Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
prelude_to_axanar [2018/01/23 21:41] – [Reception] adds Gerrold photo Carlos Pedrazaprelude_to_axanar [2021/07/28 16:10] (current) – [Prelude to Axanar] Carlos Pedraza
Line 4: Line 4:
  
 {{TOC}} {{TOC}}
 +{{page>byline}}
  
-//Prelude to Axanar// (full title: The Four Years War Part III: Prelude to Axanar) is a 2014 fan-made short film, 22 minutes long, directed by [[gossett-subpoena|Christian Gossett]] and written by Christian Gossett and [[Alec Peters]]. Funded through [[crowdfunding_platforms|Kickstarter]], production sought $10,000 in funding, but raised $101,000. It had its public debut July 26, 2014 at San Diego Comic-Con.+//Prelude to Axanar// (full title: //The Four Years War Part III: Prelude to Axanar//) is a 2014 fan-made short film, 22 minutes long, directed by [[gossett-subpoena|Christian Gossett]] and written by Christian Gossett and [[Alec Peters]]. Funded through [[crowdfunding_platforms|Kickstarter]], the production sought $10,000 in funding, but ultimately raised $101,000. It had its public debut July 26, 2014, at San Diego Comic-Con.
  
 Set in the Star Trek universe, the film stars Kate Vernon, Tony Todd, Richard Hatch, Gary Graham and J. G. Hertzler, in a documentary-style film recounting the events surrounding the Battle of Axanar, the climactic clash between the [[mema>United_Federation_of_Planets|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[mema>Klingon Empire]]. Set in the Star Trek universe, the film stars Kate Vernon, Tony Todd, Richard Hatch, Gary Graham and J. G. Hertzler, in a documentary-style film recounting the events surrounding the Battle of Axanar, the climactic clash between the [[mema>United_Federation_of_Planets|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[mema>Klingon Empire]].
Line 17: Line 18:
 Peters announced his intention to produce the feature-length //Axanar// in 2012. [[CBS]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], which own the rights to Star Trek had traditionally allowed fan-made projects to move forward just "as long as they agree not to sell anything—including tickets, [[merchandise]], or copies of the finished film or series."(([[http://guardianlv.com/2014/08/star-trek-axanar-just-released-video/|"Star Trek Axanar Just Released (Video)"]], Liberty Voice, 8/21/14.)) Peters announced his intention to produce the feature-length //Axanar// in 2012. [[CBS]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], which own the rights to Star Trek had traditionally allowed fan-made projects to move forward just "as long as they agree not to sell anything—including tickets, [[merchandise]], or copies of the finished film or series."(([[http://guardianlv.com/2014/08/star-trek-axanar-just-released-video/|"Star Trek Axanar Just Released (Video)"]], Liberty Voice, 8/21/14.))
  
-These limitations made financing a fan film difficult, so Peters turned to [[prelude_kickstarter_details|Kickstarter]] and a fan funding campaign which eventually exceeded his initial funding goal of $10,000 by raising $101,000.+These limitations made financing a fan film difficult, so Peters turned to [[prelude_kickstarter_details|Kickstarter]] and a fan-funding campaign which eventually exceeded his initial funding goal of $10,000 by raising $101,000.
 The campaign met its goal by March 31, 2014, and principal photography was in Los Angeles over the course of two days. The campaign met its goal by March 31, 2014, and principal photography was in Los Angeles over the course of two days.
  
-[{{ :prelude-cast-gossett.jpg?400|**CAST** The cast of //Prelude to Axanar//, (from left) Kate Vernon, J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, with director Christian Gossett, producer Alec Peters and actor Richard Hatch.}}]+[{{ :prelude-cast-gossett.jpg?400|**STELLAR CAST** The cast of //Prelude to Axanar//, (from left) Kate Vernon, J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, with director Christian Gossett, producer Alec Peters and actor Richard Hatch.}}]
  
