Star Trek the Motion Picture Memory Wall - light bee attack storyboard

[Pauln6]

This is my latest attempt to come up with a workable version of the missing Memory Wall scene from TMP. This version used LitAI to animate the existing images that have survived.

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The AI doesn't have enough context to stitch it together coherently but with real actors and expansive CGI, I think Otoy could turn it into something (here's hoping!). I picked Rand to replace Spock because a) she wasn't being used elsewhere; b) she's transporter chief and trying to set up a transporter relay makes sense, c) her prior relationship with Kirks sets us up for a bit of camaraderie that many say is missing from TMP; d) the hug in this scene is intended to hark back to the hug he gave her in Balance of Terror as a subtle nod to the shift in the status of their relationship.

 

[Maurice]

C'mon, the reality is you picked Rand because you like Rand.

 

[Pauln6]

C'mon, the reality is you picked Rand because you like Rand.

True in part! But I had already given her an extra scene in the second half of the movie, which was my original intention, so I didn't go into this part of the project intending to use her for this scene. One of my pet hates is using an unqualified character when you have a qualified one on hand. I didn't want to let any bias impact my decision, so I worked through it logically.

I thought about using Chekov but it made less sense as he was on the bridge with Kirk, so why wouldn't he be going out at the same time as Kirk? I also thought about using Scotty but the problem with both those actors was that I couldn't source extra dialogue with the same accent.

I didn't want to use her JUST because I like her. I wanted it to have a story purpose. After consideration, it fitted better to showcase Scotty’s relationship with Kirk over the comms and stick Rand in Spock's old suit to set up a transporter relay.

Certainly, I haven't had anyone suggest another character who would have been better here given the limitations of the technology and footage. I do think she works better that Chekov would have, regardless of the issue of changing the colour of the spacesuit to security grey, because his relationship with Kirk is far more transactional. Rand really can help prop Kirk up on a more emotional level when he's stressing so much about the mission and Spock IMO.

In addition, in the original version of CotEoF, Rand used her tricorder exactly like this to zap the space pirates' equipment. It wasn't as if I was taking her outside her established comfort zone. It felt like an homage to the original version of that story.

Edit: With a free hand, I would probably have thrown in Billy van Zandt's security officer.