//**__More News & Commentary__**// [[axacon_alpha_waves|{{:alpha_waves_radio.jpg?nolink}}]] **AXACON ADVENTURES** In a November 11, 2018, interview on Alpha Waves Radio, AxaMonitor editor Carlos Pedraza recounts his experiences trying to cover Axacon, Axanar’s fan convention, from which he was barred before invited to sit in on a trivia contest. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axacon alpha waves|Read more »]] (Filed 2/9/19) [[ares_digital_launch|{{:beta_test.jpg?720&nolink}}]] **BETA TESTING** has begun, finally giving the troubled Ares Digital 3.0 a launch timeline. Axanar producer Alec Peters predicts launch by end of February. That timeline puts wheels in motion to begin to raise the $200,000 needed for the Axanar short films fans have been waiting years for. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[ares digital launch|Read more »]] (Filed 2/11/19) [[pokey_patreon|{{:new_warehouse_interior.jpg?nolink}}]] **POKEY PATREON** In the face of his lagging Patreon, Axanar producer Alec Peters concedes giving up his current warehouse "is the right move," and is preparing for a move to a much smaller facility nearby to house Axanar and Ares Studios. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[pokey patreon|Read more »]] (Filed 2/9/19) [[ares_digital_beta|{{:ares-digital-login.jpg?nolink|}}]] **DOUBLE DUTY** Axanar's future depends entirely on the troubled software platform, Ares Digital. Its version 3.0b is in public beta testing, and producer Alec Peters says the software will have to manage delivering donor perks and raising money for //Axanar//. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[ares digital beta|Read more »]] (Filed 2/8/19) [[sound_fury|{{:sound_and_fury.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **SOUND AND FURY** Bile, bluster and vulgarity on display on //Axanar: Confidential// results in a short-lived boost to Alec Peters’ flagging Patreon campaign, as new donors and pledges crawl to a halt. Meanwhile, Peter is on track for losing his large "Ares Studios" warehouse in favor of a fan-funded smaller warehouse nearby. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[sound fury|Read more »]] (Filed 2/8/19) [[axanar_confidential_3|{{:donor_distribution.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **DENOUNCING DETRACTORS PAYS OFF** Axanar producer Alec Peters and blogger Jonathan Lane discover bashing "irrelevant" critics sparks an uptick in their moribund effort to keep the warehouse they call Ares Studios. Plus, Axanar's pricetag goes up even as the films' delivery moves further away. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axanar confidential 3|Read more »]] (Filed 2/5/19) [[bawden_resigns|{{:bawden_resigns.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST** Axanar Public Relations Director Mike Bawden resigned weeks ago amid litigation threatened by producer Alec Peters against the film's former director, Robert Meyer Burnett. As is his habit, Peters chose to not disclose this latest departure of key personnel to donors. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[bawden resigns|Read more »]] (Filed 2/2/19) [[production_update_3|{{:axacon_bridge.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **PATIENCE FOR PATCHES** In his latest Axanar Production Update, producer Alec Peters reveals there's still several hurdles to jump over before //Axanar// can go into production; he won't be raising any money to make the short films until he first delivers Indiegogo contributors the patches they ordered four years ago. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[production update 3|Read more »]] (Filed 1/31/19) [[temporal_anomaly|{{:temporal_anomaly_splash.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **CBS RELAXES GUIDELINES** After months of reworking following a brush with CBS over violating its fan film guidelines, British fan film //Temporal Anomaly// finally debuts, attracting notice for its 51-minute running time thanks to dispensation by Star Trek’s owner. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[temporal anomaly|Read more »]] (Filed 2/3/19) [[patreon progress|{{::ares_studios_patreon.numbers-2.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS** Jonathan Lane tries to buck up sullen Axanar supporters asked to donate to Alec Peters' Patreon to keep Ares Studios afloat. Meanwhile, the campaign has slowed dramatically since it launched. