"Space Command"

[Maurice]

This again makes me wonder about what sort of guarantees investors have in crowd-sourced projects. I mean, if they contributed on the basis of certain personnel being involved in a project, and said key personnel leave/are left, could those investors demand their investment back?

Well, this is probably a look at how studios end up feeling as they watch their investment evolve.

But with Kickstarter, I really viewed that as more of a donation; after all, what can you really do to force the Red Cross to use your money exactly like you wanted them to. The only promise made by the Kickstarter offer were the "awards"; so that would be the area where one could make a fraud claim. It may turn out to be something unexpected; but if they send you that bluray your donation paid for, then they really fulfilled the only arguable contract you had with them.

Oh, I agree that this is probably the case. I mean, how can you stop someone from quitting?

I've got great faith in Zicree on this; and if Doug is unhappy that it's not going just his specific way, then it's probably better he does step out.

I'm not going to comment on that. That's Doug's business.

There were elements about the original concept I wasn't crazy about anyway, so I don't mind it deviating from that, all I ever wanted and expected from this is a solid indie space-based scifi movie, so if we get that, I'm happy.

I'm curious as to what you weren't crazy about. Personally, I found the promo videos long on talking up the cast and crew and short on any meaningful details, so there wasn't much to critique except the zooming spaceships and CGI rendered environs.

 

[BlobVanDam]

There were elements about the original concept I wasn't crazy about anyway, so I don't mind it deviating from that, all I ever wanted and expected from this is a solid indie space-based scifi movie, so if we get that, I'm happy.

I'm curious as to what you weren't crazy about. Personally, I found the promo videos long on talking up the cast and crew and short on any meaningful details, so there wasn't much to critique except the zooming spaceships and CGI rendered environs.

I wasn't entirely sold on the retro 1950s inspired universe, but as you said, the promo wasn't solid on details, and the video still convinced me to donate, so I was giving them the benefit of the doubt there. Not really a big deal.
And it's not that I had a problem with it so much as that it wasn't one of the selling points for me personally, so if that's part of what has changed, then that wouldn't concern me.

It would be nice for the backers to get more details on this though. The updates have mostly stopped since the Kickstarter campaign finished, at least as far as the creative direction is concerned.

 

[RJDiogenes]

That's a pity. I wonder what the nature of the differences were. The concept seemed to be pretty clear from the beginning.

I hope this project doesn't self destruct. It could be quantum leap forward for the world of independent creators, or a major setback.

From everything I've seen I think its obvious that this isn't going to be the 50s style space show it was pitched as. I suspect that's part of it.

This again makes me wonder about what sort of guarantees investors have in crowd-sourced projects. I mean, if they contributed on the basis of certain personnel being involved in a project, and said key personnel leave/are left, could those investors demand their investment back?

Yeah, that never occurred to me. I didn't invest based on any one person, although I'm definitely a fan of Zicree, Drexler and the others, but I did invest based on it being a 50s-style (or at least 50s-inspired) Space Opera. Well, as long as it's good, I won't be too disappointed. They're still talking about it being an optimistic visions, versus the faux cynical stuff that's been the style of the past few years.

 

[Tom]

Yeah, not as interested without Doug involved. I know Marc also but still.. Personaly I'm not a fan of the 50's retro style stuff either, but thats just me.

 

[Maurice]

Actually, the retro-50s thing is the one thing I liked the best about the original pitch. I loved the idea of using the 50s aerospace concepts as a jumping off point, as it could have been a fresh look, but the trailers and concept art released are a mish-mash of designs and styles that don't go together and show no cohesive art direction.

Mind you, I don't want it to really look like a 1950s show. I mean, here's the original Space Command from 1953 [link to image].

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Been kind of expecting something like this for a couple of weeks:

Link

I hate when I make mistakes and I think I've made a big one in putting you all onto the Space Command Project. Although it appears to be a going project, it is not what it was sold as. I think the problem is that it raised almost three times what its Kickstarter goal was and the money went to Marc Zicree's head. He's been changing what Space Command is and some of the best people have already left the project because of it.

Several people have told me that Zicree purposefully misled them to keep them on long enough to close the deal. As I understand it Doug Drexler came up with the original idea, but when Zicree's script was written, it pretty much ignored everything they had planned together. The main reason I got so excited about this project in the first place was becasue Doug, a talented and experienced VFX Supervisor, was on board. Doug has since left the crew over disagreements with Zicree surrounding the changes in direction and a fair amount of dishonesty...

Some of this is probably overstated. There are several responses to the piece at the link as well, including one from Doug Drexler.

 

[JD]

I think this does bring up one of the biggest problems with Kickstarter. You never really know what exactly you're donating money to until it's too late. I find it kinda sad this the guy in charge's ego appears to be chasing all of the big name people away, they were the main reason I was interested in this.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Caveat Emptor.

I haven't been keeping up with things on a day-by-day basis, just reading the emails and checking in at the forums occasionally, but I haven't seen anything to make me regret investing. If it becomes something I don't like, well, that's my tough luck-- I didn't sign any contracts, I just gave them a handout.

I've heard a few people talk about a "change in vision," but they haven't really specifically said what that means. Marc is writing several scripts instead of one? Okay, I always knew it was intended to be a franchise. The format is evolving or undefined? So what? We live in an age where the format doesn't have to conform to old standards.

