Star Trek Continues, Episode 4 - "The White Iris"

[GSchnitzer]

Getting lots of complaints on the "So, do better or shut the hell up" post.

The consensus of those who formally complained is that the comment was argumentative trolling and it was unduly rude.

Please maintain great civility with your fellow TrekBBS family members--and don't feed trolls--or feed into the dynamics that might push someone into trolling behavior.

 

[USS Intrepid]

Maybe I don't see enough of these fan films (and in my view that's not a bad thing), but I'm not seeing other productions put under the same microscope as STC.

Pretty much every single fanfilm out there has been actually, if not moreso. Fairly and otherwise.

 

[DCR]

Maybe I don't see enough of these fan films (and in my view that's not a bad thing), but I'm not seeing other productions put under the same microscope as STC.

Pretty much every single fanfilm out there has been actually, if not moreso. Fairly and otherwise.

I have to agree with Nick here.

If anything STC gets off lightly in comparison to some other productions. It's a very good production, and clearly a labor of love, but it's not perfect.

 

[Duane]

Personally, I look forward to every release from both productions (and from a number of others).

From my own perspective I think they each succeed in different ways. STC does some things better than NV/PII and vice versa. Neither is perfect, but they have both provided me with quality entertainment.

Once again, DCR and I are in the same camp.

 

[Karzak]

As a fanfilm producer, albeit one rather further down the food chain than those associated with Continues, I completely disagree with the idea that anyone should "put up or shut up."

Criticism is an absolutely essential part of the creative process. Constructive criticism, that is. We all know there are people out there who nitpick and attack and dismiss things just because they simply don't care for something, or agree with a particular choice. I have no time for that.

I'm not seeing any of that sort of petty sniping here. I am seeing people raising fair points.

Resharing this because it's so vitally important for people to remember.

I have other thoughts to share and will do so later, but this one point felt really important to reinforce.

 

[Warped9]

No series episode or film is perfect and above criticism. Seriouly can anyone name something they didn't have at least some criticism with no matter how mild? And no matter how well received something is someone somewhere will have some issue with it.

 

[loghaD]

Did anybody else find it a bit weird that they named the aggressor planet "Eretria"? In my mind I couldn't help imagining that Chalcis was being attacked by Eritrea.

 

[Karzak]

Not really. I just kept thinking to myself -- "It's pronounced Eternia!"

 

[batboy853]

I really enjoyed this episode. I did not realize that Marina Sirtis was the voice of the computer in the series, I think she did the role perfectly. I now want her to just do a whole sound pack of various computer sayings Majel did over the years.

 

[Zaminhon]

If anything STC gets off lightly in comparison to some other productions. It's a very good production, and clearly a labor of love, but it's not perfect.

It seems to me that STC is being held to a higher standard than some of other fan projects. It is being judged on the same playing field as the original production. It reminds me of a Pro-Am golf tourney without the handicaps. I've read other reviews of fan productions, and most of them come off as constructive criticism and pointers on proper lighting and camera techniques, all basic niceties. Talking about getting off lightly- no mention of story,content or editing. It's completely understandable with the limited resources and professional experience.

With that said, I think it's amazing that STC and STNV can even be judged on the same level as the television series and deservedly so. I guess the old saying, the higher you climb, the further you fall still applies; they've almost reached the top of the TOS ladder and in some case exceeded it, and so far neither has fallen off yet. Criticism is fine, but in my opinion their accomplishments have far out-weighed the negatives.

 

[Newnham]

A long time lurker here, finally raising his head above the parapet in regards to this episode....

I'm a fan of a few things; Doctor Who, Star Wars, various British comedies, and TOS.

I sat down and watched this story last night, after having watched the others over previous evenings, and I came to a lot of the same conclusions and viewpoints that many of you have expressed.

Visually, it did look good, the sound design was good too. But I found it lacking a spark, it was very ponderous and slow. It reminded me of an early TNG episode.

Some plot points could have been explained better, or even cut as the story went over and over things many times.. Someone needs to go through the scripts and cut anything they don't need.

The teaser was too long, would have been better to go to the titles straight after the attack on Kirk, and I don't honestly think McCoy would give in that easily to Kirk ordering him to give him the experimental drug.

Like others, I find the counsellor and the Holodeck out of place.. The acting is better, especially Spock..

