Sorry you guys are so put upon. Lucky for us, Continues just posted this video on their Facebook page. The first of three "before and after" scenes from "Fairest of Them All," showcasing the original raw footage and cut of a scene vs. the final cut of the scene:
The interesting thing about the raw footage is that this is how events aboard the Enterprise would 'really' sound if they were actual events (except for someone yelling "doors!", of course ). Not quite as dramatic and urgent, is it? It really highlights how much music and sound effects add to the final presentation.
And actually recording sound separately and having a sound mixer to properly edit it all together, a consistently disappointing element most fan films don't seem to be able to get a handle on.
The one common theme in all STC episodes is an attempt on their part to build upon the existing TOS foundation, fleshing out pieces that called out for more development. As such, I expect we'll see the Romulan Commander. Well, I hope we do, and that we finally find out what her name is.
To me that's not really continuing TOS. "Lolani" felt the most like a genuine TOS episode because it had only a bit of an idea from the original series and then did something new. Episodes 1 and 3 were not really continuing TOS as it most likely would have been done because STC was revisting past events and characters. Those were really genuine fanfic albeit well done. Lolani wasn't Vina (as an Orion slave girl) or Marta (from "Whom Gods Destroy"). She was a wholly new character based on a previously introduced idea. Zaminhon and Commodore Gray were also wholly new characters. They really took the high road with this episode and gave us a story that's rather easy to accept as something TOS could possibly have done during its run or in a potential fourth season.
Yea Lolani was the only 'new' concept as the others revisited past episodes, which is nice, but end ups being a generic fan thing to do. Which is in particular why I like NEW VOYAGES/PHASE II. They may have actors and actresses reprise their roles, but they try to tell a new story and/or bring scripts mentioned but never filmed.
I don't know how you can say that about Phase II, which has been mottled by endless crossovers, inferences, callbacks, and kitchen sink fanwankery at previously established shows/films in every single production they've put out. I do commend the production for it's consistent attempts and successes in producting beloved stories by fandom that might otherwise not see the light the day, but the way Phase II has done so is far and away almost the diametric opposite of how Continues produces theirs.
As per the other comments about callbacks, it's less that I want to revisit that specific character than hope they create and cast an adversarial character with the passion/charisma of a Colicos or Linville (or Combs or Armstrong). I assume there might be other un-named female Romulan commanders . Ditto for not re-doing Spectre Of The Gun, but rather something with that aesthetic.
They both callback characters, they both callback situations. To match the original story present in Lolani, Phase II can boast World Enough And Time, which is practically an original story, Excelsior appearance aside, and Blood and Fire, which, while an old script reworked, has no real story shoutouts except Sec 31 and Yar (both minor) and Peter Kirk (who's practically a new character anyway). Meanwhile Enemy: Starfleet has even less callbacks (one old actor and the Cage uniforms for the Eagle at a stretch). That would, I think, make them proportionally about equalling Continues in terms of fanwank vs original content when you consider the fanwank present in their first three outings and several others. Ultimately, though, both seem predominantly aimed at bringing back older characters and explaining gaps (Phase II's collection seems pretty clear, Kitumba especially - though The Holiest Thing and Bread and Savagery look set to continue that trend - and Continues has already had the Mirror Universe, Holodecks, Counselors and Apollo in a direct sequel). I really can't see, from where I'm sat, how the two's respective MO's are so different. The means they are achieved by are slightly different, but the goal - continuations of original Trek with the original characters via a bunch of fannish reference-filled episodes, including actors - seems practically identical. And frankly, as a fan, I say yay to both (though I've generally preferred Phase II's output so far, for various reasons). Fanwank belongs with fans, and fans do it best (considering the real deal can't get away with all that much all that often).
I see a huge difference between the two productions, particularly in terms of overall execution. I watch STC and I can easily imagine the original TOS cast in those stories. I can't say that about Phase II. Despite occasional callouts to things beyond TOS I find STC is far more subtle about it to the point of being largely unobtrusive. I find watching Phase II is like going through a checklist.
The folks at STC remind me somewhat of Canadian SF author Robert J. Sawyer. Robert has a business background that he put to use when he decided he wanted to write SF for a living. It's evident in the way he promotes himself. We're friends on Facebook at often enough he posts about the conventions and events he attends as well as interviews and awards he's received. That's beside his own personal interests. He makes a point of making sure his name is out there and interacts with others. And all of that on top of averaging a new SF novel every year since he began in the early to mid '90s (he missed this past year because his brother passed away). It helps, of course, that he's a good writer and deserves his accolades. In like manner STC interacts with their fan base such as on Facebook and message boards like the TrekBBS. They issue progress updates of their ongoing productions including behind-the-scenes videos and gag reels as well as interviews and convention events. All of that keeps them prominent in fans' minds to hold them over until each next release. It's actually a smart thing to do given how easily one can be eclipsed and forgotten the day after tomorrow. Of course, it helps that they make decent productions.
But oddly enough, Starship Exeter didn't indulge in so much goosing and still their fanbase followed them...and built progressively over time...
It's a matter of opinion. There are other SF writers who don't agree with what Sawyer does in self promotion. They feel it somewhat unseemly and that the work should speak for itself. Then again some of them might simply begrudge Sawyer's success.
After a while this gets to be a tastes great-less filling, candy mint-breath mint, floor wax-desert topping kind of argument. The bottom line is that fans have two ongoing efforts and can enjoy both without having to choose. Here's to both continuing and spurring each other on to greater results. Comparing "Kitumba" and "Fairest" to "STID" leaves no doubt that the true spirit of Trek lives on and not in the hands of the "professionals".