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[patreon progress|Read more »]] (Filed 1/28/19) [[axanar_confidential|{{:axanar_confidential.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **DOESN'T ADD UP** Contradictions continue to crop up in Axanar producer Alec Peters' explanation for how Other World Computing came to end its sponsorship of the Georgia warehouse he's dubbed Ares Studios. The inconsistencies come amid a slowdown in pledges to the Patreon that Peters is counting on to keep his warehouse afloat. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axanar confidential|Read more »]] (Filed 1/27/19) [[reel_trek|{{:reel_trek_patreon.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **PLANNING FOR THE WORST?** Just when did OWC pull out of supporting Alec Peters' Georgia studio? What's threatening the Ares Studios Patreon effort to raise $4,000 a month for the rent? And guess whose warehouse is already listed as available for lease? {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[reel trek|Read more »]] (Filed 1/21/19) [[ares_patreon|{{:ares_bridge_patreon-2.jpg?nolink|}}]] **PATREON PLEA** Having lost his corporate sponsorship from Other World Computing, Axanar producer Alec Peters is making a $4,000 a month funding plea on Patreon to keep his Georgia warehouse afloat as he works to establish the facility as a working studio. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[ares patreon|Read more »]] (Filed 1/19/19) [[tardigrades_third_complaint|{{:tardigrades_discovery_art.jpg?nolink}}]] **CONTRADICTION** After a Star Trek writer was named as a potential link between the Tardigrades videogame on the Steam platform in 2015 and //Discovery//, **AxaMonitor** has found records showing the writer wasn't a member of Steam at the time. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[tardigrades_third_complaint|Read more »]] (Filed 1/16/19) [[tardigrades_steam|{{:steam_greenlight.jpg?nolink|}}]] **FIRST HURDLE** Before the case can move forward, the federal judge in the copyright infringement case by Tardigrades developer Anas Abdin challenged his lawyers to come up with evidence that the creators of //Star Trek: Discovery// had ever seen his plans for the unpublished game. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[tardigrades_steam|Read more »]] (Filed 1/8/19) [[tardigrades_pre_motion|{{:legal_motion_dismiss.jpg?nolink|}}]] UPDATE **THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM?** Tardigrade lawyers signal they’re preparing to file a third amended legal complaint in the copyright lawsuit against //Star Trek: Discovery// after CBS attorneys sought to meet with the judge to lay out their grounds for dismissing the case. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[tardigrades_pre_motion|Read more »]] (Filed 12/5/18) [[axanar_debate_1|{{:axanar_debate_teaser.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **BATTLE OF THE BLOGGERS** Trekzone’s Matt Miller and Fan Film Factor’s Jonathan Lane square off in the first of three hour-long podcasts. We sum up and analyze their first debate on the impact and history of Axanar. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axanar_debate_1|Read more »]] (Filed 12/12/18) [[axanar_debate_2|{{:debate_part_2.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **SECOND DEBATE** focuses on AxaMonitor as the cause for Star Trek fans' rift. Plus, a defense of the Axanar lawsuit. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axanar_debate_2|Read more »]] (Filed 12/18/18) [[breakdown_dismissal_letter|{{:copied_elements.jpg?nolink|}}]] **FUNDAMENTAL FLAWS** in the Tardigrades copyright case against //Star Trek: Discovery// warrant dismissal, argues a CBS/Netflix attorney. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[breakdown_dismissal_letter|Read more »]] (Filed 12/5/18) [[tardigrade_october|{{:tardigrades_lawsuit_10_31_18.jpg?nolink|}}]] **DESTROYING DISCOVERY**: The latest on the Tardigrades copyright lawsuit against CBS and Netflix. The game developer suing over //Star Trek: Discovery// wants all the profits and every copy destroyed, and a federal judge approves a 30-day extension for the networks to respond to the suit. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[tardigrade october|Read more »]] (Filed 10/31/18) [[axacon_records|{{:finances-binders.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **OPEN RECORDS CLOSED TO CRITICS** Responding to continued calls for accountability, OWC Studios head Alec Peters says only Axanar supporters get to examine the ill-fated fan film’s financial records as part of Axacon — but only for two hours. Meanwhile, critics will continue to be shut out, despite offers to pay for an independent audit. Also, read the advice Peters has gotten about how to silence critics. