Jeffrey McGlinn, web developer of the Star Trek: Phoenix website, conducts an interview with Leo
Roberts, creator of the production, regarding Part 2 - and tries to get some answers to the mysteries
surrounding this much-anticipated episode.
JEFF:
How do you feel now that Star Trek: Phoenix has been online for over two months to a worldwide
audience?
LEO:
It feels great, but in all honesty, it feels like it's been longer than two months. Many of the cast and
crew got together recently for a non-Phoenix event, and it felt like a reunion. And of course, the big
question came up: When are we doing Part 2?
JEFF:
That is my next question...when are we doing Part 2?
LEO:
That's a good question, and one I truthfully cannot answer. The reason is that producing Part 2 is an
enormous endeavor - much more so than Part 1 was. It requires a range of sets (including some that
fans saw in Part 1); especially the set everyone is waiting for...the bridge.
JEFF:
What are the production challenges surrounding Part 2?
LEO:
Well, first of all, production for Part 1 wasn't easy by any means. The production level of the finished
episode is quite high. In order to continue delivering at that level, an incredible amount of financial
support for Part 2 will be necessary. As I've stated previously, the estimated budget for producing
Part 2 is roughly twelve times that of Part 1, mostly because of all of the sets required - but also
because the crew will be larger. And there are more visual effects and locations in Part 2.
JEFF:
How long will the pilot be if it is finished?
LEO:
Part 1 was around 30 minutes, Part 2 is estimated to be about 1 hour, making the total pilot the
equivalent of a feature film; which is why producing Part 2 will require an incredible amount of
resources.
JEFF:
Have you worked on any aspect of Part 2 so far?
LEO:
The writers (James Lyle, Ben Andrews, Roy Stanton, and Ben James) have written several drafts of
the script, and it's almost final. The story is quite amazing and blows Part 1 out of the water. It also
answers many of the lingering questions that the fans have.
JEFF:
Speaking of lingering questions: The fans have been posting many questions on fan forums,
submitting them via email, etc. Some of those questions concern the plot and characters, and some
are about the Phoenix herself. Do you mind if we cover a few areas and answer a few fan questions?
LEO:
Make it so.
JEFF:
Were all of the visual effects used in Part 1 original work?
LEO:
Yes, all of the visual effects were created especially for Part 1, and that is something we required
from Day One. Everything needs to be original, so that we don't have any copyright issues.
JEFF:
How big is the Phoenix? How many decks does she have? What is that blue ring on top of the ship,
and what does it do?
LEO:
The Phoenix is the largest Starfleet vessel ever constructed. It is 1,400 meters long, which is the
equivalent of six aircraft carriers put end to end. The ship has 46 decks, and the blue ring on top of
the hull pertains to the new drive system, which the fans see in the title credits and also at the end of
Part 1.
JEFF:
Can you tell us more about this drive system? Is it Transwarp or Slipstream technology?
LEO:
It's neither, actually. We abandoned the idea of going with a drive system already created in canon
and found something that is different, feasible, and could properly reflect the passage of time
between Star Trek: Nemesis and the beginning of Star Trek: Phoenix. This new propulsion system is
called a Subspace Aperture Drive, and the blue ring on top is a tool that creates an artificial and
stable wormhole, allowing the Phoenix to travel at great distances. It's similar to the new transporter
system fans saw in Part 1. The drawback of this drive system, however, is that it requires an
enormous amount of power, so it can only be used for a certain period of time. The Phoenix also
possess the normal Warp drive that fans are accustomed to seeing.
JEFF:
Speaking of the new transporters...the fans have indicated that is their favorite visual effect. Can you
tell us how the effect was created?
LEO:
It's funny to go back and think about this particular effect, because Rob Welch (Art Director/Producer)
and I worked on an effect (not used in Part 1) for over a month, and it still wasn't turning out how we
wanted. So we changed gears and decided to stop trying so hard and came up with the current effect
in about 30 minutes (LOL).
JEFF:
Let's start from the beginning of Part 1 and see what you can tell us about a few things. Do you
explain in Part 2 how the Phoenix was damaged, since it's mentioned in Part 1?
LEO:
Yes, we do explain what happened. I can tell you that it wasn't during some huge, glorious, Klingonlike battle, though.
JEFF:
Speaking of Klingons, are there any on the Phoenix?
LEO:
Yes, two so far. One is a colonel who is part of the Marine Operators Detachment Division of
S.A.B.R.E., and the other is the ship's counselor, who is half-Klingon and half-El Aurian.
