Writers' Bible?

[GwenDuck]

Hi all, I'm usually just a lurker but I've got a TOS question I thought maybe someone here could help me with. I'm writing my B.A. on ST and I was wondering if anyone knows if there is some sort of "writers' bible" for the original series, and if so how I can buy or access it. I've had a surprisingly difficult time trying to figure this out via google.

Also, if anyone knows of any interviews with Roddenberry or any TOS characters where they discuss the series, I would appreciate that information as well.

Thanks!

 

[Mysterion]

Hi all, I'm usually just a lurker but I've got a TOS question I thought maybe someone here could help me with. I'm writing my B.A. on ST and I was wondering if anyone knows if there is some sort of "writers' bible" for the original series, and if so how I can buy or access it. I've had a surprisingly difficult time trying to figure this out via google.

Also, if anyone knows of any interviews with Roddenberry or any TOS characters where they discuss the series, I would appreciate that information as well.

Thanks!

You might try looking for a copy over at roddenberry.com. They sell alot of that sort of thing and you can probably buy a copy from them.

ETA: Well, just went over to that site, and they don't seem to be selling those (or scripts) any longer. Sorry. But, if you can find a copy of The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield a lot of material from the TOS Writer's guide is quoted in the book, as well as many behind-the-scenes memos from roddenberry and others involved in the production of TOS.

 

[Piper]

But, if you can find a copy of The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield a lot of material from the TOS Writer's guide is quoted in the book, as well as many behind-the-scenes memos from roddenberry and others involved in the production of TOS.

If you're writing a BA on Trek this is definitely your first port of call. It also happens to be one of the finest TV "Makings Of" ever written.

 

[Michael]

I don't know about the Writers' Bible, but I uploaded Roddenberry's original series pitch here.

 

[A beaker full of death]

As I recall there was a writer's bible.

Amazing how much from this pitch was incorporated into Star Trek only to be lost in Modern Trek. Stuff Bermaga just didn't get. Such as...

"antholology-like range of exciting human experience"
Very rarely were Kirk & Co. the stars of the story. You can't make a protagonist out of the main star in episodic (non-arc) tv -- you can't change his life every week.

"three million worlds with a chance of intelligent life"
Remember when the universe was a great big mystery?​

"eliminate[] the need to encumber our stories with tiresome scientific explanation"
bwahahahaha.
And so help me, if I see one more "stardates" thread...​

"we may never get around to exploring every cabin, department and cranny of our cruiser. The point being -- it is a whole community in which we can anytime take our camera down a passageway and find a guest star or secondary character (scientist, specialist, ordinary airman, passenger or stowaway) who can propel us into a story"
This was so lost on Bermaga that eventually they forgot the ship even needed -- or had -- a crew.​

 

[Captain Robert April]

Try this:

http://www.chekovsite.com/fanfiction/writersguide.html

It used to work, but I'm having problems with it now.

Maybe someone else might have some luck...

 

[Captain Robert April]

I think I may have to dig up the file and post this myself...

 

[number6]

As I recall there was a writer's bible.

Amazing how much from this pitch was incorporated into Star Trek only to be lost in Modern Trek. Stuff Bermaga just didn't get. Such as...

"antholology-like range of exciting human experience"
Very rarely were Kirk & Co. the stars of the story. You can't make a protagonist out of the main star in episodic (non-arc) tv -- you can't change his life every week.

"three million worlds with a chance of intelligent life"
Remember when the universe was a great big mystery?​

"eliminate[] the need to encumber our stories with tiresome scientific explanation"
bwahahahaha.
And so help me, if I see one more "stardates" thread...​

"we may never get around to exploring every cabin, department and cranny of our cruiser. The point being -- it is a whole community in which we can anytime take our camera down a passageway and find a guest star or secondary character (scientist, specialist, ordinary airman, passenger or stowaway) who can propel us into a story"
This was so lost on Bermaga that eventually they forgot the ship even needed -- or had -- a crew.​

Much of which was lost on GR when TOS was on the air, by the middle of season one.

AND GR, Dave Gerrold and DC Fontana were initially responsible for the TNG bible.

GR had a different Trek Philosophy by the time TNG was created, so I wouldn't lay all that at the feet of Rick Berman, who essentially tried to keep his writers true to the "current" GR philosophy.

 

[Captain Robert April]

Got it! THANK YOU, WAYBACK MACHINE!!

I'll put something together and post it soon.

 

[A beaker full of death]

AND GR, Dave Gerrold and DC Fontana were initially responsible for the TNG bible.

And that's why TNG season 1 (and 2, for a different reason) still have a lot of those elements. They were chucked whole by season 3.

GR had a different Trek Philosophy by the time TNG was created, so I wouldn't lay all that at the feet of Rick Berman, who essentially tried to keep his writers true to the "current" GR philosophy.

Berman didn't give a rat's ass about any philosophy other than the almighty greenback. Yeah, GR was convinced his shit was religion at that point, but Berman was never anything but a suit. At least Braga had about two decent stories in him.

 

[Captain Robert April]

It's up.

Just check out the junk drawer.

 

[GwenDuck]

Thanks everybody for the suggestions so far, they've been really helpful! I ordered the book and this pitch is fascinating, I didn't even think to look for anything like it. Also, I look forward to your post Captain Robert April.