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axacon_records|Read more »]] (Updated 10/30/18) [[hero_prop_suit|{{:enterprise-e.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **ANOTHER LAWSUIT** OWC Studios head and Axanar producer Alec Peters is being sued for defamation by a Las Vegas prop dealer after he threatened legal action over the disputed sale of the Enterprise-E model. The suit seeks at least $15,000 in damages after Peters allegedly threatened the company for a commission he says he's owed. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[hero prop suit|Read more »]] (Filed 10/11/18) [[stage_9|{{:stage_9.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **FANS SHUT DOWN** Why did CBS issue a cease-and-desist letter to Stage 9, a fan-produced re-creation of the Enterprise D from //Star Trek: The Next Generation//? A guest analysis by Treksphere offers possible answers, as well as an explanation from the project's leader, Rob Bryan. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[stage 9|Read more »]] (Filed 9/29/18) [[axacon schedule|{{:axacon-logo-720px.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **TICKETS SLASHED** Faced with Axanar fans' ticket price complaints, sluggish sales and thousands of dollars in losses, OWC Studios head Alec Peters announced a 40-percent cut in Axacon's cost of entry in November, the brunt of which hurts proceeds intended for the event's host, SphinxCon. Meanwhile, Peters can't commit to whether the bridge set he's spending thousands more to complete in time for the con will even appear in Axanar Lite. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axacon schedule|Read more »]] (Updated 9/26/18) [[tardigrade_lawsuit|{{::tardigrades_cbs_netflix.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **ROCKY START** CBS has been sued by an indie videogame developer who alleges //Star Trek: Discovery// "willfully and maliciously" stole key features of his videogame, including a space-hopping tardigrade. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[tardigrade lawsuit|Read more »]] (Filed 8/22/18) [[august_2018_update|{{:comic-con_premiere.jpg}}]] \\ **RED CARPET PREMIERE?** AxaMonitor fact-checks Alec Peters’ August 2018 production update. Fans hoping to see the two short films comprising what’s left of Axanar may not have much longer to wait, if Peters' Comic-Con 2019 target is to be believed: But his proposed shooting schedule comes with a number of caveats. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[august 2018 update|Read more »]] (Filed 8/21/18) [[seuss gofundme|{{:gofundme_chart_seuss.numbers.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ UPDATED **A STEEP HILL** Progress in the $25,000 GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal expenses in the Dr. Seuss-Star Trek copyright and trademark suit has slowed significantly in its two months. Seuss Enterprises is suing ComicMix and Trek writer/Axanar supporter David Gerrold. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[seuss gofundme|Read more »]] (Filed 6/22/18) [[shrouded_destiny|{{shrouded destiny.jpg}}]] \\ **DÉJÀ VU** all over again? An ambitious new Star Wars fan film makes an Axanar-like Kickstarter pitch, leading some fans to see disturbing parallels, including how the two projects eschewed the Fan Film label in their crowdfunding appeals. Has the Axanar lawsuit affected donors' willingness to fund such efforts? {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[shrouded destiny|Read more »]] (Filed 7/8/18 ) [[federal_coffeehouse|{{:axanar_coffee_tour.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **FAMILIAR AXA-NAMES** are among the corporate officers and business partners of The Federal Coffee House outside Atlanta, including the creator of the ill-fated Axanar Coffee. How might OWC Studios head Alec Peters be connected to this new company? {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[federal coffeehouse|Read more »]] (Filed 7/8/18 ) [[shenzhou_kickstarter|{{:shenzhou_kickstarter.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **ASKING FOR TROUBLE?** Kickstarter campaign launches for a nearly 200-page, fan-published ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ book. In the wake of the Axanar lawsuit, fans wonder if CBS will clamp down on this publishing project. