. Your own series in that case would be the best option becuase it uses so many canon characters/cast. Reimagined terrific storytelling or not.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Admiral2: It seems to me like you have a bigger problem with CeJay than just one character. Maybe you need to be asking yourself why you're even reading his stories if all it does is get you ranting.

Personally, when something doesn't float my boat, I make my comment once--MAYBE have one discussion if the user in question wants to discuss the issue--and then I WALK AWAY. There is seriously no sense in trying to pick fights every time that person's name or story is mentioned.

mirandafave--I've got four shiploads of Cardassians who are less than pleased with the tortoise remark... :P

 

[Gibraltar]

I've got four shiploads of Cardassians who are less than pleased with the tortoise remark... :P

That begs for a scene where Spiro turns to Macet in disbelief and mutters, "What the shell?"

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I've got four shiploads of Cardassians who are less than pleased with the tortoise remark... :P

That begs for a scene where Spiro turns to Macet in disbelief and mutters, "What the shell?"

Oh God. I have a hard time picturing that coming out of HIS mouth. Folani, maybe...

 

[Galen4]

Well, I’d vote for either Dark Horizon or Gibraltar. Those are the two series I’ve read the most. Both authors allow me to visualize what I’m reading. Also, in both cases, the characters are distinct and interesting and would keep me coming back on a weekly basis.

Not to say other works here are any less, I just haven’t been able to read much of them yet. (Something I’m going to rectify when my erratic life smoothes out a bit.)

I’m going to break my own “rule” here and throw in for my series as well. (My poor little series never gets mentioned-----and I wouldn’t want it to develop behavior issues.)

But semi-seriously, my stories do lean heavily towards science fiction and action adventure. Those qualities would translate to screen just fine.

As for the characters…well, Captain Aubrey is interesting, but mostly because we can see what goes on in his noggin. That might not come out well in live action.

Someone was complaining about CeJay not describing one of his characters. I’ve rarely described Aubrey’s appearance in any detail. So I suffer from the same affliction.

Casting? I have no idea who would be best suited for those roles. (Well, I have someone in mind for Shantok, but that’s it.)

Fun to think about.

 

[Admiral2]

Posted by mirandafave:
First off I don't find reading his stories frustrating.

I understand that. The Star Eagle Adventures has a large following of readers nowhere near as touchy as I am.

As for not describing Owens I hadn't ever really noticed that but perhaps by leaving it a blank slate it allows for versitility it helps a reader to perhaps put themselves into the Captain's boots for purposes of reading the story - a kind of every man perspective.

If that's the case, we shouldn't be given any kind of evidence that the captain is a seperate entity from the reader. That's not the case.

My point about Demara was not which blonde female could you get to play her but in part what you complain about in regard her character that she appears ethereal and mysterious and how you could convey that onscreen.

You couldn't without making her seem utterly ridiculous in a science fiction setting, ala Trance Gemini in Andromeda.

I think CeJay has said often enough that he actually steers away from casting his characters allowing himself and so other readers to imagine the person for themselves. Physical characteristics left out? Perhaps. But how they interplay with one another is usually very well detailed and crafted. He doesn't tend to skip on such details.

Not casting is one thing. Not giving your readership anything to go on is another matter. Physical appearance is part of character development. Detailed and rich interaction is meaningless if it's taking place between ghosts in your head.

Yes I know you have a gripe about Demara and that's your opinion and so valid but is it so hard to believe that if there are an infinite number of species in the Star Trek universe that one cannot turn out to a mysterious elven angel like species - we have species more or less cats - the Voth were reptiles that originated on Earth and flew away, Cardassians are tortoises without their shells! It is sci-fi so anything should be possible when an author uses their imagination.

But I'm of the opinion that an author is obligated to use common sense every once in a while, and common sense tells me that whatever it is that DeMara Deen does to people, if it's simply a biological trick, it should not work on every single person from every single race the exact same way, yet only once has it ever been shown that somebody could actually resist her charms. Every one else just falls like an eager puppy for her.

Personally reading Demara i do know what you mean - she seems so magical and that perhaps made her a harder fit in a sci-fi world. But the main thing to me she represents is the utopian hopeful optimism of gene Roddenberry's vision for Star Trek.

I've never been a utopian.

It is as if she is a personification of that ideal and therefore a tool in which to explore certain concepts or moral dilemmas. Maybe I read too much into that but it is my take on her.

