BREAKING: Official Fan Film Guidelines Issued

[Amaris]

in fairness such a rule only deals with the current problem, it does nothing to stop future problems.

Yep. Once people realized they could get six and seven figure funding for a fan film, it was only a matter of time.

 

[wamdue]

Yep. Once people realized they could get six and seven figure funding for a fan film, it was only a matter of time.

from that POV, you see why they would put a length limit on the productions.

Obviously to get the big donations you need to be promising a 1 hour+ production, a limit of 45 minutes, should be enough to stop that. You would also need to limit campaigns to being for one episode at a time, with each 45 minute episode telling its own story.

Now realising that my post can be summed up as "CBS should allow fanfilms to produce TV style content, but not movie content"

 

[Amaris]

from that POV, you see why they would put a length limit on the productions.

Obviously to get the big donations you need to be promising a 1 hour+ production, a limit of 45 minutes, should be enough to stop that. You would also need to limit campaigns to being for one episode at a time, with each 45 minute episode telling its own story.

Now realising that my post can be summed up as "CBS should allow fanfilms to produce TV style content, but not movie content"

Exactly right about the motives behind Axanar and running a longer fan production. Running a series takes a serious cash investment, and if you're spending your hard earned money on a Star Trek fan film, you're probably not spending that same hard earned money on actual Star Trek productions. At least, that's what CBS/P must think when they see Kickstarters totaling well over a million dollars. The fact is, Axanar took it all on: for-profit studio, digital distribution system, merchandising, professional actors from actual Star Trek productions, a personal salary for the producer and other hired staff, and conventions for the fan production.

A small fan film, maybe a $50,000 budget, CBS could look the other way because it was peanuts and likely exclusive to a handful of people and a small subset of hardcore fans, but only a fool would believe CBS/P was going to ignore something the size of Axanar. It's clear, to me, that Axanar was in the business of making money, and the end result was going to be something designed to pull in as many people as possible. Axanar wanted to be a media content producer and distributor, and they wanted to do it with CBS/P's property. CBS needed to make certain no one else got the quick idea that there was a quick buck in doing the same thing, and so there had to be ground rules for everyone.

Now, the fan films we'll see will be that: fan films, and not major productions utilizing professional grade resources for something that doesn't belong to them. Does it hurt good fan productions who didn't try to cross over the line? Yes, and that's a shame, but CBS/P needed to assert their very real right to their own property.

In short, let CBS/P handle movies and TV series, and let fan films be the labors of love they purport to be, and not the semi-professional aspirations of people who should create something new if they want to play that game.

 

[The Lensman]

Yep. Once people realized they could get six and seven figure funding for a fan film, it was only a matter of time.

I remember the first time I saw a production (Renegades?) do a Kickstarter, I figured it was all over. I was surprised when Paramount didn't bring down the hammer. After that it seemed like everyone else started doing Kickstarters, IndiGoGo, etc and I figured it was all over and was surprised when Paramount didn't bring down the hammer.

It's clear, to me, that Axanar was in the business of making money,

Axanar was in the business of doing everything but making the movie. That's when Paramount brought down the hammer.

 

[Amaris]

I remember the first time I saw a production (Renegades?) do a Kickstarter, I figured it was all over. I was surprised when Paramount didn't bring down the hammer. After that it seemed like everyone else started doing Kickstarters, IndiGoGo, etc and I figured it was all over and was surprised when Paramount didn't bring down the hammer.



Axanar was in the business of doing everything but making the movie. That's when Paramount brought down the hammer.

Exactly. Axanar was all about the Axanar brand, ripped off of Star Trek and supported by a whole team of low level workers who weren't getting paid while the producer of the project was paying himself a salary, flying all around the world, and trying to raise even more money for a fan film that hadn't even been cast at that point. Yet while that was going on, Star Trek Continues, Renegades, New Voyages, and others were making fan films on 1/5th of Axanar's budget combined.

Remember, kids, we're going to start shooting any time! All we need is a(nother) locked script, a cast, new carpet, new phones, electrical upgrades, a new director, and so on. In the meantime, be sure to buy a bunch of our patches, posters, DVDs, ships, and coffee in the Axanar Shop Donor Store!

 

[The Lensman]

Exactly. Axanar was all about the Axanar brand, ripped off of Star Trek and supported by a whole team of low level workers who weren't getting paid while the producer of the project was paying himself a salary, flying all around the world, and trying to raise even more money for a fan film that hadn't even been cast at that point. Yet while that was going on, Star Trek Continues, Renegades, New Voyages, and others were making fan films on 1/5th of Axanar's budget combined.

