Working on STTNG

[treknician1701]

So not to complain, but a core sample was sold at Christie's Trek auciton in 2006 and it came from the studio. This could be the one that is said to be "Dan Curry's" but its clearly a studio piece given the history and provenance of the auction.

Well, yes, that is one of the originals, I can tell. But that looks very much like the one that Kim had sitting on his mantel. Did you win this piece in that auction?

Greg Stone

 

[treknician1701]

Just about every prop, model and costume that was given to "Planet Hollywood" was a reproduction!

I wouldn't know, but I can testify that the Star Wars and Star Trek models in the few Planet Hollywoods I had been to were reproductions.

The worst offender, IMHO, was the Death Star under construction - from "Return of the Jedi" - for the grand opening of the Planet Hollywood in Paris. This was a really poor reproduction.

Bob

They were all, for the most part, really poor reproductions. Greg Jein was hired by Paramount to cast up 6 copies of the Enterprise-A, and they forwarded the original mold to him, for the sole purpose of going to various venues like Planet Hollywood. Greg cranked out a few extras, and sold them to some Japanese collectors, but the studio still found out, and sent some suits over to Greg to grab the molds and serve him personally with a C&D!!!

Go ahead, ask me where is my PROOF!!!

Greg Stone

 

[Robert Comsol]

The studios and production companies own them; they get to decide what gets done with them.

Am I imagining things or do I hear loud applause from a certain George Lucas?

While I (very!) reluctantly understood Stanley Kubrick's motivation for destroying the 2001 props and would sympathize with any filmmaker who wouldn't want to release props to the public if these looked crappy in real compared to the illusion created on film, I side with those that feel that the audience is entitled to somehow "participate".

Those travelling exhibits were a good means to do so, although I personally would have preferred something of a lasting nature like a museum.

And of course who owns a piece of modern art? The filmmaker exclusively or the audience which contributed to the success of said filmmaker. I definitely hope that there is some collector out there who secured a copy of the original negative of "Star Wars" (no bloody "Episode IV") - and if that happened, it assuredly didn't happen through legal transactions.

Bob

 

[Search4]

So not to complain, but a core sample was sold at Christie's Trek auciton in 2006 and it came from the studio. This could be the one that is said to be "Dan Curry's" but its clearly a studio piece given the history and provenance of the auction.

Well, yes, that is one of the originals, I can tell. But that looks very much like the one that Kim had sitting on his mantel. Did you win this piece in that auction?

Greg Stone

That is from Christie's studio auction from 2006.

 

[Amaris]

You're adding emotion to the equation, J. Hollywood is a business. When Kubrick finished 2001, he had everything destroyed. Including blueprints for all the models. Why? Because he didn't want to see the models of the Discovery or the PanAm SpaceJet showing up in shitty sci-fi movies years later simply because the studio still had them. When 2010 was being made, the visual effects department had to study 2001 to recreate those models for it. (Well, for the Discovery, anyway.)

From an artistic standpoint, it's hard to argue with Kubrick's reasoning. It's not vindictive. It's practical. Whether these items belong in a museum is debateable. Whether it belongs in the home of some "loving fan" is nonsense. These weren't made to be sold later. The studios and prouction companies own them; they get to decide what gets done with them.

While I understand the whims and ways of artistic vision can be eclectic and varied, it's not nonsense to speak of the loving fan as an end result of that vision. The Christie's Star Trek auction from 2006, alone, is enough to push that idea into the realm of acknowledgment.

The companies that own these items stop owning them when they are being thrown away. It isn't practical to destroy these items, it's just wasteful. These items can't be recycled? They can't be re-purposed? They have to be slashed and burned, benefiting no one? That's pure waste.

As for emotionalism, that's the heart of the business. Production companies, and studios in general, rely on emotionalism to sell their product. If the target audience isn't receptive, if they don't care, then they're not watching, they're not buying, they're not investing in future productions, and that's death to any studio; television, movie, radio, theatrical, or otherwise.