One point regard characters like Demara to put across is how they would make any fan fiction hard to produce onscreen - many of us use characters who are usually so painstakingly beautiful or otherwise alien to be portrayed by budgetery constraints but then the idea was to just think not actually consider which most practically could be made for television. Your own series in that case would be the best option becuase it uses so many canon characters/cast. Reimagined terrific storytelling or not.

It's not as much that they're canon as it is that they're mostly human or human- looking. Real small prosthetics budget.

But I see your point.

Posted by Nerys Ghemor
Admiral2: It seems to me like you have a bigger problem with CeJay than just one character. Maybe you need to be asking yourself why you're even reading his stories if all it does is get you ranting.

Personally, when something doesn't float my boat, I make my comment once--MAYBE have one discussion if the user in question wants to discuss the issue--and then I WALK AWAY. There is seriously no sense in trying to pick fights every time that person's name or story is mentioned.

You're absolutely right on all counts. I've said my piece. Now I'm walking away.

 

[Dnoth]

I can't lie, I've day dreamed about a UT anthology. Different week, different crew. Hell, expand that to a whole series of nothing but fan-fic. United Trek or not, I'd watch it!

 

[Ronwald]

Well, I’d vote for either Dark Horizon or Gibraltar. Those are the two series I’ve read the most. Both authors allow me to visualize what I’m reading. Also, in both cases, the characters are distinct and interesting and would keep me coming back on a weekly basis.

I too believe Gibraltar would make for a very watchable show. While I have not had the opportunity to read all of it yet, I am quite impressed by the quality of the writing.

Two others I think would make great shows are:

Jay P. Hailey's Star Trek: Outwardly Mobile
http://jayphailey.8m.com/

The characters are incredibly interesting and would provide a lot of drama for a show.

-and-

Richard Merk's Banshee Squadron
http://banshees.merknet.com/

It's well written with an 80s kind of feel to it that would make for a fun show.

And thank you Galen4 for the kind words about Dark Horizon. I very much appreciate that.

 

[DarKush]

But sure in my head they are all on the telly!

Dark Territory has big stories and compelling characters that I think would translate well to the screen. Any of the UT series simarily share that and are enriched by sharing each other's world and in doing so flesh them out even more but visually Dark Territory has that and its Captain is a marmite kinda character - you love him or hate - and if you serve on his crew quite possibly die for him!

Independence has a great over riding story arc that would help to move a series along and has plenty of bangs for your dollar - plus it is a series not afraid to lose that ever so central character - the ship itself! The latest Klingon 'For the Empire' story would have been a real treat to see on the screen.

But I think CeJay is right in that so many of the great stories on here would not work for the television audience because the strength lies in their character development and interplay so much of which would end up on the cutting room floor or be difficult to translate. For example who could be beautful and serene enough to play Demeera?? Some of the stories from the Suthy would need late night viewing because of the antics of her captain! And Gralt's cursing and grousing on the Bluefin might cause the censors some difficulties too!

Mirandafaye,

Thanks for the nice words about Dark Territory. I'm glad you're liking the stories.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I must say, I appreciate The Lone Redshirt's picking Sigils and Unions! I still must say, though--whoever actually converted it into a screenplay and shot it would be in for a serious challenge to write it in such a way that it would get viewer buy-in, in the visual format. But as part of an anthology series, it might well be easier than making an entire series (which as much as I love my stories, I doubt they would get high ratings in with the general public OR even all Trekkies).

 

[SLWalker]

I must say, I appreciate The Lone Redshirt's picking Sigils and Unions! I still must say, though--whoever actually converted it into a screenplay and shot it would be in for a serious challenge to write it in such a way that it would get viewer buy-in, in the visual format. But as part of an anthology series, it might well be easier than making an entire series (which as much as I love my stories, I doubt they would get high ratings in with the general public OR even all Trekkies).

Sigils and Unions would be a really tough shoot; so much of what you say is honestly said best in prose. You'd need a pretty special kind of director to pull it off. As prose, though, it's stunningly good -- that's definitely its true form.

 

[captcalhoun]

thanks so much for the appreciation of my action-packed visual-oriented series.






bastards.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

thanks so much for the appreciation of my action-packed visual-oriented series.






bastards.

Didn't you read The Lone Redshirt's post?

 

[Mistral]

^ So, you're... uh... not a Demara Deen fan then?

Regarding the appearance of the captain in question-I looked back over my three novelettes about the Seleya and realized that except for mentioning he was Indian and had a Van Dyke beard, there isn't one word about how Captain Sanjay looks. I guess that makes my stories frustrating too. Sorry.