Nicholas Meyer to join writing staff of new series
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Not by design it wasn't. TNG wasn't a 'niche' product, it was a popular success (at least part because they ignored the 'niche' TOS fans who were busy gnashing their teeth over tv-TOS being thrown out with the dishwater.) Hell, it only existed in the first place because the latest movies had broad appeal.
There was a reason the creative team for TVH was the initial pick for show runners.
And we wonder why nobody likes us.
Seriously, they tried your...approach, with ENT S4. It resulted in:
- No masses
- No 'drawing' in the hardcore fans, and keeping pretty much the same amount of fans that stuck around for S3.
- A divided critical reception
- An eventual reboot in terms of creative approach
- No Star Trek shows for over a decade.
Even as someone who kinda likes ENT, that chain of events didn't exactly leave me satisfied.
Interesting news about Meyer, not in the least because (for some unknown reason) I'd assumed he'd retired. I hadn't realised he wrote Elegy and that Houdini miniseries.
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Except for the fact that Meyers put a little twist on the star trek formula that everyone loved (Navy in space!). That's not the classic star trek, wheres the decentralization of command structure? (No reports to Starfleet) where's the wild west swashbuckling in space? Not to mention that Meyers has said his favourite star trek is ds9 (you can look it up). The star trek series with the most believable and realistic characters ,relationships and villains. BUT let's ignore that, I don't know if you've ever seen Hannibal, but uhhh...there's nothing typical about it. You can call the visuals, symbolism, and cinematography down right art work. Not things star trek is exactly known for. So what do we have here? Meyers, a man who over thirty years already decided he didn't like certain things and changed them while respecting the show. Fuller, a star trek aficionado who is an autere with a genuinely unique voice. No offence but there is no set formula for star trek. Tos, TNG and ds9 outside of being the same universe are completely divorced from each other.
R
Replying to own post to fix it. I said Meyers said his favourite show was ds9, it was fuller who said that
Replying to own post to fix it. I said Meyers said his favourite show was ds9, it was fuller who said that
Just heard this news today. I'm very surprised, and also very happy.
I realize not everyone is a Meyer fan, but I always thought he brought some balance to Trek. His stuff wasn't too silly like like some the TOS stuff, but wasn't too cold and pretentious either like some of TNG/TMP.
I realize not everyone is a Meyer fan, but I always thought he brought some balance to Trek. His stuff wasn't too silly like like some the TOS stuff, but wasn't too cold and pretentious either like some of TNG/TMP.
His best writing assignment was The Voyage Home to me; but I would be stoked he could manage direct all the episodes. If it's limited to 10 or 12 episodes.
It is - I must admit I was a bit trepidatious about the new series, but so far every bit of news has been positive.
Sure.
It's not about egos, it's writing styles that might clash.
Really? We're now starting to speculate about writing styles clashing?
Nicholas Meyer loves Captain Horatio Hornblower, this could be his life long dream to actually write a Hornblower from outerspace series. If anyone has read those books, they're very nautical, and springs loads of adventure.
Also in his book, he mentioned if he had the budget he wanted to attempt to create a 23rd century type submarine bridge. He might just get the chance, submarine bridges look pretty cool.
Also in his book, he mentioned if he had the budget he wanted to attempt to create a 23rd century type submarine bridge. He might just get the chance, submarine bridges look pretty cool.
Actually, this is an interesting topic. based on the producers, what will the visual style be? Obviously a lot of the sleek look of the new Enterprise was what J.J. wanted. But I would love to see something more like the submarine inspired Kelvin.
I'm not sure using Enterprise as a reason not to appeal to Star Trek fans is the best example. That series was a trainwreck from the start. By the time they started behaving like an actual prequel the series was already doomed. It's the only Trek series I happily disown.
What was done when TNG was created is the best way forward. That show did a hell of a lot of world building based on what came before but managed to be original and contribute so much to the franchise. There's no doubt TNG ended up being a major success. It's interesting that it was the original first run syndicated show and the new Trek series will be the first Trek to premiere online in its first run.
What was done when TNG was created is the best way forward. That show did a hell of a lot of world building based on what came before but managed to be original and contribute so much to the franchise. There's no doubt TNG ended up being a major success. It's interesting that it was the original first run syndicated show and the new Trek series will be the first Trek to premiere online in its first run.