JEFF:
Wait...a half-Klingon/half-El Aurian counselor? Wow...that is quite a combo.
LEO:
Yeah, we thought it might raise a few eyebrows.
JEFF:
Who is responsible for the alien makeup in Part 1?
LEO:
Well, there is more than one person, but it all started with Brian Sipe. Brian is an Emmy awardwinning special effects makeup artist. He also was part of the Oscar-winning team that won for Best
Makeup for the new Star Trek movie and also for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He created
exclusive makeup for Ambassador T'Von (Roy Stanton) and for Commander Jaryn (Ben Johnson).
He also created the Trill spots for both Major Natyra (Lorraine Montez) and for Hadik (Rodrigo
DeMedeiros). And there's a Romulan in Part 1, Commander Telek (Wes Hurley), who resembles the
look of the Romulans in the new movie. The tattoos and overall design was another of Brian's brilliant
creations.. His protégé, Will Alvin, created the looks for Lt. Commander Solara (Elle Sonnet),
Lieutenant Laenah (Vanessa Cobbs), and my character, General Krik.
JEFF:
Will we see any other alien characters in Part 2?
LEO:
Yes, you will see many more Romulans, including the Continuing Committee, featuring the senior
members of the Romulan Senate and the praetor himself. You will also see a part-Borg, part-human
in Part 2 known as Chief Ya'Voss. Fans wonder if we will follow the Star Trek Online canon, where
the Borg are zombies. My answer is no, I don't believe we will.
JEFF:
What about other races we have come to enjoy, such as the Ferengi and Cardassians? What's
happened to them?
LEO:
Oh, the Ferengi continue being consumed with greed and making money by following their Rules of
Acquisition. The Cardassians have become a little tamer since their fall during the war with the
Dominion. They're still a formidable race, but they have decided to focus more on rebuilding their
culture and embracing what made them a strong civilization in the first place (art, literature, etc.). I
will say that there are both a Ferengi and Cardassian serving onboard the Phoenix.
JEFF:
Who is the female voice speaking to Commander Telek in Part 1?
LEO:
Ah, the mysterious voice from beyond (LOL). That would be the villain of the pilot, and her name is
Lusian (Stephanie Hilbert). She is a Romulan and is very cunning and disturbed. She reminds me a
ton of Khan (Star Trek II) but also a little of the Borg Queen from Star Trek: First Contact. She is
totally awesome, and Stephanie plays her so incredibly well it's almost frightening. Don't get me
wrong: Stephanie is one of the sweetest human beings on the planet, but she also is an amazing
actress, and when she steps into Lusian and transforms, I simply want to grab a phaser and run.
JEFF:
We notice in the Transporter Room and also on the wrist tricorder of Lieutenant Niran that you have
introduced holographic technology. Is this type of technology used throughout the ship and will it be
used on the bridge?
LEO:
It's integrated into the Phoenix's systems and is used throughout every station onboard, especially
the bridge.
JEFF:
How large is the bridge, set-wise?
LEO:
With the current design we're pursuing, we estimate the actual set size will be about 48 feet wide by
40 feet deep and 12 feet high, with two levels.
JEFF:
About how many crew are on the Phoenix?
LEO:
About 10,000, but not all are Starfleet personnel. Some are also members of S.A.B.R.E.; some are
members of the Diplomatic Corps; and some are Federation citizens who perform other functions on
the ship.
JEFF:
How large are Sick Bay and Engineering, since the Phoenix is so massive?
LEO:
Sick Bay is actually centrally located on the Phoenix, but it consists of three decks that are accessible
by a turbolift-like device in the center (toward the end of Part 1, we indicate that the morgue is located
on Level 3). There are also other smaller medical centers located in various areas of the ship,
particularly near the Diplomatic Module. Engineering, I believe, is 12 decks total. It's HUGE, and I
am not sure that anyone could really build it effectively, because we estimate that from one side to
the other is about 70 feet across.
JEFF:
What is the Diplomatic Module?
LEO:
The Diplomatic Module is a section of the ship located on top of the hull which looks somewhat like a
spine. It contains and houses any and all diplomats that might visit the Phoenix, since she is primarily
a state-ship. The module is completely self-contained and can be sealed off if the ship is taken over
by hostile forces. It can separate from the ship if it becomes necessary. The Module also contains its
own security and medical teams. The top level is primarily a large senate chamber, while the two
decks below are conference rooms, followed by three decks of quarters.
