Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek Convention beams down to Chicago this Friday, September 30th and will run through Sunday, October 2nd at the Westin O’Hare Hotel.
While “Gold Weekend”, “General Admission Weekend”, “Preferred Weekend”, and Saturday and Sunday’s “Preferred” and “General ” admission passes are sold out, those wishing to attend Friday’s events with either of the latter may still purchase them at the door for $40 or $20, respectively.
Guests are to include Leonard Nimoy (Spock from TOS), Brent Spiner (TNG’s “Data”), Jonathan Frakes (TNG’s Commander Riker), Nichelle Nicols (Lt. Uhura from TOS), John de Lancie (TNG’s “Q”), Dominic Keating (Enterprise’s Malcolm Reed), Connor Trinneer (Enterprise’s “Trip”), Nana Visitor (DS9’s Major Kira), Rene Auberjonois (DS9’s “Odo”), Arlene Martel (T’Pring from the TOS episode “Amok Time”), Garth Pillsbury (Wilson in “Mirror, Mirror” and Troglyte prisoner in “Cloud Minders”, both from TOS), and Sean Kennedy (Christopher Pike in “The Managerie, Parts I and II” and Lieutenant DePaul in “Arena” and “A Taste of Armageddon”, both from TOS).
Scheduled events include:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th
12:45 pm – 6:30 pm:
Celebrity Appearances by Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer,
Morgan Gendel’s Journey to the Inner Light Presentation
45th Anniversary of Star Trek Presentation by Richard Arnold
Star Trek Music Videos
Yes/No Trivia Game
9:30 pm: Celebrity Cocktail Party for Gold Patrons with Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st
11:30 am – 6:30 pm:
Celebrity Appearances by Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes, Brannon Braga, and Nichelle Nichols
45th Anniversary Star Trek Presentation by Richard Arnold
Costume Competition
Presentation from John Tenuto on Alternate Treks
A Klingon Christmas Carol
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: A Leonard Nimoy Photograph Seminar
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2nd
8:00 am – 9:30 am: Celebrity Breakfast and Silent Charity Auction with Nana Visitor, Rene Auberjonois and John de Lancie
10:00 am – 6:00 pm:
Celebrity Appearances by Leonard Nimoy, John de Lancie, Rene Auberjonois, and Nana Visitor
Cross Our Hearts: Poems and Prose Read by Nana and Rene
Fantastic Presentations from John Tenuto: History of the Star Trek Fan Club
Please note that this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change.
September 8th marks the 45th anniversary of Star Trek hitting the airwaves and to commemorate this momentous occasion fans can submit images to be a part of three official mosaics, which will portray Captain Kirk, the U.S.S. Enterprise, and Spock.
The mosaics will then be turned into limited edition prints by Fan Mosaics, which will be hosting the event. To be included in this historic compilation, fans must visit the website at midnight September 8th. Fans can choose whether to submit to one image or the Deluxe Edition Set, which includes all three. The price for doing so covers the image upload, the 24” by 36” mosaic print(s) of choice, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
As we previously reported, 2,500 fans may submit to and own each individual print, while 1,701 may submit to and own the Deluxe Edition set.
Thousands have already signed up for a reminder email from the site. So those who wish to participate should keep vigilant in order to be a part of Star Trek history.
Kicking off today and running through Sunday, August 28th FanExpo Canada takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
Celebrating its 17th year, the annual gathering will be playing host to several Star Trek personalities.
William Shatner will host a special screening of his documentary The Captains on Sunday August 28th. He will also be signing autographs and will be available for photo ops that day.
Also appearing as guests throughout the weekend will be Malcolm McDowell (Dr. Tolian Soran from Star Trek: Generations), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura from TOS), Marina Sirtis (TNG’s Dianna Troi) and Ethan Phillips (Neelix from Star Trek: Voyager).
Other non-Trek guests include Eliza Dushku, Hayden Panettiere, Katee Sackhoff, Kevin Sorbo and more.
While advance tickets are sold out, single-day passes will be available at the box office for same-day purchase.
Today we celebrate Eugene “Gene” Wesley Roddenberry, also affectionately known as “The Great Bird of the Galaxy”, who would have turned 90 years old on this day.
