Star Trek Axanar

[Kirtemor]

Same here. It looks as if they have theeffects down tight, Lets see how the acting and story goes.

 

[Majestic]

I loved the way they did it. Prelude was very well done. If this is what we can expect from Axanar, then this is going into my gotta have it file. There is one Connie out there (I use it more than any of my others) byMadkoifish (rushedart on DA) that still stand tall above the rest (with the exception of the original of course). It is well detailed and looks great. Kroener's comes in a close second.

Yeah I loved Madkiofish's Connie. Personally I wished they had used that instead of what we got in the Trek Reboot.

I think the people behind Axanar do a great job. I do hope they succeed.

I think they will they are getting the fan funding they are needing and have a lot of dedicated actors on board.

 

[kjc733]

A new Trekyards is up looking at the D6. Pay careful attention to some of the beauty shots folks

Its just a shame he hasn't worked out how to properly light the meshes.

 

[CABAL]

Paramount and CBS have slapped the creators with a lawsuit citing copyright violation. Seems to be in relation to the creators mentioning that they had professionals working on the project instead of being a purely amateur production.

 

[USS Ridgeline]

If its not Star Wars its Star Trek that punishes Fans for making there own types of entertainment that have nothing to do with the ST Franchise.

 

[Zelph]

Paramount and CBS have slapped the creators with a lawsuit citing copyright violation. Seems to be in relation to the creators mentioning that they had professionals working on the project instead of being a purely amateur production.

Also probably a reaction to the fact that the fans are writing and producing better Trek than they are.

Alec Peters posted the official Axanar response a few minutes ago.

December 30, 2015

This morning, I was greeted with news that our production company, Axanar Productions and I, personally, am being sued by CBS Studios, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation for copyright infringement of Star Trek.

First of all, I was disappointed to learn about this through an article in an industry trade. For several years, I’ve worked with a number of people at CBS on Star Trek-related projects, and I would have hoped those personal relationships would have warranted a phone call in advance of the filing of a legal complaint. Nevertheless, I know I speak for everyone at Axanar Productions when I say it is our hope that this can be worked out in a fair and amicable manner.

Axanar is a fan film. Fan films – whether related to Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Power Rangers, Batman or any other franchise – are labors of love that keep fans engaged, entertained, and keep favorite characters alive in the hearts of fans. Like other current fan films, AXANAR entered production based on a very long history and relationship between fandom and studios. We’re not doing anything new here.

Like all fan films, AXANAR is a love letter to a beloved franchise. For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s devotees have been creating new Star Trek stories to share with fellow fans. That’s all we’re trying to do here.

Since the original Star Trek TV series, when the letter writing campaign by fans got NBC to greenlight a third season of Star Trek, fan support has been critical to the success of the franchise. It is the Star Trek fans themselves who are most affected here, for by suing Axanar Productions to stop making our movie and collect so-called damages, CBS and Paramount are suing the very people who have enthusiastically maintained the universe created by Gene Roddenberry so many years ago.

The fact that many of the fans involved with Axanar Productions are also industry professionals speaks volumes to the influence of Star Trek in the entertainment industry. Not surprisingly, these fans want to give something back. We’re very proud that the work we’ve done to date looks so good. That is also a reflection of the devotion of Star Trek’s fans.

Like everything related to Axanar Productions, we take this matter very seriously and remain open to discussing solutions with all parties that can be mutually beneficial.

Alec Peters

Even for the neanderthals at CBS/Paramount, this is an exceptionally foolhardy move. When they're already dealing with massive fan flak for producing what looks to be Fast and Furious: Romulus Drift, they decide to sue the fans (and just these ones, despite the fact that Renegades and Continues have tried to style themselves as 'official' and 'a pilot for a new CBS series') who were trying to keep the legacy alive.

I feel to quote Vizzini in The Princess Bride, "...morons!"

 

[Jetfreak]

This is a real d*ck move from those darn executives. So typical.

If it were up to me, they should wise up and officially accept Axanar as a fully licensed production. Make it some sort of TV special or something. Imagine the kind of euphoria that would bring to the fans!

 

[USS Ridgeline]

This is a real d*ck move from those darn executives. So typical.

