Film Journal interview with J.J. Abrams concerning Trek

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Here.

Paramount first approached Abrams with the idea of taking the U.S.S. Enterprise out of mothballs shortly after the release of his debut feature, Mission: Impossible III. "I was interested in the challenge,'" he says, on the phone from California, adding that he initially signed on only as the film's producer. His first decision as the Enterprise's new captain was to take Star Trek back to basics, which for him meant a return to the conflict that defined the original series—the occasionally fractious friendship between a man of action (that would be one James Tiberius Kirk) and a man of logic (Vulcan scientist Mr. Spock). "For me, Star Trek was always about Kirk and Spock," he explains. "I know there are huge fans of 'The Next Generation' and the other iterations of it, but to me, it was a Kirk and Spock story and [the writers] extrapolated other series and movies from that fundamental idea."

To devise the right story to re-launch the series, Abrams assembled a brain trust of friends and frequent collaborates that included his “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof, “Fringe” exec producer Bryan Burk and M:I scribes (and the writers of both Transformers movies) Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. "It was a great balance between people who knew the material and those who couldn't care less about it," Abrams says. "For example, Robert is an obsessed fan, whereas Bryan had never even seen Star Trek before."

 

[urbandk]

The idea of discourse between trekkies and people who don't care about trek is inspired. From what I've seen, there appears to be a good synthesis of both points of view. Part of the point is to get people who don't care to care.

 

[shapeshifter]

My wife brought home a story from work last night. She said a [non-fan] co-worker of hers said she saw the new TV spot and "liked it", it "didn't look campy".

It's working.

 

[The Academic]

The idea of discourse between trekkies and people who don't care about trek is inspired. From what I've seen, there appears to be a good synthesis of both points of view. Part of the point is to get people who don't care to care.

It's indeed quite unconventional, almost like a Sun Zi-style strategy, but it was an absolute necessity to get the Star Trek franchise going again - or even to secure its very survival. J.J. Abrams indeed seems to have spent quite a lot of time thinking about what he was doing, even when doesn't get the credits for it.

 

[Cakes488]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

 

[Garak]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

Who cares? That's a completely moot point - the film's in the can and it's coming out in May. Deal with it.

What makes this project any more "sensative" than another?

 

[The Academic]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

What makes him - in your eyes - LESS QUALIFIED as a director than the other directors out there? Who would have been your choice for this 'sensitive' (please, don't get carried away)? He's fresh, he's unconventional, he's successful, he's got a name... what else do you want?

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative[sic] project such as this? I mean really!

You're right, of course.

The most qualified people would have been the folks who have spent the most time managing, producing and directing Star Trek over the last two decades.

 

[EyalM]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

He has more credentials then Nick Meyer had when he directed TWoK. Look it up.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

He has more credentials then Nick Meyer had when he directed TWoK. Look it up.

In most areas he has more credentials than Meyer has accrued in the twenty-seven years since TWOK.

 

[indranee]

speaking of credentials **cough**Bob Wise**cough**

PS. I am NOT dissing Wise or TMP

 

[Cakes488]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

Who cares? That's a completely moot point - the film's in the can and it's coming out in May. Deal with it.

What makes this project any more "sensative" than another?

Who cares?? Well obviously I DO if I'm asking and you must too since you're replying! It may be moot but I'll say what I like! I also noted that you didn't answer the question...but I still love you though.

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

What makes him - in your eyes - LESS QUALIFIED as a director than the other directors out there? Who would have been your choice for this 'sensitive' (please, don't get carried away)? He's fresh, he's unconventional, he's successful, he's got a name... what else do you want?

First off I'm being sarcastic when I say "sensative" I have a firm grip on life thank you and realize in the scope of things this really isn't that important. His past directorial projects have not impressed me. How about James Cameron. That suggestions off the top of my head.

 

[indranee]

James Cameron?!?!?

now I know you're joking.

or nuts.

 

[Cakes488]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative[sic] project such as this? I mean really!

You're right, of course.

The most qualified people would have been the folks who have spent the most time managing, producing and directing Star Trek over the last two decades.

Sorry I didn't include you on my multi quote response that I just did. I certainly don't want to leave anyone out! But finally a voice of reason and I quote " You're right, of course."

Now I didn't mention ANYTHING about those folks...hell no they suck too!

 

[RobertScorpio]

Can someone explain what makes this Abrams guy SO QUALIFIED to take on a sensative project such as this? I mean really!

Well..based on what the guy said in the interview? THAT makes him qualified enough to me because I have always felt the same way. STAR TREK has always been about Kirk/Spock. And this interview gives me hope. I couldn't care-a-less about the lower rung characters....this is logic vs humanity..and Spock and Kirk are the best friends because of it...

Rob

 

[urbandk]

dude, stop pointing out "sensative." it is an analogous concept to Derrida's "differance."

 

[Cakes488]

dude, stop pointing out "sensative." it is an analogous concept to Derrida's "differance."

Thank you Urban! But there are several reasons as to why I frequently misspell common words.
1) I live in England and well we just spell shit differently or is it differantly??
2) I'm a bad speller-er which leads me to
3) I didn't finish high school.

So there...now everybody knows my filthy, shameful and dirty laundry.....I'm an english high school drop out who can't spell for shyt!

 

[Cakes488]

James Cameron?!?!?

now I know you're joking.

or nuts.

I said it was off the top o' my head !!! But you may be right in any case about your nuts observation...you're very astute aren't you...!

Ok this should rile you all even further...how about Nimoy directing?

 

[The Academic]

dude, stop pointing out "sensative." it is an analogous concept to Derrida's "differance."

Thank you Urban! But there are several reasons as to why I frequently misspell common words.
1) I live in England and well we just spell shit differently or is it differantly??
2) I'm a bad speller-er which leads me to
3) I didn't finish high school.

So there...now everybody knows my filthy, shameful and dirty laundry.....I'm an english high school drop out who can't spell for shyt!

It's spelled 'shyte'...

 

[Cakes488]

dude, stop pointing out "sensative." it is an analogous concept to Derrida's "differance."

Thank you Urban! But there are several reasons as to why I frequently misspell common words.
1) I live in England and well we just spell shit differently or is it differantly??
2) I'm a bad speller-er which leads me to
3) I didn't finish high school.

So there...now everybody knows my filthy, shameful and dirty laundry.....I'm an english high school drop out who can't spell for shyt!

It's spelled 'shyte'...

At the very least.....I'm consistent !!