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Tim Russ Says Of Gods and Men is Not a Fan Film

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By GustavoLeao / 18:17, 19 May 2007 / General Star Trek

Making Movies just posted an exclusive interview with Star Trek Voyager actor Tim Russ, in which he talks about directing the fan film Star Trek Of Gods and Men. Here are few excerpts of the interview.

The obvious question is, in your own words, what's this film about?

Without giving the story away, the theme has to do with security vs. freedom. How much freedom is one willing to give up in the name of   security? As consistent with Gene Roddenberry's vision, we play out current themes   in our world dressed up in future settings. There is also a good portion   of good old action, suspense, and old familiar faces returning from the   original series.

What prompted you to want to make this fan film in the first place?

This is not a fan film. This is an independent Trek feature, and we have every intention of selling it to the public as either a download or on   DVD. Fan films are usually allowed to be viewed for free. Not to take away from the hard work and dedication of the people who make fan films, the quality of "Gods and Men" is superior the the typical fan film. I was approached by the producer, Sky Douglas Conway , about co-creating the concept for it and directing it. To me at the time, it was more or less another directing job. But it turned out to be something very special.

You're using original cast and concepts in the film... any legal issues you've had to face over this?

That would be a Doug Conway question. You can shoot as much as you like, it's what you do with it that makes all the difference. At present the Star Trek franchise is owned by CBS. We are planning to approach them about distribution for the project be it internet or DVD.

The full interview is here.



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I don't think I'd even watch it for free | Report this post to moderator
By: Hober Mallow (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:03:52 on May 22, 2007

Not to disparage the people who produced this, but if it's anything like New Voyages I wouldn't even take a free DVD copy of it. I couldn't even sit through five minutes of New Voyages.

I'm sure there is a fanbase for this and fans will buy it, just as there are fans who enjoy NV. I just can't.

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"It's fiction. It's not supposed to make sense." --a Trekweb poster defending Brannon Braga's scripts


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I'd Pay | Report this post to moderator
By: Mage66 (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 12:24:58 on May 21, 2007

I would definitely pay for a DVD of this production.

A. To show Paramount/CBS that there's still money to be made in producing Trek.

B. To reward the artists and actors that brought this production to us.

C. Because it's the right thing to do.

Whether you call this a fanfilm or not, the people involved in this production love the material, and I'd be willing to bet, in advance that this movie does better with the fans than most of the "Professional" product.

There's a huge market for good Trek. Character-Driven Trek. Story-Driven Trek. The SFX and Techno-Babble have to be in the background.

The humanity of the crew, and near humanity of the aliens interacted with have to be in the foreground.

I'm looking forward to seeing this production, as well as future productions of James Cawley, who keeps getting better and better with each show.


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  • RE: I'd Pay | Report this post to moderator
    By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 04:23:45 on May 22, 2007

    So why not write a check to NBC, ABC, CBS, and every TV network that produces a show you watch?

    The fans owe nothing. You don't have to feel obligated to pay for unsolicited stuff.

    This is a labor of love. I respect that. But the second they try to make money off it, it loses that. I wouldn't pay for anything that isn't up to snuff.

    There is money to make in this field.

    But not in charging people to watch.

    If Paramount wants to work out a deal, they should stream it instead of requiring downloads. Do what they do with TV shows online. Throw in one 30 second commercial every ten minutes. And boom, you have some money.


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    • RE: I'd Pay | Report this post to moderator
      By: Mage66 (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 07:14:05 on May 22, 2007

      I donated for the first "New Voyages" film, sight unseen.

      I've been a part of Trek Fandom for over 30 years. And I've ALWAYS participated in the charitable events, donated money or time.

      I've paid for things.

      I don't expect people to do the kind of work it takes to make a film like this for free.

      I ENJOY paying them, because it shows my appreciation for their good work.

      Expecting stuff for free, and whining when it isn't free isn't appreciation. That's being greedy.

      I don't steal Trek books from the stores or the library either, or expect them to be published for free.

      Maybe if you'd spent your time and money making a production like this, you'd understand better.

      My advice to you is to treat each free film as a gift, and each time you have to pay for one, as YOUR gift to the producers in return.

      If you're a smoker, you'll spend more on cigarettes in a week than this will probably cost... Isn't it worth that little money for some quality Trek?


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Cawley Versus Russ | Report this post to moderator
By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 23:17:12 on May 20, 2007

James Cawley (Star Trek New Voyages)just posted the following message at TrekBBS :

"Relax Guys, OGAM does not have a license. This is Wishfull thinking on Tim's part. Whether Tim likes it or not, OGAM is a fanfilm. I am privy to ALL the inside info, and there is no deal in place. Also, other than our news page and forum we have never linked to OGAM's site. I was very Happy to have Co-Produced the film and I am sure most will enjoy it, when it comes out."

Gustavo




--------

TrekWeb.com Supervising Editor

gl2000@uol.com.br


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  • RE: Cawley Versus Russ | Report this post to moderator
    By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 04:02:40 on May 21, 2007

    THAT makes sense. I highly doubt Paramount would license the product so that they can make the money--not something like that. The more real Trek actors are involved, the LESS likely they would want to do that. If they wanted that, they'd throw a bigger budget out and make it themselves.


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RE: Sell it? | Report this post to moderator
By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 16:58:22 on May 20, 2007

I see we have an internet tough guy. You're real brave behind you're computer. I hope you pay $50 for that thing.

I'll get a bootleg for free and laugh at the morons who pay for it.

Let them charge for it. I won't pay for it. And I doubt too many people would either. Should be interesting since Paramount owns the copyrights.


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RE: Sell it? | Report this post to moderator
By: prometheus 59650 (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 13:24:49 on May 20, 2007

Let them sell it.

Has a real cast and apparently a real story. I'll pay $20 for it.

--------

"We've been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of our culture." ---Pastor Ray Mummert speaking of those who favor Darwinian Evolution over Intelligent Design.

"If this is your God, he's not very impressive. He has so many psychological problems; he's so insecure. He demands worship every seven days. He goes out and creates faulty Humans and then blames them for his own mistakes. He's a pretty poor excuse for a Supreme Being." ---Gene Roddenberry


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RE: Sell it? | Report this post to moderator
By: prometheus 59650 (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 13:24:46 on May 20, 2007

Let them sell it.

Has a real cast and apparently a real story. I'll pay $20 for it.

--------

"We've been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of our culture." ---Pastor Ray Mummert speaking of those who favor Darwinian Evolution over Intelligent Design.

"If this is your God, he's not very impressive. He has so many psychological problems; he's so insecure. He demands worship every seven days. He goes out and creates faulty Humans and then blames them for his own mistakes. He's a pretty poor excuse for a Supreme Being." ---Gene Roddenberry


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Sell it? | Report this post to moderator
By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:32:04 on May 20, 2007

I doubt I'm alone in saying that if they sell this film, they can go screw themselves. Bad enough they're delaying it and delaying it, but to actualy CHARGE for it?

Go to hell.


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  • RE: Sell it? | Report this post to moderator
    By: plasmaboy (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 09:50:07 on May 20, 2007

    "To me at the time, it was more or less another directing job" - more or less his 6th according to IMDB in 10 years.

    I hope these people dont start to take themselves too seriously.. what i have seen of this so far does look like a decent fan-flick... but looks pretty crappy as a pro-feature ( ive seen better cgi by far in no budget efforts)

    apart from known actors giving a bit more credibility to this..the rest dosnt look that great.

    --------

    " laffa while you can ,,, monkey-boy!"


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