As an aside, Kubrick, as brilliant as he could be, was also off his nut just a bit, so I don't take his example as a great one to follow. The auteurs of their day may have been artistic geniuses, but they didn't always use the most sound of methods.

 

[doubleohfive]

I'm not saying Kubrick's example is one to live by. I'm merely pointing out the practical reasoning behind why some props/models/sets/wardrobe are destroyed.

Believe me, I understand emotionalism and attachment to these things. But that doesn't change the fact that the production companies and studios own them and if they choose to destroy them, that it's their right to do so. Suggesting that the companies should be held accountable because they don't take in to consideration adoring fans' desire to possibly own these items is silly.

 

[doubleohfive]

The studios and production companies own them; they get to decide what gets done with them.

Am I imagining things or do I hear loud applause from a certain George Lucas?

While I (very!) reluctantly understood Stanley Kubrick's motivation for destroying the 2001 props and would sympathize with any filmmaker who wouldn't want to release props to the public if these looked crappy in real compared to the illusion created on film, I side with those that feel that the audience is entitled to somehow "participate".

Those travelling exhibits were a good means to do so, although I personally would have preferred something of a lasting nature like a museum.

And of course who owns a piece of modern art? The filmmaker exclusively or the audience which contributed to the success of said filmmaker. I definitely hope that there is some collector out there who secured a copy of the original negative of "Star Wars" (no bloody "Episode IV") - and if that happened, it assuredly didn't happen through legal transactions.

Bob

You're blurring the lines of what we're talking about. Props don't belong to the fans. Model starships don't belong to the fans. They belong to the studios who pay for them to be created. Or in some cases, to the prop and model builders who were paid to create them.

This fan entitlement thing is really out of control. Just because you love something and want it, it does not necessarily follow that you somehow have some inalienable right to have an oppotunity to get it.

 

[Amaris]

I'm not saying Kubrick's example is one to live by. I'm merely pointing out the practical reasoning behind why some props/models/sets/wardrobe are destroyed.

Believe me, I understand emotionalism and attachment to these things. But that doesn't change the fact that the production companies and studios own them and if they choose to destroy them, that it's their right to do so. Suggesting that the companies should be held accountable because they don't take in to consideration adoring fans' desire to possibly own these items is silly.

I'm just saying it's wasteful, and I didn't say that they should be held accountable, at least not in any legal sense, just that if the studio is throwing some kind of prop or set piece out, and a fan takes it home, I'm fine with that.

 

[SpHeRe31459]

I'm just saying it's wasteful, and I didn't say that they should be held accountable, at least not in any legal sense, just that if the studio is throwing some kind of prop or set piece out, and a fan takes it home, I'm fine with that.

Welcome to Hollywood, stuff is built and torn down and junked commonly. Sure it's a waste, they're feeding the beast that is pop culture without much concern for the other less immediate costs. :-/
It seems be more about protecting the assets, better to slash and burn it than get it leaked out and sold on eBay without studio knowledge, etc. Or it can be a simple as the studio doesn't see a reason to keep the sets in storage, so off it goes to the dump.

 

[treknician1701]

Actually, I have to agree with Double-Oh! Legally, the studios have every right to do whatever they want to do with the items under their control. But aren't we all glad that Di vinci didn't have the right to slice up some of his paintings, if he had wanted to? I look on some of this stuff, especially the artwork, as artwork, the models are like sculptures, and the props are like classic representations of old firearms, they need to be on display for all to enjoy, not because some suit who couldn't see past any dollar signs decided that it should be destroyed. Money has never been an issue in my motivations.

Also, from a certain standpoint, since I have gotten rid of all that TREK junk that I had lying around, I feel much more free, without all that dead weight, acting like an emotional anchor in my life. Getting rid of unless things like that will lift a heavy burden off of your shoulders, and let you enjoy more of your life.

Greg Stone

 

[Amaris]

I'm just saying it's wasteful, and I didn't say that they should be held accountable, at least not in any legal sense, just that if the studio is throwing some kind of prop or set piece out, and a fan takes it home, I'm fine with that.

