Merchandise Special Request for J.J. ABRAMS

[Rivas_Jakarta]

J.J.,

If you're reading this, I have a special request.

Is there any way you can release a "tech manual"-type publication for those of us hard core Trek fans? I'm sure any other tech-heads here would second that.

It doesn't have to be an ultra-in-depth volume. However, do feel free to indulge uson detail.

The "Star Trek TNG: Technical Manual", by Mike Okuda, already gave us the all nuts and bolts of starship operations. But something with some 3-view drawings and a cutaway would be most prized.

Another good, recent example would be the Star Trek: Starship Spotter.

It wouldn't have to be very long. A section on Enterprise, Kelvin, any alien ships, weaponry, uniforms, and whatnot would fit the bill nicely. But please, don't hold back. Everybody, feel free to add here.

I can assure that I will be most willing to give you and Paramount some of my very sparse funding for just such a prize.

If a book seems a bit too much, even just set of blueprints or ship chart would still be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely and Very Respectfully,
Rivas Jakarta, Dedicated Fan

 

[DaveyNY]

I'll second that request!

BIG... (No wait, make that HUGE), TREK-TECH-NERD here.

If there's a Trek-Tech Book out there I haven't bought then it ain't worth buying. LoL

And all First Editions.

 

[Psion]

I'd be happy with a slightly less formal presentation -- a collection of artwork and internal memos and commentary on the design process that went into the movie and the rationalizations for why things were done the way they were.

More than just an "Art of Star Trek" type book, I'd like to know what designers were thinking when they came up with the new look of Star Trek. What inspired them to use an emblem-texture on Starfleet uniforms, for example? What's that hostess station on the bridge all about? What does the HUD viewscreen do that the old main viewer doesn't? Why do we still have no pockets on the uniforms? Stuff like that.

 

[Kemaiku]

One single tech-book with deck plans and diagrams for the new Enterprise and the Kelvin would be nice, but unlikely, the other tech manuals before now didn't sell too well.

 

[Classic Fan]

I'd be happy with a slightly less formal presentation -- a collection of artwork and internal memos and commentary on the design process that went into the movie and the rationalizations for why things were done the way they were.

More than just an "Art of Star Trek" type book, I'd like to know what designers were thinking when they came up with the new look of Star Trek. What inspired them to use an emblem-texture on Starfleet uniforms, for example? What's that hostess station on the bridge all about? What does the HUD viewscreen do that the old main viewer doesn't? Why do we still have no pockets on the uniforms? Stuff like that.

Agreed, my bookshelf is full of stuff like this, going back years. The making of Jurassic Park, The Making of The Lost World, The Art of Superman Returns, The making of Batman Begins etc etc, i have loads cos im an artist in all mediums and am a sucker for this type of stuff.


Ive read the making of JP so many times i know whats on every page if i need to look something up for any reason.

I love looking behind the scenes at the little tiny weeny things that set/costume designers script writers and even the actors input into a production.

If this kind of tie in is released, ittl probably be only thing i will commit myself to buy, however, if the figures are of decent quality, which is asking a lot from Playmates, i might consider them. Although, if they turn out like the Serenitiy figures, i wont even bother.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I'm not sure who exactly this request should go to but I doubt Abrams would have much of a hand in it. Perhaps finding out what publishers will be putting out promotional material for the new films and contacting them would prove fruitful?

 

[M'Sharak]

I'm not sure who exactly this request should go to but I doubt Abrams would have much of a hand in it. Perhaps finding out what publishers will be putting out promotional material for the new films and contacting them would prove fruitful?

I think you're right. While such a tech-manual would certainly be licensed by Paramount and might include some small input from Abrams, it's not something we can expect to be coming directly from him, and not something we expect to see from any source until right around the release date, at the very earliest (and, as has been pointed out, that we will see one at all is far from a sure thing.)

All that granted, this seems as good a place as any for discussion of the topic.

 

[Therin of Andor]

One single tech-book with deck plans and diagrams for the new Enterprise and the Kelvin would be nice, but unlikely, the other tech manuals before now didn't sell too well.

The new film is intended to bring in many new fans, so a licensed Tech Manual for ST XI is more likely than one for, say, "Enterprise". The only reason past tech manuals and other factual ST book sales are down is because the fanbase was shrinking. TOS and TNG tech manuals sold extremely well.

Perhaps finding out what publishers will be putting out promotional material for the new films and contacting them would prove fruitful?

The license for ST fiction and fact books is still with Pocket Books. The ST XI comic novelization (and a prequel mini-series) is licensed by IDW Publishing.

 

[OneBuckFilms]

You know, I would LOVE such an item as a Tech Manual.

Another item, which I suspect will be released a couple of weeks before the movie, would be a CD of Michael Giacchino's score.

