New Animated Series in Development?
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Orci and Kurtzman have proven themselves to be prolific and capable of doing multiple projects.
No guarantee that an animated series will be based in any previous established continuity, IMO...
A project along these lines might just run smack into that division of the franchise, i.e., you're doing something on television, you use the previously established timeline. TV is TV, movies is movies, and, in this case, ne'er the twain shall meet.
An animated Star Trek series is not a bad idea at all. Before I started getting into The Clone Wars, I had a negative impression of the whole idea - and I really didn't like that animation style at first - but I've changed my mind.
Animation allows for expansive storytelling while not needing to appeal to a mass audience to support production, and talented voice actors can bring characters fully to life. Animation is getting more and more equivalent to live action, and definitely superior in some ways.
Like The Clone Wars, an animated Star Trek series should be pitched to a wide age range. But then again, wasn't TOS? I watched it as a very small kid and loved it, even though I'm sure I didn't get a lot of what was going on.
As for animation style, there are pro's and con's to The Clone Wars style, mainly in how the humanoid characters are portrayed. They caricature real actors in many cases, and sometimes it works better (Liam Neeson) or worse (Christopher Lee).
Sometimes the characters come off as creepy mannequins and other times they have the same emotional impact as real actors would. The walking motion is often too stiff (maybe because the arms aren't animated correctly as swinging with the stride) and the lack of flow to hair and clothes is definitely annoying. Animating the hair and clothes of character could really add to the sense of drama and realism.
I would expect it to be adventures of the week that slot in comfortably between the movies. If they wanted to launch it on Cartoon Network in a couple years when The Clone Wars is wrapping up, that would be fine by me.
Yeah, this is the way these kinds of projects start - plausible rumors of interest from people who are capable of doing them. What makes this more plausible than the usual rumor is that it's the kind of thing that could work very successfully on TV, whereas a live action series would have two huge strikes against it - that CBS has no natural place for it, and that live action space opera has virtually died out as a TV genre. It's like trying to get a Western back on TV - even harder, probably. But if The Clone Wars is a solid ratings hit for the Cartoon Network, a Star Trek series would follow suit.
As for the characters, if there is some objection to the use of Pine, Quinto, etc. for the characters, they could do what The Clone Wars animators have done with Obi-Wan - meld the look of two different actors into a single composite.
Animation allows for expansive storytelling while not needing to appeal to a mass audience to support production, and talented voice actors can bring characters fully to life. Animation is getting more and more equivalent to live action, and definitely superior in some ways.
Like The Clone Wars, an animated Star Trek series should be pitched to a wide age range. But then again, wasn't TOS? I watched it as a very small kid and loved it, even though I'm sure I didn't get a lot of what was going on.
As for animation style, there are pro's and con's to The Clone Wars style, mainly in how the humanoid characters are portrayed. They caricature real actors in many cases, and sometimes it works better (Liam Neeson) or worse (Christopher Lee).
Sometimes the characters come off as creepy mannequins and other times they have the same emotional impact as real actors would. The walking motion is often too stiff (maybe because the arms aren't animated correctly as swinging with the stride) and the lack of flow to hair and clothes is definitely annoying. Animating the hair and clothes of character could really add to the sense of drama and realism.
That seems like the most commercial approach, with the characters of course animated to look like Pine and Quinto. I suppose I could adapt to other voice actors doing the roles, but damn, it's going to be hard to find a stand-in for Quinto.
I would expect it to be adventures of the week that slot in comfortably between the movies. If they wanted to launch it on Cartoon Network in a couple years when The Clone Wars is wrapping up, that would be fine by me.
Yeah, this is the way these kinds of projects start - plausible rumors of interest from people who are capable of doing them. What makes this more plausible than the usual rumor is that it's the kind of thing that could work very successfully on TV, whereas a live action series would have two huge strikes against it - that CBS has no natural place for it, and that live action space opera has virtually died out as a TV genre. It's like trying to get a Western back on TV - even harder, probably. But if The Clone Wars is a solid ratings hit for the Cartoon Network, a Star Trek series would follow suit.
If the only objection is that they can't use the Abrams timeline (and why would that be the case?), that's no serious objection. The series can be written without any definite reference to what continuity they are in, certainly nothing the casual viewer would notice. Let's say the gang visits Vulcan. Who's to say whether it's the original Vulcan or the new colony, renamed Vulcan? It doesn't even need to be discussed in the story.
As for the characters, if there is some objection to the use of Pine, Quinto, etc. for the characters, they could do what The Clone Wars animators have done with Obi-Wan - meld the look of two different actors into a single composite.
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When they divided up the various properties between CBS and Paramount (tv properties to CBS, movie properties to Paramount) they hit a snag with Star Trek, since it covered both arenas. The way it shook out was that the various series went to CBS, with Paramount ostensibly getting the movie part of the franchise, but since the previous movies were all based on TOS and TNG, CBS got those as well, leaving Paramount with the task of creating its own movie version, to do with as it pleased without having to deal with CBS all the time.
