Homemade documentary on TNG sets in 1988

[treknician1701]

8 hours a day, which actually came down to about 5 hours, since we had to be at the place by 5:00AM, but didn't head out to pick up trash on the freeways until 9:00AM, and then got off by noon or 1:00PM.
5 days a week for two weeks. and 1 year probation. So, after that, I'm clean!

No word back yet on who had complained. As was said before, we know is was NOT the studio, and I highly doubt that it was Neil. I was thinking Ralph, but the chances of him just happening upon this site, and that subject, is pretty far fetched by itself. I am leaning towards a knee jerk reaction to the subject matter, and you know how I feel about censorship, and my first amendment rights to free speech!
I find it strange that none of the other 8 or 9 forums that I had posted that story had any problem with the content, nor did they get any warnings.

Most strange.

Greg Stone

 

[Indysolo]

...you know how I feel about censorship, and my first amendment rights to free speech!

"I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Bailey, when this becomes a democracy."

 

[treknician1701]

Last time I checked, this IS a democracy, of course not according to the GOP!

 

[BillJ]

Last time I checked, this IS a democracy, of course not according to the GOP!

Pretty sure he was referring to this message board not the U.S. in general.

 

[Indysolo]

Last time I checked, this IS a democracy, of course not according to the GOP!

Pretty sure he was referring to this message board not the U.S. in general.

And getting in a Trek quote at the same time, so it was on topic (even if it wasn't a TNG quote).

 

[Tom]

It's really funny, because all of the TREK stuff still says "CBS" and also "Viacom"! on the copyright. I thought that Viacom was no more, and that CBS was the only person in charge. How ironic is that? CBS turned down Star Trek originally, because they were developing "Lost in Space", and you KNOW that any single TV network cannot have TWO scifi series, right? Hehehehehehe

Greg Stone

CBS own all of Star Trek. Paramount Studios, as currently owned by Viacom, has a contract with CBS for exclusive movie rights. So the films may have a joint CBS/Viacom copyright label. Also some of the older labels 2006 to 2010 could still have a joint Viacom/CBS listed on them (before that Paramount/Viacom) . Thing is, beyond merchandising, CBS on their own, has not really made any new Star Trek productions since 2005 (re-mastering does not count) , if they did you would not see Viacom listed on it. I can assure you of that.

 

[MikeS]

This is a fascinating thread. Unfortunately I have not seen this video so I cannot comment on it directly. I'm sure that had I had a similar opportunity to visit the set of TNG I would most certainly have taken it (being very careful to avoid accidents!) regardless of the legality.

Thanks for reminding me about Guy Varderman - I remember reading an interview with him sometime during the first season. Did he stay on until the end of TNG?

Just a couple of questions about your claims to have worked on TNG...

Truth be told, I actually worked for the first three years, from 86 to 89, and left to work on the James Bond film "License to Kill". I worked in various movies and TV for 13 years, ending up with "Lethal weapon 4".


When I think of other things, I will post it here.

Greg Stone

You state that you were on set whilst Majel and Marina were naked? Was that during the third season? Surely the actresses were actually covered up "out of shot"?

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

Kind regards.

 

[SpHeRe31459]

It's really funny, because all of the TREK stuff still says "CBS" and also "Viacom"! on the copyright. I thought that Viacom was no more, and that CBS was the only person in charge. How ironic is that? CBS turned down Star Trek originally, because they were developing "Lost in Space", and you KNOW that any single TV network cannot have TWO scifi series, right? Hehehehehehe

Greg Stone

FYI: The Viacom name still exists, the Viacom we knew before 2005 doesn't though.

Viacom now is basically just Paramount Studios, and all the MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Comdedy Central, Nickelodeon, etc).

After the restructuring in 2005, CBS Studios owns the TV shows.

However it gets tricky whenever there are characters that appear in both Trek films and TV shows, in that case they are cross-licensed to both companies. So you'll see "CBS/Viacom" on the TOS and TNG characters because they were in both movies and TV. Since DS9, VOY and ENT never had their own movie runs, they generally won't have the co-branding.

EDIT: I see Tom beat me to this as I was typing my message.

 

[SpHeRe31459]

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

FYI: He said he ended his Hollywood career with Lethal Weapon 4 (the fourth movie in the series), which was made in 1998.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_Weapon_4

 

[Trekker4747]

You know, I've seen the OP video before and, honestly, I've never been too bothered by it. I mean, sure, the guy(s) who made it you can call them out on abusing their privileges of being on the set and filming it but, honestly, who could say they wouldn't do the same thing if given the opportunity?

If you had access to something other people may be interested in and could get in there with a camera to take pictures/video and get out without damaging anything wouldn't you take the opportunity? I mean, assuming your access was legit and didn't violate your employment conditions too much beyond a reprimand.