 +==== Purpose ====
 +
 +//Prelude// was conceived as a "proof of concept" for the //Axanar// feature. The short film's [[#reception|renown]] helped Peters raise nearly $1.2 million on [[axanar_kickstarter_details|Kickstarter]] and [[axanar_indiegogo_details|Indiegogo]] and an estimated $500,000 in direct donations and [[merchandise]] sales.
 +
 +==== Fate of the Feature ====
 +
 +The feature project was derailed by a slowdown in crowdfunding donations and a [[copyright infringement]] [[lawsuit]] brought against Peters and [[Axanar Productions]] by Star Trek's owners, [[CBS]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], in 2015. The case was settled out of court in January 2017.
 +
 +=== Axanar Lite ===
 +
 +The [[axanar_settles|settlement]] allowed Peters only to produce two 15-minute films, mostly beholden to the fan film [[cbs_guidelines|guidelines]] CBS announced in June 2016. Those films, nicknamed Axanar Lite, were to be produced in the same faux documentary style as //Prelude//.
 ==== Cast ==== ==== Cast ====
  
Line 36: Line 48:
 ===== Awards ===== ===== Awards =====
  
-Since its release, //Prelude// has screened at many film festivals around the world, and, according to Axanar spokesman Mike Bawden, won 45 awards. Meanwhile, Peters, as of this publication, had publicly and inaccurately cited the number of the short film's awards as 47.+Since its release, //Prelude// has screened at many film festivals around the world and, according to Axanar spokesman Mike Bawden, won 45 awards. Meanwhile, Peters for years had publicly and inaccurately cited the number of the short film's awards as 47. 
 + 
 +<wrap lo>//See also: [[prelude awards|The Story Behind Prelude to Axanar's ‘47 Awards’]]//</wrap> 
 + 
 +**AxaMonitor** compiled this list because until January 3, 2018, Peters' [[http://axanarproductions.com|Axanar Productions]] website did not name the awards about which he boasted.((Email inquiry from AxaMonitor editor Carlos Pedraza to Axanar spokesman Mike Bawden, 1/3/18.)) Bawden added the list to Axanar's [[http://axanar.e-presscenter.com/2018/01/nominations-and-awards-through-2017/|press website]] on January 3, only after **AxaMonitor**'s inquiry.((Bawden's list inaccurately puts the number at 46, counting a nomination as an award.))
  