If it were up to me, they should wise up and officially accept Axanar as a fully licensed production. Make it some sort of TV special or something. Imagine the kind of euphoria that would bring to the fans!

I agree......CBS looks at that not being there product. Since its not under there Banner or part of the Star Trek Franchise; an since Anaxar is using the Star Trek name as part of there title, CBS thinks they deserve a profit of Anaxar.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't do this sooner. It's a shame, but that's capitalism for you.

 

[CABAL]

Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't do this sooner. It's a shame, but that's capitalism for you.

Part of what's weird is that the Axanar team have been talking with CBS and Paramount about exactly what they're doing every step of the way and making changes when asked, like removing the words 'Star Trek' from the site. They only did an about face when the word 'professional' was used in reference to the project, which clearly meant the actors that were previously on Trek.

 

[USS Ridgeline]

Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't do this sooner. It's a shame, but that's capitalism for you.

CBS is making fan made Star Trek entertainment almost impossible to be produced now with this law suit against Anaxar. It's very wierd that they would put a law suit against the Anaxar Team despite Anaxar Production was in contact with CBS and Paramount.

 

[Majestic]

Look what came in the mail today.

 

[Zelph]

Look what came in the mail today.

Woot woot! Happy watching! I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes documentary.

 

[Zelph]

Don't know if the word has been fully spread or not, but thought I'd shared this article.

http://deadline.com/2016/05/star-trek-axanar-lawsuit-ending-jj-abrams-paramount-1201760721/

An excerpt:

Fortunately, as he’s been insisting since taking the job, the fans have one of their own on the inside in the form of director Justin Lin. He was apparently instrumental in getting Paramount and CBS to change course. Said Abrams: “A few months back there was a fan movie and this lawsuit that happened between the studio and these fans, and Justin was sort of outraged by this as a longtime fan. We started talking about it and realized this wasn’t an appropriate way to deal with the fans. The fans ofStar Trek are part of this world. We went to the studio and pushed them to stop this lawsuit. Within a few weeks, it’ll be announced that this lawsuit is going away.”

Nothing official from the lawyers yet, but I'd say this is fairly good news. I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[Majestic]

Yeah I think CBS is starting to realise it's hurting their business with the new movie and series coming out. Plus they have probably been notified by their lawyers that they are on the loosing end of the lawsuit.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Yeah I think CBS is starting to realise it's hurting their business with the new movie and series coming out. Plus they have probably been notified by their lawyers that they are on the loosing end of the lawsuit.

I really, really hope that this is what's happening. Watching Prelude was more than enough to make me fall in love with the whole project.

 

[Steven Kodaly]

Said Abrams: “A few months back there was a fan movie and this lawsuit that happened between the studio and these fans, and Justin was sort of outraged by this as a longtime fan. We started talking about it and realized this wasn’t an appropriate way to deal with the fans. The fans of Star Trek are part of this world. We went to the studio and pushed them to stop this lawsuit.

Does this officially make J.J. Abrams one of the better things to happen to Star Trek in the past decade?

 

[Zelph]

Does this officially make J.J. Abrams one of the better things to happen to Star Trek in the past decade?

Hmmmm...if we're counting this decade (2011-2020) exclusively, I'd say it balances out the scales from the Khan fiasco.

 

[Majestic]

I really, really hope that this is what's happening. Watching Prelude was more than enough to make me fall in love with the whole project.

Same here mate. Prelude set it in stone for me it was a reason I donated to the project.

 

[Steven Kodaly]

Hmmmm...if we're counting this decade (2011-2020) exclusively, I'd say it balances out the scales from the Khan fiasco.

Why is it popular for fans of Star Trek to hate J.J. Abrams and his take on the franchise? I've never understood this.

 

[Zelph]

Why is it popular for fans of Star Trek to hate J.J. Abrams and his take on the franchise? I've never understood this.

Not so much on his franchise. But prevaricating on whether or not Khan was the villain in ST:ID was really annoying.

I would have personally preferred the rogue Starfleet agent John Harrison over a Khan rehash. Cumberbatch gave a good performance regardless though.