Born August 19, 1921, Roddenberry was a writer, producer, humanist, father, husband, visionary and most famously, the creative mind and force behind the legendary Star Trek franchise.
Ever prolific, Roddenberry continued to develop series and films outside of Trek, some even credited to him post-humously. His invaluable contributions to television, science-fiction and society as a whole have awarded him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inductions into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame, and the Science Foundation’s Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award, among various other accolades. However, his legacy goes beyond the measure of any award. His vision of a future where the nations of Earth have transcended racial and geo-political prejudice, where technology triumphs over ignorance, and the principles of peace and cooperative exploration reign have inspired countless fans the world over, ranging from children to scientists, actors to politicians, engineers to housewives.
Roddenberry’s career in television began during his time as an LAPD officer. Under the name “Robert Wesley”, he wrote television scripts for Highway Patrol and Have Gun, Will Travel, as well as having worked on the radio version of the latter. He also contributed to westerns like Boots and Saddles and Whiplash
Ultimately unsatisfied with freelance writing, he decided to develop his own program. His first attempt, a WWII adventure series named APO 293, failed to be picked up by the networks. However, in 1963 NBC greenlit his next venture, The Lieutenant, which ran for one season and featured Nichelle Nichols in the first episode.
For his next series, Roddenberry turned his sights to the heavens. Taking inspiration from old sci-fi serials such as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon, he described his new project as a “Wagon Train to the stars”. Thus Star Trek was born in 1964. After a failed over-budget pilot, NBC allowed for a second, which sparked a three season run. Though the series suffered low ratings and Roddenberry eventually withdrew from direct involvement in the final season, the show found unprecedented success in syndication.
Throughout the 70’s, Roddenberry continued to produce and develop new films and series, such as the sexploitation film Pretty Maids All in a Row and three sci-fi TV movies – The Questor Tapes, Spectre, and Genesis II, the lattermost spawning two sequels, Planet Earth and Strange New World.
In 1975, Paramount allowed for a sequel to Star Trek, called Phase II, which instead eventually became the first film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. He remained the “executive consultant” on the following four films and was an integral force behind the creation of The Next Generation. He is also credited as “creator” on the subsequent series Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.
Roddenberry with George Takei, Walter Koenig and James Doohan
He also had affection for aviation, flying with the USAAF during WWII and continuing to commercially pilot aircraft for Pan Am after the war, even receiving a Civil Aeronautics commendation for aiding in the rescue effort following a crash in the Syrian desert in 1947.
Roddenberry passed away on October 24, 1991, just within 48 hours of the screening of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, which was dedicated to his memory. His cremated remains were launched into orbit aboard a Celestis spacecraft on April 21, 1997, so that he may rest in peace amongst the stars which he so fondly regarded. He was survived by his wife, Majel Barrett, who sadly passed away in 2008, his two daughters from his previous marriage with Eileen Rexroat, his two grandchildren, and his son, Gene Roddenberry, Jr., who recently directed Trek Nation, a documentary exploring his father’s legacy.
Gene Roddenberry changed the world in a very fundamental way, boldly going where no man has gone before. We all wish him a very fond “happy birthday”, as well as a sincere “thank you” for all he has brought to our lives and imaginations.
Watch the embedded video below of an up close and personal interview with Roddenberry from 1981, hosted by his son Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry.
Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie have announced the re-release of their sci-fi/fantasy audio drama series Alien Voices through digital download.
These five original episodes, previously out of print, star Nimoy and de Lancie, along with other Star Trek regulars, such as Roxann Dawson (Voyager), Robert Ellenstein (Star Trek IV), Marnie Mosiman (TNG), Andrew Robinson (DS9), Dwight Shultz (TNG/Voyager), Armin Shimerman (TNG), Ethan Phillips (TNG/Voyager/Enterprise) Kate Mulgrew (Voyager) and even feature a cameo by the one and only William Shatner.
The project, originally launched in 1996, was born from Nimoy’s desire to “branch out” and work independently of Trek and de Lancie’s affinity for the works of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne and similar authors of science fiction genre, whose works they use as a basis for their dramatizations.
