Project: Potemkin, a Star Trek Fan Film

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

We considered that, but decided it would impede the actors in moving around the limited area of the bridge.

By the way, we updated our website with three new images tonight in our Building the Bridge 2 page: http://www.projectpotemkin.com/building_the_bridge_2.htm

 

[Melonpool]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Looking good!

Understand about limited space. I had to abandon the railing in mine for the same reason. Hope you don't mind my little "tips." If anything that I've discovered can help you guys, I see it as a win-win situation. Likewise, if you pick up any time-saving or cool ideas while constructing your set, I'd love to hear them!

I think all of our projects can benefit greatly from one another's experiences. I know how isolated I felt building back in the 80s (before the Internet), and am happy to see kindred spirits out there living the dream as well.

Looking forward to more updates!

Steve

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

This weekend was so rainy that I ended up working on putting together the props. We ended up ordering two phasers, three tricorders for those props. But with our communicators, we chose to order up 20 broken cell phones of the same make and model. We're painting and detailing them to look like the ST:V communicators.

As far as sets goes, tonight Ricky and I worked on the Klingon bridge set facade. The Klingon footage will be shot first, and we also contacted a lot of Klingon fans in Georgia trying to come up with two or three cast members. We've had only a few express interest, but we're hoping to find a few this week or next. (And if anyone with a Klingon costume and makeup would like to appear in the first episode of Potemkin, please let us know!)

Back to your post, we agree that everyone can benefit from sharing information. We LOVE your turbolift exit, and are looking at trying that on our set for our turbolifts and rear exit from the bridge. We're thinking of using the hardware from closet doors to get them to slide open and close. Any suggestions there?

 

[Melonpool]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

You know what I have in my old prop box? 5 of the walkie talky Star Trek V communicators that Crest put out as a movie tie-in back in the day. We were going to use them in our movies, but by the time they released them, we never made any more. I used to have a sixth, but I converted one into a flux capicitor on a puppet-sized time machine on one of my other projects.

Would these be something that you could use? I'm planning to put them up on ebay eventually.

They look exactly like these.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

I actually sold my pair at ShoreLeave years ago. They're not what I had in mind, but thanks for the suggestion/offer. After working out the issue with the grid, we're sure we've got the right way to go with vinyl appliques on the repainted cell phones. Working now on getting back covers for them.

Spent the evening painting the Klingon bridge set. Should have it completely finished and ready for filming this weekend. Now if we can only find some Klingons...

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

From what I have seen, you have a great production going..keep up the good work!!!

Rob

 

[DestinyCaptain]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Randy, have you seen this thread?

http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=109862

It's about conjectural daily wear version of the movie uniform. Pretty interesting idea, might help you establish you own look while fitting into the WOK era.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

From what I have seen, you have a great production going..keep up the good work!!!

Thanks, Rob. Spent this evening painting the Klingon bridge. Hope to assemble most of it tomorrow, and do some test shooting this weekend with various lighting schemes (and two grumpy teenagers acting like Klingons).

Randy, have you seen this thread? It's about conjectural daily wear version of the movie uniform. Pretty interesting idea, might help you establish you own look while fitting into the WOK era.

It does look good (and expensive), but we're going with the tunics only with rank patches (that look like the pins) sewn onto the outside of the arms. Haven't decided about the Starfleet logo and whether or not to have it sewn onto each turtleneck as an insignia-type patch. It'll be as though our crew simply doesn't wear the mountie outfits.

R

 

[Melonpool]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Ooh! Post some pictures of the Klingon set as well! I had no idea your production was going to feature more than the bridge at this point! Cool!

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Well, it's more like a facade than an actual complete Klingon bridge. But it will do nicely we think. We'll definitely upload some pictures this weekend along with an article this weekend.

 

[Melonpool]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

I think a lot of people don't give facades enough credit. Not every set needs to be 100% finished -- or even completely authentic. The Bridge is one thing -- since it will undoubtedly be used for several episodes -- and need a lot of room for experimentation. But why waste a long time building an entire Klingon Bridge if all you need is a a captain's chair and part of a back wall?

One of the things I've been trying to do is make all of my set pieces more or less modular -- so that i can reconfigure door flats and wall flats -- and even some of the consoles -- into new configurations to complete several rooms. Even on the original series, I could see using the walls and doors from the briefing room to make the Transporter Room wall. I know they didn't -- but there's no reason we can't!

