Working on STTNG

[Amaris]

Is that what it looked like every time they weren't shooting a scene there? I mean, there are no panels or anything. It looks practically mothballed.

Yes, when I visited the TNG studio sets in February 1988 it was a somewhat disillusioning experience.

A lot of set detail doesn't look too great when examined close-up.

The moment the panel lights come on and once the set is properly illuminated the magic of make-believe kicks in.

My appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work increased exponentially after I had seen the actual sets in their normal "daylight" condition (and flashlight photography rather makes these look worse, but you can see interesting details, like the chair in Data's room, you wouldn't be able to notice under normal conditions).

Bob

Oh, I certainly have great appreciation for all of the magic making that has to take place. I was just so surprised how bare it was. I just thought they put them away in a corner, or a closet and brought them out when they needed that console. Boy was I wrong on that one!

It really is amazing how these people made (and continue to make) these wonderful worlds from ordinary environments.

 

[Maurice]

re The Black Hole trivia, etc. I'm interested in factual information is all, and I don't consider it rude or an attack when someone politely points out erroneous information. I've been corrected myself and I appreciate learning the actual facts.

 

[Amaris]

Hearing that the Cygnus was ran over by a forklift is pretty disheartening, though.

Regardless of the practicality of the ship, the design was excellent, and the on screen effect of that was simply superb. One of my favorite moments in the film (which I love to pieces anyway), is the opening exploratory scene where they first spot the Cygnus.

 

[wtriker1701]

So, I'm taken away by the Title of this OP's threat "Working on STTNG", but, in fact, this thread derailed often more into "See that Photo, here's that Prop., and that's where he got this...".

My wish is, that we hear/read factual stories of how it was "working for STTNG". BTS photos we have seen none, really, so far; more what looks like a private collection while sneaking around the sets because no one looked. Like the video.

And the interwebs reveal aliases as williamtaylor1969 (and others) that don't seem to shine a bright light onto your persona. Maybe some facts could enlighten us...

Please, Greg, tell us how it was "Working for STTNG". Maybe the "BTS-stills" can be shown and discussed in another thread.

Or am I wrong?

 

[JD5000]

My wish is, that we hear/read factual stories of how it was "working for STTNG".

I think that's what we're hearing. What makes anyone think this is gonna to smell like a rose bouquet? It was the guy's job. Weird, effed up things happen at work. If that doesn't happen to you, I bet it has to every other employed person you know. If anything, it is the frantic fanaticism of people like you and me that make it worthwhile to listen to - otherwise it would have just been another job. Mr. Stone is lucky he didn't work on like Perfect Strangers or something, because then no one would care about the content of these stories at all.

"And then Balky stole Larry's contacts...!"

Doesn't quite have the same ring, does it?

If you accept the person providing the anecdotes as someone with a valid viewpoint - enjoy it, even if you disagree with the nature of the content. This person's experience working on the show was part of the reason you are a frickin Trekkie.

And Maurice, you are contrary, but never rude. Even though I disagree with almost all your disagreements, you do present your arguments thoughtfully, with citation. If you were ever a troll, you got out from under the bridge and crossed it with pride.

 

[Maurice]

Since I tend to cite sources, I'm curious how you can "disagree" unless you're saying the citations are incorrect. And the "if you were ever a troll" was a really unnecessary add-on.

 

[treknician1701]

Well, it was never my intent to cause trouble, as has been done, and I have to agree with Timby. This is his site, and just like a guest in his home, I will have to abide by his rules. Since the other SFX thread was deleted because Ralph didn't like what I had to say, I would also say that this thread should be deleted as well. It is only causing trouble for the long time members here who don't like what I have to say.

I also agree with the members who called me on the misinformation about the "Black Hole" items. That piece of info came from a coworker "Kim", who had been known to stretch a tale or two.

As to the validity of my stories, and my perspective, well, what can I say. It's very disheartening that the majority of posts here are calling me a liar and a thief, but I do know that a couple of the posters are people who have been going at me for many years, if not decades! If your only proof of your position is gossip, innuendo and misinformation, how can I defend myself against that?

It's very clear that I am NOT welcome here, and I don't like to go where I am not welcome!

Greg Stone

 

[RAMA]

Thanks Greg!

 

[wtriker1701]

If your only proof of your position is gossip, innuendo and misinformation, how can I defend myself against that?