Episodes are available for digital download individually for $9.99 on the official Alien Voices website.
Press Release:
Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie re-release Alien Voices audio dramas
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 11, 2011) – Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie announced today they are re-releasing all five of their original Alien Voices® Audio Dramas as digital downloads. These previously out-of-print titles include “The First Men In The Moon”, “Journey To The Center Of The Earth”, “The Invisible Man”, “The Lost World” and “The Time Machine”.
These fully dramatized performances star Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie – along with cast members from Star Trek® feature films and TV series including Roxann Dawson (Star Trek: Voyager), Robert Ellenstein (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home), Marnie Mosiman (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Andrew Robinson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Armin Shimerman (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager), Dwight Schultz (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Voyager), Ethan Phillips (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Voyager and Enterprise), Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager) and a special guest appearance by William Shatner.
Each title is available for download from the Alien Voices® web site for $9.99 each:www.alienvoices.net
Alien Voices titles available now for download
ABOUT ALIEN VOICES
ALIEN VOICES was formed in 1996 by actors Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie to create multi-media works of science fiction and fantasy. ALIEN VOICES grew out of a long-held desire to present thoughtful and provocative works of science fiction.
“After years of being associated with other people’s projects we wanted to enter the nest century at the helm of our own,” said Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of Star Trek’s Mr. Spock. “ALIEN VOICES gives us the chance to work with other artists who also want to branch out, yet still provide audiences with the quality they’ve come to expect from us.”
John de Lancie, whose recurring role as “Q” in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager made him the series’ most popular guest star, explained, “I was raised on the classics – Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and others. Now we can bring these to even wider audiences by means of new technologies and old friends. We at Alien Voices feel that the dramatization should remain faithful to the original works. We are presenting Verne, Wells and other giants of the science fiction genre as they, themselves, might have wished to be heard.”
Star Trek, comic book and other genre conventions have changed quite a bit in recent years, growing from small gatherings of fans to veritable media extravaganzas. Whether a seasoned veteran or a starry-eyed newcomer, they can be an overwhelming experience if you’re unprepared. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of helpful hints ranging from common knowledge to insider tips to make the most of your convention-going experience.
Set a Budget
It’s easy to be enticed by everything you see at a convention. It’s even easier to convince yourself that you really “need” that awesome scale model of the Enterprise or phaser replica (after all, it is set to “stunning”). It’s harder, yet infinitely more responsible to set a budget for yourself of cash-on-hand and not go a penny over. However, in the case of an emergency, know where the ATMs are located. If you see an item that you fancy (and isn’t con-exclusive), take note of it and buy it later. Instead of buying an über-expensive art print on site, remember the artist and further explore their work at your leisure through sites like deviantART. Odds are that it’s cheaper over the internet and you’ll see a more diverse sampling of their portfolio.
Buy Your Tickets in Advance
It’s usually cheaper and sometimes the only way to ensure you’ll even get in to begin with, especially with big events like San Diego Comic-Con. Pre-purchase lines are also generally far shorter than at-the-door.
Arrive Early
Never underestimate the benefits of showing up before the rest of the crowd. Not only will you avoid lines, but it’ll allow you to orient yourself to the event’s location before it becomes too crowded. As they say, “the early Bird of Prey catches the wormhole”.
Bring Your Own Lunch or Know Where Local Restaurants Are
No pretzel is worth $10 (no, not even those delicious cinnamon-coated ones), yet conventions continue to get away with such prices at the expense of ill-prepared attendees. Packing a sandwich will save you money and more than a few nights of violent indigestion. If you’re travelling light, bring along small goodies to snack on throughout the day. If neither of the above options appeals to you, know where good (and more importantly, cheap) restaurants are in the immediate area. Cons are more often than not set in cities, and sometimes it’s difficult to find a place both convenient and affordable. Plan your meal(s) ahead of time and avoid the inevitable lunch/dinner rushes. It’s also good to have bottled water to keep yourself hydrated, as the cumulative body heat of everyone indoors is enough to melt even the most hardened Starfleet Captain… cosplayer.
Know Where the Bathrooms Are
Especially if you chose to ignore my advice about the pretzels.
