Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie filmed?

[Plum]

'Metamorphosis' was on recently and while watching there was a terrific shot of the connie, more than half-way through the show, that was really pretty. I was shocked at the quality, frankly. Could have been a shot done for that episode for all I know.

It's a front shot, camera high and forward of big e.

If there's any screen-cap out there I suggest it's worth a look.

 

[David cgc]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Are you talking about the one just under the cap of the bridge on this page?

 

[Hambone]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Who's "Connie"?

 

[Christopher]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

^^"The Connie" is shorthand for the Constitution Class of starships to which the Enterprise belongs. I assume the poster means a new shot of the Enterprise.

In answer to Plum, we're talking about the original shots, right, not the new CG effects? Since "Metamorphosis" was the second episode produced in the second season (although the ninth aired), it stands to reason that it would've had the budget to film some new library shots of the Enterprise miniature. I believe the episode also debuted a new shot of the miniature seen from the starboard side and rotating toward the camera, which is screencapped here:

http://trekmovie.com/wp-content/uploads/metamorphosis/old_tosr031_6.JPG

 

[Plum]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

^^^
Yes, the original FX. Thanks Chris.

That shot you posted stood out to me as well.

Looking through the link you provided I found the shot. Here it is.

When was this shot first done? It's nice and clean, seemingly not too reused/copied, and it's not a shot we see often I reckon.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Actually, "Metamorphosis" is the only episode where this shot was used, so that makes it about as rare as it gets.

 

[Christopher]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

According to The Star Trek Compendium, the FX in "Metamorphosis" were done by Westheimer Company, one of the four main FX houses that rotated work on TOS. And they all shared stock elements. So it's surprising that shot wasn't seen again.

 

[Plum]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

^^^
Ah, coolio.

Professor Moriarty said:
Actually, "Metamorphosis" is the only episode where this shot was used, so that makes it about as rare as it gets.

Wow! I knew there was something about this shot. Amazing! Thanx Professor.

 

[Wingsley]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Well, isn't that ironic?

Here's arguably the best shot of the "real" Enterprise in all of TOS. It is the most realistic shot of her. In fact, I don't recall any of the hero ships from any of the shows looking so good. That included the movies, right up through ENT.

And she probably was tossed for the CGI FX in remastered TOS, right? Too bad.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Wellllll... to be fair there are a couple of glaring problems with the shot, which probably explain why it was never used again:

1. If you watch the original F/X sequence, you'll notice the Enterprise makes a very awkward forward "lurching" motion towards the camera at the end of the shot.
2. Look reeeeally closely at the port side of the starboard warp nacelle... you can see the wiring bundles that were snaked up the side of the pylon. Oops!

Other than those two snafus, though, I agree that this is one of the best F/X shots of the 11' studio model in the series. And for CGI modelers of the Enterprise, it solves once and for all the great nacelle dome debate: there were twelve blades underneath each dome. Not ten, not eighteen... twelve.

 

[Christopher]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Could anyone put a clip of this shot on YouTube so those of us who don't have the episode on tape or DVD can see what's being talked about?

 

[paustin]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

in an age of disolving warp nacelle due to imperfect bluescreen effects, i doubt if anyone worried about the wiring bundles being visible

 

[trevanian]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

^Especially given the size of TV sets at the time. Yeah, it doesn't make sense that this wasn't reused, unless the Enterprise element itself was lost after the shot was comped.

I went to the site noted by the second poster, and it shows side-by-sides of the new and the old. Man, the old shots look better all the time, there's at least some snap to the image. Why are the blacks so mooshygrey on the remastered stuff, did somebody forget to turn the contrast knob or something?

 

[Trekfan21]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

I just watched the clip myself. The ship's movement is jerky and awkward. I'm surprised it made it on screen at all. The ship looks beautiful, but it lurches forward and then to the left of the screen. Almost like someone bumped the camera, but they decided to go ahead and do the optical processing anyway.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

^^^ Exactly.

 

[cooleddie74]

Re: Metamorphosis FX, was there a new shot of the connie fil

Meh. Considering the sloppy opticals of the period it's a wonder half the original TOS effects even got on-screen at all...as good as many of them still are.