Working on STTNG

[Tosk]

do you have any behind the scenes pictures that might contain glimpses of any crew members or cast that you could share with us?

All things considered, I'd be surprised if he did.

Greg, I don't know you so I apologize if I have judged you unfairly thus far. You can surely understand how this whole thing looks. Out of curiosity, what company did you work for back in your FX days? And what props or effects did you work on in your time at TNG?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I like hearing all the tales of skullduggery. I'm so used to hearing reverent behind the scenes stories it's interesting to hear more sordid tales. It'd surely be less compelling otherwise.

 

[Amaris]

I like hearing all the tales of skullduggery. I'm so used to hearing reverent behind the scenes stories it's interesting to hear more sordid tales. It'd surely be less compelling otherwise.

I much prefer positive stories. I get that negative actions take place behind the scenes, but I don't really care for them. It's why I love bloopers and outtakes, because it's usually in the spirit of silliness and fun. The backbiting and such? Definitely not a fan, myself.

 

[Mr_Homn]

Personally, I don't care if it's silly, sordid, or skullduggery. If it's a photo or story about something behind the scenes of Star Trek, I'd love to find out about it. Any little tidbit adds to the rich history of Star Trek that we wouldn't hear otherwise. This is the most interesting thread on this forum right now.

 

[Amaris]

Personally, I don't care if it's silly, sordid, or skullduggery. If it's a photo or story about something behind the scenes of Star Trek, I'd love to find out about it. Any little tidbit adds to the rich history of Star Trek that we wouldn't hear otherwise. This is the most interesting thread on this forum right now.

The photos have definitely made it more engaging.

 

[Maurice]

That not everything built for The Black Hole was destroyed is demonstrated by test footage shot for TRON, which features repainted Sentry Robots and their distinctive twin blasters from that film. I seem to recall reading (maybe on RPF) that one of the big Cygnus models was wrecked when a truck or forklift backed into the crate containing it.

 

[SeerSGB]

Personally, I don't care if it's silly, sordid, or skullduggery. If it's a photo or story about something behind the scenes of Star Trek, I'd love to find out about it. Any little tidbit adds to the rich history of Star Trek that we wouldn't hear otherwise. This is the most interesting thread on this forum right now.

The photos have definitely made it more engaging.

The photos have been interesting, the antics relayed in the stories not so much.

That not everything built for The Black Hole was destroyed is demonstrated by test footage shot for TRON, which features repainted Sentry Robots and their distinctive twin blasters from that film. I seem to recall reading (maybe on RPF) that one of the big Cygnus models was wrecked when a truck or forklift backed into the crate containing it.

Fate of the Cygnus?

One of the two models were completely destroyed filming the story's ending sequences. The other model went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York for a time after filming. It's fate since then remains a mystery.

"According to an ex-Disney employee, the model was stored in a crate in the 'Boneyard', where old props and such are stored on the Disney lot. It was rained on a great deal, and, one day, smashed to pieces by a poorly-driven forklift which accidentally backed into the crate. Pieces of the model were taken by various folks as souveniers."

So destroyed by incompetence and not by order--it seems

 

[Amaris]

Ah, gross incompetence; where would we be without thee?

 

[Robert Comsol]

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.

I won't dispute any of that - but I'm having second thoughts when the moment comes that the studio abandons and discards such items.

There is this story of this studio archivist (I apologize for not remembering the details) who had been ordered (!) to destroy the tapes for a soundtrack or some rolls of film. The archivist just couldn't do it and hid the stuff elsewhere in the studio's vaults. Nowadays, the studio suddenly needed the stuff for a remastered music or home video release and the archivist suddenly became some kind of hero.

In general all these prop auctions in recent years constitute quite a paradigm shift in contrast to the studios' original and short-sighted throw-away-mentality. And I'd dare to say that the demand for items that re-appeared in collectors homes (and not on the landfill site) played its part in this paradigm shift to some extent.

Or in some cases, to the prop and model builders who were paid to create them.

Absolutely!

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 opportunity to get it.

I apologize but I have to take the issue to another extreme end to illustrate what we are talking about:

By the same standards how were our museums ever entitled to open Egyptian graves and apprehend their contents? I'd say that within our collective consciousness we tend to justify such grave robbing as long as that stuff is rather accessible to the public than abandoned.

The thing I don't like is that the studios seem to have a tendency rather to sell than to donate. A lot of museums worldwide have the problem that they don't have the budget to compete with wealthy collectors. At least, the auctions give them a choice, but practically a lot of good stuff is ending up behind the closed doors of wealthy collectors.

Bob

 

[Robert Comsol]

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.

Yes, when I visited the TNG studio sets in February 1988 it was a somewhat disillusioning experience.