Take Pictures
A picture tells a thousand words and there’s enough at any given con to write a Robert Jordan series. People in costume love to have their pictures taken. Just remember to always ask beforehand, be polite and to not inconvenience other attendees in the process.
Dress Comfortably
It’s common knowledge that the coolness of one’s costume is inversely proportionate to how easy it is to wear, especially for an extensive period of time in tight quarters with questionable air conditioning. Be prepared for the long haul if you have elaborate or cumbersome attire.
Bring Friends
The more the merrier! Just make sure they’re as into everything as you are. Extra sets of hands to carry all of the awesome stuff you get don’t hurt, either.
Schedule Your Time
Look up and/or print a schedule of events in advance and plan your day accordingly. There’s lots to see and do and little time to do it in. Remember to also schedule time to visit the show floor between panels and events.
Don’t Be “That Guy/Girl”
You know exactly who I’m talking about: the overbearing fans that borderline harass guests, heckle during talks and are generally rude and inconsiderate towards fellow attendees. It’s okay to be passionate about your denomination of fandom. Heck, that’s why we all go to begin with. Just don’t detract from the experience of others.
Make Connections
Cons are a great way to network and spread the word about your business/podcast/website if you have one. Bring contact cards and talk everyone up. Even if you don’t have an enterprise you’re soliciting, take this opportunity to meet people. It’s extremely rare that you’ll find such a concentrated group of like-minded and awesome individuals. That’s what cons are ultimately about – people coming together to celebrate their love of a common interest.
Have Fun
Don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of a con. Sure, it takes a fair amount of planning and a liberal amount of maneuvering and compromise to see and do everything (or mostly everything) that you want, but don’t get stressed! The point is to enjoy yourself. Let loose and have fun. Cons are amazing experiences that only come along so often. So make the most of it!
Have any additional tips? Leave them in the comments!
As reported here on TrekNews a few week’s ago, Rod Roddenberry’s Trek Nation documentary was nearing completion. Today brings news that the film will premiere this October on the Science Channel, in commemoration of Trek’s 45th anniversary.
Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, has written and produced the feature-length documentary exploring both his father’s and the franchise’s legacy.
Trek Nation will utilize never-before-seen footage of both Gene’s life and franchise landmarks, such as Gene’s wedding and the first ever Star Trek convention. Its aim is to illustrate Trek’s positive impact on the world, showing it has had a critical influence on “everything from entertainment to politics, from space travel to social morality,” according to the Trek Nation website.
The documentary, which has been in production for over 10 years, will also include interviews with famous figures influenced by Roddenberry’s work, such as Stan Lee, George Lucas and JJ Abrams.
Roddenberry told TV Guide “I was a rebellious kid, and he was more of an authority figure than a father. I didn’t understand Star Trek until he passed away… but then I went to Star Trek conventions, and talked to people, and eventually became so proud of the name ‘Roddenberry.’”.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, we’ve embedded the trailer for the film below:
Following in the footsteps of Netflix, Amazon has secured free streaming rights to the Star Trek franchise for its Prime account users.
Part of a larger deal with CBS, the company will be adding a total of 2,000 more episodes spanning 18 television series, including “Frasier”, “Cheers” and “The Tudors”.
Accompanied by the controversial news that Netflix will no longer be offering complimentary streaming to DVD plan subscribers, this presents a competitive alternative for Trekkies in need of an instant fix.
An Amazon Prime account currently costs $79 a year, while a streaming-only Netflix account will be priced at $7.99 a month following its shift in plans this September.
San Diego Comic-Con, the annual comic book and genre mega-convention kicks off Wednesday July 21st with a preview night at the San Diego Convention Center. Below, we’ve compiled your guide to the yearly gathering of cultural fans and forces as related to the Star Trek universe, including panels, exhibitor exclusives and more.
Star Trek Panels:
FRIDAY – JULY 22
The Captains
William Shatner will be hosting a panel on his new documentary The Captains along with DS9′s Avery Brooks on Friday from 10:15 AM in room 6BCF. The panel, moderated by director Kevin Smith, will explore the EPIX Pictures production, which follows Bill on his 97-minute mission to interview all of the actors who have depicted past (and, in Chris Pine’s case, present) Starfleet captains.
