Season ONE OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Discussion Thread

[Maxwell Everett]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Interesting that they recovered all the footage, when the recent interview with Robert Meyer Burnett seemed to indicate that most of the unused footage doesn't exist, and hence the lack of any deleted scenes so far.

Heck, it might be even simpler than that: Most episodes probably didn't have enough material filmed to make a 60 minute work print in the first place. Or if they did, nobody assembled such a workprint, so the material got tossed during initial editing. So that the negatives survived in this case might be tightly linked both to the "over-shooting" and the original workprint having been created.

That makes sense.

What they probably kept in storage were any circle takes (the takes that the director chose to "print" -- or in this case telecine -- and that the camera assistant then circled on his or her camera report). Because they shot "The Measure of a Man" as written (2ND REV. FINAL DRAFT) and even did a rough assembly with these additional scenes, these circle takes were still preserved.

It's interesting to note that the aforementioned teleplay of "The Measure of a Man" by Melinda Snodgrass is 53 pages. The longest teleplay of Season Two is "Shades of Gray" at 76 pages... mostly due to extra flashback scenes not used in the aired version. The shortest is "The Royale" at 48 pages.

It all depends on the writing style used... some writers have long dialogue blocks or long action description, others not so much. The general rule used during TNG, DS9, VOY & ENT was about 1 1/2 pages-per-minute (so around 65 pages maximum for a 43 minute episode, minus the credit sequences).

 

[davejames]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

It's interesting to note that the aforementioned teleplay of "The Measure of a Man" by Melinda Snodgrass is 53 pages. The longest teleplay of Season Two is "Shades of Gray" at 76 pages... mostly due to extra flashback scenes not used in the aired version. The shortest is "The Royale" at 48 pages.

Kinda surprised they even bothered writing a complete script for Shades of Grey. I figured they just wrote a few pages, and then let the editors insert the necessary flashback scenes later on.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Perhaps this is a good point to create a "Blu-ray Season 2 discussion" sticky thread?

A tad too soon methinks. As soon as we have a release date, I'll put it up. Meantime, keep on droolin'.

 

[Maxwell Everett]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

It's interesting to note that the aforementioned teleplay of "The Measure of a Man" by Melinda Snodgrass is 53 pages. The longest teleplay of Season Two is "Shades of Gray" at 76 pages... mostly due to extra flashback scenes not used in the aired version. The shortest is "The Royale" at 48 pages.

Kinda surprised they even bothered writing a complete script for Shades of Grey. I figured they just wrote a few pages, and then let the editors insert the necessary flashback scenes later on.

Maurice Hurley (the writer) probably just put in a slug line referencing the appropriate episode/scene, then it was up to the script editors to insert the text from those episode's teleplays into "Shades of Gray".

Believe it or not, the video editors still needed a complete script to know exactly what parts of what scenes to include and how they're supposed to integrate into the new material (dissolves, fades, etc.)

It's just easier for everyone that way... including the director and actors during the shooting. Hey, Frakes needed to know what he was supposed to be dreaming about!

 

[tomalak301]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I'm really happy about the extended cut (And the regular) Measure of a Man episode. I really wonder how that will turn out. Also, more commentaries would be great, as well as some other features. Still, for this being Season 1, they have done a fantastic job, especially in the customer service area.

 

[trekker670]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I'm watching Symbiosis right now and I noticed towards the beginning, in the scene where Riker and Yar are walking through corridor from the cargo bay to the observation lounge, there was some unusual noise at the top of the frame for the duration of the scene, it looked as if the original film had been damaged, it appeared similar to when a VHS gets worn out / damaged.

 

[LastRideOut]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

@trekker670

I noticed that, though, I don't think it is from the film being damaged. It looks to me that as the camera dolly was going backward on the rail, the fabric framing on the lens might have come a bit loose and consequently, entered the active frame.

 

[Mott the barber]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Finally got around to Haven and heard the audio issues first hand. Amazing that got by them before it left the warehouse.

