female characters in Star Trek Secret Voyage

[scienceguy]

The upcoming fan film, Star Trek Secret Voyage, will include several independent, intelligent female characters in leading roles. This is a welcome, long overdue departure from most fan films, which typically include perhaps one token female character and a few extras added for eye candy (or to serve coffee to the Captain).

And let's applaud the producers of Secret Voyage for not being afraid to have the female characters in TOS miniskirts. Some people believe that the miniskirts are sexist. But the reality is that most actresses would love to have the opportunity to portray an intelligent, independent doctor or scientist who isn't afraid to dress like a girl. Smart and sexy. It's a dream role for an actress.

 

[USS Intrepid]

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation. I could point out plenty of fanfilms that have strong, independent female characters. And don't feel a need to dress them like cheerleaders.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Miniskirts may look smart and sexy, but I think the turtlenecks and slacks worn by our cast are far more practical. For the upcoming episode, "The Night the Stars Fell from the Sky," I don't think miniskirts would've been comfortable for our female science officer while she was filming in the partially dry riverbed with all those bugs flying and crawling about. Hell, I wore shorts and was literally eaten alive even though I was running the camera from 25' above on an observation deck.

 

[scienceguy]

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation. I could point out plenty of fanfilms that have strong, independent female characters. And don't feel a need to dress them like cheerleaders.

I confess it was a sweeping generalization, and perhaps I was being a bit unfair. I know there are exceptions and I should have pointed that out.

But I don't equate miniskirt uniforms with "dressing them like cheerleaders". I believe the cheerleader perception has more to do with casting and character development than wardrobe. The problem with TOS and some fan films is the female characters are given secondary status (yes, that's a generalization). And if the women happen to be wearing miniskirts, the uniform is perceived as an eye candy device, and hence the "cheerleader" perception.

But the audience would have a much different perception of the miniskirt uniform if they saw more strong independent women wearing it. The TOS miniskirt uniform is very attractive.

 

[USS Intrepid]

Regardless of how any of us may personally view the miniskirt, it's hardly a practical piece of clothing for a military officer.

Looks nice though.

 

[The Trekster]

Yeah. It's like how Seven of Nine wore heels. Seriously? The one woman on the ship in heels is the former borg? How is that efficient?

 

[scienceguy]

Regardless of how any of us may personally view the miniskirt, it's hardly a practical piece of clothing for a military officer.

Looks nice though.

Yes, it looks nice! We all agree on that.

But seriously, on board the ship, I don't see why it would be impractical. It's more like an office environment, and plenty of modern professional women wear skirts to the office. Of course, the TOS miniskirt is more revealing than typical 2012 office attire. But since Trek takes place in the future, why can't we imagine that miniskirts will someday be perfectly acceptable as professional office attire?

I'm sure if people who lived in the 1800s could see what women wear to the office in 2012, they would be shocked. So maybe we're a little surprised by the sight of a future military officer in a miniskirt. But isn't that the fun of it?

 

[USS Intrepid]

I don't think you'd find many currently serving female naval officers who would advocate such a uniform choice. For instance, look at the leaked shot of Zoe Saldana from the recent Star Trek shoot. To me, it looks silly and sexist. Your mileage may vary.

 

[scienceguy]

I don't think you'd find many currently serving female naval officers who would advocate such a uniform choice. For instance, look at the leaked shot of Zoe Saldana from the recent Star Trek shoot. To me, it looks silly and sexist. Your mileage may vary.

You make some good points and I'm enjoying the discussion.

I realize that most current 2012 female naval officers would never wear a mini skirt uniform. But we're talking about the future. And I'm sure you realize if any woman alive in 1880 were to travel forward to 2012, she would think that the uniforms women wear today are obscene. In 1880, no respectable woman would be caught dead wearing anything that women wear today. But times change and attitudes change. And that's the fun in creating fictional characters from the future. We can be creative.

It's not as though these uniforms are offensive. It's just a mini skirt. They're not running around naked. I agree there is plenty of sexism in Trek, but it's mainly due to casting and character development, not wardrobe choices.

