Very true, as evidenced by him having helmed the cheapest of all the Trek movies, namely TWOK. However, I do think a lot of the credit for controlling that budget also goes to Harve Bennett, who brought the mentality of a television producer to the film. Still, Meyer knew how to work efficiently.
OTOH, though, I think sometimes the Trek films have a tendency to be TOO efficient. Say what you will about Shatner's skill as a director, he shot TFF more cinematically than just about any other Trek film. Most Star Trek feature films look like TV episodes that just happen to be shot in widescreen. TFF, with the notable exception of its horrible visual effects, LOOKS like a feature.
And, actually, I don't think Shatner is that bad of a director. I think he did a lot of good things in his direction. I think the problem was Shatner the writer, who tried to shoehorn into Trek a story that just didn't work.
OTOH, though, I think sometimes the Trek films have a tendency to be TOO efficient. Say what you will about Shatner's skill as a director, he shot TFF more cinematically than just about any other Trek film. Most Star Trek feature films look like TV episodes that just happen to be shot in widescreen. TFF, with the notable exception of its horrible visual effects, LOOKS like a feature.
And, actually, I don't think Shatner is that bad of a director. I think he did a lot of good things in his direction. I think the problem was Shatner the writer, who tried to shoehorn into Trek a story that just didn't work.
