I'm just curious as to why so many fan productions are focused in the early TOS era? Is it that the sets are cheaper to build? Many of the 24th century series use virtual sets. Is it too expensive to replicate the movie era/24th century look?
Why so many TOS replicas?
- Thread starter Gotham Central
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I think the TOS sets are within the ability of people who are adept at planning and building and made of ordinary building materials that aren't overly expensive while the later sets are much more complex (i.e. expensive)
I'm not convinced the TNG era sets are that much more difficult or expensive to make. I do know that most of us who work in that era would love to make sets but we just don't have the financial backing or resources to do it.
I gather it's just that the only fans with the financial resources to build actual sets are primarily fans of The Original Series.
I think it is also a mater of balance. We have 526 episodes set in the TNG era (178 TNG, 176 DS9, 172 VOY) and only 79 episodes of TOS (101 if you include the animated series).
I also think it is about nostalgia. The TNG and Enterprise eras are still fairly recent, however I imagine that the generation that grew up with TNG and Enterprise will in the future be nostalgic towards those Trek eras. We are already seeing this start to happen. The people who grew up with TOS also tend to have more resources and the experience needed to produce fan films.
I also think it is about nostalgia. The TNG and Enterprise eras are still fairly recent, however I imagine that the generation that grew up with TNG and Enterprise will in the future be nostalgic towards those Trek eras. We are already seeing this start to happen. The people who grew up with TOS also tend to have more resources and the experience needed to produce fan films.
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Yes, the other series all got to be sort of done to death on TV, but not TOS.
If you weren't around in the wasteland of the Seventies, you might not appreciate the intensity of the thirst for more Star Trek that prevailed among fans... which at that time was synonymous with "more TOS." It was a thirst that was never really satisfied, since neither TAS nor the movie era was quite the same or quite enough.
I think it is the feeling that TOS got cut short. Also, I really think TOS has a lot of the iconography that is really recognized as Star Trek.
I'd suggest all of these listed are valid reasons. It's not just one thing. 
I think set costs would the same wood panels and paint are the same cost while painting plexiglass for touch screens compared to making all the icecube tray buttons and gumdrops I think would be cheaper. I have not priced 1980's auto bucket seats, but I guess they are easier to get than 1960's Burke chairs...costumes well I have not seen anyon pull off the TMP look and Monster Maroons are not cheap.. but Rubies has TOS and TNG era uniforms and I guess the TOS era shirts are easier to make ( even with a hidden zipper)
Ask anyone on the street who the captain of the Starship Enterprise is.
I'm pretty sure at least three-quarters or more will say "Captain Kirk".
I'm pretty sure at least three-quarters or more will say "Captain Kirk".
I think it's because once one person does something, others feel they can. If one person built TNG sets, others would feel they could.
This. It is by far the most iconic era, and for most of us over 35, 40 in age there was only one era and crew when we first started watching.
They are scarce but I have seen a few physical fan tng era sets that look ok. I guess main engineering, the Voyage bridge or DS9 would be a challenge!!
True enough. In terms of basic pop culture literacy, TOS is probably the most deeply ingrained.
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