Director J.J. Abrams was joined by stars Zachary Quinto (“Spock”), Leonard Nimoy (“Spock Prime”), Zoe Saldana (“Uhura”), Karl Urban (“Bones”), John Cho (“Sulu”), Bruce Greenwood (“Capt. Christopher Pike”), Jennifer Morrison (“Winona Kirk”), Clifton Collins (“Ayel”), Faran Tahir (“Captain Robau”), Jacob Kogan (“Young Spock”) and Jimmy Bennett (“Young Kirk”).

Red carpet arrivals were followed by an elegant party under the stars where guests were able to fraternize with green girls, sample some red matter and get a close up look at the “final frontier” through the Observatory’s famous telescope.

Photos courtesy of Paramount

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When that pilot was deemed to serious for TV audiences, a second pilot was made with William Shatner in the lead. That is called “Where No Man Has Gone Before.”

According to The Live Feed, an alternate version of this pilot was made and up until now, has never been seen by the general public.

CBS says they were very excited to learn of the find. They remastered the rare film and they’re releasing it as part of the “Star Trek: Original Series – Season 3″ Blu-ray release due out December 15.

The Live Feed goes on to say that this piece of footage from YouTube is a widely circulated clip from that rare pilot.

Photo: Amazon

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These exclusive STPL x Airwalk™ Star Trek shoes come from New York-based designer jeffstaple and are available in three colors, red, blue and gold, inspired by Starfleet uniforms worn by the Starship Enterprise crew in the classic television series and the new film.

The style is available in men’s sizes 6.5-13 and features the Star Trek insignia embroidered on the back of the shoe and a plastic version of the same logo threaded into the laces in the front. The gold version is an online exclusive available for a limited time.

The  high-top sneaker will retail for $49.99 at select Payless ShoeSource stores and online at Payless.com, while supplies last.
Photo: Payless

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Turning Sci Fi Fantasies into Reality

Science Fiction is about imagination. Sure, today it might not be possible to travel at the speed of light or zap yourself to another planet with the push of a button, but who doesn’t dream about it? We wanted to find out what high-tech gadgetry other geeks wanted to get their hands on so we took our question to the cyber streets. Here’s what we asked:

If you could have the ability/gadgetry of your favorite science fiction TV or Movie character and join them – in their world – on one of their adventures, who would it be and why?

Check out who would go where, with whom below. If you’ve got a sci-fi fascination feel free to add it below.

Cynthia, SF Universe: I would love to use the transporter that they use in “Star Trek.” I love to see new places but I despise air travel. I just can’t stand being cooped up in a small space for that long, the hassle of airports, the whole experience just makes me not want to go anywhere. But if I could step on a transporter pad and be anywhere in a matter of seconds, that would be a dream. Yes, I know on “Star Trek” they have to be near where you’re going – so maybe it’s more of a combo of a transporter and a Stargate. LA to NY in 30 seconds? I’m there. Also, I have a soft spot for Reginald Barclay from “Next Gen” (Dwight Schultz) – because he’s so sweet and a little wacky like me. We’d have a ball together.

Simon, Den of Geek: Given that the sonic screwdriver has been diluted over the past years, and that the infra-red scanning machine from “Total Recall” is probably illegal and likely to get me arrested, I’ll go for Doc Brown’s Time Machine. I know it’s not a gadget as such, so perhaps just the flux capacitor. It combined the two things I most like in a good gadget. Number one, it looks impressive. And number two, it’s utterly impossible to conceive any point in my life where I’d ever get my hands on it.

In fact, were I to get it, the last thing I’d do is travel in time (that always seemed to end in trouble anyway). No, I just want a car that leaves flaming tracks in its wake. It’d make the supermarket run a darn sight more interesting…

Mish, Mish Sci Fi Musings: If I could have the ability of one of my favorite sci-fi characters and join them in their world on one of their adventures, I would choose DAX from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” I would love to be joined with a symbiont of several hundred years of life experiences like Jadzia Dax who has a symbiont with over 300 years worth of life experience in science, music, as a pilot, and even knowing the mind of a murderer, and yet have the body of a sexy 28 year old, what a deal! With that level of experience and wisdom in so many different aspects of life, I imagine the conversation I could have with Dax would be interesting, very deep, never dull, and then we could hit the Holosuite for some Klingon martial arts action! Now that would be my idea of a fun adventure.

Jesse, SFFAudio: A few years ago there was a pirate broadcast called “Prisoners of Gravity” that would regularly interrupt a lame TV Ontario nature show called “Second Nature.” Lasting just under a half hour, it was hosted by a crazy Canadian who had strapped a rocket to the roof of his Camaro, launched himself into space and then crashed into an orbiting satellite. From there, in his high castle, Commander Rick (aka Rick Green) lived, surrounded by the things he’d brought with him: computers, comics and lots of paperback books.

