Right, we might not have struck the absolute best balance.
Phase II - Act One of "KITUMBA"
- Thread starter TrekGirl
- Start date
Right, we might not have struck the absolute best balance.
I have to give you credit for being open to critique, Greg. It's not something I see a lot. Kudos.
hmm...not sure what "added characters" you are referring to - unless it's the cameos in the teaser, and our regular Phase II characters...Peter, Xon, etc...who are just featured like the rest of the original crew.
As for crunching the two parter down to one "extended episode" (it's five acts rather than four) it wasn't entirely disrepectful of JML to do so. The two episodes were "writer's working drafts" and, literally, there was one scene repeated (I mean copy and pasted) in the script four or five times. It was quite interesting to see how his mind was working...clearly having the thought "hey, that earlier conversation might fit here better!"
And if you go back to those original drafts, you will discover that the "talking" was cut down considerably. If I remember correctly the first "conversation" took place in the transporter room and lasted a good 25 minutes.
It is, undeniably, still a talky episode in the beginning...and maybe even later. But I did work to cut out as much of it as I thought I possibly could and still tel his story.
(as for TNG the line was "We REALLY haven't had an Emperor for..." so we latched onto the "really". When you think about it, it's a little weird that he would say it that way, instead of "we haven't...) By the end of the episode, hopefully, you'll know why he said it like that...it's only one of the things that "didn't match up in ENT/TOS/TNG about the Klingons we attempt to explain...
)
I've seen Act 1 a few times now. I do think it could use a few trims here and there, but overall it looks great. The only scene I didn't like was when Kirk made the comment about the TOS Klingon warriors being 'perfected' with human DNA. That seemed really out of character for Kirk.
Well, lets remember we actually shot this in 09'. It has been a horrible process for me, as the footage was kept away from us here at Phase II for quite some time and we were unable to do what was necessary to fix certain things because too much time had elapsed. I have been forced to fight a very tough battle with the edit and fix some very clumsy continuity issues shot by the director. It is what it is, not one of my favorite episodes we shot by any means, but it will be my swan song in the role.
I am, and will continue to be, a person who waits for the entire story in final form before I view it.
I know that there were issues that did harm to what was a very promising story, and one that I have been looking forward to watching. Still, I'm confident that many of those issues will be resolved in the final edit.
The issues about the filming and editing might prevent having this episode from turning into a swan, as Blood and Fire Parts 1 and 2 did. But I still recall all the negativity about B&F before the final final was released. I waited, and saw what I still think is the second best Phase II story ever, after only WEAT. Others who have discovered Phase II after the final was released have held opinions like my own.
I suspect that the final Kitumba will not be as good as it might have been if not for all the issues, but it will be better than many expect.
I know that there were issues that did harm to what was a very promising story, and one that I have been looking forward to watching. Still, I'm confident that many of those issues will be resolved in the final edit.
The issues about the filming and editing might prevent having this episode from turning into a swan, as Blood and Fire Parts 1 and 2 did. But I still recall all the negativity about B&F before the final final was released. I waited, and saw what I still think is the second best Phase II story ever, after only WEAT. Others who have discovered Phase II after the final was released have held opinions like my own.
I suspect that the final Kitumba will not be as good as it might have been if not for all the issues, but it will be better than many expect.
I was already disappointed that Mr. Cawley would no longer be playing Kirk, but now, knowing that Kitumba will be his last is really a bummer. I thought since the yet to be released episodes had been filmed for the most part, that I had several more episodes to look forward to.
"Captain Kirk" only appears in the teaser and tag of "The Protracted Man", and we only filmed one scene with "Kirk" for "Mind-Sifter" - because James was working and had Elvis sideburns. (it was a "torture scene" where his sideburns were able to be covered up by latex and a lot of blood). Truth be told, if James keeps working steadily and he was "Kirk", filming would not take place for Phase II for several years. So it's a catch-22: people who want James to play Kirk would not get any new episodes until 2016 at the earliest. (he's got gigs booked into 2015)
If it's any consolation, I think "Kitumba" was some of his best work - as well as the best work I've seen from Doc John as McCoy. (as well as most of the cast and crew) So, if the script sucks the acting is top notch (and the VFX incredibly beautiful) and he'll go out on a high note!
I'm glad to hear that James has lots of work. When the new casinos open upstate, I suspect he'll have even more. That's great news. I am sympathetic, and share the greedy instinct about missing his Kirk, but his generous gifts to the Trek community are overwhelming, and I think we should all just be polite and say, "Thank you."
Part 2 is great. I will really miss Cawley as Kirk, but it seems Elvis pays better.
Nice Praxis touch.
Thanks Bixby