 ^ **No.** ^ Award ^ Year | ^ **No.** ^ Award ^ Year |
-|1.|Best of Show
, The IndieFEST Film Awards|(2015)|+|1.|Best of Show
, The IndieFEST Film Awards|2015|
 |2.|Best Narrative
, California International Shorts Festival|2015| |2.|Best Narrative
, California International Shorts Festival|2015|
-|3.|Best Fan Film
,Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival|2015|+|3.|Best Fan Film
, Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival|2015|
 |4.|Best Director, Christian Gossett, 
The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015| |4.|Best Director, Christian Gossett, 
The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015|
-|5.|Best Ensemble Cast
, The ZONE sci-fi-fi film festival|2015| +|5.|Best Ensemble Cast
, The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015| 
-|6.|Best Mini-Moive
, The ZONE sci-fi-fi film festival|2015| +|6.|Best Mini-Movie
, The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015| 
-|7.|Best Score, Alexander Bornstein, 
The ZONE sci-fi-fi film festival|2015| +|7.|Best Score, Alexander Bornstein, 
The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015| 
-|8.|Best SFX Makeup
, The ZONE sci-fi-fi film festival|2015| +|8.|Best SFX Makeup
, The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015| 
-|9.|Best VFX
The ZONE sci-fi-fi film festival|2015|+|9.|Best VFX
, The ZONE sci-fi film festival|2015|
 |10.|Award of Excellence, Special Mention
, Accolade Global Film Competition|2015| |10.|Award of Excellence, Special Mention
, Accolade Global Film Competition|2015|
 |11.|Award of Excellence, Special Mention, 
Best Shorts Competition| | |11.|Award of Excellence, Special Mention, 
Best Shorts Competition| |
 |12.|Best Music Score, 
1st Annual Widescreen Film & Music Video Festival|2015| |12.|Best Music Score, 
1st Annual Widescreen Film & Music Video Festival|2015|
 |13.|Best Visual Effects
, Salt Lake Comic-Con Film Festival| | |13.|Best Visual Effects
, Salt Lake Comic-Con Film Festival| |
-|14.|Best Special Effects and Makeup – Short Film Category
,Maverick Movie Awards| | +|14.|Best Special Effects and Makeup – Short Film Category
, Maverick Movie Awards| | 
-|15.|Best Short Film, Perfect Spirit Film Award
Creative Arts Film Festival|2015|+|15.|Best Short Film, Perfect Spirit Film Award, 
Creative Arts Film Festival|2015|
 |16.|Best Science Fiction Short Film, Perfect Spirit Film Award
, Creative Arts Film Festival|2015| |16.|Best Science Fiction Short Film, Perfect Spirit Film Award
, Creative Arts Film Festival|2015|
 |17.|Best Actor, Richard Hatch, Perfect Spirit Film Award, 
Creative Arts Film Festival|2015| |17.|Best Actor, Richard Hatch, Perfect Spirit Film Award, 
Creative Arts Film Festival|2015|
Line 68: Line 84:
 |28.|Best Original Story or Screenplay, Christian Gossett, Alec Peters,
 The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015| |28.|Best Original Story or Screenplay, Christian Gossett, Alec Peters,
 The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015|
 |29.|Best Director, Christian Gossett,
 The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015| |29.|Best Director, Christian Gossett,
 The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015|
-|30.|Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form)
The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015|+|30.|Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form)
, The Independent Star Trek Fan Film Awards|2015|
 |31.|Best Composer
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| | |31.|Best Composer
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| |
 |32.|Best Score
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| | |32.|Best Score
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| |
 |33.|Best Sound Design
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| | |33.|Best Sound Design
, Scruffy City Film and Music Festival| |
 |34.|Best in Show, 
Action on Film International Film Festival USA|2015| |34.|Best in Show, 
Action on Film International Film Festival USA|2015|
-|35.|Geekiest Film
Boston Science Fiction Festival|2015| +|35.|Geekiest Film, 
Boston Science Fiction Festival|2015| 
-|36.|Best Short Film,
Gwinnett Center International Film Festival|2015|+|36.|Best Short Film,
 Gwinnett Center International Film Festival|2015|
 |37.|LAIFF February Award, Christian Gossett,
 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards| | |37.|LAIFF February Award, Christian Gossett,
 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards| |
 |38.|Best Editing – Robert Meyer Burnett, 
Big As Texas Short Film Festival| | |38.|Best Editing – Robert Meyer Burnett, 
Big As Texas Short Film Festival| |
Line 84: Line 100:
 |44.|Best Narrative Short
, Los Angeles Film and Script Festival| | |44.|Best Narrative Short
, Los Angeles Film and Script Festival| |
 |45.|Special Jury Remi Award
, WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival| | |45.|Special Jury Remi Award
, WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival| |
- 
 ==== Not Counted ==== ==== Not Counted ====
  
Line 100: Line 115:
 The Houston Press called it a functional example of "demonstration of concept," and urged Star Trek fans to see the film. It praised the cast, writing, "actors (Richard Hatch, Tony Todd, etc.) have some serious chops," and noted that the film's visual effects "are stunning."(([[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2014/08/_first_look_at_the.php|"First Look at The Houston Con]]," Houston Press, 8/8/14.)) The Houston Press called it a functional example of "demonstration of concept," and urged Star Trek fans to see the film. It praised the cast, writing, "actors (Richard Hatch, Tony Todd, etc.) have some serious chops," and noted that the film's visual effects "are stunning."(([[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2014/08/_first_look_at_the.php|"First Look at The Houston Con]]," Houston Press, 8/8/14.))
  
-Home Media Magazine highlighted "the film’s high production values, cinema-quality special effects and the involvement of actors from the canonical Star Trek series, [elevating]] //Prelude to Axanar// beyond the status of a mere fan film."(([[http://www.homemediamagazine.com/comic-con-2014-kickstarter|"Filmmakers Increasingly Turning to Kickstarter]]," Home Media Magazine, 7/28/14.))+Home Media Magazine highlighted "the film’s high production values, cinema-quality special effects and the involvement of actors from the canonical Star Trek series, [elevating] //Prelude to Axanar// beyond the status of a mere fan film."(([[http://www.homemediamagazine.com/comic-con-2014-kickstarter|"Filmmakers Increasingly Turning to Kickstarter]]," Home Media Magazine, 7/28/14.))
  