That being said, I'd forgotten how much I liked this episode. Yes some of the acting, particular the back and forth between Wyatt and Troi, was a little awkward (although maybe that was the point), but overall I found myself really enjoying it. The scene at the dinner table was really great, and I picked up on things I'd forgotten about or were previously blurry in the background, in particular Data standing next to Homm and his funny expressions. Classic scene right there. People knock Lwaxana but I think she's really great, especially her interaction with Picard

This episode also has one of the best lines in the series: "Thank you for the drinks." Riker's expression is priceless.

 

[Mott the barber]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Maxwell and Mott, your observations have been added to the "The last outpost" article at EAS. Thanks for that again! :-)

No prob! Thanks for the shout out!

 

[Maxwell Everett]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I'm watching Symbiosis right now and I noticed towards the beginning, in the scene where Riker and Yar are walking through corridor from the cargo bay to the observation lounge, there was some unusual noise at the top of the frame for the duration of the scene, it looked as if the original film had been damaged, it appeared similar to when a VHS gets worn out / damaged.

I noticed that, though, I don't think it is from the film being damaged. It looks to me that as the camera dolly was going backward on the rail, the fabric framing on the lens might have come a bit loose and consequently, entered the active frame.

I agree. Though, I'd say it is most likely the top French flag (adjustable fin) on the camera's matte box vibrating due to the dolly's movement, probably on wheels (carpet is fully visible, so no dolly track).

 

[tomalak301]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Watched Datalore tonight. Man they did wonders on the Crystalline Entity. I wonder how Silicon Avator will look, especially if remastering technology improves in the next two years and the picture quality did get better as the seasons went on. I would think when they get to Seasons 5-7, the remastering should be simpler, shouldn't it?

The only thing holding this episode back for me is how stupid the crew is, thus leading to "Shut Up Wesley". I did however appreciate Brent Spiner's range in this one, and the stuff between Data and Lore were great.

 

[Maxwell Everett]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I would think when they get to Seasons 5-7, the remastering should be simpler, shouldn't it?

Yes, in fact. One major thing that should speed things up is the introduction of Eastman Kodak's KeyKode numbering system in late 1989 (3rd Season). It's a machine-readable barcoding printed on the edge of the film. To quote Kodak's website directly:

EASTMAN KEYKODE numbers are machine-readable bar codes on Eastman film stock that exactly replicate the human-readable key number. They are printed every half foot and include a reference dot that identifies the frame to which each number applies.

KEYKODE numbers, in concert with a "reader," a personal computer, and database software, make it possible to save significant amounts of time and money during postproduction.

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/Tools/Post_Production/Keykode/index.htm

So, in short, they can definitely speed up editing and assembly of these later season episodes by utilizing this system... as long as the TNG editors back in 1989 were using it, that is. I've heard that they may have not started using Keykode until possibly the 6th Season (late 1992).

 

[davejames]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Man, I'm not sure what happened to We'll Always Have Paris. It started out promisingly enough with those cool time distortions, and some fun scenes of Picard fencing and visiting Paris on the Holodeck, and the great visual of the planetoid and pulsar....

But then the story just kind of grinds to a complete halt. Everyone spends the rest of the episode simply standing around, having a bunch of dull, uninteresting discussions where nothing much is really said, as the boring scientist guy drones on and on... and then finally Data beams down, seals the rupture, and the episode is over. Say huh?

It's pretty clear they just didn't have much of a story to work with here (apparently because of another writer's strike), and were simply padding things out as much as possible.

And the fact Stewart and Phillips had NO chemistry together whatsoever certainly didn't help. She was about as dull as can be (and yikes, what an ugly and unflattering costume).

 

[Salinga]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Part of the reason, why I like 'Where No One Has Gone Before' so much is not only the fantasy/science fiction story, but it has also some very nice cinematography. Some shots have movie quality.

http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_057.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_181.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_199.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_222.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_238.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_268.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_279.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_309.jpg
http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/1x06/wherenoone_hd_371.jpg

For me the main reason why TNG looks aged now is not so much the content or the design - its the static, slow presentation in most episodes. Even if a scene should show action, often the characters just stand still on their spots or the camera just keeps holding one basic angle.

 

[davejames]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Yeah TNG didn't have the most dynamic camerawork. But to be fair, not a lot of shows back then did.