TNG took a while to find it's footing, though. Will the new series be given that latitude?
Maybe not, but shows today don't take as long to find their footing as shows back then. When I watch a show pre-2000s, there is always some kinks to fix before the show finds itself. Shows today do a better job of finding their voice earlier, and in many cases find it in the very first episode. That's probably because they have less leeway.
I can't see the new series doing 26 episode seasons. They'll get between 12 and 15 episodes is my guess and with that in mind will have the wrinkles ironed out early on. At least that's what I hope.
This isn't a bad thing. It's called variety.
The whole season? I don't know, he hasn't directed anything since 1999.
I'd definitely like to see him direct the pilot though.
I don't think a filmmaker loses anything when it comes to communication with actors. The strength with 1 director helming the season will lend a smooth development for characters and stories. I also think his stories benefit when he directs his work. The one thing Nick is not is Utopian, and Star Trek hasn't been that for a very long time; with his guidance I think we could see a Trek more in his sights as an imperfect entity. I think the struggle is what interests him, and with him directing it, he could flesh it out maybe.
Cary Fukunaga did a cinematic job directing HBO's True Detective for a season; it was about 10 or less episodes but it was quite effective with one person steering the season. Another way CBS could help Meyer process a season is by dividing the seasons to two halves like AMC's The Walking Dead where he could shoot 7 eps, take a break and shoot for the summer.
It would be in CBS benefit to implant a sense of anticipation and quality to make Meyer a director for an entire season. Could you imagine the excitement if the news breaks he's directing the entire season?
Cary Fukunaga did a cinematic job directing HBO's True Detective for a season; it was about 10 or less episodes but it was quite effective with one person steering the season. Another way CBS could help Meyer process a season is by dividing the seasons to two halves like AMC's The Walking Dead where he could shoot 7 eps, take a break and shoot for the summer.
It would be in CBS benefit to implant a sense of anticipation and quality to make Meyer a director for an entire season. Could you imagine the excitement if the news breaks he's directing the entire season?
One thing, though, directing film and directing episodic TV are a lot different. Many cinematic conventions often don't translate well to the "small screen." There is a big however ... err ... however.
I've often felt a mini-series like construction would be the perfect medium for Star Trek. This goes back to the old "Is Star Trek better in film or on TV?" argument. Well, howabout something in the middle?
Singularly, viewers get to experience a much more fleshed-out adventure. There's room to fit in both the talking heads and the pew-pew without one overwhelming the other. This gives the "quintessential" theme-heavy Star Trek episode room to breathe and expand on its philosophy and still leave room for a good helping of ray guns and sexy alien beaus and babes.
On the other hand, there's still that feeling of progress and character depth and development that one doesn't get out of a film franchise (even the big ones like Marvel).
And since the show is going to be streaming, they don't have to worry about act cliffhangers and commercial bumpers, only adding to that cinematic edge.
So I think a series of five or so episodes each ~100 minutes in length would be perfect. I think Meyer would be capable of directing each episode, then, without becoming too overwhelmed.
Then bring in someone else to direct season two. Frakes, maybe, if they wanted to continue to embrace this "old guard" idea. Or go really crazy and give Singer a call.
I've often felt a mini-series like construction would be the perfect medium for Star Trek. This goes back to the old "Is Star Trek better in film or on TV?" argument. Well, howabout something in the middle?
Singularly, viewers get to experience a much more fleshed-out adventure. There's room to fit in both the talking heads and the pew-pew without one overwhelming the other. This gives the "quintessential" theme-heavy Star Trek episode room to breathe and expand on its philosophy and still leave room for a good helping of ray guns and sexy alien beaus and babes.
On the other hand, there's still that feeling of progress and character depth and development that one doesn't get out of a film franchise (even the big ones like Marvel).
And since the show is going to be streaming, they don't have to worry about act cliffhangers and commercial bumpers, only adding to that cinematic edge.
So I think a series of five or so episodes each ~100 minutes in length would be perfect. I think Meyer would be capable of directing each episode, then, without becoming too overwhelmed.
Then bring in someone else to direct season two. Frakes, maybe, if they wanted to continue to embrace this "old guard" idea. Or go really crazy and give Singer a call.
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