-[{{ :david-gerrold-fb.jpg?150|Scifi writer **David Gerrold** <wrap lo> Photo/David Gerrold Facebook profile</wrap>}}]+[{{ :david-gerrold-fb.jpg?150|Scifi writer **David Gerrold** <wrap lo> (//Photo/David Gerrold Facebook profile//)</wrap>}}]
  
 Author [[david_gerrold|David Gerrold]], writer of "[[mema>The Trouble With Tribbles]]," and contributor to both the original Star Trek series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, after reading //Axanar// for the first time, stated "This is Star Trek." Liking the concept so much, and being so personally familiar with the Star Trek universe, he signed on as creative consultant.(([[http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tony-todd-in-admiral-ramirez-in-indie-financed-star-trek-extension-feature-axanar-watch-prelude-20140822|"Tony Todd is Admiral Ramirez in Indie-Financed 'Star Trek' Extension Feature 'Axanar' (Watch 21-Minute Prelude)]]," IndieWire, 8/24/14.)) Author [[david_gerrold|David Gerrold]], writer of "[[mema>The Trouble With Tribbles]]," and contributor to both the original Star Trek series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, after reading //Axanar// for the first time, stated "This is Star Trek." Liking the concept so much, and being so personally familiar with the Star Trek universe, he signed on as creative consultant.(([[http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tony-todd-in-admiral-ramirez-in-indie-financed-star-trek-extension-feature-axanar-watch-prelude-20140822|"Tony Todd is Admiral Ramirez in Indie-Financed 'Star Trek' Extension Feature 'Axanar' (Watch 21-Minute Prelude)]]," IndieWire, 8/24/14.))
Line 110: Line 125:
 Entertainment News International concluded, "//[Prelude to] Axanar// is a ground breaking independent film that proves the idea that a studio doesn't need to spend millions of dollars to produce a feature-quality production. //Axanar// will be the first non-CBS/Paramount-produced Star Trek to look and feel like a true Star Trek movie."(([[http://enewsi.com/movies/190-26866.html|"Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar world premiere and Q&A at SDCC]]," Entertainment News International. 7/15/14.)) Entertainment News International concluded, "//[Prelude to] Axanar// is a ground breaking independent film that proves the idea that a studio doesn't need to spend millions of dollars to produce a feature-quality production. //Axanar// will be the first non-CBS/Paramount-produced Star Trek to look and feel like a true Star Trek movie."(([[http://enewsi.com/movies/190-26866.html|"Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar world premiere and Q&A at SDCC]]," Entertainment News International. 7/15/14.))
  
-<WRAP right round info 50%> +<WRAP right round info 320px> 
-<wrap lo>Portions of this article were adapted from the article, **[[wp>Prelude to Axanar]]**, used under a Creative Commons [[wp>Wikipedia:Reusing_Wikipedia_content|license]].</wrap>+<wrap lo>Portions of this article were adapted from the article, **[[wp>Prelude to Axanar]]**, and used under a Creative Commons [[wp>Wikipedia:Reusing_Wikipedia_content|license]].</wrap>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
 ===== Release ===== ===== Release =====
  
-//Prelude to Axanar// itself had a three-minute teaser-trailer, released June 11, 2014. The completed 22-minute short had a private red carpet premiere July 26, 2014 at San Diego's Horton Plaza UA Cinema and its public debut screening at the 2014 Comic-Con. Available through the Axanar Productions [[yout>1W1_8IV8uhA|YouTube page]], //Prelude to Axanar// includes subtitles in eight languages: French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Czech and Portuguese, as well as both American and British English. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}}+//Prelude to Axanar// itself had a three-minute teaser-trailer, released June 11, 2014. The completed 22-minute short had a private red carpet premiere July 26, 2014. at San Diego's Horton Plaza UA Cinema and its public debut at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con. Available through the Axanar Productions [[yout>1W1_8IV8uhA|YouTube page]], //Prelude to Axanar// includes subtitles in eight languages: French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Czech and Portuguese, as well as both American and British English. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}}
  
 ---- ----
 **Keywords** {{tag>production prelude crowdfunding fan_films}} **Keywords** {{tag>production prelude crowdfunding fan_films}}