JEFF:
Does the Phoenix have a captain's yacht?
LEO:
Yes, it's called the Heliopolis, and, due to the size of the Phoenix, the Heliopolis is larger than a
runabout and smaller than the Defiant. It's also larger than the captain's yacht featured in Star Trek:
Insurrection.
JEFF:
Are there normal shuttles and other small craft on the Phoenix?
LEO:
Yes, the Phoenix has a number of shuttles of various sizes and usages, including one that is specially
designed for aquatic use. There are also several other craft, such as runabouts and the Rukh.
JEFF:
What is the Rukh?
LEO:
The Rukh is the S.A.B.R.E starship, and it is roughly the size of the Defiant; that's why the Phoenix
does not possess a shuttle bay but instead has a hangar.
JEFF:
Wait...there is a starship on a starship?
LEO:
Funny, isn't it? S.A.B.R.E. (Special Assault & Battle Recon Excursion) is a special elite force
assigned to the Phoenix by General Krik and at the request by Admiral McKenzie (Starfleet
Intelligence). They take on assignments that ordinary security personnel are not equipped to deal
with. They are also assigned to protective detail when diplomats are on board.
JEFF:
Will fans get to see more of the supporting characters, since we didn't see much of them in Part 1?
LEO:
Yes, fans will definitely see more character development, as well as a lot of interaction between
Solara, Laenah, Vu'Shan, Niran, Karkko, and Jaryn. We also reveal the history between Captain
Avari and Lusian.
JEFF:
How many additional cast members will there be in Part 2?
LEO:
If we follow the current script, quite a few. We're going to need quite a few extras, too. We'll let fans
know about that ahead of time.
JEFF:
Where will you film Part 2?
LEO:
Well, a majority of Part 2 is actually on the Phoenix, so we'll be using all of the sets constructed,
hopefully around the Seattle area. We also will be filming on location, but since the script isn't
complete, I can't say where those locations would be.
JEFF:
Will we see the Phoenix use her weapons in Part 2? Will there be a battle?
LEO:
Yes, there is a large battle; fans will see the ship's primary weapons, including a new weapon never
before seen.
JEFF:
Can you tell us about it?
LEO:
No...(LOL)...it would spoil the surprise.
JEFF:
What is the primary plot of Part 2? What can you tell us?
LEO:
It's all about Lusian and her belief that Captain Avari possesses something she wants. It's related to
his father's scientific work, which we mention specifically in Part 1.
JEFF:
What is it called?
LEO:
Project Labyrinth.
JEFF:
What is the project about?
LEO:
Oh, I could write a book series on that one alone, but suffice it to say, something incredibly dangerous
- and in the wrong hands - that could literally change the face of the Alpha Quadrant. Permanently.
JEFF:
Some fans are having trouble with the fact that Part 1 recognizes that Romulus no longer exists. This
is, of course, a major plot aspect of the new Trek movie by J.J. Abrams. Why did you choose to follow
it?
LEO:
Anything that is officially produced by the owners of the copyright is considered canon. Now, it is
established by Spock that Romulus was destroyed by a supernova. This event took place before
Spock went into the black hole and arrived in the alternate timeline, therefore making the event
canon. We have carefully crafted Star Trek: Phoenix to follow canon in the hope that fans would be
comfortable from the get-go. Some fans refuse to recognize that Romulus is destroyed; others are
fine with it.
JEFF:
Where are the Romulans located now?
LEO:
After the destruction of Romulus, the survivors colonized a new home world and named it Rihannsu.
We obtained the name from the five Star Trek novels by Diane Duane. We do realize that the name
is not canon, but in this case, we needed to establish that the Romulans are alive and well, and that
required the name of a new planet. We felt this name would be acceptable by the fans in this
particular situation.
JEFF:
Do you know if anyone at CBS has watched the pilot?
LEO:
As indicated in our press release on July 8, Temporal Studios has no knowledge of whether Part 1
has been reviewed by any employee of CBS, Paramount Pictures, or Viacom.
JEFF:
Has anyone at CBS, Viacom, or Paramount Pictures made any comments or contacted you regarding
Part 1?
LEO:
Temporal Studios has not been contacted by any employee of CBS, Paramount Pictures, or their
parent company, Viacom, nor have any official comments been made by any of the previously
mentioned entities.
JEFF:
I heard that a fan of Star Trek: Phoenix has started an endeavor on Facebook to make it the next TV
series. Can you tell us more about that?
