Starfleet Acadamy

[F. King Daniel]

I think a Starfleet Academy series could work brilliantly - just take the Smallville formula and apply it to Trek, with young versions of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest.

I would agree with the first part, but not the latter. A new cast of characters please, I never felt that Kirk, Spock McCoy and the others all went to (or were present at) the academy at the same time.

Rather than a prequel, I'd much prefer a new SFA series would be based on TOS, in the same way Smallville was based on Superman. Character ages would be modified.

George Takei lobbied against this during convention appearances at the time. He made it seem like it would have been a campy "Police Academy" sort of thing.

I'm sure he lobbied against it because it would have reduced his role (and salary) in Star Trek VI. Nothing wrong with protecting one's interests but I'm not sure he should be considered an unbiased source.

True, but it doesn't mean it still wouldn't have become a train-wreck if realized. He also didn't place the blame on Harve Bennett. He made it sound like the idea originated from Paramount upper-mangement who simply wanted to youngify the franchise.

HERE is a detailed review of that script, entitled Star Trek: The Academy Years.

 

[bbjeg]

I can't talk much because I too created a Starfleet Academy thread without searching for the few Starfleet Academy threads already created but a good deal has already been covered on the subject if you want to check the other threads out (search the Future of Trek and General forum for them).

An Academy show would be more of a character piece, focusing on their development and relationships, rather than aliens of the week or space battles, so they could get into some interesting storylines.

You'll still get those "field trip" episodes that go haywire or an emergency drafting season finale that would position our main characters in familiar Star Trek territories.

The reason I don't think they ever make these kind of series is because they stray too far from the Trek formula, and consequently become a financial gamble.

True, when people think of Star Trek, they think of trekking the stars, but the formula could still work if a portion of the cast weren't human, where the trek would be the transition to Starfleet life.

 

[TerraNovan]

An Academy show would be more of a character piece, focusing on their development and relationships, rather than aliens of the week or space battles, so they could get into some interesting storylines.

You'll still get those "field trip" episodes that go haywire or an emergency drafting season finale that would position our main characters in familiar Star Trek territories.

The reason I don't think they ever make these kind of series is because they stray too far from the Trek formula, and consequently become a financial gamble.

True, when people think of Star Trek, they think of trekking the stars, but the formula could still work if a portion of the cast weren't human, where the trek would be the transition to Starfleet life.

Id like to add, this is a highly competitive group of students. Thrill seeking stunts, like doing certain shuttle craft maneuvers could have a large part of the show.

Add to the great deal of research being done by any university and you still have a great deal of science plots that make a tone of sense. Actually it makes sense that many experimental ideas would be tried at a university before they would on a star ship.

Than there is recruitment politics. Admirals seeking young students for whatever missions one can think of. Fraternities offering the fast track to the captains seat etc.


This is ignoring that it is established that starfleet introduces scenarios to young students testing them as people. i.e. the orion syndicate offers a small moon to a student willing to give up federation secrets etc.

Students are in the midst of discovering conspiracies going on at starfleet hq etc.

 

[bbjeg]

...Add to the great deal of research being done by any university and you still have a great deal of science plots that make a tone of sense. Actually it makes sense that many experimental ideas would be tried at a university before they would on a star ship...

A transwarp testing episode would be interesting.

... Students are in the midst of discovering conspiracies going on at starfleet hq etc.

I'd rather the conspiracy come from an outside force like Section 31 or the Romulans (I'd also rather them do it in the 25th century but not reveal the status of Romulus or Vulcan).

 

[yenny]

I remember hearing rumours about the SFA series prior to ENT's debut, and that it would feature a gay character.

I think a Starfleet Academy series could work brilliantly - just take the Smallville formula and apply it to Trek, with young versions of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest.

The rumor goes way back before DS9.

 

[TerraNovan]

...Add to the great deal of research being done by any university and you still have a great deal of science plots that make a tone of sense. Actually it makes sense that many experimental ideas would be tried at a university before they would on a star ship...

A transwarp testing episode would be interesting.

... Students are in the midst of discovering conspiracies going on at starfleet hq etc.

I'd rather the conspiracy come from an outside force like Section 31 or the Romulans (I'd also rather them do it in the 25th century but not reveal the status of Romulus or Vulcan).

Well we never know which is why it could be so interesting.

Is it section 31, is it the romulans, is it other unknown races, is it simply a test from the admiral to see if one is really captain material.

Having such a vague conspiracy is great for creating a dynamic plot line.

Also the idea that a group of friends are trying to stick together despite giving options that would lead them to totally seperate assignments.

 

[bbjeg]

...Add to the great deal of research being done by any university and you still have a great deal of science plots that make a tone of sense. Actually it makes sense that many experimental ideas would be tried at a university before they would on a star ship...

A transwarp testing episode would be interesting.

... Students are in the midst of discovering conspiracies going on at starfleet hq etc.

I'd rather the conspiracy come from an outside force like Section 31 or the Romulans (I'd also rather them do it in the 25th century but not reveal the status of Romulus or Vulcan).

...
Is it section 31, is it the romulans, is it other unknown races, is it simply a test from the admiral to see if one is really captain material...

That would be an awesome twist if the conspiracy ends in a test.

 

[publiusr]

Didn't Harve Bennet pitch an Academy movie rather than ST VI?

I think he also once said something along the lines of not giving fans what they want, too. In a way--we got that with the JJ reboot.

Had that been done in the late 1980s...I wonder what it might have looked like, had ILM done the Kelvin with model effects...no CGI