StarTrek.co.nz

A slice of “Star Trek’s” final frontier will warp into the visitor’s center for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center spaceport in Florida this June with the world premiere of the interactive stage show STAR TREK LIVE.

Featuring live actors on a set with giant screens and special effects, the program aims to entertain and educate about life in space through the futuristic lens of the starship Enterprise at the non-profit Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla., near NASA’s space shuttle launch site.

The 30-minute show’s interactive storyline sets up the audience as cadets in the inaugural class at Starfleet Academy. While contending with an unwelcome visit from a time traveling, renegade Romulan, audience members will discover the many challenges of modern-day space travel, as well as how humans will continue to (boldly) go where no one has gone before.

Beaming up real space-age technology

One example is the fictional deflector shields that “Star Trek’s” ships rely on to scatter the rare, small but potentially hull-puncturing bits of dust and matter in their paths. To demonstrate how much damage can be done, an air cannon will blast a piece of material through a sheet of aluminum right on stage.

This very-real threat of space debris – a big concern of NASA’s for the safety of astronauts and the integrity of the International Space Station and satellites – is just one of many educational points that STAR TREK LIVE hopes to get across.

“We try to tie NASA in as much as humanly possible,” said Leonard Lipes, STAR TREK LIVE producer and productions managing director of Mad Science Productions, which is creating the theatrical show under a license from CBS Consumer Products.

The Apollo moon landings plus other aspects of spaceflight of the past, present and future will get wrapped into what promises to be an exhilarating adventure as the audience saves the day, Star Trek-style, said Lipes. 

Trek-inspired science . . . and some cameos

In many ways, the “Star Trek” franchise has already presaged plenty of real-life technology. An instance that the show touches on is modern cell phones, which mirror the then-futuristic, flip-phone communicators of the original 1960s show chronicling the voyages of Captain Kirk and his crew.

Speaking of Kirk – though Lipes cannot provide details at this point – the swashbuckling starship commander and his stoic Vulcan counterpart Spock will make on-screen appearance at the show.

STAR TREK LIVE will run five times daily in a 300-seat theater and comes included in regular admission to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Review by Space.Com

Fellow Trekkers. Have you ever wanted to take a voyage on a real Star Trek vessel? The real McCoy so to speak. Well if you are lucky enough to live down-under here in New Zealand, then you can have just that opportunity. Welcome aboard the Star Trek which is actually a 45 foot “Cape Brett” charter fishing vessel. The Star Trek is a family owned and operated business run by Bryce and Susan Hooton of Star Trek Charters Ltd. So apart from a great iconic name what has the Star Trek got to offer.

Star Trek Charters is based in Whitianga and is close to some of the best fishing grounds that New Zealand has to offer. Whitianga is the largest settled town in the Coromandel Peninsula and is on the doorstep to the famous Mercury Bay. Whether fishing, diving or just plain sight seeing, Bryce and Susan can put together a nautical package to suit you and your group. They boost an “Out of this World’ experience so why wouldn’t you.

The Star Trek is actually one of four charter fishing boats designed by Frank Pelin and all given a name with “Star” in it. Star Trek was built by the Olsen boat yard in the Bay of Islands, Northland and was launched sometime during 1986.

Star Trek has two large double berths and a further seven single berths for overnight trips. A full size shower is welcomed after a day on water. Star Trek has a well equipped kitchen and ample refrigeration and freezer space.

If you would like to know any thing more about Stat Trek Cahrters then visit their website at Star Trek Charters or contact Bryce and Susan on their booking web page.

“Houston – We’ve Had a Problem”
The scene was set. Trapped 200,000 miles away from Earth, three astronauts fight for their lives. An explosion has ripped through their space craft, and they are running out of oxygen, power and hope. The staff of America’s Space Agency are desperately trying to find ways to bring the injured space craft and its crew home.

No this wasn’t the movie staring Tom Hanks but a real live (and very believable) scenario of the events as they unfolded from within the space administration control rooms perspective back in April 1970.
At the Studio Gallery from within the Sydney Opera House, we were given the opportunity to be part of the action as it happened. The studio gallery was set up as a detailed replica of the 1970 space administration control room, and we were all given the opportunity to interact with the Astronauts onboard the Apollo  space craft and the acting staff. We had the choice of being part of the mission control team and to man one of the many control consoles or being a reporter in the press gallery. Unfortunately because we made a late booking we could only choose the latter. I became an honorary member of the New Zealand Herald reporting on events as they happened – yeah right.

If anything the kids loved the experience and got involved with every aspect of controlling the Apollo space craft.

Many of the characters of the day were brought to life such as the late Walter Cronkite (Journalist), Jim Lovell (astronaut) and Gene Kranz (NASA Flight Director) as they played out the drama.

The show was the brainchild and making of the Hackman collective a Kiwi company of coarse. Visit their website and check out some of their other productions at http://www.hackman.co.nz

For us trekkers there is nothing like the bitter taste of reality, than to visit our local observatory. Preferably on a cloudless night. When we think how the star ship enterprise boldly zooms around this part of our galaxy at just under light speed (any faster and it brings about a new realm of physics so lets just keep to the story line) we tend to loose the concept of how vast ‘space’ really is.