Roddenberry Productions
Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, and Tory Mell will talk all things related to Roddenberry Productions at 6:00PM in room 23ABC.
SATURDAY – JULY 23
Star Trek: Between the Cracks
Trek author, consultant and editor presents “Star Trek: Between the Cracks” at 7:30 PM in room 7AB.
Additionally, there will be other Star Trek actors and producers on-hand to present and promote their latest projects, including Patrick Stewart, Zachary Quinto, Wil Wheaton and Chase Masterson.
Star Trek Booths:
CBS (Booth #4129): If you’re a fan of free wristbands and/or stainless steel Enterprise Bottle Opener Keychains, this will be the place to be. StarTrek.com will be offering red, blue and yellow variations of the former, complete with famous series quotes, while there will be 1,701 of the latter item, which will be a U.K. exclusive later this year.
There will also be photo ops with Orion Slave Girls and a costume contest awarding first place with a Mark IX Tricorder and second place with a Star Trek Vault, an item that will be on display at the Abrams booth (#1216), along with author Scott Tipton.
Anovos (Booth #2913-E): In case you miss the aformentioned Slave Girls at the CBS booth, they can also be found here, along with uniform models and an exclusive three-badge pin set for the low offering of $20.
Bandai (Booth #mez 15B): Bandai will be showcasing its new TNG-inspired deck-building game, complete with hands-on trials and a new Jean-Luc Picard Trading Card.
Chronicle Books (Booth #1506): Trek-trivia maniacs will feel right at home here, where the publisher will be showing off its new book, Obsessed with Star Trek, which will include trivia from all of the series and first ten films. Author Chip Carter will additionally be providing autographs on Thursday, July 21st from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 23rd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Diamond Comics (Booth #2607): Fans can get a nostalgic double-wammy here with TOS-themed Mr. Potato Heads, courtesy of PPW.
Hallmark (Booth #2343): Christmas comes early here with a preview of 2012 Star Trek-themed ornaments. Other holidays and/or special events need not feel left out, as the company will also be showing off their new Trek greeting cards.
IDW Publishing (Booth #2643): Star Trek comic book writer Mike Johnson will be holding a signing. Reboot, TOS and TNG comic series will also be on display.
Lightspeed Fine Art (Booth #3745): The company will be showcasing five new, limited-edition lithographs titled “Trading Places”, which depict all of the Trek captains in an alter-ego persona from the shows. Additionally, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Robert Picardo, Saul Rubinek, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner and others will be on-site for autographs.
Quantum Mechanix (Booth #2994): A booth sure to please replica afficionados, QMx will be displaying the Reboot Enterprise Artisan, the Kirk Animated Marquette, the Enterprise “Refit” Artisan, and other replicas, as well as offering phaser replicas for purchase.
Quirk Books (Booth #1636): Taking a cue from perennial favorite “Mirror, Mirror”, the publisher will be displaying its upcoming title, Star Trek: Book of Opposites, which will have its release this September.
Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing (Booth #1128): Tiny Trekkies may indulge in the publisher’s Starfleet Academy titles #1 – #3.
UPDATE:
Larry Nemecek’s TREKLAND: Larry Nemecek will be signing autographs and talking TREKLAND as well as “The Con of Wrath”, his new documentary project, in autograph alley from 2:30 PM to 7 PM on both Friday and Saturday.
Look for more previews and continuing coverage in the coming days here at TrekNews.net.
Creation Entertainment’s Official Star Trek Convention continues its celebration of the series’ 45th anniversary today through Sunday in Boston at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge.
Tickets are available through various packages, including the illustrious “Gold Weekend Package” (which includes perks such as reserved seating, unlimited, first-serve in-person autographs, and complimentary admission to both the Friday Night Celebrity Cocktail Party and Saturday Night “Star Trek Rat Pack Performance”) for $329. Fans may also opt for the “Preferred Weekend Package” for $199, general weekend admission for $90, “Preferred” single day passes for $40, $50, and $60 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, respectively, and general admission single day passes for $20, $25, and $50 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, respectively. Tickets are available at the event.
