Editorials & Other Articles

bananas

(27,509 posts) Fri Aug 21, 2015, 06:13 PM Aug 2015

'Star Trek' Fan Film Recruits Real-Life Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti

http://www.space.com/30310-star-trek-axanar-astronaut-samantha-cristoforetti.html

'Star Trek' Fan Film Recruits Real-Life Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
by Elizabeth Howell, Space.com Contributor | August 19, 2015 04:00pm ET

Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, the record-holder for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman, joined on as a cast member in the fan project "Star Trek: Axanar." In April, she tweeted this photo posing in the International Space Station in a "Star Trek: Voyager"-style uniform.
Credit: ESA/NASA

After spending 199 days on the International Space Station, a European astronaut is readying for her next big mission: joining an independent "Star Trek" production.

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The news comes as the production wrapped up a crowdfunding campaign that raised $487,076, nearly double the original goal of $250,000. Filming will begin in early 2016.

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After a crowdfunding campaign last year on Kickstarter that raised more than $600,000, the filmmakers have decided to break the feature-length film into four episodes costing at least $250,000 each.

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Cristoforetti wouldn't be the first astronaut to appear on Star Trek. In 1993, NASA astronaut Mae Jemison played a small role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Via http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38300

9 replies

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Highlight:

'Star Trek' Fan Film Recruits Real-Life Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (Original Post) bananas Aug 2015 OP

Podcast interview bananas Aug 2015 #1

It's a great sign that they nearly doubled their fundraising goal. The opening scene TexasTowelie Aug 2015 #2

What fun! navarth Aug 2015 #4

On the whole, very well done. longship Aug 2015 #5

In love with this project. Lobo27 Aug 2015 #3

Here is the prelude. longship Aug 2015 #6

bananas Diclotican Aug 2015 #7

Then, there's Star Trek Continues! longship Aug 2015 #8

I heard that the Star Trek Renegades movie received excellent reviews. TexasTowelie Aug 2015 #9

bananas

(27,509 posts)

1. Podcast interview

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Fri Aug 21, 2015, 06:15 PM

Aug 2015

http://www.startrekaxanar.com/captains-log-july-24th-2015/

Captain’s Log – July 29th, 2015
By Alec Peters July 31, 2015

While we had to record two podcasts today, the big news was my conversation with European Astronaut Samantha Cristoferetti. Our NASA connection David Alexander, a NASA flight surgeon, who handles ISS astronauts, told me that not only is Samantha a huge Star Trek fan, as evidenced by her wearing a Star Trek Voyager uniform on the ISS, but she is an Axanar fan!

So I called Samantha and we chatted about her appearing in Axanar. As long as we can work out her schedule (as she will have to fly back from Europe), so would love to have a role in Axanar.

There are a few US astronauts who have appeared in Star Trek, most notably, Mae Jamison. But Samantha will be the first European astronaut to appear on Star Trek. We are awaiting clearances from NASA and the ESA. Stay tuned…..

Alec

TexasTowelie

(112,252 posts)

2. It's a great sign that they nearly doubled their fundraising goal. The opening scene

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Fri Aug 21, 2015, 06:19 PM

Aug 2015

makes it look like it will be a great film:

navarth

(5,927 posts)

4. What fun!

Reply to TexasTowelie (Reply #2)

Fri Aug 21, 2015, 11:13 PM

Aug 2015

The CG is just ok, but why complain? I always dug the styrofoam rocks...it's about the story anyway.

longship

(40,416 posts)

5. On the whole, very well done.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Reply #2)

Sat Aug 22, 2015, 09:37 AM

Aug 2015

R&K for this clip alone. That they have recruited Samantha Cristoforetti makes it just that extra special. Don't know if she can act, but she certainly did well on the ISS. So it wouldn't surprise me.

She also happens to have rolled 18 on charisma, always a good sign for such things.

Lobo27

(753 posts)

3. In love with this project.

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Fri Aug 21, 2015, 09:41 PM

Aug 2015

I hope it's a great success.

longship

(40,416 posts)

6. Here is the prelude.

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Sat Aug 22, 2015, 10:23 AM

Aug 2015

On the whole, it looks very good, especially the narrative, a good sign especially for Star Trek which has always been about story telling. Roddenberry would be proud.

Enjoy!

Diclotican

(5,095 posts)

7. bananas

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Sat Aug 22, 2015, 11:45 AM

Aug 2015

bananas

YES, so this independed movie would be something after all - And even with a astronaut on it -

I also belived I have seen that uniform somewhere - could it be Star Trek Voyager ?

Diclotican

longship

(40,416 posts)

8. Then, there's Star Trek Continues!

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Sat Aug 22, 2015, 01:22 PM

Aug 2015

Which has four full episodes, using the same sets and everything.

There is even a sequel to "Mirror Mirror" from the Terran Empire's point of view (episode 3).

Production values are high given the low budget, and BTW James Doohan's son plays Scotty.

Here:
http://www.startrekcontinues.com/

There is a fifth episode, apparently to be released next month.

This is high art which honors the original series in both look and feel.

Geek out, everybody.

Episode one: Pilgrim of Eternity

Episode two: Lolani

Episode three: Fairest of them All

Episode Four: The White Iris

TexasTowelie

(112,252 posts)

9. I heard that the Star Trek Renegades movie received excellent reviews.

Reply to longship (Reply #8)

Sat Aug 22, 2015, 03:47 PM

Aug 2015

It is supposed to be released on YouTube on September 30.

They made a pitch to CBS, but because of some contractual matters between CBS and Paramount they are not going to be shown on TV. The good news is that are going to continue to produce new episodes on the Internet and they are already crowd-funding for episodes two and three. Their Facebook page indicates that they could start producing about one episode per month for release online. They have several actors from other Star Trek series and the timeframe is in a post Voyager setting so that they will continue with established canon.

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