CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[Admiral Cain]

I really can't imagine how Propworx went bankrupt. As a business model, consignment auctioneering appears from the outside to be a fairly low risk endeavor. You don't have to buy any inventory, you do have marketing expenses like the auction catalogue and web stuff, but the customer pays for shipping and handling.

The biggest expense I would think is storage and labor costs to prep and run the auction. But it's not like Propworx was selling cars - so storage costs could be modest. Some of the most expensive items are smalls like jewelry. You could run this type of business out of your home. And Propworx ran some of its auctions with volunteer labor. How did he rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt?

 

[Search4]

I really can't imagine how Propworx went bankrupt. As a business model, consignment auctioneering appears from the outside to be a fairly low risk endeavor. You don't have to buy any inventory, you do have marketing expenses like the auction catalogue and web stuff, but the customer pays for shipping and handling.

The biggest expense I would think is storage and labor costs to prep and run the auction. But it's not like Propworx was selling cars - so storage costs could be modest. Some of the most expensive items are smalls like jewelry. You could run this type of business out of your home. And Propworx ran some of its auctions with volunteer labor. How did he rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt?

It is quite amazing actually.

 

[Franklin]

Yes, the attorneys have already been in communications (that's how the deal to extend the time to answer if production ceased came about). Have they talked settlement yet? I don't have an ear in that room of course, but it would not surprise me. It could be as informal as asking, "How much/what does it take to make this go away?" to the sides writing letters or emails.

It's possible a mediator or arbitrator would be brought in. The main difference between arbitration and mediation is that arbitration is more like a hearing. We would not necessarily be able to find out whether that was happening unless someone went public with that.

If a mediator or arbitrator is brought in, is the cost of that split between the parties, and if so, would this be an expense Peters would be expected to pay out of pocket?

 

[Tom]

It will all come out in the wash, as they say.

 

[cultcross]

Oh Alec, you can't have your cake and slam it into someone else's face too.

"They're targeting it because it's so good"

It doesn't exist yet! How hard is that to grasp? It's not even got a cast. Everything he's produced so far is people talking in front of green screen. Axanar doesn't exist.

It's like me saying that I don't like Star Trek 2017 because of the cinematography.

 

[feek61]

It's possible a mediator or arbitrator would be brought in. The main difference between arbitration and mediation is that arbitration is more like a hearing.

I believe that Arbitration is binding and mediation is not.

 

[JWPlatt]

...has anyone thought about Axanar-Gate, in terms of its future effects on possible Fan Films?

Yes, everyone.

 

[Mudd]

"They're targeting it because it's so good"

It doesn't exist yet! How hard is that to grasp? It's not even got a cast. Everything he's produced so far is people talking in front of green screen. Axanar doesn't exist.

It's like me saying that I don't like Star Trek 2017 because of the cinematography.

Except that you've actually seen a few disassociated seconds of Beyond's cinematography.

 

[Michael Hinman]

His reputation won't be any stronger for having violated copyright law and been on the receiving end of a major lawsuit. He can claim victory all he wants, but no billionaire investor or Hollywood mogul will buy it.

But the billionaire investors nor Hollywood moguls are who he's trying to reach. Instead, it's the average fan, willing to fork over some money in a fundraiser. What he's saying now is almost purely to keep that particular based mobilized, and prepared for the future.

I mean, for "true believers," they will see "man who tried to get Axanar produced but was stopped by two evil corporations" as a badge of honor, and throw money at whatever future project he puts together.

 

[Franklin]

"They're targeting it because it's so good"

It doesn't exist yet! How hard is that to grasp? It's not even got a cast. Everything he's produced so far is people talking in front of green screen. Axanar doesn't exist.

It's like me saying that I don't like Star Trek 2017 because of the cinematography.

With respect to "Errand of Mercy", the end could go something like this:

Erin Ranahan: Well, Alec, I guess that takes care of the movie. Obviously the CBS people aren't going to let you film.
Peters: A shame, Ms. Ranahan. It would have been glorious.

 

[Michael Hinman]

When is he DONE? When did he START? How many dudes in their 50s without a record of success is going to be hired by a major player in the movie industry? He can probably do some indy stuff that he or friends or others finance, but this isn't John Davis or Jerry Bruckheimer right? I mean other than someone who personally knows Rob Burnett or is a BIG Trek fan, who in Hollywood would even take his call? Is he a member of the producers guild? Has anyone ever paid him to produce a movie other than himself? What does he even KNOW about movie production? From all I have seen he decided to call himself a movie producer but I can't just decide to label myself an engineer and start building a bridge across a river.