 

[Captain Atkin]

The upcoming fan film, Star Trek Secret Voyage, will include several independent, intelligent female characters in leading roles. This is a welcome, long overdue departure from most fan films, which typically include perhaps one token female character and a few extras added for eye candy (or to serve coffee to the Captain).

And let's applaud the producers of Secret Voyage for not being afraid to have the female characters in TOS miniskirts. Some people believe that the miniskirts are sexist. But the reality is that most actresses would love to have the opportunity to portray an intelligent, independent doctor or scientist who isn't afraid to dress like a girl. Smart and sexy. It's a dream role for an actress.

I'm really at a loss to understand why this post was even made. It tells me nothing about the female characters in the film. It comes across as a bit of a put down to other fan films. I've seen plenty of strong women in Star Trek fan films over the years. Just yesterday I saw a new series where the Captain was a woman (who happened to wear pants). Saying that it is "a dream role for an actress" is a bit much. Somehow, I just can't see Helen Mirren banging on her agent's door for the chance to wear a TOS miniskirt in a fan film. Criticizing other fan films for having female characters that are nothing more than "eye candy", while promoting the fact the Secret Voyage has the female characters all wearing miniskirts, seems to be a bit contradictory.

Not every actress would dream about having the opportunity to wear a TOS miniskirt. I love TOS miniskirts as much as the next guy. But c'mon... how many scientists and doctors do you know who would want to "dress like a girl" at work? Most women that I know would prefer to dress like professional women at work.

 

[USS Intrepid]

Well from a purely practical viewpoint, I'm not sure these make any sort of sense. But you do make interesting points. That said, I don't think the producers had any agenda other than portraying the female cast as sex objects.

I'm also not sure the 1800s to 2000s argument is entirely applicable. Yes, womens' (and mens' for that matter) dress styles have become much freer, but military dress, while certainly less restrictive and ornate, has never drifted outside the bounds of a certain formality and/or practicality. And I can't see any particularly compelling reason why it should, regardless of the tastes and styles of the day.

But like I said, your mileage may vary.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Ted Sturgeon once told me he'd fought for the mini-skirts for Star Trek, and Robert Bloch confirmed that. LOL

Honestly, I don't know the point of the original post regarding females in general. I really can't address non-TOS fan films' casts, but about 40% of Potemkin's cast is female. The same's true for Farragut if my math is right. Phase2 is simply following the original series' characters, so they're not really able to do much in terms of their regular characters. But their guest stars are often female.

The point that they're emphasizing "strong females" seems to be shot down in flames by the fascination with the TOS miniskirts. Sure, strong females can dress sexy. But I think practicality is far more important than flashing one's thighs, even on the bridge.

 

[GSchnitzer]

The upcoming fan film, Star Trek Secret Voyage, will include several independent, intelligent female characters in leading roles. This is a welcome, long overdue departure from most fan films, which typically include perhaps one token female character and a few extras added for eye candy (or to serve coffee to the Captain).

And let's applaud the producers of Secret Voyage for not being afraid to have the female characters in TOS miniskirts. Some people believe that the miniskirts are sexist. But the reality is that most actresses would love to have the opportunity to portray an intelligent, independent doctor or scientist who isn't afraid to dress like a girl. Smart and sexy. It's a dream role for an actress.

Well, I think intelligent and independent women *can* also be sexy. I'm just afraid that with miniskirts as the standard Trek costume, these intelligent and independent women *must be* sexy, too.

We have to be careful not to conflate strong, intelligent, independent women with sexiness. I think, for example, that Kathy Bates could portray a wonderfully interesting starship captain; but I'm not sure that getting to wear a 1960s miniskirt is indeed a dream role for her.

 

[T'Bonz]

As a woman who wore minis in the early 1970s, while they were great for the guys and getting male attention, they were inconvenient. One always had to be careful walking up stairs, bending, reaching, etc. And that was back in the day when women wore underwear that covered the butt, not the thongs than many wear today.

Slacks all the way, baby! Once the rule in school back then requiring skirts or dresses was revoked, I grabbed blue jeans and never looked back.

Short skirts are nice for clubbing or dates or whatever, but otherwise are a nuisance, at least for this woman.