Meanwhile, back on Earth a shadowy crew of SF fans, would rove the bookstores and Science Fiction conventions recording interviews with the creators of SF and Fantasy. They’d take the interviews with writers like Robert J. Sawyer, Alan Moore, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman and Garth Ennis, and upload them all to Commander Rick in the satellite. From there Rick would record these interviews onto audio cassettes and keep them for use in his live broadcasts. He would also make use of the telephone and satellite video feeds that he had access to in order to record live interviews with his guests during the show. The programs were compiled and broadcast with the help of a mute, but highly intelligent, computer named NanCy. Topics discussed were different every episode,with individual shows on censorship, superheroes, humor, religion, fairy tales, Mars, cyberpunk, war, overpopulation, sex and much, much more.

The series aired 139 episodes over a five years mission – it is rumored that Commander Rick died (having perhaps run out of food) – but it is also rumored that he returned to earth – since then NanCY has managed just a very few transmissions in the form of reruns. There was no better news magazine program that explored SF, fantasy, horror and comics and their various themes and ideas.

I’ve been thinking it would be really great to strap a few solid rocket boosters to the roof of my own car and do my own show. In the meantime I’ve been bidding on ebay for a used spacesuits. One day I may win one.

Barry Robb, Webmaster/Producer, The Ugly Couch Show: As a former employee of “Star Trek: The Experience,” I’ve had the opportunity to think about that question for many years and answer it in many ways for thousands of guests. I would walk on the bridge, through the corridors of the Enterprise and around the promenade of Deep Space Nine and have to incorporate the science fiction directly and seamlessly into our reality for the guests. Based on what I’ve heard and the scenarios I’ve seen acted out, in addition to my own geekery for all science fiction properties, I’ve have to say that I would most like to have the gadgetry of the “Star Trek” universe at my disposal. Of all the science fiction properties, there seems to be the least suffering and discomfort in the “Star Trek” universe, and very little supernatural threats, since it’s based in our reality (unlike “Star Wars,” where we have The Force to contend with). Also, I hate driving and would use the transporter to go everywhere.

Please visit my friends at GeekBlips for all the news and reviews from these bloggers and many more.

Reprinted with permission from GeekBlips

Photo: Dwight Schultz by Cynthia Boris

Post from: SF Universe

This interactive stage show due to run at theme parks and performing arts centers across the country, takes the audience through Starfleet Academy training combining the entertainment value of Star Trek with real educational materials aimed at upping scientific literacy.

The show is said to have “cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction and an exploration of real space-age technology.” And Kirk and Spock are supposed to be there, too.

Mad Science’s Managing Director and producer Leonard Lipes says, “So much of the Star Trek technology once considered science fiction has become a reality. Star Trek Live is going to explore many of these technologies as well as other sciences for a truly memorable experience resonating to audiences of all ages.”

Star Trek Live will debut in 2010 and travel throughout the United States and Canada.

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As someone who’s watched Star Trek most of her life, it was a real thrill to talk with an actor whose voice carries so many memories. He was warm and thoughtful but the best part was his laugh, a sound he let loose right after he was asked the first question. I wish I had a tape of it to play for you, but you’ll just have to imagine that deep, vibrato as he chuckled over a question I’m sure he’s been asked many times.

Did you have any reservations on taking another role with the potential of such a fanatic following?

L. Nimoy: I love this question.  I can’t help but laugh because you’re absolutely right.  It’s an interesting set of circumstances.  What attracted me to it was several things.  J.J. Abrams, Bob Orci, and Alex Kurtzman, who I worked with on the Star Trek movie, I admire their talent and the work that they do. The series is at the very least to say intriguing.  The character was somewhat of a blank slate, but we began talking about it and, therefore, attracted because there’s an opportunity to build an interesting and unpredictable character.  I’m enjoying it a lot.

So lately it seems as if you’re J.J. Abrams’ muse of sorts.  Can you tell us a little bit more about your relationship with him?

L. Nimoy: Well, I first met him I guess about three years ago when he first contacted me about the possibility of working together, and I went to a meeting with he and Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman and some of his production staff.  They told me a very good and strong and touching story about their feelings about Star Trek and specifically the Spock character.

It gave me a sense of validation after all these years.  I had been out of it for some time, as you’re probably aware.  There were several Star Trek series in which I was not involved and Star Trek movies in which I was not involved.  This was a re-validation of the work that I had done, the work that we had done on the original Star Trek.  I felt very good about it and went to work for them.

I had a great time working on the movie.  I think they did a brilliant job, and I think the audience response shows that that was the case and has reinvigorated the franchise.  And when they contacted me about working on Fringe—the same people, the same attitude, the same creativity, the same creative team—it was very enticing.

