What is your biggest gripe about fan films.
- Thread starter Data Holmes
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Gonna have to strongly disagree with you on that. While I absolutely agree in not making it a big issue, that is, any gay characters should just be part of the tapestry, you can't simply ignore their existence. If you're going to show straight relationships, then gay and bi relationships should be present also. Doesn't mean they have to be an issue, or wave a flag around saying "we're gay" but to simply ignore homosexuality and bisexuality sends exactly the same message as simply saying it's wrong.
I think GR had the idea with just showing "sexuality"... Broad, all encompassing sex. Shame that the man was ahead of his times... think about what he could have done today with access to cable channels like FX and USA, or pay channels like HBO and SHowtime...
You DON'T ignore their existence... they're still there, but you never have to mention it all the time... I mean, if you have two people meeting each other in Ten-Forward, and one introduces himself to the other, the other does not ever have to say, "Pleased to meet you... I'm gay". Their gayness has NO relevance in the setting at all, BECAUSE it is such an accepted thing.
I agree. But since we haven't seen gay characters portrayed in any such way in fanfilms, what's your objection? Should we not see any sort of sexuality at all in Trek? Or just the heterosexual kind, and keep the non-heterosexual accepted but hidden. Because that's what it sounds like you're suggesting.
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Regarding that issue, any type of relationship can/should be shown on Star Trek and fan productions. Any physical contact and sexuality should be portrayed in a tasteful manner regardless of what sexual preference it portrays. Many gay main characters on prime-time shows seldom get very physical/intimate, most of it is suggested. A little suggestion goes a long way! There's no problem with two characters being intimate, but there's no need to make a viewer feel voyeuristic.
Anyways, I look forward to checking out everyone's fan films here! There's only so much time in a day, but I'd like to see all the hard work everyone has put in. And if someone has a favorite, feel free to share it and why you like it!
Anyways, I look forward to checking out everyone's fan films here! There's only so much time in a day, but I'd like to see all the hard work everyone has put in. And if someone has a favorite, feel free to share it and why you like it!
That they're all set in the old Star Trek universe. The one that won't exist in a few weeks. The one already fading into obscurity, and soon to be all but forgotten owing to the fact that TNG, DS9, VGR and most of ENT were all mastered at too low a resolution to survive into the age of HD and Blu-ray.
Absolutely agreed. But it should still be there. I guess the issue is in the execution, and some people are going to have different opinions on how it should be.
But I agree, it was done the way I think it should be done in the example you mention. Whether any of the fanfilms that have featured gay characters have done similarly, well I guess that's a debatable point. I'd argue that they (mostly) have. YMMV.
Completely irrelevant since Joe Public isn't likely to tell the difference between the two universes. Joe Public doesn't care about alternate realities. Also, how on Earth do you expect people to produce fanfilms set in the Abramsverse, when the movie hasn't even been released yet?
Is it a major plot point when Picard has a romp with Vash? Is it a major plot point when Kirk seduces alien princess #17? Is it a major plot point when Worf is showing Troi how far his ridges go?
Kirk falling in love with girl X is part of who he is. So, if Cmdr. Happens-to-be-gay falls for a same-sex guest star of the week in a fanfilm, I fail to see how it's any different. It's noit required to be central to the plot for any straight character to have a romance or show interest in a member of the opposite sex, ergo, to have different standards for gay characters is holding them to a different standard.
Also very much agreed.
Poor sound production.Bathroom sound.Ruins the visuals.
My biggest gripe would be the directing of beginner talent. It's very hard to do when you've got people who are not actors by trade. There are your typical telltale signs of weak acting skill, like uncomfortable pauses, uncertain eye movement, overt telegraphing, etc. Yes, I know these are fan productions and you can't find skilled volunteer actors very easily, especially on a regular basis, but if a little more attention could be paid to ironing out the more noticeable kinks in inexperienced actors, that would make me happy.
Oh and the other thing... operating controls in a believable manner. I just got done watching ST:P2 Episode 3, "World Enough and Time". There are some scenes where you see Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura fluttering their fingers across the control panels in the manner of nervous twitching. Little believability that they're operating something legitimate. The actor playing Chekov was especially guilty of it. Press and hold buttons in a way that makes it look like you're really doing something, folks!
Oh and the other thing... operating controls in a believable manner. I just got done watching ST:P2 Episode 3, "World Enough and Time". There are some scenes where you see Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura fluttering their fingers across the control panels in the manner of nervous twitching. Little believability that they're operating something legitimate. The actor playing Chekov was especially guilty of it. Press and hold buttons in a way that makes it look like you're really doing something, folks!
Two things...
One is the lack of any real character growth... I'm mainly looking at you 'New Voyages'. There's a lot of fertile ground to explore and yet we keep getting the same old SFX soup.
The other is the adolescent way gay relationships are handled... once again I'm mainly looking at you 'New Voyages'. Instead of making it casual and feel normal, it's made to be a dry-humping spectacle. Though I got to tell you I don't really care for relationship drama in Star Trek.
One is the lack of any real character growth... I'm mainly looking at you 'New Voyages'. There's a lot of fertile ground to explore and yet we keep getting the same old SFX soup.
