Category: Personal Stories

ARON “NOG” EISENBERG gets choked up answering a question

04Okay, this was kinda my fault.  Back last December, Aron Eisenbeg (who played the Ferengi “Nog” on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) needed a kidney transplant.  He’d found a willing donor, but there was still a problem.  It would take both Aron and his donor about three months to fully recuperate, during which time neither of them could work.  Aron’s partner, Malissa Longo, would need to be his primary caregiver and would not be able to work herself while also taking care of Aron.  Unfortunately, these are the sorts of expenses that insurance doesn’t typically cover (lost wages), leaving all three of them in a bind.

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Would the real McCoy please sit down?

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Hey there, folks.  I’m in Las Vegas this week (though there won’t be a lot of long Fan Film Factor posts).  But I had to share this photo from Day One of the 50th anniversary Creation con.  I’d only just met these two fun strangers (who had only met each other a few hours earlier) and I offered to take their photo together in the faux-to (photo) bridge are in Quark’s Bar.  They were nice enough to stay up there long enough so I could sneak in for a photo op of my own.  This McCoy is uncanny in his similarity to the late, great De Kelley.  His name is Frank Jenks and you can find him on Facebook.

Other photos from day one appear below…

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FAN FILM FACTOR founder featured on ReasonTV report about AXANAR lawsuit

Jonathan Lane on ReasonTVWanna see and hear what the guy who types all these blogs looks and sounds like?  Last week, I was contacted by a news producer for ReasonTV and asked if I’d be willing to come in for a half hour or so and discuss Star Trek fan films.  Well, gee, twist my arm!

I’d never heard of ReasonTV, but it turns out it’s the latest offering from the Reason Foundation, which was founded in 1978 and publishes the monthly Reason magazine (voted one of the 50 best magazines in 2003 and 2004 by the Chicago Tribune…for whatever that’s worth).

I was told the news feature would be about 10 minutes long and focus on the CBS/Axanar lawsuit and the new fan film guidelines.  Alec Peters and Richard Hatch would also appear in the piece.  We’d all be interviewed separately and edited together later.

I drove to the studio (conveniently located only about ten minutes from where I live) and sat for a very pleasant interview.  The reporter, , was well prepared with some great questions.  This wasn’t just a fluff piece, and my job wasn’t to talk up Axanar.  In fact, I think I only even said the word “Axanar” once during the entire interview.  Instead, I was asked about the history of fan films and the introduction of the new official guidelines.

You can watch the video below (it’s very well-produced and informative) or click here to read the text piece that goes along with it.

Highlights of the STAR TREK BEYOND event at PARAMOUNT

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My badge and wrist-band

It was an incredible night!  I’ve been to my fair share of special STAR TREK events in my life, but this one had to be one of the best I’ve ever experienced.  There was just something magical about being in the same sound stage that TOS filmed in 50 years ago while also celebrating that rich five-decade history with people who all loved this franchise so dearly.

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Jonathan’s going to the big STAR TREK BEYOND event at PARAMOUNT STUDIOS!

Star Trek BeyondI’m in, baby!

I’ll be going to the big Star Trek Beyond fan event on Friday at Paramount Studios where director Justin Lin will be screening the brand new trailer…followed by a Q&A session.  And just wait’ll you read how I managed it!

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