Axanar and the Future of Star Trek Fan Films
This issue is a tough one. Star Trek Fan Films have been around for a long time and have even included cast members from the original show. George Takai, for example, starred in the 1985 fan film “Yorktown: A Time to Heal.” There have been several other examples of high profile actors agreeing to star in fan-produced Trek movies. As technology made it easier and easier for fans to make films of increasingly better quality, the fans did just that. “Star Trek: Hidden Frontier” shot seven episodes in front of a green screen with special chromakey effects. By 2004 fan film production budgets were hitting a hundred and fifty thousand bucks and more.
Along came the fan film “Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar.” This short was masterfully done and perceived as competition by Paramount Studios. Take a look for yourself:
A few of the notable new restrictions:
The fan production must be less than 15 minutes for a single self-contained story, or no more than two segments, episodes or parts, not to exceed 30 minutes total, with no additional seasons, episodes, parts, sequels or remakes.
The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees
CBS and Paramount Pictures do not object to limited fundraising for the creation of a fan production, whether 1 or 2 segments and consistent with these guidelines, so long as the total amount does not exceed $50,000, including all platform fees, and when the $50,000 goal is reached, all fundraising must cease.
Major Buzz Kill – am I right?
Personally, this is a tough issue for me, and I find myself conflicted as to where I stand on the issue. The sticky wicket here I believe is the very nature of technology and the growing ease at which films can be produced. Trek fan films have grown from what truly looked like acts of undying fandom, to Hollywood-style productions. For those with the appropriate skill set and talent, technology has made possible the impossible. Take for example the sci-fi short “Underland, The Last Surfacer” by Gonzalo Gutierrez who shot the film in only three days, and crafted the output with some polished film editing skills:
Cool. Wow… Where have I been? I had no idea this film was made. Looking forward to watching it on YouTube.
It might be a long wait as the lawsuit has halted production. I have not heard any news that the film is on again. Interestingly enough they did release a trailer that’s rather cool: https://youtu.be/Np_PVbW6y64 I also have not heard if “Underland – The Last Surfacer” will be fleshed out to a full-length movie.