Yeah, I know I concentrate mainly on Star Trek fan films here, but seeing how this ORVILLE fan film was the work of VANCE MAJOR, I can make an exception.
As you’ll remember from previous blogs, Vance wrote, produced, appeared in, and in many cases directed nearly THREE DOZEN Trek fan films following the life and adventures of Starfleet officer Erick Minard. And although Vance is stepping away from Trek fan films after having completed the multi-episodic Minard saga, he still apparently had one more fan project left in him…this time in The Orville universe.
The challenge with doing an Orville fan film, of course, is that the Planetary Union uniforms are twice as expensive (about $100-150) as the cheaper Halloween costumes available for Star Trek TOS and TNG/DS9/VOY-era uniforms. And sets from the Orville are also very elaborate and not easily constructed.
Vance “solved” both of these problems. For the uniforms, he simply didn’t bother. He created a story in which the main character (Derek Minard…yeah, cute idea) is communicating from his quarters, apparently while off-duty and dressed in more leisurely wear. As for the sets, a little green screen compositing can go a long way to making something look like it’s taking place on a futuristic spacecraft. Throw in some original music by Vance’s close friend Dan T. Hawkins, and you’ve got yourself a short fan film.
The total run time is under nine minutes, even though Fox has no guidelines limiting the length of a fan film the way CBS does. Vance simply needed nine minutes to tell the story he wanted to.
And so the first Orville fan film “flag” is planted, and Vance Major now gets to be a footnote in Orville history. Will other Orville fan films follow? I hope so—although good luck on that Bortus make-up! And will Fox decide to issue guidelines of their own? Considering that Disney just acquired Fox, and the only fan film guidelines issued for Star Wars (which Disney also now owns) are simply for eligibility in their annual fan film awards competition, one would highly doubt it. Also, Orville creator Seth MacFarlane is not exactly a stranger to fan films himself!
Anyway, enjoy the first-ever Orville fan film: THE MARIANA’S TRENCH, compliments of the now-legendary Vance Major…
Thank You for the shout out. I enjoyed doing it
You’re welcome as always, Vance.
I’m so glad this is being made. Vance is a great storyteller and that is what makes his other projects excellent.
No flashy stuff. Just simple, good, heartfelt stories that we can experience with him and his friends.
Agreed, Terry!
…well played, sir! =D
ORVILLE rules!!!
First, if you don’t do shout-outs to more Orville fan films I’ll be disappointed because Orville is a “trek” story without being in any of the official timelines.
Second, this particular one shows that good storytelling is about the story (as if this is really news). It does feel a bit incomplete though so I’m hopeful for a part 2 or even a trilogy.
Y’hear that, Vance? Time to come out of retirement! 🙂
Lol I’m Watching The Reactions Lol
What?? You don’t count The Orville as Star Trek??? In all the Star Trek groups I frequent we do! We have TOS, TAS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, ORV, and DIS.
One can even think of it like a mirror universe of from the ST universe where a Planetary Union evolved rather than a Federation :).
As much as I love The Orville, I don’t want to cross-pollinate it with Star Trek or vice-versa. The two are very separate but special parts of my life, Jack.