Welcome to Hollywood, stuff is built and torn down and junked commonly. Sure it's a waste, they're feeding the beast that is pop culture without much concern for the other less immediate costs. :-/
It seems be more about protecting the assets, better to slash and burn it than get it leaked out and sold on eBay without studio knowledge, etc.

That's what bothers me the most. I'm not taking away their choice, just lamenting it, I suppose.

Actually, I have to agree with Double-Oh! Legally, the studios have every right to do whatever they want to do with the items under their control. But aren't we all glad that Di vinci didn't have the right to slice up some of his paintings, if he had wanted to? I look on some of this stuff, especially the artwork, as artwork, the models are like sculptures, and the props are like classic representations of old firearms, they need to be on display for all to enjoy, not because some suit who couldn't see past any dollar signs decided that it should be destroyed. Money has never been an issue in my motivations.

Also, from a certain standpoint, since I have gotten rid of all that TREK junk that I had lying around, I feel much more free, without all that dead weight, acting like an emotional anchor in my life. Getting rid of unless things like that will lift a heavy burden off of your shoulders, and let you enjoy more of your life.

Greg Stone

That's a rather zen way of looking at it.

 

[treknician1701]

Okay, anyway, back to the story (for those who remember where we were....):

So, the chairs are safe and secure, for the time being. But Ralph was getting testy, and didn't want any more original TOS items to be destroyed, he was almost obsessed on this point. We had to get those chairs out of the lot, and somewhere that would promote their continued safety. We had gone into the studio time and again, but it just didn't seem to a good situation, no viable way to sneak them out, short of getting another pass for us to drive a vehicle on the lot.

On this day, we had a mutual friend "Robert" who we all referred to as "Omega Man" since that was his favorite movie of all time, and he sometimes like to be called "Robert Neville", which was the name of the Omega Man. We had a walk on pass, and went in through the Van Ness gate, and then went up to the top floor of the property dept to check on the chairs, they were not disturbed at all!

While we were up there, Ralph came up with an idea, he wanted to get some of the chair backs out the side gate, with him and Robert acting like a couple of grips or grunts or something, while I distracted the guard in the booth! Since I was wearing a suit, of sorts, it would only work this way. I thought that it was a BAD idea.

A month earlier, Ralph wanted to create a big box, shaped like a Santa Claus head, and place one of the chair backs into the box, and just walk out the side gate, since it was near Christmas time, nobody would ever want to inspect a Christmas gift box like that. I talked him out of THAT idea, but it seemed like I was not going to talk him out of this idea, and Robert seemed to go along with Ralph also! Since it was basically majority rules, I decided to go along with it, shaking my head with worry. It was a major BAD idea, and would only end in trouble.

So, we grabbed a couple of the black chair tops, and the one gold fabric one, and Robert found a semi large box to put them in. Robert and Ralph walked out the side door, and headed for the Van Ness gate, heading to the south side. I was supposed to talk to the guard, and have him turn to face north! I walked up to the guardshack and there was a car there, and the guard was talking to the driver! I waved Ralph and Robert back, and waited for the car to leave.

Finally, the car went onto the lot and turned left, right by where Ralph and Robert were waiting, but out of sight! I walked up to the guard and started to speak with him, but he held his hand up in my face, and said "Just a minute, sir"! I looked at his face, and he was frowning and looking over my left shoulder. I turned to see what he was looking at, and walking quickly along the side gate was Ralph and Robert, tip toe to tip toe, trying really hard, not to be noticed!

I just couldn't believe that they jumped the gun and didn't wait for the guard to turn away! I walked out the gate and headed south on Van Ness, when Ralph came running by me in a very stiff legged run. He had bad knees and could only run that way. He said "RUN!!! We got caught"!!

I headed back to the guardshack, and saw 4 guards holding Robert down on the ground! I walked very easily back into the studio, but I didn't really know what to do. This was a total disaster! I walked out the front gate, and headed over to where Ralph had parked his car. I saw him sitting in front of a liquor store, with his shirt off, trying to look like one of the boys! I asked him what happened, and he said that Robert tried to rush the one guard, using the box as a ram, when the guard just slammed Robert to the ground! I asked him why he took his shirt off, and he said he didn't want anyone to remember his shirt! So I asked him why didn't he just hide in his car? He said something like "Oh, yeah" and we went to his car.