Yep. That's one of the many things that annoys me about the Cult of Axanar. That while Alec was doing everything you listed, in that SAME timespan, how many films did NV, STC, Farragut, put out? Jesus, Horizon and Axanar started at the same time, and Tommy Kraft got his film done with far less resources and managed to put out a pretty damn good product.

Oh, I'm sure those idiots will say something like "but...those aren't of the same quality". Except the only thing we can gauge the quality on regarding Axanar is the FX and those were all space battles. Which is why I get pissed when the Cult says it's "true to Gene's vision" or some other statement about how this is the "real deal". They don't even know what the fucking story is aside from the war aspects.

While we would hopefully not descend to that gory level, remember that in all 50 years, we've seen people die in Trek in various gruesome ways, on screen! Strangled, stabbed, vaporised, and sucked out into space, all come to mind!

Don't forget the transporter accident from TMP and "what we got back didn't live long.....fortunately".

For me, that will always be the most gruesome death.

 

[Sgt_G]

While we would hopefully not descend to that gory level, remember that in all 50 years, we've seen people die in Trek in various gruesome ways, on screen! Strangled, stabbed, vaporised, and sucked out into space, all come to mind!

How about the two guys who were beamed down to the planet, except the ship wasn't in orbit over the planet anymore, in "And The Children Shall Lead".

 

[Tosk]

Strangled, stabbed, vaporised, and sucked out into space, all come to mind!

Blown.

 

[Amaris]

Yep. That's one of the many things that annoys me about the Cult of Axanar. That while Alec was doing everything you listed, in that SAME timespan, how many films did NV, STC, Farragut, put out? Jesus, Horizon and Axanar started at the same time, and Tommy Kraft got his film done with far less resources and managed to put out a pretty damn good product.

Oh, I'm sure those idiots will say something like "but...those aren't of the same quality". Except the only thing we can gauge the quality on regarding Axanar is the FX and those were all space battles. Which is why I get pissed when the Cult says it's "true to Gene's vision" or some other statement about how this is the "real deal". They don't even know what the fucking story is aside from the war aspects.

It is very frustrating. Alec Peters has absolutely nothing to show for a movie.

Prelude was funded by a different campaign for donations, and it was completed by a team of professionals who worked for free on the project. Once that was released, the movie should have already been under way, and here we are two years later, more than a million dollars in funding, and... nothing.

The Vulcan scene was filmed separately and not as a part of the actual film, and yet that's supposed to be proof. The trailers? Made to be trailers. The fact is that none of this has been filmed. Why? Because there is no cast! The work that had been done by Tobias Richter was all we saw, and none of that indicated that a film was in the works. So what was Alec Peters doing with all of that money? Instead of asking this very valid question, his supporters have been fiercely defending them. Granted, there are always sheep who will bleat in defense of the wolf's right to eat them, but it's far more annoying since these particular sheep have access to Facebook, and shitty opinion blog "news" articles in which to spew their ignorance at everyone else.

Honestly, I'm at the point where I want to see CBS/P eviscerate Axanar. I used to be a supporter, looked forward to the movie, but then it all started becoming clear what was going on, and then after the lawsuit we really found out how deep the shit was. I want them to excoriate that asshole and publicly shame him for what he's done to the fandom and fan film community.

Unfortunately, it seems, as usual, he's managed to frame it as a David Vs. Goliath issue instead of a "I stole their property and tried to make money off of it" issue, which is what it really is.

 

[Maurice]

I hate when people use Change.org for tedious shit that doesn't matter. This is a fan film.

+1 +1 +1 etc.

 

[The Lensman]

It is very frustrating. Alec Peters has absolutely nothing to show for a movie.

Prelude was funded by a different campaign for donations, and it was completed by a team of professionals who worked for free on the project. Once that was released, the movie should have already been under way, and here we are two years later, more than a million dollars in funding, and... nothing.

The Vulcan scene was filmed separately and not as a part of the actual film, and yet that's supposed to be proof. The trailers? Made to be trailers. The fact is that none of this has been filmed. Why? Because there is no cast! The work that had been done by Tobias Richter was all we saw, and none of that indicated that a film was in the works. So what was Alec Peters doing with all of that money? Instead of asking this very valid question, his supporters have been fiercely defending them. Granted, there are always sheep who will bleat in defense of the wolf's right to eat them, but it's far more annoying since these particular sheep have access to Facebook, and shitty opinion blog "news" articles in which to spew their ignorance at everyone else.