But since Trek takes place in the future, why can't we imagine that miniskirts will someday be perfectly acceptable as professional office attire?

I'm sure if people who lived in the 1800s could see what women wear to the office in 2012, they would be shocked. So maybe we're a little surprised by the sight of a future military officer in a miniskirt. But isn't that the fun of it?

 

[scienceguy]

As a woman who wore minis in the early 1970s, while they were great for the guys and getting male attention, they were inconvenient. One always had to be careful walking up stairs, bending, reaching, etc. And that was back in the day when women wore underwear that covered the butt, not the thongs than many wear today.

Slacks all the way, baby! Once the rule in school back then requiring skirts or dresses was revoked, I grabbed blue jeans and never looked back.

Short skirts are nice for clubbing or dates or whatever, but otherwise are a nuisance, at least for this woman.

So are we still on for Saturday night? I'll pick you up at 8. And for heaven's sake, wear a skirt.

 

[lennier1]

Well, I think intelligent and independent women *can* also be sexy. I'm just afraid that with miniskirts as the standard Trek costume, these intelligent and independent women *must be* sexy, too.

Call me old-fashioned, but in the end it's the personality which makes a woman sexy, be it real life or mere characters the screen. Like Risha Denney's Elizabeth Shelby on Hidden Frontier. A strong intelligent woman who also isn't afraid to show her emotions and her caring side.
My main problem with some productions is when female cast members seem like eye candy rather than a normal part of the crew, but we're not in the social dark ages anymore and many people at least try to avoid that trap (e.g., during TNG's original run someone discovered a lone brain cell in some producer's office and they finally started to treat Deanna Troi as a normal officer).

 

[USS Intrepid]

Well, I think intelligent and independent women *can* also be sexy. I'm just afraid that with miniskirts as the standard Trek costume, these intelligent and independent women *must be* sexy, too.

Call me old-fashioned, but in the end it's the personality which makes a woman sexy, be it real life or mere characters the screen. Like Risha Denney's Elizabeth Shelby on Hidden Frontier. A strong intelligent woman who also isn't afraid to show her emotions and her caring side.
My main problem with some productions is when female cast members seem like eye candy rather than a normal part of the crew, but we're not in the social dark ages anymore and many people at least try to avoid that trap (e.g., during TNG's original run someone discovered a lone brain cell in some producer's office and they finally started to treat Deanna Troi as a normal officer).

Indeed. As much as I love TNG, it still annoys me when watching an episode such as Qpid, to see the boys fighting with swords and staffs, while Crusher and Troi are relegating to hitting the bad guys over the head with pottery.

Blech. I was so glad when that changed.

 

[Newtrek]

This is some great dialogue. I appreciate the information and questions that come up about our upcoming webseries Star Trek Secret Voayge. Here are a few interesting facts about the female charactures.
1. We have 3 very strong female leads in our cast, we believe these charactures will both engage and challenge viewers.
2. We agree that while the mini-skirts are cool 60s cocktail dresses, they are indeed less utilitarian and effective in the field. This is why we have altered the panty to a short coming just beneath the hem of the skirt. This we feel will allow our female charactures to really kick tail without exposing their own.
3. We fully support and admire all the great fan films out their and the creative ways they have used both women and equality within the world of Star Trek.
Stay Bold my Friends.

http://www.photoshop.com/users/cfsh...0cf2c4e/view#ba075031a4e5446fbef635df2cbe7b08


Visit our facebook page for more information.
http://www.facebook.com/notificatio...pages/Star-Trek-Secret-Voyage/186558761372355

 

[scienceguy]

Although I started this thread, I should make it clear that I am not affiliated with Star Trek Secret Voyage in any manner. My knowledge of Secret Voyage is based on their website, facebook page, forum postings, etc.

I realize some of you disagreed with statements I made earlier in this thread. That's fine, that's why we have forums. But please don't interpret my statements as representing the producers of Secret Voyage. My intention was to praise their efforts, but I never intended to speak on their behalf.

 

[T'Bonz]

So are we still on for Saturday night? I'll pick you up at 8. And for heaven's sake, wear a skirt.

It would serve you right.