STC Ep. 6: "Come Not Between The Dragons" grading and discussion....(possible spoilers)

[urbandefault]

As with all fan productions, by its very nature it does not hold up to "professional" standards. That said, STC is the most consistent in terms of writing, acting, and production. No other fan production comes close, in my opinion.

Others have lofty goals, but the "fit and finish" as it were leaves something to be desired.

I'm not bashing the other fan productions. On the contrary, I admire the dedication and the work they put out. But in comparison, they could learn a lot from STC.

And even a great script and professional editing can't fix bad acting. Sorry, it's the truth. :/

 

[Warped9]

Exchanged some messages with Doug Drexler today.

Apparently he was the one who sold Vic on the "zoom through the hull breach" visual effect. Vic was initially skeptical of said visual not believing it could have been done back in the 1960s. Drexler explained how it could have been done using a series of mattes to get the desired effect.

 

[Warped9]

Am I the only one who finds some of the dialog mumbly? I had to rewind several times because I couldn't make out what some characters were saying when they spoke low.

No, I experienced some of that particularly with Gigi Edgely's character.

 

[BoredShipCapt'n]

Nice production values. I loved the alien suit.

Am I the only one who finds some of the dialog mumbly? I had to rewind several times because I couldn't make out what some characters were saying when they spoke low.

My ongoing complaint with fanfilm scripts applies here: again, the characters don't drive the story.

Spoiler: story specific stuff

The Captain is purely reactive, and at the climax it's the alien itself that saves the day of its own volition. Kirk's big speech to Spock doesn't feel set up earlier, and the big confessional guest-star message at the end likewise comes out of left field. The entire denouement is too long.

There are also "filler" moments which do nothing to advance the story. McKennah's brawl with Smith is totally unnecessary. You could cut it and it changes the story not one bit.

"Shields down to *yawn*..." Just. Stop.

So, again, nice looking show, but the script quality falls short of the production values.

I don't agree that Eliza's backstory "comes out of left field." It's hinted at throughout the episode when she reacts to everything with fear while all the rest are reacting with violent impulses; also in the fact that she's the only one who can communicate with Usdi. We even see her hiding behind Spock at one point. The affinity between Eliza and Usdi is telegraphed all the way through.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I don't agree that Eliza's backstory "comes out of left field." It's hinted at throughout the episode when she reacts to everything with fear while all the rest are reacting with violent impulses; also in the fact that she's the only one who can communicate with Usdi. We even see her hiding behind Spock at one point. The affinity between Eliza and Usdi is telegraphed all the way through.

Hmm, I doubt there were signs of the character's backstory was introduced in the first act of this fan film. It appeared she was just tired in the teaser and then the Monster crashed in. This was introduced at the end of the episode, it's not an Eliza mystery where Kirk and Spock was trying to figure out. The narrative is lost when it's not focused, and then out of no where at the end she tells this backstory.

 

[Tosk]

One thing this episode was nicely devoid of was any obvious references to post TOS productions made decades after the fact. Nothing like referring to something more recent to ruin the illusion you’re trying to sustain it’s still 1969. This includes using terms and phrases that were not in common usage so many years ago.

There was a small one that stood out to me, Uhura's "You think?!"

Usdi was all a guy in a suit; no cgi or puppet

When on board the Enterprise, at least. To my eye, it looked like he was CG when he was in space.


...Neither of these are criticisms. I'm not put off by that kind of stuff, and I enjoyed the episode a lot.

 

[Warped9]

There was a small one that stood out to me, Uhura's "You think?!"


When on board the Enterprise, at least. To my eye, it looked like he was CG when he was in space.


...Neither of these are criticisms. I'm not put off by that kind of stuff, and I enjoyed the episode a lot.

Yes, Doug Drexler has said that it was all costume except for those shots when Usdi or his father were seen in space outside the ship.

And, yes, the "Ya think?" remark stood out like a sore thumb. That simply wasn't said back in the day. Something more like "no kidding." or even just an exasperated look would have been more convincing and sufficiently effective.

 

[Zaminhon]

Yes, Doug Drexler has said that it was all costume except for those shots when Usdi or his father were seen in space outside the ship.

