New FARRAGUT episode is SPECTACULAR!!!
- Thread starter TRP
- Start date
Definitely a kick ass episode.
Finally stole some time to watch the ep, and a week later, to review.
Thank you Farragut films and Neo FX for an awesome accomplishment. What a pleasure!
I can't believe some of the nitpicking on this board. This is a fan film, done in practically record time, and it's awesome. Maybe not QUITE original Trek quality, but certainly captures the spirit and fun, and leaps and bounds above anything Paramount has done with Trek in the past decade (or is likely to do!).
Now, MY nitpicks! In order of appearance:
The title- very clever. Seemed to be about the time period, but also applies to time travel in general.
Mr. Baker : I don't quite share Josh Johnson's distaste for Starfleet officers with facial hair, but I do think beards and 'staches should be limited to Command level officers. Bigger problem- I think Mr. Baker looks wierdly like the Captain, which caused a couple of apparent jump cuts. Mr. Akiva's stache just pushed things too far.
Camera work on the bridge- boring and badly composed. Bad establishing shot of Mr. Tackett. He's a great character, he deserves better than to be mumbling with his back to the camera all through the first scene.
Kudo- Superior Alien Voice appearing on the bridge: very TOS! BUT later there's a wierd scene when the alien is speaking quite a bit but always off-screen. I'm guessing these were lines added after shooting, but I think the problem could have been hidden better with clever editing.
I thought the pace of the whole piece was a bit slow moving. I did like however the light humor throughout.
I loved the lead alien. Very Ed Wood Jr. (it's a compliment I swear!!!).
I love how the attitude of the troops was the main tipping point of the plot. Very interesting.
The Jersey devil thing was really fun, a nice historical touch, but when it surfaced I found myself wishing the aliens were a bit more alien and scary looking.
Great seeing redshirts participating in the dialogue.
Favorite line- Prescott, about the buzzing tricorder: "I didn't know it could do that!" Hilarious. He's a fun character.
I felt like the landing party was stuck in that one room throughout too much of the episode. It would have been more interesting if they were confined to the camp, plus it would have been easier for them to set up their "swamp gas" plan.
I thought the scene on the bridge when Baker smiled was a little wierd and forced.
I hate time travel in Trek, it's so convoluted and nonsensical, and usually a dramatic cheat. I enjoyed the plot device used to facilitate the time travel in this ep, but I wasn't crazy about the stuff about alternate universes. It got a little convoluted, and it wasn't worth shoehorning into the story for the payoff of the fanwank at the end, which was cute, but not really worth it.
Another great line- "Argelius, really?" But I didn't care for the re-use of the line "I know this place..." from Wold in the Fold. Also, what was the point of that long, lingering shot of the Doctor, looking around the sickbay and smiling? Not that I mind taking a long, lingering look at your doctor
, but that was wierd.
All in all, the plusses far outweigh the nits. I look dforward to watching the episode again, and I know your next ep will be another leap forward.
Thank you Farragut films and Neo FX for an awesome accomplishment. What a pleasure!
I can't believe some of the nitpicking on this board. This is a fan film, done in practically record time, and it's awesome. Maybe not QUITE original Trek quality, but certainly captures the spirit and fun, and leaps and bounds above anything Paramount has done with Trek in the past decade (or is likely to do!).
Now, MY nitpicks! In order of appearance:
The title- very clever. Seemed to be about the time period, but also applies to time travel in general.
Mr. Baker : I don't quite share Josh Johnson's distaste for Starfleet officers with facial hair, but I do think beards and 'staches should be limited to Command level officers. Bigger problem- I think Mr. Baker looks wierdly like the Captain, which caused a couple of apparent jump cuts. Mr. Akiva's stache just pushed things too far.
Camera work on the bridge- boring and badly composed. Bad establishing shot of Mr. Tackett. He's a great character, he deserves better than to be mumbling with his back to the camera all through the first scene.
Kudo- Superior Alien Voice appearing on the bridge: very TOS! BUT later there's a wierd scene when the alien is speaking quite a bit but always off-screen. I'm guessing these were lines added after shooting, but I think the problem could have been hidden better with clever editing.
I thought the pace of the whole piece was a bit slow moving. I did like however the light humor throughout.
I loved the lead alien. Very Ed Wood Jr. (it's a compliment I swear!!!).
I love how the attitude of the troops was the main tipping point of the plot. Very interesting.
The Jersey devil thing was really fun, a nice historical touch, but when it surfaced I found myself wishing the aliens were a bit more alien and scary looking.
Great seeing redshirts participating in the dialogue.
Favorite line- Prescott, about the buzzing tricorder: "I didn't know it could do that!" Hilarious. He's a fun character.
I felt like the landing party was stuck in that one room throughout too much of the episode. It would have been more interesting if they were confined to the camp, plus it would have been easier for them to set up their "swamp gas" plan.
I thought the scene on the bridge when Baker smiled was a little wierd and forced.