Somebody complained about it being a series of low-budget movies. Well, of course. The campaign raised a huge amount of money in relation to their original goal, but it's still only a fraction of the budget of a TV show, let alone a movie. I knew that and I'm fine with it. This is an independent production, not Hollywood. I've been saying since forever that we have the capability of making fine SF or Sci Fi or Space Opera with home-grade equipment (Chris Mihm has been proving that for years and Dennis is working on proving it with Polaris). I neither expected nor want this to be George Lucas or JJ Abrams.

At this point, I will remain optimistic until I hear something that I dislike from a creative standpoint.

 

[AvBaur]

I don't see much of a reason to be worried, either. While it's unfortunate that Doug Drexler is out, there are still quite a few talented people involved. I like most of what I've seen so far, even some of the recent changes like the less 50s-ish logo.

Just yesterday, I looked at all the audition tapes for the lead role and was surprised to find that almost all of them seemed quite professional and that there were actually several that I liked. I would be more than fine if Zicree managed to match the quality of his "Star Trek Phase 2" episode "World Enough and Time", and that had some pretty awful acting. "Space Command" already promises better acting and production values than that.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I was never really tempted to contribute to this - despite Doug's, Steve's and Andy's really impressive visual contributions to it, the project was sold on Kickstarter as all sizzle and no steak. You had a short list of talented creative people - now all departed - a setting, and a visual style.

Period.

I'm not sure how someone could complain about a change in premise, because nothing so complete as a story or series premise has ever been presented publicly. Setting does not equal premise, and even at this late point the available descriptions of the characters are names, putative ranks and a few broadly-sketched stereotypes.

It will find an an enthusiastic following of some shape and size. Everything does.

 

[xortex]

OK, first off, no wonder Doug Drexel left. The designs are horrendous and look like 1920's pulp sci-fi fiction rather than retro 50's sci-fi as was promised. The designs are ugly like the people involved.

Does anyone know how successful these kickstarter programs are or how hard they are to initiate. I hear there is a Trek one - Into Darkness? Is it any good or successful and what if things like this fold or don't become popular or serialized. Is Marc Scott Zicree going to make money on this over and above the quarter mill plus he's pulled in already? This sounds like a good thing to sidestep studio interference and have full creative control over your product and not done by committee on an assembly line with a Rick Berman hanging over your shoulder telling you what to do and not to do. I wonder how much creative freedom productions made by Netflix and Amazon will allow or do they have their own Bermans?

 

[Sindatur]

OK, first off, no wonder Doug Drexel left. The designs are horrendous and look like 1920's pulp sci-fi fiction rather than retro 50's sci-fi as was promised. The designs are ugly like the people involved.

Does anyone know how successful these kickstarter programs are or how hard they are to initiate. I hear there is a Trek one - Into Darkness? Is it any good or successful and what if things like this fold or don't become popular or serialized. Is Marc Scott Zicree going to make money on this over and above the quarter mill plus he's pulled in already? This sounds like a good thing to sidestep studio interference and have full creative control over your product and not done by committee on an assembly line with a Rick Berman hanging over your shoulder telling you what to do and not to do. I wonder how much creative freedom productions made by Netflix and Amazon will allow or do they have their own Bermans?

No, Star Trek II Into Darkness is being paid for by the Studio, JJ Abrams didn't do a kickstarter for it.

Perhaps you're thinking of Rod Roddenberry's Project Star Trek Renegades?
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=185420&highlight=Gods

 

[Tom]

Rod is not involved with Renegades.

 

[Sindatur]

Rod is not involved with Renegades.

Oh, thanks, I could've sworn I read that as someone's justification when the claim was being made that it was "Official Star Trek" by a poster here.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I wonder how much creative freedom productions made by Netflix and Amazon will allow or do they have their own Bermans?

Well, let's see how Netflix's revival of Arrested Development turns out but overall, I'd assume that original streaming productions are on par with original cable productions in being aimed at niche audiences and therefore won't have the dumbing-down pressure that afflicts broadcast so often.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Oh, thanks, I could've sworn I read that as someone's justification when the claim was being made that it was "Official Star Trek" by a poster here.

I believe Tim Russ is involved. That might be what you're thinking of.

OK, first off, no wonder Doug Drexel left. The designs are horrendous and look like 1920's pulp sci-fi fiction rather than retro 50's sci-fi as was promised.

I'd be just as happy with 1920s as with 1950s.

 

[Kegg]

Oh, thanks, I could've sworn I read that as someone's justification when the claim was being made that it was "Official Star Trek" by a poster here.

Well according to their kickstarter page they want to use the completed pilot to pitch it as an official series to CBS, and if they're not interested, then make it as another fan film.

 

[JD]

Oh, thanks, I could've sworn I read that as someone's justification when the claim was being made that it was "Official Star Trek" by a poster here.

I believe Tim Russ is involved. That might be what you're thinking of.

OK, first off, no wonder Doug Drexel left. The designs are horrendous and look like 1920's pulp sci-fi fiction rather than retro 50's sci-fi as was promised.

I'd be just as happy with 1920s as with 1950s.

Honestly, I think I'd almost rather see 1920s. It doesn't seem to be quite as popular as '50s retro.

 

[RJDiogenes]

True. To the wider audience, 20s art deco would probably be so old that it's new again.

 

[Kelso]

IIRC, the story covers multiple decades. It's possible that the style will evolve from the 1920's to the 1950's.