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S.J. Clarkson To Direct Next Star Trek Movie, First Female Director in (Movie) Franchise’s History

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I'm just saying that being a proven TV director doesn't make one automatically a good movie director. Ditto for actors.

Being a movie director doesn't make one automatically a good movie director either -- just look at Michael Bay and Zack Snyder. Nothing guarantees goodness, but the fact that Clarkson has an amazing amount of experience compared to most Trek movie directors has got to count for something if you're remotely interested in being fair rather than just looking for excuses to be negative.


My recollection is of Jonathan Frakes giving an interview as to how he got started with his directorial career - by directing episodes of TNG and then DS9, and showing a knack for it.

Yes, exactly, and Clarkson has directed six times as many TV episodes as Frakes had before he got his first movie gig. So how could she possibly be less qualified?

And don't try to tell me that it only counts if they've directed Star Trek. There's nothing magical or unique about Star Trek from a direction or production standpoint, and these days it's not even that special from a writing standpoint, now that there's so much other high-quality SF alongside it. And being limited mainly or exclusively to directing Trek is a handicap compared to having a wide, eclectic range of experience on dozens of shows. Wide experience is always good, because it means you have more you can bring to the table to create something fresh and substantive. And it proves you can easily adapt to doing something you haven't already done.
 
So... We went from "Quentin frakking Tarantino possibly/hopefully directing Star Trek 14" to "S.J. Clarkson (Who?) to direct Star Trek 14". Disappointing, to say the least.
 
Not gonna lie, I'm glad we got Star Trek Beyond after all it's development troubles. That they're making a fourth movie following Beyond's weak theatrical run is awesome. If it's done a little cheaper, if it's more character than set piece driven, that's cool. I'm just happy to see these characters again and get closure on Jim Kirk's three movies of daddy issues.
im looking forward to seeing something more in line with what was originally planned for Beyond..(with George Kirk instead of Jim Kirk Prime)
 
I'm thrilled we're getting more Kelvinverse films. The crew and story were just starting to hit their stride in Beyond.

I loved Beyond, but obviously ST4 needs to perform better at the box office.

Paramount needs to execute an improved marketing strategy, and hopefully the production process is much more stable.

I'm still hopeful that we'll get the Tarantino film after that.

Either way, I'm optimistic about ST4. It will be working on a smaller budget and need a tighter script. That could be a good thing. Clarkson's experience on TV means she's well suited for those conditions. And the cast is clearly a close-knit group that enjoys working together and has developed a love for the franchise.
 
Either way, I'm optimistic about ST4. It will be working on a smaller budget and need a tighter script. That could be a good thing. Clarkson's experience on TV means she's well suited for those conditions.

Yes. Thank you. TV experience can be a plus. Like how the producer who "saved Star Trek" with TWOK and its sequels, Harve Bennett, was hired because he was a TV producer who could work on a tight budget.
 
Yeah, I think Clarkson will be great.

I'm really more interested in the quality of the script. I think she'll do a great job if she's given a badass story. At this point, the actors are familiar with each other and they all know their characters.

Clarkson will obviously put her own stamp on the franchise, but I think McKay and Payne have the most important lift this go-round.
 
Being a movie director doesn't make one automatically a good movie director either -- just look at Michael Bay and Zack Snyder. Nothing guarantees goodness, but the fact that Clarkson has an amazing amount of experience compared to most Trek movie directors has got to count for something if you're remotely interested in being fair rather than just looking for excuses to be negative.




Yes, exactly, and Clarkson has directed six times as many TV episodes as Frakes had before he got his first movie gig. So how could she possibly be less qualified?
I think you're reading too much into what I'm saying. I'm not saying that Clarkson is bad, or not experienced enough or whatnot. I honestly don't care - as long as its a good movie I'm happy.
I'm simply saying that extrapolating ones suitability as a film director simply from ones qualifications as a TV director doesn't give you a full picture of that persons abilities or talents, even though TV directing today is probably a lot closer to movie directing than back when TNG and DS9 were running.
And don't try to tell me that it only counts if they've directed Star Trek. There's nothing magical or unique about Star Trek from a direction or production standpoint, and these days it's not even that special from a writing standpoint, now that there's so much other high-quality SF alongside it. And being limited mainly or exclusively to directing Trek is a handicap compared to having a wide, eclectic range of experience on dozens of shows. Wide experience is always good, because it means you have more you can bring to the table to create something fresh and substantive. And it proves you can easily adapt to doing something you haven't already done.
Yeah, so this. Star Trek is whatever CBS/Paramount decides Star Trek is, not what a bunch of middle aged trekkies think GenesVision™ is.
 
I'm simply saying that extrapolating ones suitability as a film director simply from ones qualifications as a TV director doesn't give you a full picture of that persons abilities or talents, even though TV directing today is probably a lot closer to movie directing than back when TNG and DS9 were running.

Of course not. I'm just saying that, compared to most other first-time Star Trek movie directors, her credentials are really impressive, so I don't see any reason to see them as a cause for doubt.
 
The only thing I've seen of hers is the British "Life on Mars." She directed 6 out of 16 episodes, more than any other director, and I loved that show. If it's a time travel movie about George and Jim Kirk coming to terms with having lost each other, then "Life on Mars" fits right into that like a glove.

She's also had a busy career, on both sides of the Atlantic, busier than many Trek directors going into their first films.

Trek film directors who had zero films going into their first Trek films: Nimoy, Shatner, Carson, Frakes.

Meyer had only one film as a director. Stuart Baird had two films. Robert Wise and Justin Lin were by far the most experienced directors.

Carson and Frakes had the longest careers as directors outside of film, with Carson's roughly on par with Clarkson's, especially since his career had been on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here's an interview with her on her process: » S.J. Clarkson – The Defenders

It'll be great to get a fresh perspective! I'm looking forward to it.
 
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