Anyone who says that Star Trek fan films are “dead” needs to get that message out to the fine folks at POTEMKIN PICTURES! These guys continue to churn out new releases with the constancy of the north star and the inevitability of death and taxes!
Currently, two Potemkin Pictures production teams are working on a series of fan films featuring two different Starfleet crews. Over in Georgia, the Starship Tristan production crew is currently in pre-production on their NINTH fan film. And in Pelham, Alabama, the STARSHIP DEIMOS production crew has just released its FIFTH episode, the 14-minute “No Greater Love.”
Both productions use actors enrolled in drama programs at nearby academic institutions, along with other actors from local community theater. As such, the performances of many who appear on camera in these two series tend to be slightly more elevated than your typical Trek fan film that uses only fans who are usually untrained in the performing arts.
“No Greater Love” is no exception. Constrained by budgets, Potemkin Pictures concentrates primarily on character and st0ry-driven scripts. The result is a fan film without the glitz and sizzle of the sleeker, higher-budget fan productions, but with a lot of heart and soulful performances.
So no, my friends, Star Trek fan films are not dead…not if Potemkin Pictures and show-runner RANDY LANDERS have anything to say about it! You can read a 2-part interview that I did with Randy last year by clicking here.
And you can watch “No Greater Love” below…
The only gripe I have with their productions is that neither Tristan, Deimos or any other name seems to be a “appropriate” name (like in something that, due to established canon, Starfleet would name their vessels (not that we have proof suggesting otherwise)) for a ship… Other than that, yeah, it’s a smaller budget than some other high-profile gigs like STC, but still very watchable and enjoyable! 🙂
Actually, Deimos would fit well for a Titan-class starship (named for moons in the Terran solar system). As for Tristan…who knows? Maybe there will be a great scientist or explorer in the 21st or 22nd century named Tristan.