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[Shenzhou Kickstarter|Read more »]] (Filed 7/7/18) [[facebook_group|{{::axamonitor-webcomic-cropped.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **LACK OF SUPPORT** Just as in Axanar’s failed 2017 Indiegogo campaign to save its beleaguered studio, a poll of its staunchest fans reveals little desire for a monthly subscription to pay for Axanar Lite’s production. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[facebook group|Read more »]] (Filed 6/21/18) [[sphinxcon|{{::ares_bridge.jpg|}}]] \\ **AXACON LIVES** Axanar plans to piggyback its fan convention atop the non-Trek related SphinxCon in Atlanta in November 2018, scrambling to get its unfinished bridge set ready in time. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[sphinxcon|Read more »]] (Filed 6/19/18) [[harsh criticism|{{::skin_game-1.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **SKIN IN THE GAME** A reader wonders about the motivation behind **AxaMonitor**. Editor Carlos Pedraza answers the criticism, providing an overview of Axanar's lack of accountability and its treatment of now-former supporters who questioned OWC Studios head Alec Peters' narrative justifying why $1.7 million later //Axanar// has yet to be made. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[harsh criticism|Read more »]] (Filed 5/2/18) [[https://youtu.be/8mieVx5VgUI|{{::trekzone_24months.jpg?nolink|}}]] **THIRTY DAYS OUT** //Axanar// was famously purported only a month out from production before the CBS/Paramount copyright lawsuit hit. The dubiousness of the claim was first recorded in OWC Studios head Alec Peters' infamous interview with the TrekZone Spotlight two years ago. Watch this two-year retrospective by **AxaMonitor** and TrekZone. [[yout>8mieVx5VgUI|Watch now »]] (Filed 4/27/18) [[temporal anomaly|{{:temporal_anomaly.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **CBS RELENTS**, allowing fan production //Temporal Anomaly// to be released in three parts later this year. The movie's original trailer had at least four instances where producer Samuel Cockings failed to follow CBS' fan film guidelines. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[temporal anomaly|Read more »]] (Filed 3/31/18) [[axanar atlanta expo|{{:state_o_axanar.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **THE STATE OF AXANAR** At a recent con, OWC Studios head Alec Peters stated //Prelude to Axanar// proved the Hollywood model is broken. Our story fact-checks that and other claims, along with production news for Axanar Lite. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[axanar atlanta expo|Read more »]] (Filed 3/5/18) [[the wrap|{{:wrap-headline.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **LAWSUIT FOREWARNING** Though Axanar has pushed a narrative in which CBS and Paramount's copyright infringement lawsuit came as a complete surprise, in fact producer Alec Peters had met with CBS officials just prior to CBS' public statement, issued four months before the suit, warning him of possible legal action. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[the wrap|Read more »]] (Filed 3/31/18) [[prelude awards|{{:awards_only_have_meaning_and_merit_if_they_are_hard_to_get.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **AWARDS FACTORIES** OWC Studios head Alec Peters lambasted other filmmakers for touting their movies' awards but **AxaMonitor**'s analysis of the 47 awards Peters has boasted about for years shows as many as 42 percent of the "festivals" that conferred honors on //Prelude to Axanar// appeared to be in the business of selling awards. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[prelude_awards|Read more »]] (Filed 2/5/18) [[think_children|{{:weecover-1.jpg?nolink|}}]] \\ **EXPLORING AXANAR** AxaMonitor presents its analysis of Axanar's recent donor memo, financial report and new Indiegogo campaign in the form of a kids' book, "Think of the Children." A Starfleet cadet and his commanding officer go on an adventure to learn about Axanar. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}} [[think children|Read more »]] (Updated 3/22/17) /* Commenting out this item until needed [{{:docuwiki-style.jpg?nolink&475|**NEW AUTHORS'** resources. Just joined as an author? Read the [[Author Resources]] article for tips to get started right away, and welcome!}}] */ Older News Items » [[older_items|1]] | [[older_items_2|2]] | [[older_items_3|3]]