Bob Orci: Spoke with CBS about returning Trek To TV

[Franklin]

^^^^^^^^^
It's been years since I've seen that.

I've always wondered how many takes it took to get that scene.

On topic: I wonder if Orci has made a clean cut with fans, or if he lurks anywhere to see what he's wrought. I'd like to think he lurks, occasionally, and just snickers at what he reads.

 

[Harbinger]

Instead of rolling your eyes, maybe you should actually take a step back and look at what fandom has become over the last twenty years.

* Writers getting death threats over changes in a comic book.

* A writer who was called a 'faggot' and other unflattering names on his Facebook wall, on his fucking birthday.

* Fans who seem to get a perverse pleasure out of the misfortune of other fans:

http://www.trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=6638315&postcount=39

It's pretty sad how many in fandom act now. They act like they are some type of royalty and the people who make their entertainment are the collective piss boy.

Death threats need to be immediately reported to authorities. Bigoted fans should be removed/banned from the celebrities page. It can still be dealt with in a more civil manner than having said celebrity retaliate with comments that may make them look unprofessional. In fact, reporting threats and removing offenders is going to do far more damage to the offender than the celebrity saying "fuck you". Responding in such a manner is only going to add fuel to the fire because that's what trolls love. They're baiting people to stir the pot.

Again, I don't blame Orci for how he feels. I can understand he may have had a bad day and lashed out. It happens to the best of us and in a case such as his, I really don't look down at him for it. It's completely understandable in case. Some celebrities get very easily irked over Internet replies that aren't even the least bit insulting. That's not the case with Orci, however. Still, it's best to show some restraint. Doing so keeps Orci looking like the better man.

 

[BillJ]

^^^^^^^^^
It's been years since I've seen that.

I've always wondered how many takes it took to get that scene.

History of the World Part I is a classic. I love it!

 

[Harbinger]

^^^^^^^^^
It's been years since I've seen that.

I've always wondered how many takes it took to get that scene.

History of the World Part I is a classic. I love it!

It's good to be the king.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Though I'm still of the opinion that I want passionate people working on the franchise. I burned out of the "we're all very pleased" response whenever Berman turned out a shitty product.

You can be both passionate and keep your cool. They're not mutually exclusive concepts. Like said earlier, at least he was good enough to apologize for letting it get to him. Hopefully, he learned not to get into this kind of internet fight. There's nothing more boring than getting into an internet fight that only consists of "fuck yous".

 

[Commishsleer]

the main intent of the article is to blame the writers (Orci) and to point out every show Dickerson could think of where the writing was better.

No it wasn't. Here are the ONLY comments in the article directed at the writers:

A lot of critical barbs were aimed at the writers of Star Trek Into Darkness about the script and plot of the film. I won’t join in that chorus, because writing a multi-billion dollar film is something I have never had to do. The pressure must be IMMENSE, and there are many hoops that you have to jump through to produce a script for such a project.

...yet Orci still blew his lid over it : /

There's a big but on that though...
He was saying how good TV writers were compared with movie writers. The main point of the article that Star Trek should be back on TV with better writers (than Orci and Kurtman)
He said this after saying that at the Vegas convention the fans unanimously said that STID was the worst Star Trek movie ever.
While he didn't name Orci in particular it doesn't take Einstein to work out who he was talking about.

I actually don't have a problem with him criticizing the writing of the movies - thats obviously his opinion and he's entitled to it. He wasn't being disrespectful. I just don't like the lie by omission about the Vegas 'unanimous' vote.

I can understand why Orci might have been cheesed off because he got the criticism. Maybe not by just the article but the 300 wannabe comments

 

[Photoman15]

I am showing skepticism that he has any sort of basis for his opinion. If he can show me that Takei had previous experience as the lead actor on a TV series and failed to carry it off, I'd love to know about it. If not, where does he get any kind of evidence to base his opinion on?

U kidding? The only more wooden actor in FLASHBACK was GLW. He's a good 3rd banana, but would never be able to pull off a lead. And people say Shatner was bad? Shatner is actually a very good actor, but he's since been playing a parody of Shatner/Kirk, because it's popular. Look at Boston Legal.

 

[Timewalker]

I am showing skepticism that he has any sort of basis for his opinion. If he can show me that Takei had previous experience as the lead actor on a TV series and failed to carry it off, I'd love to know about it. If not, where does he get any kind of evidence to base his opinion on?

