CBS and Paramount have a long history of coming down hard on folks making Star Trek fan films, culminating on the suit against the filmmakers behind a fan film called Axanar, and releasing guidelines for filmmakers who want to make their own Trek-inspired content. Now, CBS and fan film producer James Cawley (Star Trek New Voyages) are teaming up to sponsor the Star Trek Film Academy.
Cawley announced the partnership at this weekend’s Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, which is pretty awesome, because it not only gives fans a bit of a film education, but it will give them unprecedented access and legitimacy when making their Star Trek fan films. “Learn the art of Star Trek filmmaking from those who made it,” Cawley said. “From gaffing to costuming to special effects, fans will work side by side with talented Star Trek artists to create short vignettes from beginning to end.”
Participants will get to make use of the Star Trek New Voyages sets in Ticonderoga, New York, and films made through the academy will get to use professional Trek actors, unlike those made independently under the CBS guidelines. According to Ars Technica, “The academy will start business in the fall with the first films expected in Spring 2018.” However, no further details are available on how fans can apply or participate.
But believe me, I’ll be keeping a close eye on this, and will get you the info as soon as it’s available. Who among you will be bringing their filmmaking skills to the Trek universe?
(via SyFy Wire, image: CBS)
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