Is it a bit of a douchey thing to do? Ehhhh... perhaps. I mean it is "at best" abusing privilege but if we're to take the guy here at his word nothing was damaged by the video and it did given an interesting look at the set and is just another "behind the scenes" tidbit to enjoy.

I've always sort of enjoyed this video on at least the level of seeing the sets in a slightly different setting. I mean I had no idea the panels and consoles on the set actually had working buttons and tactile displays! When we see people using the consoles I just assumed some grip was off camera manipulating switches in time with the actor to make the console do things. It never even occurred to me the transporter console actually "worked."

The "host" in the video is, perhaps, a bit harsh on his "friend"/the camera operator but guess we could argue that given the conditions they were "working" under it could be forgiven... sort of.

I dunno, the video never bothered me as it obviously had no meaningful impact on the show or production since the show was made and produced without much delay or problem from our point of view here on this side of the TV 25+ years later.

It's nice to see some BTS input from the video-creator here. Say/think what you will about him or the video but it did give us another, unique, look at the sets and BTS information which is always nice to have.

 

[Lawrence B]

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

Kind regards.

Timothy Dalton's second Bond film, "Licence to Kill" was released in 1989, not 1984.

 

[MikeS]

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

FYI: He said he ended his Hollywood career with Lethal Weapon 4 (the fourth movie in the series), which was made in 1998.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_Weapon_4

I'm not sure I understand your point.

However...

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

Kind regards.

Timothy Dalton's second Bond film, "Licence to Kill" was released in 1989, not 1984.

You're correct. I was thinking of another production. My bad. Apologies.

 

[SpHeRe31459]

Secondly, you state that you left to work on "License To Kill". How did you manage to finish in '89 to start work on a film that was released in '84?

FYI: He said he ended his Hollywood career with Lethal Weapon 4 (the fourth movie in the series), which was made in 1998.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_Weapon_4

I'm not sure I understand your point.

I misread and thought your '84 remark was about Lethal Weapon.

 

[treknician1701]

You can read my comments about the "Menage a troi" episode over at the "Working on STTNG" thread

GS

 

[doubleohfive]

I find it really hard to believe you weren't fired off the show after a shenanigan like this, Greg.

Just about the WORST thing you can do in Hollywood is be the reason a show or film shuts down production. It costs a ton of money and it's a huge hassle to everyone involved.

Seeing how you were bumbling about like some giddy teenager, knocking things over, in conjunction with the recollections of the Okudas, Guy Vardaman, and Doug Drexler (actual, confirmed and reputed former members of the production team), it's even more suspicious to me. Why would they lie? Here's an answer: They wouldn't. What possible reason can you give to refute the word of not one, not two, not three but FOUR people who are all saying the same thing about you?

Out of curiosity, what was your job on Licence to Kill? Where did you work on that picture?

 

[Hober Mallow]

I find it really hard to believe you weren't fired off the show after a shenanigan like this, Greg.

Just about the WORST thing you can do in Hollywood is be the reason a show or film shuts down production. It costs a ton of money and it's a huge hassle to everyone involved.

Seeing how you were bumbling about like some giddy teenager, knocking things over, in conjunction with the recollections of the Okudas, Guy Vardaman, and Doug Drexler (actual, confirmed and reputed former members of the production team), it's even more suspicious to me. Why would they lie? Here's an answer: They wouldn't. What possible reason can you give to refute the word of not one, not two, not three but FOUR people who are all saying the same thing about you?

Memory Alpha lists him working on the show until the third season.

 

[trekker670]

I don't think his credibility is really in question. As you mentioned, members of the production staff have confirmed that he was a member of the production. He's stated before that he was a special effect technician. His LinkedIn profile also confirms what he's been saying.

Was what he did 25 years ago a good idea for both his career and the production? No, probably not. Could he have been more careful? Yeah. Would any one of us done the same thing given the opportunity? Most likely.

This happened 25 years ago and didn't have any lasting repercussions on him or the show. Now I'd like to continue to see these rare pictures and hear his stories from the set.

 

[Tosk]

I don't think his credibility is really in question.

Maybe, maybe not.

I'm not saying he doesn't have great Trek stories or photos etc, but judging from the Google searches I did I probably wouldn't go accepting any links or offers or requests to "take it to PMs".

 

[treknician1701]

Doubleohnothing:

I would say "I have half a mind to give you..." but that would only still make you a half-wit! Since you obviously don't know the FACTS, and seem to be talking thru your hat, I would just keep my comments to myself. If you cannot say anything constructive, just remain SILENT! (just like the moral minority)

Doug Drexler NEVER said anything about a stoppage of filming, and since he wasn't even on the show back then, he was being patronizing to Guy, and agreeing with him. Guy had not worked on THAT episode that was being filmed that day, nor did he work on the previous, or the next few following episodes, either, so HE wouldn't have any way of knowing exactly what shutdown was when.