 

[Majestic]

Not so much on his franchise. But prevaricating on whether or not Khan was the villain in ST:ID was really annoying.

I would have personally preferred the rogue Starfleet agent John Harrison over a Khan rehash. Cumberbatch gave a good performance regardless though.

I agree having Khan in it really reduced the quality of the movie imo. I wanted something original rather than a rehash of Space Speed and Wrath of Kahn.

 

[Steven Kodaly]

I would have personally preferred the rogue Starfleet agent John Harrison over a Khan rehash. Cumberbatch gave a good performance regardless though.

I agree having Khan in it really reduced the quality of the movie imo. I wanted something original rather than a rehash of Space Speed and Wrath of Kahn.

Finally, people with reasonable criticism of his stuff!

 

[Majestic]

I really don't mind the new movies to be honest, I just wanted to see more original stuff which the 2nd one failed only with Kahn. I am hoping this new movie will pick up where the first left off.

 

[CABAL]

I do think that promoting Kirk from cadet to captain so fast in the first movie was a mistake. It made him almost like Wesley 2.0. However, I do think the criticisms about it being too action-y are overblown. The Voyage Home was the only non-action-y Trek movie that was any good, and everybody loves First Contact, which has more in common with Die Hard than it does the average TNG episode.

I will admit that I am somewhat put-off by the art direction of the new movies. The TOS ship designs were very functional, and that gave them some measure of grace, even if they were lacking in detail. The TMP designs followed the TOS mentality, but with more detail and a better budget. As a result, they look both functional and beautiful. The TNG designs had the functionality and beauty of TMP designs with the main difference being a greyer and sleeker hull that made them look comparatively more advanced. The JJ designs, on the other hand, feel like they're sacrificing functionality for looks. For instance, the Enterprise's nacelles are highly ornamented and have sections that pop out for no apparent reason, unlike the Intrepid-class nacelle modes and the BoP wing positions which do have functions detailed on screen. I also think the uniforms look too much like sports jerseys and the ship interior is entirely too white with too many pointless lights. Also, while I think the Klingon's could have benefited from a visual update given modern technology and prosthetics, I do not like what Into Darkness did with them.

Overall, while I don't like everything they've done, I don't hate the movies. I grew up on TNG, DS9, and VOY, so I think I'm like the people who were fans of TOS and didn't get quite what they were hoping for when TNG came out; kind of disappointed, but willing to see where it goes.

 

[Jetfreak]

Great points there, Cabal. Not counting ENT, there was a particular progression of the tech and aesthetics during the pre-JJ era. Yes, the stuff was being modernized, but not too radical or ornamented as you say. The evolution from TOS Constitution - Excelsior - Sovereign didn't feel forced or too sudden.

The Kelvin, apart from being too large is all right though. I think it handled and balanced the gap between basic TOS and revisionist ENT. Even the pop-up cannons were a cool nod to the NX-01.

Off base here, but I always suspected that every major evolution of the Enterprise was subconsciously influenced by automotive trends. Think of the JJ Enterprise in the same vein as the current retro style Mustang / Camaro and it kinda makes sense.

 

[kjc733]

I wouldn't count your chickens just yet, Mr Peters seems incapable of meekly backing off and seems to want to poke the big corporations in the eye. Don't get me wrong, I want Axanar made (I even donated), but he needs to recognise that he operates only with the blessing (or general indifference) from the professionals. Keep poking and they'll get fed up (again) and swat him. If he hadn't been blatantly selling merchandise and planning to profit from the studio, they would probably have let it go.

As for the thread aside:

Why is it popular for fans of Star Trek to hate J.J. Abrams and his take on the franchise? I've never understood this.

I liked the 2009 film. I liked the casting (mostly), I liked the pace, I even thought the plot was a good way of skirting the remake issue. And it was fun!
I didn't like the attitude of the new Kirk (understandable given his upbringing, but I found it a bit overdone); I didn't think Simon Peg (who I like as an actor) was the right casting choice for Scotty; I didn't like the new Enterprise (although it could have been much better with just minor tweaks); I didn't like the massive plot inconsistencies (Spock watching Vulcan disappear into a black hole from a planet half a galaxy away); I didn't like the ridiculous game of Musical Captains Chair; I didn't like the slapstick moments. But that was forgivable, it was an entertaining film and I even made a facebook post (one of about three in my life) saying that "Trek was back!" If it's on the TV I'll happily rewatch this film (which is more than can be said for some other Trek films).

