TMP Screening at American Cinematheque in LA

[Ryann866]

Just got back from seeing TMP for the first time on the big screen. I had never seen it before in a theater.

I have to say, even though I love the film and enjoy it when I watch it, it is a real chore to sit through in a theater. So plodding that you can't help but fidgit in your seat when you realize you're only a quarter way in. Also, you can tell what a rush job post production was in terms of a sound mix and editing. Still, there are some really great sci-fi ideas at the core of the story... and as always, Bones delivers some of the best lines.

Effects art director Richard Taylor was on hand and showed an amazing slideshow of behind the scenes images that have never been seen before. This film is a crowning achievement in special effects and most of them hold up incredibly well. Some of the designs blow away anything CGI today -- more so when you think about the fact that these guys did it all by hand. And I did get chills seeing the tour of the Enterprise in drydock even though I've seen the film a million times.

Seeing the presentation I didn't realize how amazing some of Taylor and Richard Abel & Associates' concepts were. One of the slides showed an optical effect for the Ilia Probe that was discarded but would have looked much better than that light tube.

Another great visual were concept drawings for a V'Ger alter showing V'ger having collected space junk as idols along it's journey. More storyboards show V'Ger transforming into a gigantic, organic butterfly-like life form. One other slide showed a contact sheet of high contrast tests of the Enterprise model that were to be effected in a bunch of ways to make it look like V'ger was scanning the ship as in entered the cloud.

My personal favorite was seeing a photo of the Phase II engine room set under construction, shot from the stage floor in the "pit" area where the warp core grew out of. In this form it looked like more like a McDonalds playground than a starship engine room.

Seeing Trek VI on Sunday, might try to catch II & III tomorrow.

 

[Indysolo]

Thanks for the report. I thought of going to the panel only, but got caught up in work. I would not have missed this had they shown "The Director's Edition", which was screened at The Egyptian in 2009. How was the condition of the print?

I will be at the rest of the movies this weekend. I hope Star Trek II is the new print made from the restoration. I've seen that projected a few times now and it's stunning.

Neil

 

[Maurice]

I found out about it too late to go, which is too bad as I've wanted to interview Mr. Taylor for some time.

 

[Botany Bay]

Thanks for the report, Ryan. It's the only TOS film I haven't seen in a cinema.

The behind the scenes talk sounds interesting. I agree with you - the effects team produced some breathtaking stuff on that film, especially given the chaos surrounding its production.

 

[Ryann866]

Thanks for the report. I thought of going to the panel only, but got caught up in work. I would not have missed this had they shown "The Director's Edition", which was screened at The Egyptian in 2009. How was the condition of the print?

I will be at the rest of the movies this weekend. I hope Star Trek II is the new print made from the restoration. I've seen that projected a few times now and it's stunning.

Neil

The print was actually pretty bad. Most of the mid-reel footage was okay but the sound overall was pretty terrible. It looked like this print wasn't color timed that well either, or perhaps it's just really old.

I saw a Trek II print a few years ago at the Chinese. It was an older print (no II in the title) but it looked and sounded much better than this print of TMP.

Darren Dochterman was on hand and explained that there were never any 70mm prints made for TMP because of the rush to get it into theaters. Also there are no plans at all to upgrade the Director's Cut of TMP to blu-ray.

 

[Maurice]

The last time I saw a cut of TMP in a theater it appeared to be a hybrid between the SLV and the Theatrical cut. It had some of the extra crap early in the film, but not in the later parts.

 

[Joe_Atari]

For the record, this seems to have been the same 35mm print screened in Santa Monica last year as part of their 70mm series (they too couldn't find a 70mm print of TMP and subbed this one at the last minute). The only difference is that I remember the overture being present last year where it was absent at the Egyptian. Most of the SLV scenes are present with the following exceptions:

1. Bones' "Now discussing command fitness" line in Kirk's quarters (and the rest of the scene is now the same take as the theatrical version)

2. Kirk suiting up to follow Spock into V'ger

3. Kirk exiting the Enterprise ("I have him in sight.")

I echo the comments above about the condition of the print; I'm amazed this is the best print Paramount has to offer for film screenings. Even a better quality version of the theatrical version would be welcome. And were no 70mm prints struck after the premiere for overseas distribution?

Taylor's comments were very interesting and the stills were amazing; the first slide was the "ASTRA Image" (A Star Trek Robert Abel) logo which made me want to see the slideshow first before the movie. I wanted to ask Taylor if he felt the Abel effects could have been completed in time for the 12/7 premiere (as ambitious and revolutionary as they were and given that it took multiple, more experienced motion-control effects houses to do the job with crazy overtime), but I assumed the answer would be "Yes of course." Still, a definitive book or documentary chronicle of the making of TMP, frankly discussing the Abel-era ala the Abyss and Alien3 documentaries of those troubled productions, is long overdue.

For those present at the screening: What did you think of the "Lots of coke" (or was it "Lots of Coke") in reference to RA&A comment by the moderator? Hmmmmm...

 

[Indysolo]

I heard from a colleague that went to the TMP showing Thursday night. It was not the theatrical cut, but rather a hybrid of the theatrical and the "Special Longer Version". This was made in 1991 for the "Sit Long and Prosper" showing.

Trek's IV and V looked and sounded fantastic last night in 70mm.

Neil

 

[Joe_Atari]

For those interested in the subject of Abel & Associates' involvement in TMP, here's a period article about the whole affair:

Abel Neglex Trex Effex

This is the first time I've been able to find this article online, so I hope others will find it interesting! I like how it totally spoils the V'ger mystery but then says, "Not to give too much away..."

 

[Ryann866]

Just got back from the 70mm Trek VI screening.

The picture and the sound were fantastic. As was the audience... cheering and applauding throughout the whole film. Really a great time. Nick Meyer sat in the audience through the film and did a Q&A afterwards and it was a pretty intellectual discussion... always great to hear his insights. A shame he probably won't be doing any more Trek.

I'm always surprised how emotionally wrapped up I get towards the end of the film and seeing that last shot of the Enterprise drifting into the sunset with Kirk's final log. And, in my opinion, the best rendition of the fanfare ever -- by Eidelman.

 

[Indysolo]

The sound was great as was the image, but how bad is it to have a bad splice go through the projector causing the image to go out of frame and then to screw up a reel change while the director is in the audience?

The q&a was good though, especially when Mr. Meyer not so subtly shifted the interview towards Star Trek VI and away from Star Trek II.

 

[Harvey]

I was at the screening and Q&A for VI as well. The print looked terrific. Outside of a few splices, it was pristine. The mis-framing and reel change screw-ups were annoying, though. At least they fixed both of them quickly.

Meyer was interesting to hear in person--I really need to read his book. I'll also have to take a trip to the University of Iowa and rifle through his Star Trek papers when I have the chance.

 

[ScottDS]

Meyer was interesting to hear in person--I really need to read his book. I'll also have to take a trip to the University of Iowa and rifle through his Star Trek papers when I have the chance.

His book is very good (and available in softcover now) but I'd say 90% of the Star Trek material is stuff that we've heard before in countless interviews and commentaries.

As for a trip to U of I, count me in!