Hence, the reboot.
As it stands now, the boundaries are relatively clear. JJverse in the movies, under the purview of Paramount, while CBS has the assorted tv series.
An animated tv series based on the JJverse mucks things all up again.
Hence, the reboot.
As it stands now, the boundaries are relatively clear. JJverse in the movies, under the purview of Paramount, while CBS has the assorted tv series.
An animated tv series based on the JJverse mucks things all up again.
So, Captain Robert April, the last time you said something almost identical, it turned out you didn't have any evidence to back up your narrative on how CBS and Paramount operate the Star Trek franchise. That was three weeks ago, exactly. Has anything changed? Found any sources to back up your narrative?
I'd be happy with a TOS cartoon. It would be NuTrek though. The new franchise is ripe for plundering and three movies (the likely limit before some new kind of reboot) will only scratch the surface.
I think modern cartoons have done quite a good job at walking the line between adult and child entertainment and with NuTrek being a bit dumbed down it won't be hard to pitch it at that level.
I always fancied a cartoon featuring the second 5-year mission set after TMP. I loved the look of the ship, the more alien crew, and the level of attention the writers paid to detail with that big budget. If the uniforms could be tailored a bit better - add some shoulder pads, some decent boots, cooler looking fabric etc, I think they could have had some legs. I'm even doing a little Youtube cartoon story set in the same period.
I think modern cartoons have done quite a good job at walking the line between adult and child entertainment and with NuTrek being a bit dumbed down it won't be hard to pitch it at that level.
I always fancied a cartoon featuring the second 5-year mission set after TMP. I loved the look of the ship, the more alien crew, and the level of attention the writers paid to detail with that big budget. If the uniforms could be tailored a bit better - add some shoulder pads, some decent boots, cooler looking fabric etc, I think they could have had some legs. I'm even doing a little Youtube cartoon story set in the same period.
What we know is that CBS has the right to put Trek on TV and Paramount has the right to make Trek movies. Whether the agreement makes reference to continuity or content, and what that reference might be, is unknown. Unless someone has a verifiable source on it.
Agreed, a prime universe animated series aboard the 1701-refit(Kirk and crew) depicting what happened during those years after TMP and before the WOK would be the best.
And Bill Shatner's schedule is now freed up somewhat...
No. He hasn't a clue as to what's going on out there and he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Care to enlighten us, then?
The rights were not divided along fictional lines (i.e. by "universe") and no one had to pay anyone anything to get permission to use Original Spock (and other assorted trappings) in their movie.
CBS are free to place a series in any setting they please, including one as yet unknown to us. Notwithstanding, (and with or without Orci/Kurtzman) I wouldn't anticipate an animated series aimed at middle-aged men.
However immature they may be.
-thumbtack (verified)
While it's true that the rights were not divided along fictional lines, CBS did become the license holder for Star Trek in 2006 and Paramount was only able to use the various Star Trek characters (and other assorted trappings) for Star Trek XI by paying a licensing fee.
http://cbs.promotionexpert.com/cbsconsumerproducts/licensee.html
The above link is to the standard application for anyone wishing to obtain a license for the various properties that CBS owns--scrolling though the list, you'll see it will range from The 4400 and 90210, to Mork & Mindy and My Three Sons, to eventually Showtime Championship Boxing and Star Trek[highlight]*[/highlight]. According to the FAQ, how much a potential licensee pays depends on a number of factors and is usually sorted out in the actual agreement between CBS and the licensee.
Some tidbits from the FAQ:
Q: What percentage of the guarantee is required upfront for the advance?
A: There isn't a set advance percentage; it can be anywhere from 25%-100%. It depends on the category and deal.
Q: What is the standard royalty rate?
A: It varies, depending on the category.
Q: How long are licensing agreements?
A: The term of our licensing agreements usually depends on the category being licensed. The average term is 2-3 years.
Q: Can I use likeness of all actors in show/movie?
A: Each property has its own set of likeness criterion. We can provide the likeness availabilities on a case-by-case basis.
EDIT:
[highlight]*[/highlight]Here's the list of Star Trek properties that can be licensed from CBS:
Star Trek
• Animated Series
• Deep Space Nine
• Enterprise
• The Next Generation
• QUOGS
• Star Trek Original
• Star Trek XI
• Voyager
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Absolutely Right(TM).
It's a shame, because we buy a whole lot of...something or other, that no one's desperate to sell via television.
I gotta ask...QUOGS? 
An animated series will probably follow The Clone Wars' strategy of being understandable to children but sophisticated enough for the adult fan base. Judging from the ads, the target market is kids 5-13 and their moms.
An animated series will probably follow The Clone Wars' strategy of being understandable to children but sophisticated enough for the adult fan base. Judging from the ads, the target market is kids 5-13 and their moms.
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