STAR TREK: HIDDEN FRONTIER (feature), part 1

As I mentioned in a few of my previous articles, the dawn of the “modern age of Star Trek fan films” arrived in the year 2000 with the release onto the Internet of Star Trek: Hidden Frontier.  It was the quintessential fan film: Trekkie actors with little or no formal training, cheap store-bought or home-made costumes, zero budget, minimal sets, basic-level storytelling (that’s a euphemism for kinda sucky writing), and dubious sound and image quality.

But Hidden Frontier also had heart – a great deal of heart – plus a deep love for the franchise and determination to create fun and original Star Trek on a fan level.

AXANAR files legal response to CBS/Paramount Amended Lawsuit

Axanar logoOn March 28, 2016, the legal team for Axanar Productions and Alec Peters, the firm of Winston & Strawn LLP, filed a response to the AMENDED copyright infringement complaint that was brought by Paramount and CBS on March 11, 2015.  The response is Axanar’s second and again seeks a dismissal of the complaint on a number of legal grounds.

The original complaint was brought by Paramount and CBS on December 29, 2015.  Axanar’s legal team filed a response on February 22, 2016 seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on a number of legal grounds.  Presumably, that response is what has motivated Paramount and CBS to amend their complaint.

Here is a link to the text of the ORIGINAL lawsuit.

Here is a link to the text of Axanar‘s ORIGINAL response.

Here is a link to the text of the AMENDED lawsuit.

Here is a link to the text of Axanar’s LATEST response.

Please note: Fan Film Factor is taking a neutral stance regarding this lawsuit and will simply announce developments as they happen.

For a more complete list of media coverage of this story, Axanar has provided this Press Room Page full of links to news reports and editorials regarding the lawsuit.

STAR TREK VS. BATMAN (feature)

CoverHoly campy cosmic crossovers!

 Is it true that the Caped Crusader cunningly confronted a cranially-controlled Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock??? Did the Dynamic Duo actually encounter an Enterprise ensnared by a capricious collaboration of the Clown Prince of Crime and the captivating Catwoman??? Hold onto your phasers and buckle your utility belts, because Batman and the Boy Wonder are about to go where no Gotham superhero has gone before…

Continue reading “STAR TREK VS. BATMAN (feature)”

STAR TREK: EQUINOX suspends film plans, opts to return to audio

Equinox logoSTAR TREK: EQUINOX originated with a fan audio series but then became quite ambitious in planning a jump to fan film format.  After holding a couple of unsuccessful crowd-funding campaigns, they were able generate $6,250 on Kickstarter and release a 7-minute trailer for their pilot episode “The Night of Time.”

The film was to star John Savage (reprising his role of Captain Rudy Ransom of the USS Equinox from Star Trek: Voyager) as well as Gary Lockwood (reprising his role of a now-restored, older Gary Mitchell from the TOS episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before).

Unfortunately, it appears fans will never SEE the rest of “The Night of Time”…but they might still HEAR it.

Continue reading “STAR TREK: EQUINOX suspends film plans, opts to return to audio”

STALLED TREK: AMUTT TIME (interview with MARK LARGENT), part 2

Cover 2Last week: it was time to play the music, it was time to light the blinky lights, it was time to meet the puppets on the starship Second Prize…

I’m referring, of course, to the 15-minute computer-animated Star Trek parody fan film Stalled Trek and its lone episode, “Amutt Time.” It’s unique in that it features computer-generated puppets as the familiar characters of our favorite starship in a hilarious parody of the second season episode “Amok Time.” In this case, though, Mr. Spott is a Vulcanine (WOOF!) going through heat and needing to return to his home planet for mating with T’Pomeranian. Of course, Mr. Spot is only half-Vulcanine, so he’s essentially a “mutt”…hence, the title.

Continue reading “STALLED TREK: AMUTT TIME (interview with MARK LARGENT), part 2”

CBS/Paramount files an AMENDED complaint against AXANAR

Axanar logoOn March 11, 2016, Paramount and CBS filed an amended complaint against Axanar Productions and Alec Peters for copyright infringement complaint, specifying precisely which elements of the Star Trek intellectual property that the two studios believe was illegally used without consent.

The original complaint was brought by Paramount and CBS on December 29, 2015.  Axanar’s legal team filed a response on February 22, 2016 seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on a number of legal grounds.  Presumably, that response is what has motivated Paramount and CBS to amend their complaint.

Here is a link to the text of the original lawsuit.

Here is a link to the text of Axanar‘s response.

Here is a link to the text of the AMENDED lawsuit.

Please note: Fan Film Factor is taking a neutral stance regarding this lawsuit and will simply announce developments as they happen.

For a more complete list of media coverage of this story, Axanar has provided this Press Room Page full of links to news reports and editorials regarding the lawsuit.

STALLED TREK: AMUTT TIME (interview with MARK LARGENT), part 1

Cover 1Okay, now I’ve seen everything!

Star Trek MUPPETS???  Well, why not?

Truth to tell, when I first found this little gem—entirely by accident on YouTube—I wasn’t expecting much. It looked silly, and I didn’t really get what the title meant.  And then I watched it. Hilarious! Brilliant! A perfect parody of one of the most classic fan-favorite TOS Star Trek episodes: “Amok Time.”

Continue reading “STALLED TREK: AMUTT TIME (interview with MARK LARGENT), part 1”

STAR TREK CONTINUES launches its latest crowd-funding campaign!

STC Indiegogo

The popular Star Trek Continues has just launched its first Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign.  Previous campaigns have been held on Kickstarter and have generated more than $340,000 in donations.

Their latest campaign has set a goal of $350,000.  If you want to help support Star Trek Continues, click on the link below to donate up until May 4:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/star-trek-continues#

STAR TREK: HORIZON (interview with TOMMY KRAFT), part 2

Cover 2Last time: we got our first look at the newest Star Trek fan film to take the online world by storm, Star Trek: Horizon. Since it debuted online seven days ago, it’s logged well over 300,000 views on YouTube! If you haven’t watched it yet, click that link in the opening sentence and do it. Do it NOW!!! (Imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice saying that.)

Seriously, though, this fan film is amazing, made even more so by the simple fact that it was filmed almost entirely in a basement against a green screen! It features trained actors, cutting edge quality visual effects, and an original composed musical score. Add to that a compelling story, engaging characters, solid directing, and top-notch editing…and you’ve got a MUST SEE fan film that both dazzles and delights. Continue reading “STAR TREK: HORIZON (interview with TOMMY KRAFT), part 2”