Idea: Bridging the gap between fan production and professional on All Access.

[eschaton]

So, I was talking about on another forum CBS's strategy regarding Trek content now - which seems to be to try as many different ideas regarding Trek as possible, and see what clicks with audiences. I'd actually argue they could even go further in this than they plan, expanding out the Short Treks format to allow for one off TV movies or miniseries, all of which could take place in different settings (ship, station, planet, etc) different time frames, have different tones, etc. Essentially use them as pilots to see what gets a good fan reaction and might be worth developing into a longer series over time.

Then I thought about it, and this could even open up the realm for fan productions to be produced and distributed through CBS. Essentially CBS could - if it thought there was a decent story idea - offer a set budget in exchange for exclusive distribution rights. Anywhere from $500,000 (what I believe Renegades cost) to $5 million (about half of a modern Trek episode) depending upon the length of the story and production needs. CBS could consult on design and continuity and the like, but presumably there would be some statement that just because a pilot was completed and offered for streaming did not mean it was necessarily part of canon.

Anyway, just spitballing here. Thoughts?

 

[NCC-73515]

They could make Continues and some New Voyages / Phase II episodes official and feature them on CBSAA

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Seeing how CBS has done everything possible to clamp down on fan-made content I doubt they'd do anything to legitimise fanfilms, nor would I think many of the makers would be interested in having their hard work and vision contorted and twisted and stamped on in order to meet what the studio wants.

 

[Lord Garth]

I'm not a fan of the concept of fan films in general because I think if you're going to do independent films you should come up with independent concepts. BUT since fan films are a thing and they're embracing Star Trek, I think that connecting them to CBS and making them official takes the "independent" out of it. It's no longer fans making their version of Star Trek, it becomes something corporate. And if you're corporate, you're putting your professional stamp on something that could be amateur. I think that's a mistake.

Even the worst Star Trek (whichever one you think it is) has high production values and access to acting that fan films can't match. If you can't profit from a fan film, you're sinking your own money or other people's money. So unless you're some rich bastard, you can't pay SAG actors and (rich or not) you can't legally make money off a fan film based on clicks.

I think fan productions and official productions should be kept separate. And if someone in fan production thinks they're good enough that they can work on an official production, they should figure out what to do to get hired by one. If you're that good, then you should be paid to do it like all the professionals and actually be a professional who goes through the proper channels.

 

[NCC-73515]

That's why it could only apply to Continues and part of NV/P2

 

[fireproof78]

I'm not a fan of the concept of fan films in general because I think if you're going to do independent films you should come up with independent concepts. BUT since fan films are a thing and they're embracing Star Trek, I think that connecting them to CBS and making them official takes the "independent" out of it. It's no longer fans making their version of Star Trek, it becomes something corporate. And if you're corporate, you're putting your professional stamp on something that could be amateur. I think that's a mistake.

Even the worst Star Trek (whichever one you think it is) has high production values and access to acting that fan films can't match. If you can't profit from a fan film, you're sinking your own money or other people's money. So unless you're some rich bastard, you can't pay SAG actors and (rich or not) you can't legally make money off a fan film based on clicks.

I think fan productions and official productions should be kept separate. And if someone in fan production thinks they're good enough that they can work on an official production, they should figure out what to do to get hired by one. If you're that good, then you should be paid to do it like all the professionals and actually be a professional who goes through the proper channels.

Agreed. I think fan films being amateur productions can be part of the feel of it, and would introduce a much different style. Would they allow professional actors?

I just feel like its inviting more problems than its worth.

 

[BillJ]

Not something I’d ever be interested in.

 

[Lord Garth]

Agreed. I think fan films being amateur productions can be part of the feel of it, and would introduce a much different style. Would they allow professional actors?

I just feel like its inviting more problems than its worth.

If by "professional" you mean SAG, then they can be in an independent film, but they have to be paid according to wage guidelines. The problem is, if a SAG Actor is in a fan film, it's not a good look unless their career is pretty much over. I say this because Star Trek is copyrighted. So technically these actors would be starring in something that shouldn't be made at all. CBS is actually being lenient by allowing them to be made.

 

[UssGlenn]

Seeing how CBS has done everything possible to clamp down on fan-made content I doubt they'd do anything to legitimise fanfilms

But the only reason they need to clamp down is to protect the copyright. By officially sanctioning a film they immediately protect their intellectual property.

Didn't Lucasfilm have a fanfilm competition a while back? Same basic idea.

 

[eschaton]

I want to make it clear, since people are getting the wrong impression here, I'm not suggesting CBS All Access have officially licensed video fanfic. I'm suggesting that they should take the attitude that Michael Piller had involving an open door for spec scripts, and take it one step further, allowing "spec pilots" for entire series. I'd actually hope that some of the submissions come from professional screenwriters and authors interested in Trek who happen to not be involved in production. A lot of this could even be done "in house" by CBS - with their suggesting directors, allowing the use of their own CGI models, etc.

