Phase II: Blood and Fire Part 1 Released!! (SPOILERS)

[Mark_Nguyen]

Good show IMO. The pacing is the only real gripe - it became obvious early on that the first two acts could fit into a teaser of a more typical Trek episode, and that the whole episode could probably be told in half the time. Thus, the whole two-part episode would probably be told in one with more malicious editing. Here's hoping it does pick up in the second half, or that the whole thing could be editted together into a complete, feature-length entry.

Alas, poor Redshirt. We hardly knew ye... Luckily your descendants will survive though and likely go on to command their own ship.

Mark

 

[Rat Boy]

Cawley in particular is "doing Shatner" less and less as the series progresses and it keeps getting more convincing.

I thought Bobby Rice did a good job impersonating Shatner as Kirk in that one scene later on.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I thought that the effects were very well done; my favourite was when Chekov was using the scanner and we see the wireframe of the Copernicus - simple but effective.

Did anyone else notice that the bridge in that wireframe schematic was offset like in the FJ blueprints/schematics?

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I thought that the effects were very well done; my favourite was when Chekov was using the scanner and we see the wireframe of the Copernicus - simple but effective.

Did anyone else notice that the bridge in that wireframe schematic was offset like in the FJ blueprints/schematics?

Well sure - that's how the Constitution class ships were designed in the pre-Abrams timeline.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I thought that the effects were very well done; my favourite was when Chekov was using the scanner and we see the wireframe of the Copernicus - simple but effective.

Did anyone else notice that the bridge in that wireframe schematic was offset like in the FJ blueprints/schematics?

Well sure - that's how the Constitution class ships were designed in the pre-Abrams timeline.

To borrow your phrase, Absolutely Right TM.

 

[Pingfah]

. Special mention should go to Andy Bray and James Cawley. Cawley in particular is "doing Shatner" less and less as the series progresses and it keeps getting more convincing.

I agree, no offense to the guy, but his first attempt was terrible. He has come on so much, now he really struck me as being Kirk, without being Shatner.

 

[jamesmc]

No offense taken, and I Thank You.

 

[doubleohfive]

I was quite impressed with this outing. I stated in the other thread months ago that I saw a clip from Part 2 that I found atrocious, but I'm assuming that its only because I saw it out of context. This installment however was quite well done. The new Spock brings his own flavor to the role and I quite enjoyed the little digs at Shatner's "style"

Too, I appreciated the subtle wardrobe oddities that were obviously designed as precursors to the TMP wardrobe... and yes, Hodel's death was quite gruesome. I think the only other thing in Trek that ever terrified me as much was Remmick's head exploding in TNG's "Conspiracy," which ironically I'd just re-watched the other day!

I think the relationship between Peter and Alex was handled quite well and naturally.It wasnt' agenda-laden, it wasn't in-your-face, it was just a relationship, like any other. The same way all relationships are.

Finally, the best line of the episode must go to McCoy's "Come on Jim, we don't paint targets on the backs of redshirts anymore!"

So in conclusion, bravo Phase II, Cawley Entertainment, and everyone associated with the show. Bring on Part 2!

 

[Dave Berry]

O
The lighting remains weak. Even on the Enterprise, the sets are criminally underlit. Too dark in most scenes. Too many cases where characters end up virtual silhouettes. *Ahem* fill light *ahem*

We don't need no stinking fill light! Not to make
excuses for anything but the darkness came from a place
James, David and I wanted it too. I appreciate
the honest critique. It's always great to find out how the
audience responds to the work. Know also that computer
monitors may make the image darker than I intended if they're not
calibrated. Feel free to contact me with anymore feedback
if you wish.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Regarding the Peter Kirk and Alex Freeman characters: I didn't buy their relationship for a second. The actor playing Freeman seemed to be into it, but Bobby Rice (Peter) looked like he was shying away from kissing his co-star. Bzzzt! Sorry, but that really took me out of the moment. A pity... but I won't let it spoil my enjoyment of the rest of the episode.

I saw that more as problematic direction and really, really bad editing.

Bobby's "played gay" before as Ro Nevin on "Hidden Frontier" he's done his share of gay kisses in character. He's also played an ex-boyfriend on TV's "The Lair" this season so he's not shy in that regard. I assume he played that scene like he was told.

Interesting! Didn't know that Bobby had done professional work. I'm semi-ashamed to admit it but The Lair (and Dante's Cove) are both in my Netflix queue... I look forward to giving him another shot when the Lair discs arrive in my mailbox.

Edited to add: Hey Dave, I actually *liked* the dimmer bridge lighting... it's what I would expect in a modern CIC. I also imagine that lowering the lighting level allowed you guys to use LCD panels for the bridge console winky-blinky displays... any brighter lighting and I imagine those panels would be all washed out. Two questions: what resolution and frame rate was "Blood and Fire" filmed in, and what camera(s) were used? The amateur videographer in me is curious. Thanks!

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

O
The lighting remains weak. Even on the Enterprise, the sets are criminally underlit. Too dark in most scenes. Too many cases where characters end up virtual silhouettes. *Ahem* fill light *ahem*

We don't need no stinking fill light! Not to make
excuses for anything but the darkness came from a place
James, David and I wanted it too. I appreciate
the honest critique. It's always great to find out how the
audience responds to the work. Know also that computer
monitors may make the image darker than I intended if they're not
calibrated. Feel free to contact me with anymore feedback
if you wish.