The other is the adolescent way gay relationships are handled... once again I'm mainly looking at you 'New Voyages'. Instead of making it casual and feel normal, it's made to be a dry-humping spectacle. Though I got to tell you I don't really care for relationship drama in Star Trek.
I believe they are talking about the newest Phase II episode, to which I agree, I think it got a little out of hand. Yes, we seen Kirk romps, Picard Romps, Riker Romps, and Troi Romps, but they show only the kiss and the after scene, or implied they went farther.
I enjoy all of the fan films ranging from Phase II (Good Work James) to Intrepid (Good Work Nick). Yet the fan films that are the most excitable to watch are the original ones like Intrepid, like Odyssey, and Farragut. Phase II has great sets and FX, but I would rather have them do their own thing then try to emulate the original crew. Like when James Cawley would over play Kirk at times, it detracts from watching the show, but when he got more comfortable (Like talking normal), he was excellent. You were great in Hidden Frontier as Calhoun.
Another thing that annoys is everything character seem need a soliquoy about anything. Some of them is preaching, rather than speaking or as in Corey Aster's case, whining constantly. Yes, I understand the current event status of gays, no I do not need to listen to it every fucking episode where there is a homosexual. Besides its the 23rd Century to the 24th Century, every episode practically explains everyone is happy with differences (ranging from Aliens to multi-sexual Aliens) except for homosexuality, that do not make sense.
I enjoy all of the fan films ranging from Phase II (Good Work James) to Intrepid (Good Work Nick). Yet the fan films that are the most excitable to watch are the original ones like Intrepid, like Odyssey, and Farragut. Phase II has great sets and FX, but I would rather have them do their own thing then try to emulate the original crew. Like when James Cawley would over play Kirk at times, it detracts from watching the show, but when he got more comfortable (Like talking normal), he was excellent. You were great in Hidden Frontier as Calhoun.
Another thing that annoys is everything character seem need a soliquoy about anything. Some of them is preaching, rather than speaking or as in Corey Aster's case, whining constantly. Yes, I understand the current event status of gays, no I do not need to listen to it every fucking episode where there is a homosexual. Besides its the 23rd Century to the 24th Century, every episode practically explains everyone is happy with differences (ranging from Aliens to multi-sexual Aliens) except for homosexuality, that do not make sense.
Oh... ouch... (insert sarcastic expression of hurt here)
If that is the level of regard you have for the input of your own target audience, and the tone in which you chose to respond to the fan base, that just speaks volumes for itself.
I'd feel the same way whether it was your group or Paramount making the episodes. While your production is top notch in set construction and visual effects, it definitely lacks in writing, acting and directing. I just feel that New Voyages/Phase II has been one missed opportunity after another. The 5 year mission is winding down and we know all sorts of things change in the Kirk/Spock/McCoy relationship and yet we see you guys trumpeting 'Phase II' nacelles and yet another rehash of an un-produced script. You seem more interested in the name drop, than the actual content of a any given script.
Sorry if those are cheap potshots. But it's how I feel about your production.
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As a writer and trained actor, what gets me is the often poor quality of acting and writing, granted I know how difficult it is to make these fan film's especially those with sets on loan and special effects etc... time is short and precious and you do what you can, but lesson here for fan film makers, from one film maker to another, before you tread that set, green-screen, call it what you will, practice, practice, practice, do it with the writer, work at the dialogue, time is plentiful before you book your screen test, or set, dialogue has to sound natural, build on the characters, and the relationships.
Go back to Gene Roddenberry's original bible for what the show is about... people, not the starship, or the gadgetry, or technobabble... the people. 'Wagon train to the stars' that's what Gene said, no body gave a hoot about the horse and cart only that it took your favourite characters to the next adventure or story.
With the charcters nailed, then you can bring in the ships, the tech etc... because at least then, we, the viewers, will actually care and be bothered with the characters, and the 'Oh god the thing is going to eat the ship' scenario or whatever your taste may be will at least work better.
But seriously go back to Gene's original text in describing what Startrek is about and you'll go far
Same with any fan film, be realistic when casting, tell a story, work within your limitations, don't try and run before you can walk because it will look bad, limitations aren't there to prevent you from making a film, it just means you need another way of doing things, be creative, and you'll find you get a better result.
Go back to Gene Roddenberry's original bible for what the show is about... people, not the starship, or the gadgetry, or technobabble... the people. 'Wagon train to the stars' that's what Gene said, no body gave a hoot about the horse and cart only that it took your favourite characters to the next adventure or story.
With the charcters nailed, then you can bring in the ships, the tech etc... because at least then, we, the viewers, will actually care and be bothered with the characters, and the 'Oh god the thing is going to eat the ship' scenario or whatever your taste may be
will at least work better.But seriously go back to Gene's original text in describing what Startrek is about and you'll go far
Same with any fan film, be realistic when casting, tell a story, work within your limitations, don't try and run before you can walk because it will look bad, limitations aren't there to prevent you from making a film, it just means you need another way of doing things, be creative, and you'll find you get a better result.
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