So one night last week my daughter an I decided to visit the Sydney Observatory and check out what was happening (the 2 for 1 voucher made the choice easier) The tour was well done and lasted about 2 hours. First there was a 3D presentation of the universe as we know it. I thought the presentation was excellent and gave you the feeling of being there (sort of). Then we all went outside and did some star spotting and get the lay of the land before we hit the telescopes. Visible in the sky (between the clouds) where the constellations Canis Major (the Great Dog), Orion (the Hunter), Gemini (the Twins) and of course Crux (the Southern Cross) which was low in the south-east.

Sydney’s historic Observatory is a real beauty. Built in 1858, its Australia’s oldest observatory, and one of the most significant sites in the nation’s scientific history. It is located near Sydney’s historic Rocks district and sites just beside the giant harbour bridge. I bet they never thought of that when they built the place.

Historically the Observatory was essential to shipping, navigation, meteorology and timekeeping as well as to the study of the stars seen from the Southern Hemisphere. Astronomers worked and lived in the building until 1982.

In summary visiting your local observatory is a great way to spend an evening away from the TV. Make the visit with the kids and who knows what might happen.

Check out what is happening here at http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/

Paramount Pictures are exploring a new frontier by participating in an offer to sell Seagate Technology hard drives with a copy of the latest Star Trek movie and 20 other films already on board.

The one-month offer, which both companies on Monday called an industry first, would combine a 500-gigabyte hard drive with a free version of 2009′s Star Trek for an online promotional price of US$100. An empty 500 GB Seagate hard drive usually sells for $140.

The other movies distributed by Paramount, including GI Joe,Nacho Libre and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius come pre-loaded with a digital lock that requires a code that can be purchased online for $10 to $15 each. Even watching “Star Trek” requires registration.

The pre-loaded movies come with a Windows-based digital rights management system that prevents file sharing. They take up about 50 GB of the drive itself.

The special sale comes as Hollywood is struggling with falling DVD sales in the face of piracy and is looking for new ways to sell movies from its library.

Other companies such as Wal-Mart Stores have used heavy discounts on DVDs as a way to lure shoppers.

Both companies declined to say if they were taking a loss on the promotional price. Both could be using the offer as a way to lure buyers for other related products they’re selling.

Paramount, a unit of Viacom, is selling its other movie titles, while Seagate Technology is selling a device that enables movies stored on hard drives to be played on television sets for $130.

Source – New Zealand Herald

 The spotlight is on Zoe Saldana after an outstanding year in 2009. The star of “Star Trek” and “Avatar,” Saldana is one of the most in-demand performers on the planet right now. As you might imagine, her big priority right now is reprising her roles in sequels to both of those movies. MTV’s Larry Carroll caught up with her at WonderCon over the weekend, and he asked which sequel we we’re likely to see first: “Star Trek 2″ or “Avatar 2.”

I think ‘Star Trek,’” she replied. “Because that one’s already going into pre-production soon….” She paused. “From what I hear,” she corrected, playfully drawing out each word. “Unless J.J., who’s always full of surprises….”

Then Saldana got serious again. “But I do think we’re going into pre-production starting this fall to start shooting early next year. And I have a feeling — I don’t know — that ‘Avatar’ is going to happen right after.”

“Avatar” and “Star Trek” sequels are two on-the-horizon projects that have been talked about a great deal, but not set in stone. And while I don’t think anyone really expected the second “Avatar” to arrive before “Star Trek,” it’s great to hear that pre-production starts so soon. Saldana is certainly pleased.

“The fact that I’m going to be able to get to play Uhura again and the fact that I’m going to be able to be Neytiri is wonderful because I haven’t been able to part with them,” she explained. That’s not all though. “And the fact that I’m going to be employed for a year and a half makes me feel really good because that means the rent is covered.”

I appreciate that honesty. Though frankly, it’s sort of amusing to hear Saldana fretting over her rent. Based on how the past year (and those that led up to it) shaped up, it seems likely that such worries will be far from her mind soon enough, and deservedly so. Talent deserves to get paid, after all.

Source MTV

Patrick Stewart got used to being called ’sir’ playing Captain Jean Luc Picard during seven seasons of Star Trek The Next Generation and four feature films. But now it appears he will be being called ’sir’ in real life as news out of the UK reports the actor will be knighted by the Queen.

That’s ‘Sir Patrick’ To You
The UK’s Mirror is reporting that Patrick Stewart, who has been spending much of the last decade returning to his roots on the British stage, is to be knighted by the Queen on this years New Year’s Honours list. However, the news is not official, and being cited to “palace sources” According to the report, Stewart is being honored for his “services to drama.”

Assuming the report is true, Stewart will join the ranks of other great actors and actresses who have been previously honored as Sirs and Dames, including Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Lee, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Sean Connery, Ian McKellen, Roger Moore, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, and Alec Guiness. Now Patrick and his and friend Ian can call each other “sir.”

