I gotta tell ya, I give fan productions a break. However, the level of expectation depends on where the “show” is. For example, the new Voyages/Phase II group is the one Paramount allows the use of the Star Trek name. NV/P2 raised the bar, so it’s on them to keep the standards they set. For the most part, they have. The stories have gotten more streamlined and less “kitchen sink.” I don't see the need to tie in aspects of Trek lore as much as I would rather see something that would likely be seen in an actual episode. So, since the original show didn't do a lot of inner references to one-off characters, I prefer the same thing with fan films. This might be seen as limiting, but I think it forces writers to create more original characters and settings.
Exeter would be in the same league if they had the resources to complete episodes more quickly. They’re an amazing group and it sucks they are sidelined by time, money and God.
The smaller scale ones are honestly just fans making a story based on their favorite show. 99% of these folks don’t have any acting experience. Some may have natural talent that’s pretty painless to watch, but on the whole, professional actors work in the business and get paid.
If you want professional acting, music, directing and so on, pop in a Trek DVD. Otherwise, it’s free, so I either watch or don’t. Depends on the production.
Writing is a tough thing. It’s easy to say “they should have good scripts,” but you know, a lot of Fan Fiction, frankly, sucks. The writers are proud of the work and think it’s good (no writer not working for Irwin Allen writes a crap script intentionally), but not everyone has writing talent. Shit, I’ve read badly written books by professionally published authors. People do the best they can. If you think you can do better, then write something. That’s the least expensive part of any production. And if you've got time to bitch on a message board, you have time to write a story.
This comment is interesting though:
And you don't need to recycle old Trek music... be innovative, and write your own new scores.
Lotsa folks can take wood and plaster and hammer together a set: you need the materials and arms. Many people can write a script or dialog: all you need is an idea and the means to put it on paper. Anyone can grab a camcorder and tape people wearing funny clothing. And, worst case scenario, anyone with Pinnacle 9 can put an Art Asylum Enterprise replica against a green background and chroma key it against a planet. Granted, you can wind up with a Little Rascals version of Trek, but these things are attainable.
But how many people can write a score, hire musicians and record it? If you want it to sound halfway decent, you need multiple musicians, a conductor, a recording studio, editor, etc. Sure, a decent one-dude musician with a good keyboard can make a score, but how is that more effective than Sol Kaplan’s music from the CD? Synth scores sound like synth scores. And fine, for the Little Rascals Version, it’ll be fine. But I really give them a break on the reuse of music because, IMO, creating a score is one of the more difficult and expensive things to do in a fan film. I mean, jeez, once the sets and props are built, they’re built. A new score each time? Yikes.