The big draw of this weekend’s event is the (this time planned) appearance of William Shatner. Joining him will be Connor Trinneer (Enterprise’s “Trip” Tucker), Gwynyth Walsh and Barbara March (B’Etor and Lursa of the Duras Sisters), Dominic Keating (Enterprise’s Lt. Malcolm Reed), Max Grodenchik (DS9’s Rom), J.G. Hertzler and Robert O’Reilly (the nefarious Klingons Martok and Gowron), Ethan Phillips (Voyager’s Neelix), Jeffrey Combs (Enterprise’s Commander Shran and DS9’s Weyoun), Casey Biggs (DS9’s Damar), Chase Masterson (DS9’s Leeta), and Vaughn Armstrong (DS9’s Seskai, Voyager’s Alpha-Hirogen, and Enterprise’s Admiral Maxwell Forrest).
Events will include “Trek Expert” with the legendary Gene Roddenberry’s former assistant Richard Arnold, the music and comedy variety show “Star Trek Rat Pack”, Sunday morning’s “Breakfast with the Klingons”, the perennial “Yes/No Trivia Challenge”, Friday’s Celebrity Cocktail Party, an on-stage makeup workshop hosted by John Paladin, an auction, and a costume parade.
The popular fan-run convention “Shore Leave” kicks off today, July 8th, and runs through Sunday at Marriot’s Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore, Maryland.
Tickets are still available at-the-door. Pricing packages include $85 for the weekend, $30 for Friday only, $60 for Saturday only, and $40 for Sunday only.
Representing Star Trek among the plethora of science fiction franchises will be John de Lancie, The opnipitant character Q from The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Gary Lockwood (TOS’s Lt. Cmdr. Gary Mitchell) and Sally Kellerman (TOS’s Dr. Elizabeth Dehner), both of whom were featured in the series’ second pilot episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before”. Fans may catch them together at 10:30pm to 11:00pm Friday night for a 30 minute Q&A panel followed by a screening of the aforementioned episode. They will also be present for photo ops on Saturday for $35 individually or $55 together.
Star Trek panels include Friday’s “Classic Trek: Where No Show Has Gone Before”, Saturday’s “ST: Still Boldly Going After 45 Years”, and Sunday’s “Mystery Trekkie Theater 3000”.
Some of the non-Trek guests include Tricia Helfer from Battlestar Galactica, Christopher Judge from Stargate SG1, Eddie McClintock from Warehouse 13, and Emilie Ullerup from Sanctuary.
Full ticket and schedule information is available at the Shore Leave website.
Last weekend’s Official Star Trek Convention in Parsippany, New Jersey was significant for numerous reasons. As previously reported, it was the first opportunity to view select events live via a pay-per-view streaming service on StarTrek.com. In addition to Star Trek’s 45th anniversary, it was Creation’s 40th anniversary of events hosted in the New York/New Jersey area. Lastly, it was marked by the surprise appearance of William Shatner, which was handled with initial secrecy due to his official absence on the “billing” (no pun intended). Rather, he was there due to his involvement as director in Creation’s own reality TV production, “Fan Addicts”. He engaged surprised devotees by involving them in his project, which explores the personal lives of Trekkies and their fandom.
The festivities began with a slideshow of vintage TOS images, presented by former Trek archivist for Paramount Richard Arnold. On display were early renditions of the NCC-1701 and captures of Leonard Nimoy’s rare, outside of the series appearances as Spock.
Afterward, the still lovely Grace Lee Whitney took the stage and recounted career advice from Lucille Ball, her contribution of miniskirts to series canon, and her “cosmic bun”.
Makeup virtuoso John Paladin then assumed the spotlight, along with an unsuspecting audience member who he proceeded to transform into a proper Klingon, demonstrating the extreme artistry and skill required of Trek makeup artists even with the most pedestrian (literally, in this case) characters.