You had not been acting for awhile, and then you’ve done Star Trek and Fringe pretty recently together. Have your feelings about acting changed at all?

L. Nimoy:  Well, I’m enjoying it.  I’m very comfortable in the two offers that I’ve accepted.  The Star Trek movie was a joy to do.  I admire the production team that made the film.  I admire the new cast.  Zachary Quinto I thought was a great choice for the new Spock, and it was a pleasure to work with him and with all the other people on the project.

The Fringe character was intriguing because, as I’ve mentioned, it was kind of a blank slate and we had some very interesting and intense conversations about who and what he could be and how we should perceive him, what we might or might not learn about him, what we might or might not trust about him.  These are intriguing opportunities for an actor, and they came at a time when I … and from a group of people that I had respect for.  They piqued my interest and I went back to work.   I did not expect to, frankly, be acting so much at this time in my life.  My concentration was on my photography, but I’m having a wonderful time doing it.

Have they mentioned anything about their needs for you on an upcoming Star Trek movie?

L. Nimoy: No.  My understanding is they’re working on a script right now.  I expect there’s going to be some time before they really know exactly who they need and what they need.  I frankly, frankly doubt that I will be called upon again.

I think I was useful in his last film to help bridge between the original characters, the original actors, and the new cast.  They have a wonderful new cast in place, and I’m sure they’ll move ahead with them.  I don’t see, at the moment, why they would need me in the next film, although, if they called me, I’d be happy to have a conversation about it.

How do you feel about the current state of science fiction on TV and film?

L. Nimoy: Well, I’m concerned about the positioning of story in terms of importance.  When I see a lot of explosions and a lot of chases, I’m not terribly impressed.  I think there are three terribly important elements that must be given a priority position in science fiction as well as in any other kind of drama.  The first is story, the second is story, and the third is story.  Story, story, story, story, story.  If the story is compelling and interesting, I think all the rest will find its place.

We have great technology in our industry, and that technology can be overused at the expense of story.  And that’s a problem for me, but when the story is in place, I think the special effects can find their proper place.  I think Fringe uses the technology brilliantly, but in the service of excellent story-telling.

Have you found that there’s anything different in the way television is done these days?

L. Nimoy: I think it’s safe to say that what an audience is seeing today on screen in the television episode is far more complex than what we were doing when we were, for example, making the original Star Trek series in the ‘60s.  We were very, very heavy on pages and pages of dialogue and very little special effects, but because the technology has advanced so greatly, it’s possible to do some very complex and very exciting and very useful technical stuff on the shows these days, so we don’t have to rely quite so much on the story being told by the actors speaking.

On the other hand, there is a danger, as I mentioned earlier, of going too far with the special effects at the expense of story.  But if the story is well done, if the story’s in place strongly, the special effects can be enormously helpful to the actors, far more so than they were years ago when we were making the original Star Trek series.

Will we ever see a face off between William Bell and Walter Bishop?

L. Nimoy: Unpredictable at the moment.  In the episode tomorrow night, the scene in between myself and Olivia, I think we will learn a lot more than we have known in the past about what their relationship is all about and what William Bell’s intentions are, or at least we will be told what his intentions are.  We’re not really quite sure that everything that he says is accurate or true.

As William Bell, is there a particular character flaw or even something good that you would like to have highlighted in future episodes?

L. Nimoy: This is a wonderful question.  I’m really looking forward to this character unfolding in a very interesting kind of way.  I think you’ll see, tomorrow night, one very strong aspect of him and certain idiosyncrasies that are being developed.  But I do think there’s a long way to go.  I think there’s a lot to be discovered, and I’m looking forward to discovering it with the audience.

And the final question went to me:

What is still on your “to do” list?

L. Nimoy: Well, I’m looking forward to developing the William Bell character further.  I hope the writers are interested in working with the character.  I am.  I don’t know how much further we’ll go with it, but the character, so far, has been very intriguing and the whole Fringe company has been very good to me.  I’m delighted to be involved.

I am still actively involved with my photography work.  I’m working on a current project, which is called Secret Selves, which is about hidden or fantasy or private personalities that people bring for me to photograph.  And there will be an exhibition of that name, Secret Selves, at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art opening next summer, a solo exhibition.  I’m excited about that.

Check out my Web site, LeonardNimoyPhotography.com.  Isn’t that an amazing title for a Web site?

It certainly is, Leonard. It certainly is.

Leonard Nimoy returns to Fringe tonight in Momentum Deferred. It starts at 9:00 on Fox.

CR: Liane Hentscher/FOX

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Here are my candidates for the top five scifi quotes to make it into the pop culture vernacular.