Also, there was NEVER any damage to sickbay bed, no report of any missing items (I checked daily) and no report of ANYTHING that would involve me or that video, which the studios didn't even learn about until late 1990.

The reason that the studios stopped allowing any fans into the sets was a fellow named "Kevin", who was breaking into Paramount, and Universal, stealing costumes from "Battlestar Galactica" and other movies and shows. The Los Angeles times did a full writeup about his arrest in 1989, AFTER the video, but before the studio or the Okudas, or anyone ever knew about it!

Want to try and dispute these FACTS??

In the future, why don't you go TROLL some other site?

And, on a more POSITIVE note: Youtube/Google has agreed to have the video REMOVED from their site, and they will tag the video in case any other trolls decide to try and post it! My Attorney is worth the money I'm paying him!


Greg Stone

 

[doubleohfive]

I find it really hard to believe you weren't fired off the show after a shenanigan like this, Greg.

Just about the WORST thing you can do in Hollywood is be the reason a show or film shuts down production. It costs a ton of money and it's a huge hassle to everyone involved.

Seeing how you were bumbling about like some giddy teenager, knocking things over, in conjunction with the recollections of the Okudas, Guy Vardaman, and Doug Drexler (actual, confirmed and reputed former members of the production team), it's even more suspicious to me. Why would they lie? Here's an answer: They wouldn't. What possible reason can you give to refute the word of not one, not two, not three but FOUR people who are all saying the same thing about you?

Memory Alpha lists him working on the show until the third season.

That's great. But Memory Alpha is also the wikipedia page for Star Trek, and I'd be curious as to what verification or notability that site has used to cite its sources.

EDIT: Looking at that page, the only two sources listed are IMDB and LinkedIn, both of which are user-generated. And while it's true, in order to have IMDB credit, you actually need to have it verified by them, IMDB also botches things up too.

I'm not disputing that Greg clearly did work on TNG for a time, I just think it's highly suspect that if he's going to use Memory Alpha as proof that he wasn't fired, in conjunction with the comments from the Okudas, et al, it's really shady that the only two verifiable sources of information are, inherently from Greg himself.

In other words, Greg is basically saying "Believe me because I have these two sites that verify what i'm saying because I wrote it there too!"

Doubleohnothing:

I would say "I have half a mind to give you..." but that would only still make you a half-wit! Since you obviously don't know the FACTS, and seem to be talking thru your hat, I would just keep my comments to myself. If you cannot say anything constructive, just remain SILENT! (just like the moral minority)

Doug Drexler NEVER said anything about a stoppage of filming, and since he wasn't even on the show back then, he was being patronizing to Guy, and agreeing with him. Guy had not worked on THAT episode that was being filmed that day, nor did he work on the previous, or the next few following episodes, either, so HE wouldn't have any way of knowing exactly what shutdown was when.

Also, there was NEVER any damage to sickbay bed, no report of any missing items (I checked daily) and no report of ANYTHING that would involve me or that video, which the studios didn't even learn about until late 1990.

The reason that the studios stopped allowing any fans into the sets was a fellow named "Kevin", who was breaking into Paramount, and Universal, stealing costumes from "Battlestar Galactica" and other movies and shows. The Los Angeles times did a full writeup about his arrest in 1989, AFTER the video, but before the studio or the Okudas, or anyone ever knew about it!

Want to try and dispute these FACTS??

In the future, why don't you go TROLL some other site?

And, on a more POSITIVE note: Youtube/Google has agreed to have the video REMOVED from their site, and they will tag the video in case any other trolls decide to try and post it! My Attorney is worth the money I'm paying him!


Greg Stone

Dude, you're the one bloviating on and on about this, not letting it die. I shared an opinion, gleaned from nearly a decade's worth of working on TV, including shows for Paramount. Apart from ignoring my questions about your work on Licence to Kill, you're just resorting to name calling and attempting to move goal posts and make this about me allegedly trolling you. Not gonna work.

I'll take the word of the Okudas over yours any day because I don't know a thing about you other than the fact that you bumbled around the sets after hours and had the idiotic idea that video recording it wouldn't be the dumbest thing you could do and the fact that the Okudas have been staples of the Trek productions and community for over 20 years.

Secondly: You're new here. It's not the best thing to do to go around accusing other people (let alone people you don't know) of being trolls. I've been a regular member on this board since 2001. I'm not here just to troll you (believe me, you'd know it if I were) so lighten up already.