I had been planning to publish part 2 of the interview with JOSHUA IRWIN about the final shoot at NEUTRAL ZONE STUDIOS two weekends ago. However, that will have to wait until tomorrow, as I need to print a retraction and an apology to KASEY SHAFSKY for something that was inadvertently included in the interview that should not have been.
Josh, in commenting about Kasey (who has been hyper-critical of Neutral Zone Studios for quite a while), included the following remark: “Kasey Shafsky was a part of the first two or three STC episodes ten years ago and was not invited back.”
Kasey responded indignantly on social media with the following two posts…
Josh has asked me to publish the following response, verbatim, to Fan Film Factor…
I want to offer a public apology to Kasey Shafsky. While talking on the phone with Jonathan for the interview a few days ago, I made a comment regarding a rumor about Kasey Shafsky’s involvement in the making of Star Trek Continues. It was an offhand remark during a part of the interview that I thought was off the record. I did not believe that what I said at that point would be either printed or connected to a previous answer.
I don’t know Kasey, I’ve never met him. I have nothing against him, nor do I seek conflict with him. I have no idea what his involvement with STC was because I wasn’t there. I was asked questions about the studio, and I answered them. IMDB does in fact list him as a producer for all 11 episodes. My remark was hearsay, and should be treated as such.
I feel it is important to clarify this because I believe strongly that only the confirmed truth should be reported in the public square, not rumor. If I’m going to stick up for others when rumor is thrown out there, I need to hold myself to that same standard.
I likewise need to apologize to Kasey for publishing that portion of Josh’s interview. I listened again, and it wasn’t clear whether Josh meant for that part to be off the record, but I should have double-checked with him. My apologies to both Kasey and Josh for that oversight.
I will say that others have mentioned to me in passing that Kasey was not directly involved with the production of STC episodes nor was he in attendance during shoots beyond the third episode of the series, although he did reportedly visit the sets from time to time. It was for this reason that I felt comfortable in including Josh’s comment in the interview.
However, no one has agreed to go on record in confirming (or denying) any of those above statements, so I cannot officially confirm nor deny them other than to say, “I was told off the record.” If anyone wishes to comment on the record, please feel free to post something in the comments or contact me directly. Otherwise, my apology to Kasey stands.
Part 2 of Josh’s interview will appear tomorrow.
Based on your disclaimers, that is a very rich, non-apology, apology.
I have no idea what that means, but whatever.
I worked on all 11 episodes and Kasey was present for every one.
Also, a bit of clarification about the studio history published in part 1:
Farragut originally built the bridge, a corridor intersection, a turbolift interior, the transporter room, a Romulan bridge, and a shuttlecraft interior, all of which were used for their film “The Price of Anything”. They then partnered with Star Trek Continues to move those sets to a bigger facility and expand them. It was under that partnership that BOTH entities built out the corridor with a crew quarters, sick bay, conference room, a rebuilt transporter room, and Auxiliary Control attached.
After Farragut sold its interest in the studio to STC, the Engine Room was built and the Bridge was upgraded and extended with an additional section.
Permanent use of the other half of the building (the future egg roll factory) became possible at that time as well, which enabled its use for offices, wardrobe, makeup, prop storage, craft services, and a space for the planet exterior set. The Engine Room is actually part of that second half but it was allowed to remain when the rest of the other half was turned over to the egg roll factory.
Thanks for the expanded details, Jay. Most of that information appears in the linked blogs about the histories of both Starship Farragut and STC, and I didn’t want to stretch out this blog with too much extraneous background info, as it’s already a 3,600-word two-parter. But I appreciate you providing the extra history, thank you.
I do have to say that your statement that Kasey was present for every STC shoot does not jibe with what other people who were there have told me. I am not saying you are wrong, only that I have now heard conflicting reports from different eye-witnesses.
Kasey was a big part of a lot of Star Trek Continues and a blast to work with … period. I know because I was part of that studio from the start. That is all I have to say on the matter
Noted.
Well there is something you don’t see from the Haters, a retraction and apology for making a mistake, instead they usually double down on stupid! Kudos to Josh and Jonathon for having something called integrity!
Just trying to do the right thing.
I appreciate the candor. We all blow it. Admitting the mistake is a *lot* rarer. Thanks.
As Dr. McCoy said to Spock: “No one’s perfect.” 🙂
It really doesn’t matter what his involvement was. He’s credited. It’s something that shouldn’t have been said, nor published. Things are said out of anger and frustration. That’s what this was. I want my focus to be on the film we’re making now. And the people who are working hard to make it. Not wasting my time exchanging negative energy with someone I’ve never met.