I like the more moody, darker lighting in "Blood and Fire, part one." It is very reminiscent of the early first-season TOS episodes. In fact, I think it's much more dynamic than the lighting used for the bridge in the previous NV/PII episodes. Moreover, it compliments the darker, horrific aspect of the storyline.

 

[Data Holmes]

I liked it. I must say that I found I really liked the score for this one. All the parts fit perfectly, and I felt there was a subtle hint of the film score from TMP worked in at points as well...


I also liked the Phaser type III, and scotty's Engineering suit.

And I have to agree with the others that the lighting on this outing was the best so far for the NV/PII Eps.


Any ETA on part 2 yet?

 

[Rat Boy]

O
The lighting remains weak. Even on the Enterprise, the sets are criminally underlit. Too dark in most scenes. Too many cases where characters end up virtual silhouettes. *Ahem* fill light *ahem*

We don't need no stinking fill light! Not to make
excuses for anything but the darkness came from a place
James, David and I wanted it too. I appreciate
the honest critique. It's always great to find out how the
audience responds to the work. Know also that computer
monitors may make the image darker than I intended if they're not
calibrated. Feel free to contact me with anymore feedback
if you wish.

I like the more moody, darker lighting in "Blood and Fire, part one." It is very reminiscent of the early first-season TOS episodes. In fact, I think it's much more dynamic than the lighting used for the bridge in the previous NV/PII episodes. Moreover, it compliments the darker, horrific aspect of the storyline.

I thought the reason they did that was because the Enterprise and the Copernicus were so beat up.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

We don't need no stinking fill light! Not to make
excuses for anything but the darkness came from a place
James, David and I wanted it too. I appreciate
the honest critique. It's always great to find out how the
audience responds to the work. Know also that computer
monitors may make the image darker than I intended if they're not
calibrated. Feel free to contact me with anymore feedback
if you wish.

I like the more moody, darker lighting in "Blood and Fire, part one." It is very reminiscent of the early first-season TOS episodes. In fact, I think it's much more dynamic than the lighting used for the bridge in the previous NV/PII episodes. Moreover, it compliments the darker, horrific aspect of the storyline.

I thought the reason they did that was because the Enterprise and the Copernicus were so beat up.

That too. Yet, it also works from an artsy perspective. I've been known on occasion to be a bit artsy fartsy. More on the fartsy...

 

[jolau]

By the way, the bloodworm attack on that poor redshirt was one of the most horrifying sequences I've seen in ANY incarnation of Star Trek, "canon" or not. I showed this to my better half and he was suitably freaked out watching the hapless Brit being devoured by the swarming beasties. YUCK! (And well done!)

It has a sorted "Slither Meets Alien" sort of feel to it. I couldn't understand the glowey bits though. Can someone explain those?

Isn't that the guy from Hidden Frontier's "Orphans Of War/Operation Beta Shield'?

 

[Maurice]

O
The lighting remains weak. Even on the Enterprise, the sets are criminally underlit. Too dark in most scenes. Too many cases where characters end up virtual silhouettes. *Ahem* fill light *ahem*

We don't need no stinking fill light!

Everyone needs fill light. Just like everyone needs sunshine and castor oil. Open wiiiiide!

Seriously, I'm quote aware of the gamma difference between computer monitors and CRTs. But just looking at it I can tell where you don't have enough light. Your decision, I just happen to disagree with it.

Cheers!

 

[carlosp]

In some ways, that's kind of my fault. One of the things I specified in my rewrite was that the Enterprise's damage was very serious, and the best way to reflect that was through dimmer lighting.

DS9Sega, you and my pal Dave can argue the merits of his choice about how best to portray dimmer lighting on a set, but it's important to note that his choices didn't come out of nowhere. He really was servicing the script as written.

One of the things that I wish had been more explicit was my suggestion of the Enterprise's own ongoing repairs throughout "Blood and Fire." I'm not sure enough of that was portrayed in order to make the point that the dimmer lighting was intentional and story-related, not merely an aesthetic.

Regards,
/carlos

 

[Hudson_uk]

SNIP
Isn't that the guy from Hidden Frontier's "Orphans Of War/Operation Beta Shield'?

That was Nick Cook, although he was in Hidden Frontier's "Orphans of war" and "Operation Beta Shield", those episodes are actually Hidden Frontier/Intrepid Crossovers. Nick plays the cap on Intrepid.

 

[Hudson_uk]

In some ways, that's kind of my fault. One of the things I specified in my rewrite was that the Enterprise's damage was very serious, and the best way to reflect that was through dimmer lighting.

DS9Sega, you and my pal Dave can argue the merits of his choice about how best to portray dimmer lighting on a set, but it's important to note that his choices didn't come out of nowhere. He really was servicing the script as written.

One of the things that I wish had been more explicit was my suggestion of the Enterprise's own ongoing repairs throughout "Blood and Fire." I'm not sure enough of that was portrayed in order to make the point that the dimmer lighting was intentional and story-related, not merely an aesthetic.

Regards,
/carlos

I liked the lighting in this although that's from a personal "pleb" view rather than a film making perspective (probably wouldn't recognise a "fill" light if it burnt the top of my head).

Good point Carlos, I got that repairs were on going but for some reason didn't associate it with dimmer lighting.

 

[jamesmc]

when viewed in full high def, on TV this episode looks EXACTLY as it should it is not too dark! Trust me, it appears dark on your computer monitors because of the low res file and crappy monitors.
James