Into Darkness was different. If they had tried to something completely different it could have been good. If they had tried to recreate the Khan story, just with the different casting, (preferably just Space Seed, WoK can't happen without the whole need for revenge) it could have been good. Instead they tried to do a halfway house which didn't work that well. It was a poor film that relied on flashy special effects scenes instead of a story. Hiding the ship underwater when they could just have beamed in from orbit. Beaming from Earth to Qo'noS. Not wanting to antagonise the Klingons by entering their space, but its ok to lob 76 cruise missile at the homeworld. The scene that came straight from Star Wars where people fell off the decks when the ship rolled. How Kahn's blood, a product of 20th Century genetic engineering, can seemingly cure massive radiation damage (you know, where organs liquify). Spocks emotional lapse at the death of Kirk (they didn't even get on well at the start of the movie, and he watched his mother die in front of his eyes in the previous film without losing control). The (Star Wars) torpedo broadsides and the atmospheric pop up from the clouds (copied from the first film). How Kirk could "fix" a massive, yet delicate piece of critical equipment that needs to be perfectly aligned by kicking it. The (lack of) use of Carol Marcus. The seeming indifference to the loss of crew. I could go on, but this is an Axanar thread not an Into Darkness kicking thread.

I am however feeling more confident about the new film. It hints at the critical TOS elements that's been missing from the previous two films: the interrelationship between Kirk, Spock and McCoy, and the self doubt that Kirk carries. As Majestic said, I hope it picks up on the first film.

 

[Terra_Inc]

The Kelvin, apart from being too large is all right though. I think it handled and balanced the gap between basic TOS and revisionist ENT. Even the pop-up cannons were a cool nod to the NX-01.

I LOVE the pop-up cannons. They're IMHO one of the cooler things to come out of recent Trek. And to make it even better, they reappeared in Prelude as well!

I liked the 2009 film. I liked the casting (mostly), I liked the pace, I even thought the plot was a good way of skirting the remake issue. And it was fun!

See, that's one of my main problems with the '09 movie. I personally think it might have been better to do a proper reboot rather than this temporal backdoor approach they ended up with. In a way, ST09 is still a prime universe movie, because it deals to, say, 90% with prime universe issues. It's still an okay movie, but I wonder what kind of story they would have done without trying to justify or explain the reboot.

But yeah, enough of this JJTrek talk. Let's focus on the sweetness that is Axanar.

 

[kjc733]

I LOVE the pop-up cannons. They're IMHO one of the cooler things to come out of recent Trek. And to make it even better, they reappeared in Prelude as well!

Agreed. I thought they were a nice move from Enterprise (although I'll confess I disliked the phase cannon turrets there) and made me think of point defence systems like phalanx.
In fact, I like how Axanar have evolved the ships from Enterprise to pre-TOS (and retaining some aesthetics of the Kelvin). I was a little disappointed that the Constitution class in Prelude wasn't a little more more primitive - this is an April era Enterprise after all - but that was easily ignored just for the joy of seeing the original grey lady back on the screen and looking better than ever.
But for me, my all up favourite has got to be the D6. It's no overgrown BoP, its true to the D7, which is THE ultimate expression of a Klingon warship .

 

[CABAL]

Hoo boy. In the gutsiest move of this whole thing so far, the Axanar producers are asserting in their fight against the CBS lawsuit that CBS does not own the concept of Star Trek. Meanwhile, CBS is arguing that Axanar's “plots, themes, settings, mood, dialogue, characters, and pace,” are from or based on Star Trek. I'm not sure how you can get a solid argument for copyright violation based on mood and pace, but they threw that in with the more legitimate stuff. This whole thing is turning reall ugly real fast.

Original article here.

So, how do we think this is going to go? Is it going to be an easy victory for CBS or is the Axanar team going to come out on top? Could Trek even become public domain?