Honestly, I'm at the point where I want to see CBS/P eviscerate Axanar. I used to be a supporter, looked forward to the movie, but then it all started becoming clear what was going on, and then after the lawsuit we really found out how deep the shit was. I want them to excoriate that asshole and publicly shame him for what he's done to the fandom and fan film community.

Unfortunately, it seems, as usual, he's managed to frame it as a David Vs. Goliath issue instead of a "I stole their property and tried to make money off of it" issue, which is what it really is.

I'd like to believe it was "mission creep", but it has all the earmarks of a scam as well.

Sell the idea of a cool movie to friends / pro's using protected IP. This is the most important part because it's your escape valve. Make the "bait" to get the marks attention, a teaser or a prelude. Then hype the product: tout the level of professionalism involved, claim it be motion picture quality, release pictures of sets being built, etc. Then claim you need your own studio (even though offered the use of others sets either for free or reduced rent - Starbase Studios is free), hype up fact that after this film is complete you'll be renting out your brand new studio to other prodcutions.

Obscenely show the mark the real goal, your own studio. Keep on building and keep promising all that awesome stuff. Start offering merch like books, model kits and coffee. Take selfies on set, in new studio, make sure to get props in background for prop business. When IP owner starts paying attention go out of way to piss them off. Keep money rolling in, raise a million dollars. When IP owner threatens to sue, do everything in power to antagonize them. Wait for legal action to shut down production because IP owner is only concerned about you using their property, not about people who donated money to your new studio. Keep antagonizing IP holder and then push for a settlement so as to minimize any loss of cash.

Production is shut down and now with money in pocket wrap self in flag of Star Trek and proclaim to be boldly standing for the rights of Trekkies everywhere while Battle Hymn of Republic plays in background. Fans blame IP owner, scammer escapes largely unscathed. Mission accomplished.

As I said, I'd like to believe it was mission creep, I'd like to believe these guys started with the best intentions, but they did everything but make the movie. In the two years since it all began, they had no script, no cast, no nothing. Writers write, artists create, musicians play. They don't wait around, they don't wait for the tools they wished they had, they work with the tools they actually have. Tommy Kraft, James Cawely and quite a few other productions embody that. Hell, the cheapest Trek fan film on youTube embodies that. That's passion, that's love, that's drive. To make the film. Alec and Co. seemed to be more interested in the studio, the merch and everything but the film.

" I want them to excoriate that asshole and publicly shame him for what he's done to the fandom and fan film community."

There are not enough "likes" in the known universe to show how much I agree with that!

How about the two guys who were beamed down to the planet, except the ship wasn't in orbit over the planet anymore, in "And The Children Shall Lead".

I'd forgotten about that one! Yeah, as a kid I didn't give that one much thought. As an adult, that is pretty horrific and probably right behind the transporter accident. When you originally watch the episode, you're shocked when it's revealed those guys were beamed into space. Now, it's like you're aware of it right after they beam down even though the crew isn't. Amazing how something we don't even see is worse than most of the stuff we did!

 

[dmac]

The future for Star Trek fan Vignettes is hard to see from this vantage point.

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

Moved from the Axanar Lawsuit Thread:

I do hope I'm wrong but I can see a fan studio producing only vignettes, garner some 2,000 - 3,000 views in the 1st year. I can't speak for Vic or any others that invested a large sum of money into Star Trek fan films but I doubt it was to receive such little attention.

That 'is' a very good point.

So how, within the Guidelines, could a unified centralized web system, library listings and promoting if you will, be looked into to display them for a centralized easy perusing with links to their YouTube addresses. To bring a wider viewership to them. Maybe a wiki that is extensive in listings and blurbs to catch interest.

Wikis rely on multiple persons to enter information, right?

Or something along that line anyway. That under the Guidelines would not have advertising to see or click.

This 'might' be a workable idea new direction to explore for centralizing the info about them and how to find them. I would absolutely love to watch old, new, foreign, obscure fan films. I would love to have the opportunity to the the good ones as well as the 'ya gotta be kidding me' ones.

And expanding the viewership.

I know I find it frustrating to have to stumble on fan films to see them if I don't know their names or where to go to find them. Finding the big established power house ones are easy, but what about all the I'll bet thousand of one-off or short lived or foreign or otherwise obscure ones..... Thousands of them from everywhere around the world, all being listed in one library-ish place. That would be amazing to 'me'.

See where I'm going with this?

Perhaps it could become a segment of an established media like 1701 News (just throwing out stuff here). That has an advantage of also possibility bringing up their own readership. I mean 1701 might not work... but something 'could'.

'The Library of Fan Films Dedicated To Star Trek'

or some such. Just brain storming, certainly, but there maybe something to doing something like that.