But i find issue with the gentleman playing Kirk. I don't doubt his abilities as an actor, but he tries too hard to imitate William Shatner. He should make the character his own, have some Shatner moments, but not slavishly try to be him.. He doesn't seem right to me.

I'm sorry for a long post, but I was trying to articulate my thoughts clearly.

 

[USS Intrepid]

It seems to me that STC is being held to a higher standard than some of other fan projects. It is being judged on the same playing field as the original production. It reminds me of a Pro-Am golf tourney without the handicaps. I've read other reviews of fan productions, and most of them come off as constructive criticism and pointers on proper lighting and camera techniques, all basic niceties. Talking about getting off lightly- no mention of story,content or editing. It's completely understandable with the limited resources and professional experience.

Then respectfully, I don't think you've been reading that many fan production reviews. If anything, Continues is getting an easier ride than others. One need only read some of the older comments about James Cawley to see that.

 

[Newnham]

If STC is of a higher standard, then why can't they employ a continuity person on set?

I still shudder when watching the first story, when Michael Forrest's wig appears and disappears at will..

Continuity is important, in both fan and high budget features, people will notice things and look for more.

it doesn't matter how much money is thrown at it, or how many big name actors are cast; if there are lot of glaring things it detracts from the film.. it must all come down to story. And I found the story for the latest STC very wanting.

 

[feek61]

If STC is of a higher standard, then why can't they employ a continuity person on set?

I still shudder when watching the first story, when Michael Forrest's wig appears and disappears at will..

That was intentional. When he became more powerful; he had more hair.

 

[Newnham]

I'm not whether you are being serious or not.

Continuity was all over the place!

It took, and still takes me right out of the film, which it shouldn't do.

 

[DCR]

I'm not whether you are being serious or not.

Continuity was all over the place!

It took, and still takes me right out of the film, which it shouldn't do.

That always sucks, for me as a viewer, Apollo's hair served as a handy power gauge. The more hair he had, the more gas in the tank.

 

[Newnham]

Just looked silly to me...

But in regards to 'The White Iris', I thought it lacked something, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't as wonderful as it could have been.

 

[mybandy]

I don't want to start a war on here, and I realize that constructive criticism is part of the review process, but I can't believe how nitpicky people can be and the ridiculous depths of their negative critiques which are not constructive. People make these FAN films out of love for TOS...some constructive criticism is appropriate...but I try to live by the motto "if I have nothing nice to say keep my mouth shut." Anyway I needed to break that motto to type the preceding comments because I just can't believe some of the people on here.

On a positive note...I absolutely loved the episode. It did move me emotionally. I loved the references to past TOS (why do so many people here see that as a flaw???). I am fine with the holodeck (as per TAS). The acting in this episode was simply the best I have ever seen in a fan film. It felt like watching an episode of TOS. I also love TOS-R effects...we are in year 49 of the franchise people. McKennah is a nice addition...and the actress did not overact here.

Thank you Star Trek Continues for keeping TOS alive and for providing us with the highest-quality fan films available. I commend your passion, your efforts, and your vision.

Couldn't agree more! Everyone is entitled to their own view on what's important to them and to enjoy discussing it. For me though, I'm happy just to enjoy these labors of love. I've been a fan since 1966 (old!) and I really enjoy both PII and STC. What these talented people have done withsmall budgets and no compensation is absolutely amazing! Keep in mind, TOS had "City on the Edge", but also "Spock's Brain." "Balance of Terror", but also "Children Shall Lead", not to mention much of Season 3.

 

[mybandy]

It's so great to see PII and STC cheering each other on. It can only make better films for we fans to enjoy (and we do!)

 

[Maurice]

I haven't watched the episode, so my response wasn't even about the quality of it either way but that "do better" isn't an acceptable response to critique; ever.

I've worked in the creativity-on-demand field my entire adult life and I've long since gotten over being thin-skinned about criticism OR getting pumped up over gushing praise, and I never argue with someone over their opinion of my work, good or bad.

In fact, when I moderate comments on YouTube or whatnot, the only ones I reply to are to correct misinformation (someone says the show was filmed on X date, but it was actually on Y), or to address trolling (like people using hate speech), but I don't argue over audience reactions, nor delete comments which beat up the work (as I've seen happen in other places).

Creative people create and audiences engage and react, and it's not in the latter's job description to have filmmaking credentials in order to have or express an opinion.