Original Trek series to be HD'ed, SE'ed and CGI'ed!

From TheDigitalBits.com...........

"Now then... this next story will definitely pique the interest of anyone who loves Star Trek. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in Mark Altman's panel discussion at World-Con in Anaheim (sponsored by CFQ magazine), where we discussed the future of the Star Trek franchise. One of the things that came up is the eventual release of Trek titles in high-definition.

I've posted here on The Bits before that Star Trek: The Original Series (which was shot and finalized on film) is currently being given new high-def transfers by CBS for future HD syndication, as well as eventual release in the new HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats (click this link and slide down a few paragraphs for that story). Enterprise was shot on film also (for its first three seasons) and HD too (for the fourth season), and it was post-produced in HD from the beginning, so it's ready to go now. We also know that all of the feature films are being remastered for HD release. And Star Trek: The Animated Series was recently remastered in high-def (from the original film elements) for its upcoming DVD release.

Now... going into the panel this weekend, I was wondering about The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. All three of those shows were post-produced and edited in 4x3, standard definition video... but the episodes were all shot on film. CBS could, in theory, go back to the original film elements for those episodes, re-transfer them all in high-definition and re-do all of the special effects with new CGI at high-def resolution. The result would be rebuilt HD versions of the episodes. All that would be required is the will to do it and the money to get it done right. This possibility was discussed during the panel.

So here's where it gets even more interesting. In doing some digging with our industry sources over the last few days... I've found out something that's going to come as a major surprise to a lot of you. It might be one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood in recent years. Never mind The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager: It turns out that CBS Video, as part of their high-definition remastering of The Original Series, IS giving a lot of the special effects shots a new CG face-lift! Specifically, they're re-doing all of the spaceship shots. This to me is a very exciting idea... in principle. As anyone who saw the Mirror Universe episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise will tell you, the old TOS ships look awfully damn good in new CG. The replicated TOS sets, the original ship designs... rather than looking dated, they actually hold up VERY well by today's standards. Re-doing the effects will give new life to The Original Series and could help it appeal to a new, younger generation of fans. Unlike, say... the Star Wars films... the original versions of these episodes will always be preserved in GREAT remastered quality on DVD. And it would be extremely cool if CBS would release BOTH versions of the episodes on HD-DVD/Blu-ray, such that you can choose which version you wish to watch... the original or the new enhanced version.

Here's my concern about this... I've learned that, rather than going with a proven effects house, CBS has chosen to do the new CG work in-house. One hopes that they've got someone with REAL Trek effects experience and knowledge involved in the effort... and they they're taking care to preserve the look and feel of the original shots. There's also the concern over whether CBS will re-frame the 1.33:1 aspect ratio series in 1.78:1 for HD presentation. I tried contacting CBS and their DVD distributor, Paramount, on this subject last week, but there was basically no comment. I suppose we'll find out soon enough, but cross your fingers in the meantime. Any way you slice it, however, this is a very interesting development. By the way, if anyone at CBS and Paramount DOES want to discuss this issue now... you know where to find me.

As Spock might say... "Fascinating." Stay tuned..."

 

That's interesting. Hope they know what they are doing.

 

That could work well or be a disaster.

 

No way..not falling for this one. Another Gimmick. I love TOS as much as the next person; but i'm tired of all these issues, re-issues, re-re-issues,criterion,extended, blu-ray..blah,blah,blah..

I think I'll pass on this

 

I was never a big Trek fan but I think the idea of going back and redoing the FX shoots is a horrible idea. It's going to upset alot of people.

 

I can't believe it would be worth it to do this for all 79 episodes. Pick the four best episodes to add CGI, and see how that goes first.

What episodes would benefit the most from this?

Balance Of Terror?
The Doomsday Machine?
The Deadly Years?
Journey To Babel?
The Enterprise Incident?

 

I go for disaster. I'm sure it will technically look better, but won't be within keeping of the rest of the filming.


Leave old things alone please.

 

Ugh, that model is hideous. I was hoping that they wouldn't be using that one. Just too damned flat.

 

Updating the CGI is an interesting idea. I've always hoped, to some degree that they'll do the same thing to Babylon 5.

 

This is going to be the Star Wars Special Editions all over again: people get excited and hyped up to see the changes only to be disappointed in the end. I hope this is all just a rumor, or at the very least never gets past the planning stages.

 

I started a thread about this in Amp. quite awhile ago i was asking who would be in favor of them redoing the ship models and phaser effects. Quite a few were up for the idea. I got the inspiration after seeing the Enterprise episode In A Mirror Darkly. I dont think its a bad thing.


http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=22557660&brd=10382&replies=34

 

Will the word Klingon be changed to skin challenged man?

 

Already got all 3 seasons on DVD. Not shelling out more money for some 'snazzy' special effects, nosiree!

 

I have a feeling that the majority of the fans of the original series won't like the cgi additions and upgrades. I wonder how Gene would feel about this.

 

Two years ago, I had thought of this while watching an episode on Sci-Fi. I think it could help keep the series interesting for newer generations. Though, I'd change the transporter effects to make them at least to match the color settings established in the third film. I wonder if they'll add the rainbow effect for the warp drive.

 

I am definitely looking forward to this. I do hope the added effects aren't too good though. From what I've seen and read, it seems like it'll all blend together really well. But if they fix everything up but the ship interior itself, it might clash horribly. So I hope that bringing it all into HD will link everything together better. Having phsers, transporters, and alien homeworlds altered could be hit or miss. As for the in space shots, I'm not concerned. Anything is an improvement over those. Even if they just CGI'd the wires away, it's an improvement.

 

I'm actually looking forward to it. It's kind of strange to see the actors from the 60's with CGI. But they did the same thing with the OT so bring it on.

 

I'm with that mole that posted above me.

 

If done right it could be GREAT so fingers crossed.

 

This is just crazy. They should be making the newer STAR TREK look like the original STAR TREK series, not the other way around.



Actually, this is very interesting. It may have crossed my mind in the past that updates to the special effects and so on could be done to the original STAR TREK series and what it would be like.