5. “The Truth is Out There”

Ever since Mulder and Scully gave us a glimpse into The X-Files, we’ve been determined to find the real truth about aliens, Bigfoot, Elvis and Lady Gaga. That single phrase has inspired millions to look beyond what is presented to us and that’s a good thing and thanks to Chris Carter, that phrase and The X-Files will always be associated with conspiracies of every kind.

4. “I’ll be back“

Usually when you hear this phrase, it’s uttered in a flat, deep voice with an “a” that sound more like Bach than back. It’s one of the most basic lines uttered by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator and it’s been used in hundreds of TV shows and movies since, and even in reference to Schwarznegger’s political career. He’s never living that one down.

3. “He’s Dead, Jim.”

It’s become a running joke, but has anyone ever counted how many times Dr. McCoy ever actually says this phrase on an episode of Star Trek? Along with “I’m a doctor not a. . . (insert job title here)” and “Beam me up, Scotty,” this phrase is recognized by non-geeks, the world over, leaving actor DeForest Kelley to remark that the line will likely end up on his tombstone.

2. “Danger, Will Robinson, danger”

This quote comes from one of my favorite scifi classics, Lost in Space. The line was  uttered by the Robot as he tried to keep his young charge from heading off into trouble on an alien planet. It was  only once in this exact format but somehow it has gone on to be copied and parodied time and again, even making an appearance on The West Wing.

1. “Luke, I am your father”

There’s something about this dramatic line from Star Wars that makes people giggle when it’s heard out of context. Said this way, it’s actually a misquote as Darth says, “No, I am your father” with the emphasis on “I”, again, not the way it’s usually repeated.  Two of the best uses of the catchphrase are in Austin Powers 2 and Toy Story 2.

Do you have a favorite scifi quote that you like to toss in when the proper occasion arises? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Graphic from Stock.xchng

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I had the pleasure of meeting with these guys and seeing their work close up at the D23 Expo in Anaheim.  In addition to their Disney statuettes, they had a 1/48 scale Nautilus that made my husband drool. Great attention to detail and everything they do has this sense of hand-made craftsmanship.

Next on the list is the Mark IX Tricorder as seen in Star Trek: First Contact.

“For many of us, Star Trek was our introduction to the possibilities and promise of science-fiction storytelling, and it is an absolute honor to have been given the chance to bring Star Trek collectibles to fans,” said Bryan Ono, president of eFX Inc.

Pre-orders for the Mark IX Tricorder are expected to begin in September, and eFX will limit its production run to no more than 1,000 pieces worldwide. The Tricorders will be offered as a “Signature Edition” signed by actor Brent Spiner, who played Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the films it inspired.

For more details about eFX and its collectibles visit them online at www.efxcollectibles.com.

Photo: eFX Collectibles

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When you look at the evolution of computers and the vision Roddenberry had for Star Trek, there’s an incredible synergy between the two. At the time, it was hard to imagine a computer that responded to voice commands, a computer no bigger than a lunch box that could analyze complex data in a matter of seconds, a flip “communicator” that allowed people to talk without the need for phone lines. But Gene Roddenberry saw it all and it wasn’t as far fetched as people thought. Because while he was imagining it, Apple Computers was making it so.

Gene Roddenberry’s Mac comes with a signed letter of provenance from Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod and it will be up for auction through Profiles in History on October 8-9, 2009. It has an estimated sale price of $800-$1200. Worldwide bidding begins at 12:00 PM (noon) both days and can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the Internet at:
http://www.icollector.com/Hollywood-Auction-37_a5736.

Photo: Profiles in History

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Recently, armed with only bits and pieces of the vast Trek story, he headed into the theater to see the JJ Abrams reboot and it was as if the sky opened and the angels sang — or maybe it was a choir of disembodied elders who had evolved into a state of higher conciousness.

Whatever it was, it converted him, right then and there. Suddenly, Patrick realized that he’d been missing so much by not engaging in the Star Trek experience in the order it was meant to be seen  — the original order. He went home and straight to Amazon determined to make it all right.

Now, with DVD sets in hand, Patrick Bromley is dedicating his life to something many of us take for granted. He’s going to view the entire Star Trek franchise, episode by episode from beginning to end. And he’s going to chronicle his journey on TVVerdict.com.

I say we should all support him on this long, dangerous and what will sometimes be a tedious mission. You can see him off here in his introductory post, then relive that first giant step for mankind as he takes on The Cage.

From there. . . well. . . it’s hard to say. There’s no telling how long it will take to complete his mission, or if he’ll ever see the end of the journey at all. But all of us who know Patrick from DVD Verdict and beyond, wish him god speed as he boldly goes where few reviewers have ever gone before.

Graphic courtesy of TVVerdict.

Post from: SF Universe