A lot of set detail doesn't look too great when examined close-up.

The moment the panel lights come on and once the set is properly illuminated the magic of make-believe kicks in.

My appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work increased exponentially after I had seen the actual sets in their normal "daylight" condition (and flashlight photography rather makes these look worse, but you can see interesting details, like the chair in Data's room, you wouldn't be able to notice under normal conditions).

Bob

 

[Green Shirt]

One thing I've learned in this forum is that it's no use railing against those you don't see eye-to-eye with on any hotly debated issue - especially if you're in the minority.

To those (like me) who aren't impressed with cute stories or pretty pictures from someone who rubs you the wrong way - say your peace, let it go, and let them have their fun.

 

[Search4]

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.

Wow, that's a closeup of the real thing!
Bob

You know, i never did a screen-match before but boy, that does match perfectly. Thank you for doing the homework!

I was greatly concerned that when they "HD'd" the shows they would HD my models out of existence. Really happy to see they did not!

 

[JD5000]

I'm surprised at the negative reactions to these stories. One man's 'theft' is another man's 'salvage' I suppose. I'm in the latter camp. Once something's headed for the landfill, it's fair game.

 

[treknician1701]

First off, cross posting from a closed thread is a NO-NO!

You know, with the same couple of people constantly coming here to complain about my stories, I'm not really motivated to continue. This is what shut down the other thread about the video, and I don't really see what all the fuss is about. There is no POSITIVE side to my stories, not even the ones that involve my work on the show, and meeting the stars. Everyone that I have met in Hollywood are totally different in person that the people they pretend to be on camera, and in public. I thought that Marina was the nicest person that I ever met, but one day, when Edward and I were on the one of the sound stages, eating some breakfast from the large table of food that the catering companies always had on set, Marina came up and looked at Ed, who was about 385 at that time, and started saying the most hurtful god-awful things to him. Ed was so hurt that he started crying and left the set, and I just looked after Marina. I wanted to say something, but I didn't. When I saw her on the news, crying over Gene's death, I just thought, what a bunch of fake tears, a drama queen that she is! I never felt the same way about her.

Anyway, I need some time to think.

Greg Stone

 

[treknician1701]

That not everything built for The Black Hole was destroyed is demonstrated by test footage shot for TRON, which features repainted Sentry Robots and their distinctive twin blasters from that film. I seem to recall reading (maybe on RPF) that one of the big Cygnus models was wrecked when a truck or forklift backed into the crate containing it.

Remind me to comment only on things that I know for a FACT, and not some gossip that was heard thru the industry, as you can see, it will only get you flamed from all sorts of directions.

 

[TheSeeker]

You'll need to grow a thicker skin if you think that's flaming.

 

[JD5000]

Don't get discouraged because of a few disparaging comments. I think more people are enjoying this than not, and those that aren't have every right not to follow this thread. I think people in general are just more likely to voice negative opinions than positive ones.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I would be interested in hearing first hand accounts from the (then) kid that mopped the break room! I think we're lucky that you're willing and able to provide these stories. People are maybe forgetting that they are directly from the unedited perspective of a real person.

 

[TheSeeker]

Don't get me wrong, the stories are entertaining, it's just that most of them seem to center around making off with studio property.

 

[Timby]

That not everything built for The Black Hole was destroyed is demonstrated by test footage shot for TRON, which features repainted Sentry Robots and their distinctive twin blasters from that film. I seem to recall reading (maybe on RPF) that one of the big Cygnus models was wrecked when a truck or forklift backed into the crate containing it.

Remind me to comment only on things that I know for a FACT, and not some gossip that was heard thru the industry, as you can see, it will only get you flamed from all sorts of directions.

You aren't being flamed. You aren't being trolled. You're posting stories and photos, some of which are of a dubious nature (no, Star Trek UrbEx is not going to go down in history as an essential component of the historical record), and people are calling them as they see them -- some think they're cool, some are finding flaws in your stories.

Starting a thread does not make it your own personal appreciation station.

You have already threatened one poster and mentioned lawyers in another. If you want to have a long and illustrious posting career here, I strongly suggest you stop doing so much to get noticed by the administration, because you are most certainly on my radar, and any further funny business like that, or complaining that people aren't falling over themselves to thank you for your photographs, will not be smiled fondly upon.

 

[Borjis]

started saying the most hurtful god-awful things to him. Ed was so hurt that he started crying and left the set, and I just looked after Marina. I wanted to say something, but I didn't. When I saw her on the news, crying over Gene's death, I just thought, what a bunch of fake tears, a drama queen that she is!

I've never met Marina, but after seeing most of her behind the scenes interviews, I get the impression she is a drama queen.