U kidding? The only more wooden actor in FLASHBACK was GLW. He's a good 3rd banana, but would never be able to pull off a lead. And people say Shatner was bad? Shatner is actually a very good actor, but he's since been playing a parody of Shatner/Kirk, because it's popular. Look at Boston Legal.

I agree that Grace Lee Whitney's performance was bad. Obviously I disagree with you about George Takei.

I didn't see the whole Boston Legal series, but thoroughly enjoyed what I did see (the TV died). But in all honesty, I was watching it more for James Spader.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Spader was utterly hot.

But Shatner.. he was like a wonderful present every single episode.

 

[Set Harth]

There's a big but on that though...

I like big buts.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

I'd rather he tell the shitty fans to fuck off. Just because they don't like something does give them the right to abuse the writers.

Agreed. They also need to get a life and learn about scriptwriting, and also about how media franchises are handled.

U kidding? The only more wooden actor in FLASHBACK was GLW. He's a good 3rd banana, but would never be able to pull off a lead. And people say Shatner was bad? Shatner is actually a very good actor, but he's since been playing a parody of Shatner/Kirk, because it's popular. Look at Boston Legal.

If Takei was so bad, then why was he the head of a Asian-American theatre group in LA for many years? Also, why was he in a lot of plays over his career (many of them not dinner theatre, either)?

 

[BillJ]

If Takei was so bad, then why was he the head of a Asian-American theatre group in LA for many years? Also, why was he in a lot of plays over his career (many of them not dinner theatre, either)?

Just because someone isn't lead material doesn't mean they aren't good actors.

 

[Noname Given]

If Takei was so bad, then why was he the head of a Asian-American theatre group in LA for many years? Also, why was he in a lot of plays over his career (many of them not dinner theatre, either)?

Why was he the head? probably because he DOES have name recognition; and that helps publicity wise in anything.

And just because he's not considered a great lead actor (for a TV series); it doesn't mean he's a bad actor. But to be honest, over the years, I think the name recognition from Star Trek has helped more than its hurt his career.

 

[Nerys Myk]

If Takei was so bad, then why was he the head of a Asian-American theatre group in LA for many years? Also, why was he in a lot of plays over his career (many of them not dinner theatre, either)?

Why was he the head? probably because he DOES have name recognition; and that helps publicity wise in anything.

And just because he's not considered a great lead actor (for a TV series); it doesn't mean he's a bad actor. But to be honest, over the years, I think the name recognition from Star Trek has helped more than its hurt his career.

He and Shatner managed to turn themselves into brands.

 

[JarodRussell]

Agreed. They also need to get a life and learn about scriptwriting, and also about how media franchises are handled.

Most scriptwriters I talked to don't think their scripts are well made.

 

[Nerys Myk]

How many of those scriptwriters have written films grossing in the millions of dollars?

 

[BillJ]

Agreed. They also need to get a life and learn about scriptwriting, and also about how media franchises are handled.

Most scriptwriters I talked to don't think their scripts are well made.

How many of those scriptwriters have written films grossing in the millions of dollars?

How would anyone know? The script is a blueprint, but many times what makes it to the screen is far different that what's on written on the page.

Does anyone have any draft that Orci, Kurtzman and Lindelof turned in to compare to what was on screen?

 

[Shazam!]

If the answer is 'no' are they therefore immune to criticism?

 

[BillJ]

If the answer is 'no' are they therefore immune to criticism?

No they aren't immune to criticism. But people should realize that they just didn't get to write the movie they wanted with no input from the studio or director.

Generally, I'm not a fan of Moore and Braga, but I'm sure not going to blame them for the train wreck that is Star Trek: Generations when multiple reports have it that they were essentially handed a checklist of things they needed to accomplish from the studio before ever writing a single-page.

Orci, Kurtzman and Lindelof were part of a much bigger puzzle and I'm not going to hang my opinion of the quality of Star Trek Into Darkness on them entirely, good or bad.

Which is why this comment...

Most scriptwriters I talked to don't think their scripts are well made.

...is non-sense.

Unless they're actually working with them or have access to the scripts before the studio and director alter them, they have no real idea about the quality of the scripts written.

 

[Nerys Myk]

If the answer is 'no' are they therefore immune to criticism?

No they arent. So, maybe you should retire that particular comeback, since no one is claiming they can't be criticized.

Success means something. Lindelof, Orci and Kurtzman are in demand as writers and producers. People like their work both in and outside the industry. That some anonymous screenwriters allegedly don't like their work doesn't mean much.