It's very clear that I am NOT welcome here, and I don't like to go where I am not welcome!

Greg Stone

Hi Greg,
please don't think you're not welcome here. Who am I to judge? Sorry, if you saw it this way.
But you can easily defend yourself by "right the wrong" with simply the words you are posting. Write it down.

And I'd love to read/hear anecdotes/stories first hand with the TNG-Stars, the Execs, the SFX-Staff like anyone else here. Also BTS-Photos with you and the cast or the other staff members. Wouldn't that be a treat? After all, I think, that's what the headline of your OP suggested!?

BTW.: That googleing about you didn't take years, merely hours. Just sayin'.
I've become aware of since you monday of this week.

 

[Kirby]

Greg, I hope you don't leave because this is some of the most interesting stuff I've read on this forum in quite a while, but I do understand why you would want to.

 

[PaleMoonlight]

You should stay Greg, you've got a goldmine of information and pictures that I've really enjoyed seeing. Keep it coming! I personally couldn't give a damn what you did 25 odd years ago, if anything its something humorous to look back on that clearly had no serious repercussions as far as the show went.

 

[Saga]

"If there's nothing wrong with me, maybe there's something wrong with the universe!"

 

[JD5000]

Maurice, thanks to the internet, you can find a source to cite that will support just about any position on any issue. My point was that I appreciate the effort.

 

[Robert Comsol]

It's very clear that I am NOT welcome here, and I don't like to go where I am not welcome!

Obviously there are many posts that clearly indicate the contrary. Your posts stir up some controversy (which you must have expected) but are also an opportunity to talk about various and interesting issues.

Bob

 

[Tom]

Is the popcorn getting stale yet?

 

[trevanian]

I'm not saying Kubrick's example is one to live by. I'm merely pointing out the practical reasoning behind why some props/models/sets/wardrobe are destroyed.
.

Coming late to this, but I'm pretty sure most evidence supports the notion that MGM kept the models in storage for a few YEARS after 2001's release, and it was probably around 1971 or so when they stopped paying to store them and they got dumped. You can hunt around and find a couple really sad pictures of the remnants of the space station (I have been reading the thread from newest to oldest, so I apologize if that has already been mentioned.) During the making of 2010, Leslie Ekker of BossFilm researched the issue and came to this conclusion as well, after hearing all the 'Kubrick had them all destroyed' thing come up time and again.

The 'Kubrick had them all destroyed' thing probably dates back to when he found out somebody was going to repurpose his B52 interior from STRANGELOVE and he stopped it from happening. And the schematics and such for 2001's models and sets were almost certainly destroyed.

A few bits from 2001 did survive and were reused by the BBC in some SF shows (I think the book BBC VFX mentions this), and I think there was a helmet or suit piece that somebody acquired in the 80s as well, but I don't recall details on that.

When I was working at a magazine in 2000, I got to read over 500,000 words of 2001-oriented transcripts (a fraction of which eventually made it into CINEFEX as an article with some glaring errors added in the editing), and even though most of those were VFX-related (and the interviews were done in the 70s and 80s, when memories were probably more clear), I don't recall anybody mentioning the models being destroyed or deliberately buried there either.

 

[Mutai Sho-Rin]

Is the popcorn getting stale yet?

Not helpful.

 

[CoveTom]

M: Seems you have a real problem with "Stealing"! But would you rather that I just "followed the rules" and let all my hard work on props and model get destroyed?

Yes.

 

[JD5000]

M: Seems you have a real problem with "Stealing"! But would you rather that I just "followed the rules" and let all my hard work on props and model get destroyed?

Yes.

Good thing not everyone follows the rules, because a lot of great artwork and literature would have been lost to humanity as a result.

Unfortunately, some people do follow the rules, and we have lost a lot of great artwork and literature because of it.

 

[BillJ]

M: Seems you have a real problem with "Stealing"! But would you rather that I just "followed the rules" and let all my hard work on props and model get destroyed?

Yes.

Good thing not everyone follows the rules, because a lot of great artwork and literature would have been lost to humanity as a result.

Unfortunately, some people do follow the rules, and we have lost a lot of great artwork and literature because of it.

Mr. Stone was paid for his work. So an artist should take something you paid for if they don't like how you're treating it?

This thread might be worthwhile if there were some actual stories about working on TNG. At this point, the work seems incidental and the stories focus on non-sense.