About an hour later, we saw Robert walk out the front gate, and he headed west, so we stopped the car down by the Gower intersection and picked him up. Since he was working for "Bel Aire security", they decided that he was basically okay, but he didn't rat either of us out, just giving their security a couple of bogus names. They checked him out with Bel Aire, and found that he had no priors, and warned him not to come back onto the studio lot, which he agreed to, happily! They destroyed the 6 chair backs, not only crushing them, but burning them as well (I found out later)

Here's some photos:

Speaking of Ralph......

Here's Data's room:

More to come.


Greg Stone

 

[Indysolo]

Again, not really helping your cause. Do you have any non-stealing stories?

 

[Mr_Homn]

Again, not really helping your cause. Do you have any non-stealing stories?

You've made your opinion clear publicly multiple times.

Many of us check this thread to read about the OP's stories and pictures, whether mischief was involved or not, not to read people continually trying to start an argument with him.

He's contributing great original content about the very franchise this forum is about, and all you are doing in this thread is trying to de-rail it. It's really annoying.

 

[Tosk]

You take the good, you take the bad.

Annoying or not, it's difficult to see how stories of multiple instances of theft from Paramount Studios can benefit the forum in the long run. I welcome the photos, but the tales seem like asking for trouble.

Hello, everyone. My name is Greg Stone, for those of you who don't know who I am, and I had done some FX work on the first three years of "Next Generation", and I have come onto this good site to discuss that work with you all.

And yet not one story about working on the show. They are all about "someone" taking stuff home. I'd love to hear some actual work stories.

 

[doubleohfive]

Again, not really helping your cause. Do you have any non-stealing stories?

You've made your opinion clear publicly multiple times.

Many of us check this thread to read about the OP's stories and pictures, whether mischief was involved or not, not to read people continually trying to start an argument with him.

He's contributing great original content about the very franchise this forum is about, and all you are doing in this thread is trying to de-rail it. It's really annoying.

You know what else is annoying? Getting warned for pointing out that the guy is either lying his pants off or just plain ignorant. But that happened to me today too. So what?

The OP is bragging about his experience on TNG. Despite his ostensible intentions to "set the record straight" he's just blathering on and on and on, admitting to multiple accounts of simply being a petty thief. In my not so humble opinion, regardless of what content he may be providing, are you actually suggesting we just ignore that?

The board has a specific rule against discussing torrenting films and music as that is classified as theft and violating copyright law. How is this situation any different? Oh, because the person in question happens to have some neat pictures of a few sets and models from 25 years ago. My bad.

At least IndySolo is keeping his comments brief and not derailing (the point of getting warned) the thread as I did.

At any rate, if none of that matters to you, it's easy enough to scroll past his comments and still get your fix.

 

[les.kelly]

lol... it seems like there might be something wrong with this guy.. like upstairs, in the head. meanwhile, the forum admin doesn't care and is only interested in having new "insider content" for the board...

this is very entertaining! i would say the pictures obviously have value but nothing greg says can seriously be trusted. pure wackiness...

 

[Amaris]

...

Here's Data's room:

More to come.


Greg Stone

Is that what it looked like every time they weren't shooting a scene there? I mean, there are no panels or anything. It looks practically mothballed.

 

[Mr_Homn]

Greg please ignore the trolls and keep doing what you're doing! It's appreciated.

You've provided plenty of very cool never before seen photos of props and sets. I'm wondering, do you have any behind the scenes pictures that might contain glimpses of any crew members or cast that you could share with us?

Thanks again.

 

[Indysolo]

From the now closed thread:

I just came here to clear the air about a lot of misinformation about me...

And yet what are we getting? Posts about duping Paramount security, sneaking around sets and other things no reasonable person would do let alone share on a public message board. Reputations aren't given, they're earned, and not one story he's told has helped his cause, his reason for even posting here.

Neil