"Hi, my name is Jay. I am an engineer and I want to build you a bridge. My experience? Well, I got people to donate to a bridge I was going to build. What happened with that? Well, I was sued because someone didn't like that I was going to build a bridge on their land. But really, the bridge they built on their land was ugly and MINE was going to be great. What? No, we didn't get to build it because they sued us for trespassing, which is dumb because they let someone else build a bridge and didn't sue them. But, whatever. They're haters. Still, we did set up some sweet engineering offices and--

Hello?
Hello?

I think we got disconnected."

Although I do think that even self-made producers can make a name for themselves. Except for one thing -- they have to actually produce something.

I mean, they have far more money than any fan film has ever had, yet I see finished projects (or near-finished projects) across the board for those fan films. And Peters hasn't even CAST this movie yet.

 

[Noname Given]

I'm surprised Axanar haven't accused Paramount of ripping them off, if this concept art of Beyond's USS Franklin is anything to go by

Oh please. If anything it looks more like a variation on the NX-01 from the 'Enterprise' Series:

 

[Michael Hinman]

Yes. He is done making films of any kind. He will go back to selling props, something he seems to actually know how to do.

Ummm ... (Chapter 7?)

 

[Kor]

Oh please. If anything it looks more like a variation on the NX-01 from the 'Enterprise' Series:

But you are expressing reason and common sense, things that Axanar does not seem to have in abundance.

Kor

 

[Michael Hinman]

So, on that thought, I did some quick research to see what Alec won his coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2003 (per Axanar's website). After all, his bio infers that starting five companies earned him such an honor. So, I visited Ernst & Young's Hall of Fame. First, he did win the award. But he did it in 2004. Minor error. I can live with that. But, his award is only for one of his companies named Auctionworks (really poor writing... not surprised), which he won for "Realizing Business Potential." I'm taking two things away from this: The first being it seems to me he can do well with auctions. Maybe he got in over his head with Propworks.

The second thing is: Alec really needs to stop utilizing "works" in his businesses.

E&P is a nice thing to have on your resume and such, but the selection process is not very extensive or really that meaningful. It's more of a nice way for E&Y to get its name out, and seem like it's reaching out to the business community (and mining potential clients).

 

[Count Zero]

It doesn't exist yet! How hard is that to grasp? It's not even got a cast. Everything he's produced so far is people talking in front of green screen. Axanar doesn't exist.

It exists in his mind and it's all real!

 

[cultcross]

It exists in his mind and it's all real!

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[Michael Hinman]

I really can't imagine how Propworx went bankrupt. As a business model, consignment auctioneering appears from the outside to be a fairly low risk endeavor. You don't have to buy any inventory, you do have marketing expenses like the auction catalogue and web stuff, but the customer pays for shipping and handling.

The biggest expense I would think is storage and labor costs to prep and run the auction. But it's not like Propworx was selling cars - so storage costs could be modest. Some of the most expensive items are smalls like jewelry. You could run this type of business out of your home. And Propworx ran some of its auctions with volunteer labor. How did he rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt?

And the funny thing is that now the Propworx storage issue is nil. There is this location where there also is a studio that seems perfect as a location for ... oh wait, it already is.

 

[Tom]

"They're targeting it because it's so good"

It doesn't exist yet! How hard is that to grasp? It's not even got a cast. Everything he's produced so far is people talking in front of green screen. Axanar doesn't exist.

It's like me saying that I don't like Star Trek 2017 because of the cinematography.

This

Both Prelude, and The Vulcan scene are both green screen and mostly all a showcase of Tobais Richter's amazing work and the professional actors who are involved. We will never know what could have been. The bridge set was starting to look cool I must admit, but we really don't know how the film would have turned out.

 

[Michael Hinman]

This

Both Prelude, and The Vulcan scene are both green screen and mostly all a showcase of Tobais Richter's amazing work and the professional actors who are involved. We will never know what could have been. The bridge set was starting to look cool I must admit, but we really don't know how the film would have turned out.

Why isn't "Horizon" being targeted if it's all about quality?