Indeed, I'd argue that since most Trek is now committed to highly serialized stories, the only way you'd be able to have a spec script policy that worked would be if you allowed submissions for story ideas which were not necessarily related to any established series.

 

[Cyrus]

They have already used Short Treks to audition writers like Michael Chabon and Mike Mcmahan. Of course these are professional writers who are Star Trek fans. I doubt if they would let amateur fans the opportunity, but I am sure Quentin Tarantino can make his Short Trek, or even a mini-series if he wants to.

 

[fireproof78]

But the only reason they need to clamp down is to protect the copyright. By officially sanctioning a film they immediately protect their intellectual property.

Didn't Lucasfilm have a fanfilm competition a while back? Same basic idea.

Given the response by fandom is "Give us an inch and we'll take a planet" CBS' attitude is reasonably cautious.

 

[somebuddyX]

I was thinking fan films or at least new stories that are collaborations with fan film creators might be something interesting for Short Treks. Moreso for using fan sets, props etc so they don't have to remake everything whole cloth and you do something like get Brannon Braga or Manny Coto to write a ten minute minisode set somewhere in Enterprise's time frame and bring back Jolene Blalock and Linda Park, or Ronald Moore can write a scene with Bashir and Garak and set it in someone's runabout set if they had one or just make up a Cardassian field hospital set in some old warehouse and set everything in doors without the need for SFX except makeup and have Bashir working on an outbreak of Cardassian mud flu or some bullshit and just have the two actors trade barbs for ten minutes straight. I've said this before but things like the Power/Rangers short film with Katee Sackhoff and James Van Der Beek or The Night of the Doctor are the sort of thing I think could be emulated to make interesting ten minute films that could tell a complete story for very little money and look great. I think it's unrealistic that this would happen because of legalities and costs and franchise direction at the moment but it would be fun to just bring back characters without the burden of whole films or TV shows.

 

[Kor]

With respect to Trek fan films as the labors of love that they are, the main area where the longer ones (as in full-episode length) tended to lack was the writing. So something would need to be done about that.

Kor

 

[Dukhat]

After Axanar, there’s no way in hell CBS would ever professionally back a fan production.

 

[fireproof78]

After Axanar, there’s no way in hell CBS would ever professionally back a fan production.

Pretty much this. Once bitten, twice shy type of a thing.

I understand that many fans love fan films, and their ability to bring forth many of the smaller details and recreations of past Trek. There is a huge appeal in that process.

But, and this is the big point, there is a general lack of awareness of just how that fan dedication to detail doesn't translate in to ownership of the material itself. And, sadly, CBS has to assert that it does own the material.

 

[Kor]

The whole idea of the rights holder engaging so directly with fan productions is rather novel. I think the only media franchise that has officially sanctioned/licensed fan films is Highlander. Maybe they figured that they didn't have much to lose after so many terrible movies.

Kor

 

[eschaton]

I was thinking fan films or at least new stories that are collaborations with fan film creators might be something interesting for Short Treks. Moreso for using fan sets, props etc so they don't have to remake everything whole cloth and you do something like get Brannon Braga or Manny Coto to write a ten minute minisode set somewhere in Enterprise's time frame and bring back Jolene Blalock and Linda Park, or Ronald Moore can write a scene with Bashir and Garak and set it in someone's runabout set if they had one or just make up a Cardassian field hospital set in some old warehouse and set everything in doors without the need for SFX except makeup and have Bashir working on an outbreak of Cardassian mud flu or some bullshit and just have the two actors trade barbs for ten minutes straight. I've said this before but things like the Power/Rangers short film with Katee Sackhoff and James Van Der Beek or The Night of the Doctor are the sort of thing I think could be emulated to make interesting ten minute films that could tell a complete story for very little money and look great. I think it's unrealistic that this would happen because of legalities and costs and franchise direction at the moment but it would be fun to just bring back characters without the burden of whole films or TV shows.

Honestly, what brought on the idea was this:

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There's a decent script, there's Siddig and Robinson. Needs to be edited a little bit to make it less of an audio drama and more of a real episode, but the budget would be relatively cheap.

I love that the writer added that Dukat had drunkenly hooked up with Garak. Explains his loathing so much better.

 

[NCC-73515]

Honestly, what brought on the idea was this:

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There's a decent script, there's Siddig and Robinson. Needs to be edited a little bit to make it less of an audio drama and more of a real episode, but the budget would be relatively cheap.

I love that the writer added that Dukat had drunkenly hooked up with Garak. Explains his loathing so much better.

It's amazing how they slip back into their roles. Part 2 has an interesting twist!

 

[Tosk]

I think the only media franchise that has officially sanctioned/licensed fan films is Highlander.

You can add Star Wars to that "list".