I'm sure there will be a few things released :-)

 

[Psion]

Well, as long as it seems even close to being what I've been hoping for from a Star Trek movie, I'll buy a few small things. The novelization, for example, and maybe a tech manual and/or art book. A "making of" book, too. And an Enterprise model, also. And Christmas ornament. And toy with light-up windows and sound effects. Might as well put the Kelvin in there, too. I love Federation starships, even the ones with one nacelle. And a toy phaser, especially if it's done the way Art Asylum would do it. And a communicator. And a tricorder. (Hmmm ... how come MY spell-checker doesn't recognize "tricorder"? There it goes again!)

That should do it.

Oh ... maybe a Starfleet captain's tunic. And Spock's shirt. And an engineer's tunic that I'll wear while working on the house, so it gets spotted with paint and spackle and various sealing compounds and holes from welding sparks over the years ... a real engineer's uniform!

And something subtle I can wear while out and about with mundanes. A baseball cap, maybe, or a nice jacket. Maybe some Cap'n Kirk jammies.

A lunchbox, a thermous, a backpack, and some children's tie-ins ... so I could share 'em with my little boy, of course.

But I don't want to overdo it.

And, I'll probably get the glasses from Burger King and a selection of uniform patches that I can stick on notebooks. For laughs, I'll pick up any Trek tie-in contraceptives (Vulcanized rubbers, don't ya know).

And each DVD that comes out.

Yeah, that's it. Just a few things.

OH CRAP! I forgot about the soundtrack!

 

[OneBuckFilms]

Well, as long as it seems even close to being what I've been hoping for from a Star Trek movie, I'll buy a few small things. The novelization, for example, and maybe a tech manual and/or art book. A "making of" book, too. And an Enterprise model, also. And Christmas ornament. And toy with light-up windows and sound effects. Might as well put the Kelvin in there, too. I love Federation starships, even the ones with one nacelle. And a toy phaser, especially if it's done the way Art Asylum would do it. And a communicator. And a tricorder. (Hmmm ... how come MY spell-checker doesn't recognize "tricorder"? There it goes again!)

That should do it.

Oh ... maybe a Starfleet captain's tunic. And Spock's shirt. And an engineer's tunic that I'll wear while working on the house, so it gets spotted with paint and spackle and various sealing compounds and holes from welding sparks over the years ... a real engineer's uniform!

And something subtle I can wear while out and about with mundanes. A baseball cap, maybe, or a nice jacket. Maybe some Cap'n Kirk jammies.

A lunchbox, a thermous, a backpack, and some children's tie-ins ... so I could share 'em with my little boy, of course.

But I don't want to overdo it.

And, I'll probably get the glasses from Burger King and a selection of uniform patches that I can stick on notebooks. For laughs, I'll pick up any Trek tie-in contraceptives (Vulcanized rubbers, don't ya know).

And each DVD that comes out.

Yeah, that's it. Just a few things.

OH CRAP! I forgot about the soundtrack!

How on EARTH can you forget the SOUNDTRACK?



Yes, erm... I'll probably get a couple of good things.

- DVD (CBS/Paramount making funds).
- Soundtrack (Probably Varese Sarabande).
- Uniform (Phaser, Communicator and Tricorder if they are of good quality) for Comic-Con (Playmates Toys has the toy license, Rubies Costumes for the Uniforms).
- Making Of Books (Pocket Books I think), depending on what is released and quality.
- Announced Prequel comics leading up to the film (Not sure who makes them, maybe IDW).

I'm a willing sucker.

 

[Therin of Andor]

- Announced Prequel comics leading up to the film (Not sure who makes them, maybe IDW).

Yes, the ST XI comic novelization (and a prequel mini-series, and compilation omnibus) has been licensed by IDW Publishing.

 

[T'Cal]

I still have The Technical Manual on CD-ROM for Win95. I play it once in a while on an old laptop I have. It is so cool. Same thing with The Captain's Chair on CD-ROM. I'd buy a version for STXI for $40 for sure. Like in the others, I'd want to be able to view up close various rooms (Bridge, Engineering, Transporters, etc.), devices (tricorder, communicator, phaser, etc.), and work stations (Captain's chair, Communications, Sciences, etc.).

 

[Admiral_Young]

I immediately thought of this while glimpsing and studying the bridge pic that was released a couple weeks ago, brought it up with my friends on halloween during a party as well. I would seriously go for blue prints for the Neo-Enterprise instead of a tech manual. As for merchandise that I plan on getting (posted this in a topic about this)

-Star Trek Novelization
-Star Trek movie post with cast (hopefully)
-Star Trek Soundtrack (as one poster stated, gotta have a soundtrack)
-Making of Star Trek (if Pocket releases one)
-The IDW Prequel (which I had not heard about)
-2 Disc DVD when it comes out next fall!