LEO:
We discovered that one of our fans, Josh Heinricks, is trying to unite Phoenix fans via Facebook in an
effort to inform "the powers that be" that they want Star Trek: Phoenix to become the next television
series in the franchise. It's cool to think how this little idea of mine has grown. And I feel humbled
and honored that fans like the ship and her crew so much that they want to see it every week on
network television.
JEFF:
Do you think it's possible "the powers that be" could take notice of the effort and actually consider the
idea of making Star Trek: Phoenix the next TV series?
LEO:
That's a tough question, but I believe anything is possible, especially if the fans want it. It's been
done before, when Bjo Trimble and her husband John started the letter-writing campaign to bring
back the original Star Trek series. Look at how Paranormal Activity was marketed by Paramount, and
how the fans demanded that film be released nationally in theaters. Like I said, anything is possible.
JEFF:
Who would be involved in the production if CBS decided to make Star Trek: Phoenix a network
series? Would the series be filmed in Seattle?
LEO:
At this point, any answers I might give you would be complete speculation on my part. It makes
sense, though, that since the Star Trek copyright and franchise belongs to CBS, the series would
more than likely be filmed on the lots of Paramount Pictures, just like every Star Trek series and
feature film in the past.
JEFF:
If they made the series, do you think they would recast the actors?
LEO:
All of the tough questions today...I'll be honest. From a marketing standpoint, yes, because any
television series is about revenue. And in order to generate the revenue needed to keep a series
going, they would need to cast known or somewhat known actors. It's a difficult subject, and one that
fans don't like to face at times, and I completely understand why. But I also understand the network's
perspective as well.
JEFF:
What is the budget for Part 2?
LEO:
We have identified an appropriate budget for Part 2 but are not publicizing the figure at this time.
JEFF:
What can fans do to make Part 2 happen?
LEO:
It all comes down to funding. Any interested parties - and that includes fans! - wanting to donate are
encouraged to contact Temporal Studies. Right now, donations to Star Trek: Phoenix are not taxdeductible, but we're working on an arrangement that will, in the near future, change that.
JEFF:
How is it possible that fan donations can be tax-deductible when Star Trek: Phoenix isn't a 501 (c)(3)
organization?
LEO:
We are establishing a formal partnership with a 501 (c) (3) organization in Seattle that provides a sort
of financial umbrella. They would receive AND manage donations made on behalf of Star Trek:
Phoenix, making the donations tax-deductible for U.S. residents (unfortunately, international fans
would be exempt from this benefit), plus providing further assurance that donations are only used for
production costs, never for profit. We'll be releasing more information about this partnership in the
near future, so that fans can review what we're offering and make an educated decision to support
Part 2.
JEFF:
Will Part 2 involve the original cast and crew from Part 1?
LEO:
We haven't approached any of the principal or supporting cast from Part 1 for Part 2. The actors of
the principal cast have indicated that they want to reprise their roles, but it entirely depends on the
timing and when we actually do Part 2 (if at all). As far as the crew is concerned, again, that depends
on their availability and desire to participate in the project. Part 2 remains in development, and cast
and crew hiring won't take place until we enter pre-production.
JEFF:
While Part 2 remains in development, what has Temporal Studios been doing otherwise?
LEO:
We have been working on numerous projects, simultaneously. We are working on the debut of a
comedic play called Ms. Jenkins Gets Her Hair Did; it's inspired by the sketch comedy of The Carol
Burnett Show and Tyler Perry's plays/films featuring the famous character "Madea." The play will be
filmed so that we can make it available on DVD and iTunes. We're also working on a original series
called "Traces" that we want to pitch to major networks, in addition to creating a television adaptation
of the well-known sci-fi audio series, The Leviathan Chronicles. We are also co-producing a feature
film called Judas Kiss, by Blue Seraph Productions out of Los Angeles. The film stars Charlie David
(of Dante's Cove) and Richard Harmon (who has a guest-starring role on SyFy's hit series, Caprica).
The film is being completely shot in Seattle and is directed by J.T. Tepnapa and written/produced by
Carlos Pedraza. We are also developing two other projects; a romantic comedy feature called
Hypothetically Yours and a vampire film trilogy called The Fallen Chronicles. To say that we have
been busy since Star Trek: Phoenix's premiere would be an understatement (LOL).
JEFF:
Well, thank you for answering some of the many questions that fans have.
LEO:
My pleasure. I hope this helps fans understand where we are currently with Part 2 and gives them a
glimpse into the future for Star Trek: Phoenix and also for Temporal Studios.