Also, it makes it a lot easier to store the walls that aren't being used when your stage space is limited. Just some things to think about!

I'm taking yet another pass at the script over the next few days. One good thing about the sets taking as long as they do is that there's really no excuse for having a script that's not as tight as it can be.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Exactly our thoughts for our Klingon bridge in particular. The total screen time is maybe three or four minutes, with the Klingon Commander in the foreground on his command chair, and the background behind him has two partitions. The one on the left belongs to Klingon Science Officer who has a few speaking lines. The one on the right is a nameless Klingon who doesn't get to say anything.

We've a few more things to add to the set (Klingon logo, Science Officer's "station", maybe a throw rug...) and then we'll post some pictures to our website this weekend in an article called "Building the Klingon Bridge."

Once we're through with the Klingon wall, we're probably going to use it as a corridor wall, or turn it around and use the other side as our mainviewer.

Agree with you completely about the script, though. We're trying to avoid unnecessary dialog.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Finished construction on the bridge as well as the lighting rig. Need to make a few adjustments, but you can check out the pics at our webpage: http://www.projectpotemkin.com/building_the_klingon_bridge.htm.

This week, we plan to work on the props and the helm/nav console. Next week, the elevated bridge platform!

 

[Maurice]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Had a look at your website and the tests you did for the bridge consoles. I've worked on a few of these small sci-fi films and I can tell you that unless you plan to get very very close to a console, don't sweat labels and fine details. Generally, it never shows up on camera unless you do a tight insert. Concentrate on what looks good on camera and don't overdo detail that won't be seen. You're best off spending that time and effort on the myriad other details required to make the film.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Good advice, and much appreciated. We're actually ready to build the main set, but to us the story is going to be the most important thing. Still, we want our sets to look good and not detract from the story.

 

[DestinyCaptain]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Randy,

Have you had any contact with folks at Star Trek Lexington? Seems your projects might benefit mutually... Oh hey and I forgot Star Trek USS Hathaway.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

We've had some contact with Lexington, and they've volunteered to help out, but with them being 150 miles away, I'm not sure if they could help out. Joey's volunteered but his being in Korea, I'm not sure exactly how to put him to work...

I haven't heard from the Hathaway folks, and my last email to Brad bounced.

We probably will be allowing other productions to use our sets. John and Farragut have expressed some interest in that, and we'll be open to it.

Right now, we've got to get the Klingons scenes filmed (if anyone knows any Klingons who'd like to appear in this fan film, let us know!) and the bridge itself built. Was admiring Farragut's construction techniques on their bridge this weekend, and got a few ideas from their pictures about how to simplify the control panel construction immensely.

 

[Maurice]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

A quick follow-up note: The red grilles on your Klingon set are perhaps TOO red. The color works on a spidery grillwork, but what you're using is a fairly dense mesh. You might want to tone that down, as bright red is really going to make the background a distraction.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

I think you may be right if we were to use standard lighting. We're going to make it darker (i.e. redder) and see what how that affects the appearance of the grille. If needed, we plan to going to a burgundy/maroon color that may work better. We expect to have more test footage this weekend.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Re: New Star Trek Fan Film

Just updating things a bit:

04/06/2010: "Props" -- Phasers and Communicators. Two different approaches, and both work for us.

04/10/2010: Filming will actually begin on our Klingon set! Ricky and I finished working on the Klingon set (adjusting the lighting and the lattices) earlier tonight, and we're ready to film! We need KLINGONS!!! If you know of any, now's the time to send them our way!

04/24/2010: Auditions will take place! Our first script is now complete and is ready for casting. To that end, we are looking for a total of eleven (11) actors/actresses for speaking roles, and perhaps one or two extras. If you would like to schedule an audition, please contact Randy at producer@projectpotemkin.com for details.

The first actor cast, in fact, was John Broughton of Starship Farragut who will be making a cameo as Admiral Jack Carter. We're excited by John's involvement in our production!

The rest of the week, we'll be working on the helm/nav/astrogator... Finishing up the finishing, so to speak, and we actually drilled the holes for the astrogator's lights tonight. Pictures next weekend!

That's All For Now...