Rene Auberjonois followed, much to the delight of guests. He spoke of his involvement in DS9, Disney, and the “Apes” movies. Nana Visitor soon joined him to tremendous applause. The two demonstrated authentic chemistry and amiability, testifying to the strength of their characters’ relationship, which they discussed at length. They also elaborated on their desire to return to the theatre, which both have found difficult due to work and familial constraints. They also reminisced about a slip in the rain which sent Visitor to the emergency room (her makeup leading a startled doctor to believe her nose had suffered grievous injury) and the subtle art of portraying human qualities as alien beings.
Creation staple Stump the Star Trek Experts followed, accompanied by ever-entertaining Star Trek Blooper Reels.
Auberjonois and Visitor then returned to the stage for a poignant reading of poems and prose that they call Cross Our Hearts, an emotional compilation which was met with a standing ovation. An autograph session closed the day’s activities.
Day 2
Having crashed the previous night’s Gold Dessert and Cocktail party, Shatner continued to accrue attention from fans and for his TV pilot, “Fan Addicts”.
The day’s events commenced with Richard Arnold and Creation’s Co-CEO Adam Malin reflecting upon the rebuilding of Trek’s production offices with the herald of TNG, as well as DS9’s Ron Moore’s rise from rejected writer to prolific executive producer.
Afterwards was the Star Trek Yes-No Competition, in which three winning fans took home $250 in gift cards. This was immediately followed by an auction, in which fans and collectors bid for prized memorabilia, such as rare cards, banners, and a signed montage of all five captains.
The day’s live streaming commenced at 3pm with Enterprise’s Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer. The former performed an a capella rendition of the series’ theme, while the latter expressed his gratitude for being part of a show that the two (as well as many fans) believe was cancelled prematurely.
At the strike of 4pm, the fearsome Duras sisters (Barbara March and Gwynyth Walsh) seized the stage in full, glorious makeup. They proceeded to bellow monstrous grunts and tunes, which eventually simmered to a spirited exchange with the audience. An amorous member of the crowd narrowly escaped almost certain doom after suggestive remarks toward the two. They also praised the heavenly shine of Patrick Stewart’s head.
With the Klingons’ departure came a special treat: the conspicuous William Shatner, who plugged his upcoming documentary, “The Captains”, which is set to air July 22 on Epix Network. After demonstrating various ways to deliver his trademark “Khan!” scream, he lead the audience in what he claimed to be “the world’s longest Khan yell.”
Wrapping up the day’s events were music videos, a fan movie pitch session, and the de facto costume competition, which was illuminated by curvaceous Klingons, Trekkie toddlers, and a thoroughly mutilated red shirt. Really, is there and other kind?
Day 3
Drawing in the largest crowd of the weekend, the event’s final day began with another intro by Malin and Arnold, who showcased more archival Trek slides, including the latter’s cameo as a Romulan in the recent 2009 reboot.
Bobbly Clark (the Gorn from TOS perennial favorite “Arena”) then took the stage, reflecting upon his alien “hiss” and the difficulty he had maintaining his bodysuit in the midst of combat. He also explained the very real peril of the shooting location and its rocky formations.
The day’s streaming broadcast commenced with Michael Dorn’s appearance. After a spirited reception, Dorn explored such subjects as his strict vegan diet (which he credits with his recent weight loss), his experience in piloting jets, and playing poker on the Enterprise (apparently egos, opposed to wallets, are the only thing fed). He also commented on his and Worf’s shared gruff disposition, the inherent differences between TNG and DS9 (which he compares to “a party” and “church”, respectively), and his dislike for tribbles. He also revealed that Creation proposed that he appear in full costume and makeup, but refused after they denied his desired sum of “one million dollars” to do so.
Trek expert Adam Hennessey conducted a presentation on “The Ships of Starfleet” afterwards, offering detailed insight into the many craft of the Federation. This was chased by one last No Minimum Bid Auction.
As a fitting climax to a memorable weekend, Nichelle Nichols graced the stage to much fanfare. Nichols elaborated on her efforts to diversify NASA, how she met Gene Roddenberry, and how Dr. Martin Luther King persuaded her to return to the series after her season one departure. She, like the franchise, remained as graceful and strong as ever.
Creation’s next Star Trek Convention takes place July 15-17 in Boston, Massachusetts at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Tickets for that event are on sale now at Creation’s website.