 

[dmac]

I've ran a Facebook page for years (Star Trek Webisode Reports) it's intent is to post new releases from any studio that makes ST fan film episodes.

https://www.facebook.com/WebisodeRe...459030002734/1368812856467342/?type=3&theater

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

I've just come back from looking at it. I like it! I've bookmarked it.

Now I left FB quite a few years back so I'm as least pretty sure I'm limited in access to different areas there. And I can't sign in because I don't have a FB account, therefore I am unable to 'Like' it....... but this one, your FB...... I definitely would add my Like to it if I could.


So after looking at it I'm now thinking you might have some ideas on a How-To for a library-like place where all the thousands of ST fan films both great and small can be listed, blurbed, and linked to their YouTube addresses, yes?

 

[Sgt_G]

I don't have a FB account

Really? Wow. I don't feel so alone now.

 

[Amaris]

I'd like to believe it was "mission creep", but it has all the earmarks of a scam as well.

Sell the idea of a cool movie to friends / pro's using protected IP. This is the most important part because it's your escape valve. Make the "bait" to get the marks attention, a teaser or a prelude. Then hype the product: tout the level of professionalism involved, claim it be motion picture quality, release pictures of sets being built, etc. Then claim you need your own studio (even though offered the use of others sets either for free or reduced rent - Starbase Studios is free), hype up fact that after this film is complete you'll be renting out your brand new studio to other prodcutions.

Obscenely show the mark the real goal, your own studio. Keep on building and keep promising all that awesome stuff. Start offering merch like books, model kits and coffee. Take selfies on set, in new studio, make sure to get props in background for prop business. When IP owner starts paying attention go out of way to piss them off. Keep money rolling in, raise a million dollars. When IP owner threatens to sue, do everything in power to antagonize them. Wait for legal action to shut down production because IP owner is only concerned about you using their property, not about people who donated money to your new studio. Keep antagonizing IP holder and then push for a settlement so as to minimize any loss of cash.

Production is shut down and now with money in pocket wrap self in flag of Star Trek and proclaim to be boldly standing for the rights of Trekkies everywhere while Battle Hymn of Republic plays in background. Fans blame IP owner, scammer escapes largely unscathed. Mission accomplished.

As I said, I'd like to believe it was mission creep, I'd like to believe these guys started with the best intentions, but they did everything but make the movie. In the two years since it all began, they had no script, no cast, no nothing. Writers write, artists create, musicians play. They don't wait around, they don't wait for the tools they wished they had, they work with the tools they actually have. Tommy Kraft, James Cawely and quite a few other productions embody that. Hell, the cheapest Trek fan film on youTube embodies that. That's passion, that's love, that's drive. To make the film. Alec and Co. seemed to be more interested in the studio, the merch and everything but the film.

" I want them to excoriate that asshole and publicly shame him for what he's done to the fandom and fan film community."

There are not enough "likes" in the known universe to show how much I agree with that!



I'd forgotten about that one! Yeah, as a kid I didn't give that one much thought. As an adult, that is pretty horrific and probably right behind the transporter accident. When you originally watch the episode, you're shocked when it's revealed those guys were beamed into space. Now, it's like you're aware of it right after they beam down even though the crew isn't. Amazing how something we don't even see is worse than most of the stuff we did!

That sounds like precisely what happened. Granted, we're guessing a bit blind, but I think even looking at the way Alec Peters is behaving is evidence enough, at least, that he's purposely poking the bear to get this kind of reaction.

 

[BeatleJWOL]

One simple guideline (besides the unspoken ones) would have been sufficient: Alec Peters is forever banned from any participation whatsoever with any Star Trek project be it official or fan based.

If that's at all legally doable, it may come up in the lawsuit settlement and/or judgment.

Good idea though.

 

[dmac]

I've just come back from looking at it. I like it! I've bookmarked it.

Now I left FB quite a few years back so I'm as least pretty sure I'm limited in access to different areas there. And I can't sign in because I don't have a FB account, therefore I am unable to 'Like' it....... but this one, your FB...... I definitely would add my Like to it if I could.


So after looking at it I'm now thinking you might have some ideas on a How-To for a library-like place where all the thousands of ST fan films both great and small can be listed, blurbed, and linked to their YouTube addresses, yes?

http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/

 

[Ayelbourne]

Let's make a two-hour movie and speed it up so the whole thing plays in fifteen minutes.

The basic principle behind this idea isn't that bad, actually. Speeding up image and audio automatically makes it funny. Call it a parody and CBS can't do shit about it. At home, viewers can then use speed down at their leisure.