I hate time travel in Trek, it's so convoluted and nonsensical, and usually a dramatic cheat. I enjoyed the plot device used to facilitate the time travel in this ep, but I wasn't crazy about the stuff about alternate universes. It got a little convoluted, and it wasn't worth shoehorning into the story for the payoff of the fanwank at the end, which was cute, but not really worth it.
Another great line- "Argelius, really?" But I didn't care for the re-use of the line "I know this place..." from Wold in the Fold. Also, what was the point of that long, lingering shot of the Doctor, looking around the sickbay and smiling? Not that I mind taking a long, lingering look at your doctor
, but that was wierd.All in all, the plusses far outweigh the nits. I look dforward to watching the episode again, and I know your next ep will be another leap forward.
For the record, it is KUDOS. There is no such thing as "a kudo" (much as there is no such thing as "a congratulation") -- it's a Greek word, and the WORD is "kudos."
Those I liked. Yours actually has a sense of scale and scope -- long shots establish that there's a LOT of nothing there. Many of the other things tend to be tight, close shots (to keep it from being obviously a "small" wilderness?) and just too much like the downtown park or somesuch.
Of course, the fact that the scenery didn't look like S. California or Vancouver helped. On the flipside, I kept expecting to see Archie, Hector, or Golly wearing waders or carrying deer-rifles walking by in the background.
BTW, Mrs. Cooke is a major babe (who reminds me a bit of one of my other favorite Scottish actresses, Shirley Henderson -- mmmm). Mr Cooke is a lucky sod.
Tony
Palladin5 said:
FleetLord said:
MacTrek, has had a personal tragedy in his life this past weekend, he is the one who usually does all the promoting and takes care of there site, that is why you have not seen his usual promotions, so we (Mike from NEO/fx, myself and others) are helping him a bit with that, to get eh film mirrored and the word out.
Certainly wishing him the best then!
Thanks you. It's actually condolences for the passing of my mother.
All of the episode's mirror sites are now posted on starshipfarragut.com.
Thank you for your patience and support.
We're quite fortunate to have some fairly expansive countryside pretty close to us, and to not have to worry much about filming permits, which does make location work rather easier for us.
So she keeps telling me.
Wait, so there IS a reason that practically every male Starfleet guy in the film has facial hair..? A local custom, perhaps? :P
Mark <--- clean shaven
Mark <--- clean shaven
doubleohfive
Fleet Admiral
The facial hair thing bugs me too. Not so much that I can't enjoy Farragut or New Voyages, but its one of those things that really points out and says, "Hey, we did this in the 2000s" rather than trying to match it up production-wise to '60s era Trek.
We're in Dundee, which is about 90 minutes from Edinburgh.
My wife does actually have two older sisters.
My wife does actually have two older sisters.
I've heard others say that as well, and I've never quite gotten the objection myself. It's never bothered me in the slightest, but hey, we all have different sensibilities.
doubleohfive
Fleet Admiral
^
Like I said, its not TOO huge a distraction, but on a certain level, it pulls me out of the story.
You know me, Nick. I love all the fan films and try to be as constructive as possible with my critiques; the reason I've never mentioned it myself before is because at the end of the day its not a deal breaker for me, just an aesthetic point I myself would do differently.
Like I said, its not TOO huge a distraction, but on a certain level, it pulls me out of the story.
You know me, Nick. I love all the fan films and try to be as constructive as possible with my critiques; the reason I've never mentioned it myself before is because at the end of the day its not a deal breaker for me, just an aesthetic point I myself would do differently.
No kidding! I'm right down the street (about 15 minute if the traffic gods favor me) from Alexandria, one of your sister cities!
Cheers to the Bonnie Dundee, and to the little gentleman in the velvet waistcoat.
My wife does actually have two older sisters.
>>>BING!!!<<<
<suave>Please pass along my best wishes</suave>
<not so suave>So... they single?</not so suave>
Tony
Unfortunately, no.
USS Intrepid said:
Unfortunately, no.
But, do they WANT to be?
Once again I say Congratulations to the Farragut team. I really enjoyed this episode-better than the first outing (which I liked as well). Much better camera, lighting, and a more engaging storyline.
As with the first episode, I felt that, among the Starfleet crew, the security chief stole the show. He could be funny and serious all in the same scene and pull both off. He seemed the most comfortable with his role, and really convinced me he was a 23rd century Starfleet officer. He also did a good job of working/interacting with the rest of the cast.
The period players were all outstanding, and did a great job of conveying a sense of authenticity to the 1776-era. The ending was a bit of a goof, but it allowed them to tie up the loose ends of the "alternate" universe discussion.
Overall, a strong outing all around. My only advice for the actors is to relax a bit, and loosen up the range of emotions the characters show. As for the captain, try to seem a bit more commanding-you are supposed to be in charge of 430 people!
Remember, to paraphase Kirk, if you're to be the captain, you have to act like the captain!
Thanks again for the episode guys-this was truly a blast for me. :thumbsup:
As with the first episode, I felt that, among the Starfleet crew, the security chief stole the show. He could be funny and serious all in the same scene and pull both off. He seemed the most comfortable with his role, and really convinced me he was a 23rd century Starfleet officer. He also did a good job of working/interacting with the rest of the cast.
