George Merhoff, the gaffer for most of TOS’ run, delivers fascinating details about lighting the sets.
Tag: Gene Roddenberry
Inside Star Trek 11: saucer separations and a hypothetical Vulcan
The penultimate issue of the 1960’s Inside Star Trek offers fan letters and a visit to the sound stages.
How a high-school story and a DC Fontana letter launched Howard Weinstein’s writing career
The New York Times bestselling author was kind enough to tell me a bunch of his Star Trek stories.
Inside Star Trek 9: Polka-dot marshmallows and herding extras with Charlie Washburn
The second assistant director kept the set running on seasons two and three.
Relive John Belushi’s final captain’s log
Gene Roddenberry thought the Saturday Night Live parody of Star Trek’s cancellation was “delicious.”
Starship class, part two: Gene Roddenberry and Matt Jefferies
I wrote recently that the Enterprise is in fact a Starship-class vessel. Lots of people disagreed. Lots. But then they also disagree with Gene Roddenberry and Matt Jefferies.
One of everything, please: 1969’s Catalog #3 from Star Trek Enterprises
IDIC pendants, all the scripts, even actual film footage from the set. Gene Roddenberry had collectors in mind even as the show was still in its first run.
What did AMT get for building the Galileo? And just how much does a shuttlecraft cost?
If I had a time machine, I would return to August 1966 and pay AMT to make me a Galileo. And I wouldn’t need to bring much cash.
Star Trek as Canadian content
Although thoroughly American in origin, the diversity and peaceful collaboration the show espoused is very Canadian in tone.
Waiting on Walter. My lunchbox needs him
Walter Koenig, I need you. Please come back to Toronto. Also, did you know Canadians got to see Star Trek before the Americans?
Harlan Ellison put a drug dealer on the Enterprise. That was not the biggest script problem
Gene Roddenberry was right: Ellison’s version of The City on the Edge of Forever was not suitable for Star Trek, but the story is inventive and compelling and IDW’s graphic novel brings it to life with beautiful illustrations.
The Concordance Color Book — and three fantastic surprise autographs
I bought this book years ago. I had never opened it. When I did, I discovered three major Star Trek autographs.
Inside Star Trek issue 1: selling IDIC and dumpster diving for set pieces
The Inside Star Trek newsletter is an invaluable source for Star Trek’s early voices. Issue 1 detailed William Shatner’s busy schedule, told us about searching through studio garbage and shared a made-up story about the Vulcan IDIC medallion.
A View-Master surprise, with Star Trek’s worst episode
The Omega Glory is the worst episode of the original series, but the View-Master version is magical. Step back to the 3D world of your childhood.
Download Star Trek’s most important document
Gene Roddenberry’s 1964 pitch for his new show is arguably the most important Star Trek document ever. The pitch, usually referred to as Star Trek is…, was designed to sell the show to network executives and it’s an interesting look at Roddenberry’s earliest creative ideas.
A fun fake: Flight Deck Officer certificate
Do you have a Gene Roddenberry autograph in your collection? If it’s on a Flight Deck Officer certificate then…probably no. But it’s a fun item anyway.
The Roddenberry memo that helped launch The Making of Star Trek
The Making of Star Trek is one of the most important books in TOS fandom, and Gene Roddenberry was an early advocate of the project.
No Chapel, no T’Pau. The original Amok Time story outline
I own the Amok Time story outline Ted Sturgeon submitted to Gene Roddenberry. It’s a fascinating look at the process of creating an episode and at the Trek that could have been.