And, yes, the "Ya think?" remark stood out like a sore thumb. That simply wasn't said back in the day. Something more like "no kidding." or even just an exasperated look would have been more convincing and sufficiently effective.

I don't know, "Ya Think?" sounds like something Brett Maverick would have said, or maybe I'm thinking of Rockford a few years later, still I believe it was around, but it's probably not a "Trek" thing to say.

 

[Maurice]

Well, they transported the alien to engineering because it was better shielded. The doors to engineering were then sealed.

Which is plot mechanics and not what I am talking about.

I am talking about the McKennah fighting Smith scene. That was unnecessary because all she doesn't succeed. Kirk beams into the engine room anyway and they phaser the alien. Ergo, the scene does not advance the plot.

A bit harsh and not particularly constructive.

Critique is a deconstructive process. The constant refrain that a critique is not "constructive" is to say that it is the critic's job to educate the filmmakers, which it isn't.

Frankly, the reason I don't enjoy most fan productions is because the scripts are almost universally their Achilles Heel. It's the cheapest thing to get right, since it's simply words on a page, yet it's the one thing almost no one manages to get right.

 

[Philip Guyott]

I don't know, "Ya Think?" sounds like something Brett Maverick would have said, or maybe I'm thinking of Rockford a few years later, still I believe it was around, but it's probably not a "Trek" thing to say.

I did a NGram search for "Ya Think" and it has revealed that the phrase began in the early 1960's and its usage has continued to increase. LINK

 

[Warped9]

It pays to remember that STC does not give us Nichelle Nichols' Uhura. Kim Stinger's take on the character is not the same. The Uhura in STC doesn't have the same bearing or manner of speaking as TOS' Uhura. Stinger's Uhura strikes me as somewhat more Westernized, more American.

 

[STEPhon IT]

Maybe Kim Stinger is paying homage to Uhura from Phase II?

 

[Warped9]

Maybe Kim Stinger is paying homage to Uhura from Phase II?

???

I don't know how to even interpret that. I'm relieved she's not a nagging pain-in-the-ass like JJtrek's Uhura.

 

[Maurice]

I did a NGram search for "Ya Think" and it has revealed that the phrase began in the early 1960's and its usage has continued to increase. LINK

The trouble with a quick Ngram search like that is it doesn't show the context unless you drill down. The first few instances of "ya think" in that search come from the following:

• "What makes ya think they wouldn't interest me?"
• "I know I didn't come home last night; whatta ya think, I don't even know when I don't come home?"
• "What do ya think I am?"
• Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? (song title)
• "Ya think you're so damn smart, whyn't ya get that classy..."
• "Don't ya think..."

etc.

The first instance I find of "ya think?" as a stand alone is in the 1993 published play "Belmont Avenue Social Club", as follows:

FRAN. (Patiently.) Some people might not think it's too ... ya know, tasteful.
CHICKIE. Ya think?

Also, the Ngram viewer is limited to what's in the Google Books database, and isn't necessarily inclusive of all periodicals and other places possible quicker to adopt slang.

But if we trust the Ngram at all it's petty apparent "ya think?" wasn't exactly in the vernacular in 1970.

 

[STEPhon IT]

???

I don't know how to even interpret that. I'm relieved she's not a nagging pain-in-the-ass like JJtrek's Uhura.

No, Dummy, Stinger was originally Uhura from New Voyages. LOL!!!

 

[Warped9]

No, Dummy, Stinger was originally Uhura from New Voyages. LOL!!!

I know that. So you're saying she is simply continuing what she did there. That still makes her distinctly different than Nichelle Nichols' Uhura.

 

[Maurice]

No, Dummy, Stinger was originally Uhura from New Voyages. LOL!!!

That was inappropriate.

 

[STEPhon IT]

I know that. So you're saying she is simply continuing what she did there. That still makes her distinctly different than Nichelle Nichols' Uhura.

I'm saying I'm KIDDING with you!!! Oh boy, LOL!!!!

 

[STEPhon IT]

That was inappropriate.

Ok, if kidding around is considered that then apologies to Warped9 and whoever thought so.

 

[Warped9]

Ok, if kidding around is considered that then apologies to Warped9 and whoever thought so.

I didn't take undo offence.