The period players were all outstanding, and did a great job of conveying a sense of authenticity to the 1776-era. The ending was a bit of a goof, but it allowed them to tie up the loose ends of the "alternate" universe discussion.
Overall, a strong outing all around. My only advice for the actors is to relax a bit, and loosen up the range of emotions the characters show. As for the captain, try to seem a bit more commanding-you are supposed to be in charge of 430 people!
Remember, to paraphase Kirk, if you're to be the captain, you have to act like the captain!
Thanks again for the episode guys-this was truly a blast for me. :thumbsup:
I liked it. I like the tie in with the mirror universe.
I'm not sure the guy playing the captain gives the right feel for the captain of a ship though. I liked the description before me. He's not commanding enough.
I do like the rest of the cast though. I think the Captain could be better written for and better acted out. But after the first two episodes I don't know how he could be a Captain as weak as he seems.
I'm not sure the guy playing the captain gives the right feel for the captain of a ship though. I liked the description before me. He's not commanding enough.
I do like the rest of the cast though. I think the Captain could be better written for and better acted out. But after the first two episodes I don't know how he could be a Captain as weak as he seems.
Finally had time to watch it.
A step up from the previous film, to be sure. Let's hope the upward trajectory continues.
First off, congrats to the guys who made this. You have to appreciate the time and dedication that goes into making something like this. Having been involved in Exeter and some other short film work, I know how much work it is to make a project like this.
I had to laugh at the guest aliens of the week. Was this an intentional tip of the hat to Plan Nine From Outer Space? The aliens refer to something that sounds like "Soloniite" (as opposed to Plan Nine's "solaranite"), and John Kirby played Alondar as if he were channeling Dudley Manlove's Plan Nine alien, Eros!
Some nits that I hope the Farragut folks will take as constructive.
The foley work on the bridge during the teaser was distracting. Clomp clomp clomp goes the Captain's foot like he's on a wooden floor when the deck is plainly carpeted.
The story...I don't want to spoil it, so I won't delve into specifics...it was a long way to go for the twist (which I saw coming a mile away). The main problem is that the story doesn't affect the characters or even involve them making any decisions. They just sit around and explain away why they're there. It's just what David Gerrold called a puzzle box plot. Would have been better if the experience affected one of our heroes.
Another nit: the characters act in contradictory fashion, first they talk about how everything they do can affect the situation and how they have to minimize it, then the Captain turns around and asks to have more of Washington's time.
There was some dramatic clumsiness. For instance, the crew on the ship are given the key to where the landing party has gone first. Instead, it should have occurred so the landing party dramatically go "uh oh" when they realize where they are, and let the shipboard scene follow to explain how they got into this fine mess.
The acting... it's a fan film. I rarely pillory anyone for this. However, most fan films suffer from writing that makes the characters do what I call "I'm calling to tell you I'll explain later". The Captain asks, "What is it?" and people say things like, "I'll explain when I get back." It's dramatically silly and verges on insubordination. Just skip the phone call and have the character run up breathlessly and say, "Captain! I just discovered _____!"
A step up from the previous film, to be sure. Let's hope the upward trajectory continues.
First off, congrats to the guys who made this. You have to appreciate the time and dedication that goes into making something like this. Having been involved in Exeter and some other short film work, I know how much work it is to make a project like this.
I had to laugh at the guest aliens of the week. Was this an intentional tip of the hat to Plan Nine From Outer Space? The aliens refer to something that sounds like "Soloniite" (as opposed to Plan Nine's "solaranite"), and John Kirby played Alondar as if he were channeling Dudley Manlove's Plan Nine alien, Eros!
Some nits that I hope the Farragut folks will take as constructive.
The foley work on the bridge during the teaser was distracting. Clomp clomp clomp goes the Captain's foot like he's on a wooden floor when the deck is plainly carpeted.
The story...I don't want to spoil it, so I won't delve into specifics...it was a long way to go for the twist (which I saw coming a mile away). The main problem is that the story doesn't affect the characters or even involve them making any decisions. They just sit around and explain away why they're there. It's just what David Gerrold called a puzzle box plot. Would have been better if the experience affected one of our heroes.
Another nit: the characters act in contradictory fashion, first they talk about how everything they do can affect the situation and how they have to minimize it, then the Captain turns around and asks to have more of Washington's time.
There was some dramatic clumsiness. For instance, the crew on the ship are given the key to where the landing party has gone first. Instead, it should have occurred so the landing party dramatically go "uh oh" when they realize where they are, and let the shipboard scene follow to explain how they got into this fine mess.
The acting... it's a fan film. I rarely pillory anyone for this. However, most fan films suffer from writing that makes the characters do what I call "I'm calling to tell you I'll explain later". The Captain asks, "What is it?" and people say things like, "I'll explain when I get back." It's dramatically silly and verges on insubordination. Just skip the phone call and have the character run up breathlessly and say, "Captain! I just discovered _____!"