 

[mswood]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Seriously Rob Bowman was one of the best Directors Trek has ever had. It kills me that he left the show (minus coming back fourth season for Brothers).

I mean look at (soon, but not soon enough) to the Child. Terrible episode, but the direction of that episode is outstanding. One of about 5 great directors that TNG had.

 

[cbspock]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

I think TNG Season 1 and 2 suffered because they had crappy stories. Look at Season 1 of the original series, they had science fiction writers writing for the show. The show pretty quickly found its beat. The characters played off each other well. TNG had too many characters and they didn't know what to do with them. Leaving Engineering open was a huge mistake. Moving Geordi there was a good move, getting rid of Yar was another. (I know she left the show on her own). I think the show would have worked even better without Wesley. Once they had the character interactions in later seasons the show improved. One stand out Picard / Crusher episode was Attached. I think the other aspect of the show that hurt it was all the techy talk, the only good thing was they stuck with what they established. The original series never got caught up in all the techy BS.

One episode I really liked was Booby Trap, but why have Geordi stuck on a holo-deck figuring out the problem by himself. Why not introduce some of the other engineering characters. It just seemed the show used Wesley, and the holodeck as a crutch too many times.


-Chris

 

[mswood]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Dont expect any more sales data for this set, at least not from any source that "we" can access.

The next 2nd week is out and its fell out of the top twenty (which is usually as much f the Blu-Ray side of thing that get published publicly on the internet.

Don't fret, if BLu-Ray tracks like DVD's you can expect 3 to 4 (some even go as high as 5-6 times) times those unit sales by the end of this calendar year.

AS for scale, yes I am a huge Scale fan. Seriously (I mean with CGI its just jacked that we still have scale issues), but the largest scale issue of TNG is that Regula model with a small NCC-1701 D in front of it (it has windows larger then the bridge, easily). And I really wish they would kill that one view (the other's not so bad), that one awful. At least when DS9 uses that same model, they doctor it so it isn't an exact duplicate of Regula (or even originally the flipped vertical orbital station in Motionless Picture).

But besides small (yet terribly annoying) bits like that, I have loved what I have seen. And can't wait to see what the extended cut of that episode is like (and of course very glad that original is also going to be there, which I did expect.
O

 

[Mott the barber]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Re-watching "The Big Goodbye" last night (excellent episode) and having watched the episodes in order before it to this point, I had forgotten how much they pushed the Picard-Beverly sexual tension so much early on. Unless I'm misinterpreting the intent, Picard initially invited Beverly (and only Beverly) to join him on the holodeck almost as a "date" or in a romantic sense, and it was subsequently suggested to him that he bring Whalen. Later in the episode, Beverly asks to see his office (which was preceeded by their first encounter at the police station where it looks like they're going to kiss) and they both look frustrated when Whalen and Data request to come along.

Add this up with EAF, The Naked Now, and at least one other I can't recall all the moment, and it really seemed like they were heading in that direction with the relationship.

Interesting to think what might have been, and really until "Attached" and "AGT" years later (with the occasional breakfasts), it was not even so much as addressed for most of the series after being ever-present early on.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: The OFFICIAL TNG Blu-Ray Season 1 Discussion Thread

Re-watching "The Big Goodbye" last night (excellent episode) and having watched the episodes in order before it to this point, I had forgotten how much they pushed the Picard-Beverly sexual tension so much early on. Unless I'm misinterpreting the intent, Picard initially invited Beverly (and only Beverly) to join him on the holodeck almost as a "date" or in a romantic sense, and it was subsequently suggested to him that he bring Whalen. Later in the episode, Beverly asks to see his office (which was preceeded by their first encounter at the police station where it looks like they're going to kiss) and they both look frustrated when Whalen and Data request to come along.

Add this up with EAF, The Naked Now, and at least one other I can't recall all the moment, and it really seemed like they were heading in that direction with the relationship.

Interesting to think what might have been, and really until "Attached" and "AGT" years later (with the occasional breakfasts), it was not even so much as addressed for most of the series.

Oh no, there were certainly other times it was suggested during the series, though you had to "read between the lines" a bit more to see it. ("Allegiance" comes to mind.)