Stewart with his friend Sir Ian McKellen at the Variety Club Showbiz Awards in London November 15th, 2009

Is the Queen a Trek fan?
The Mirror also notes that the sources say the Queen is a fan:

Palace sources said the Queen is a huge fan of the 69-year-old, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Not sure if that means she is a fan of his stage work, but could it be that Queen Elizabeth II is a Next Gen fan? If so, what could be her favorite episode? Does her majesty think First Contact violated canon because it introduced the Borg Queen?

Source: TrekMovie.com

Act 1. The Orchestra introduced itself:
Music into an known frontier. These are the continuing experiences of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Their ongoing endeavours. To explore strange new classical music and to seek out new life forms to play to. To boldly play what no other orchestra has played before…

The performance kicked off without pause with Sunrise from the 2001: A Space Odyssey by Thus Spake Zarathustra.  An absolute classic for all things sci-fi. As the music played a video screen above the orchestra showed the scenes when the Enterprise travels into the interior of ‘The Machine’ during the first ST movie ‘ Star Trek – The Motion Picture’. It was a good introduction to the evening’s performance.
This was followed by ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’ by Johann Strauss. Although various Star Trek video clips where played during the piece, I think that it would have been more appropriate for the original Space Odyssey experience of weightlessness on the Pan-Am flight into the emptiness of space which should have been screened. Just my thoughts.

The conductor Guy Noble then took the Orchestra into ‘Mars, The Bringer Of War” from Planets by Gustav Holst. What he was trying to do was to demonstrate how the music set the mood of the action being played out on screen. It was very compelling with a lot of the battle scenes from ‘The Motion Picture’, ‘The Wrath of Khan’ and ‘The Undiscovered Country’ playing out over head.
To finish the first section of the performance the arrival of the transformers onto earth was played out. It was a nice piece but I felt that it was just too out of character with the theme of the show. Lets be fair – this was Star Trek for trekkers.

Intermission: This time gave us a chance to enjoy the views that the Sydney Opera House had of the harbour. The comment from my date was that we were looking at the view and the view was looking at us. My date for the evening by the way, was my eldest daughter. She of coarse has endured my obsession for Star Trek over the last 22 years so this was a treat for her.

Act 2. The conductor strutted out onto the dais dressed in a tidy little ST uniform. And about time.  Our conductor for the evening was Guy Noble. Apparently he has also been known to appear conducting the orchestra dressed as Darth Vader and even cooked pasta one time with TV Chef Stefano de Pieri. He said that he had watched the odd Star Trek episode but I believe Guy knew a little too much at how to present himself as the captain of the star ship NCC1 Sydney Symphony. I think that Guy is possibly a closet trekker in disguise.

And engage. The orchestra began to play the Trek motion picture music proper. From The first motion picture through to the latest 2009 Reboot covering more than 40 years of Trek music. I have to admit the theme has changed little but is still so recognisably inspiring.

Star Trek The Motion Picture. The New Enterprise. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kkan (1982). The Main Title. Music written by James Horner.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Stealing the Enterprise. Music written by James Horner.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). The End Credits. Music written by Leonard Rosenman.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). The End Credits. Music written by Cliff Eidelman
Star Trek Generations (1994). The Overture. Music written by Dennis McCarthy
Star Trek: First Contact (1996). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). The End Credits. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). A New Ending. Music written by Jerry Goldsmith.
Star Trek: Reboot (2009). The End Titles. Music written by Michael Giacchino.

And all of this played out to the movie clips on the giant video screen above.
Trekkie Heaven

Who said the Borg came from another part of the galaxy. We are taking the first steps to assimilate ourselves into our own collective. And it is all being done in the name of science. Doesn’t Star Trek teach us not to play with implants?

A ‘telepathy’ chip that allows people to control computers, televisions and light switches by the power of thought is being developed by British scientists. The tiny sensor would sit on the surface of the brain, picking up the electrical activity of nerve cells and passing the signal wirelessly to a receiver on the skull. The signal would then be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, operate electronic gadgets or steer an electric wheelchair.

The chip is the brainchild of Dr Jon Spratley, 28, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, who developed a prototype during his PhD at Birmingham University. ‘We are just trying to help people with severe communication problems or motor neurone disease – like Dr Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve,’ he said. ‘What we have designed would allow them to control a computer with their thoughts. If they imagine their muscles moving, that could flick a light switch for example. ‘It’s an area that is being heavily researched in America but so far all the tests have involved wired sensors. This prototype uses wireless technology to remove the risk of infection and that’s the real drive of our work. ‘The eventual aim would be to see these systems fully working so they are available to help patients communicate. That’s the future.’ The 1.3mm ‘multi-contact brain probe’ has yet to be tested on a living person or animal. However, tests on brain slices in a laboratory have been promising.

Dr Spratley’s invention is a tiny sensor designed to be injected by needle into the brain. The chip has 50 ‘contact spikes’ that connect to nerve cells in the brain. As the needle is withdrawn, four coil antennae – each just 1mm across – are unfurled on the surface of the brain. These communicate wirelessly with a ‘base station’ – a 16mm diameter receiver that is permanently placed in the hole left by the needle.

The device picks up neural signals from the brain’s motor cortex and transmits the impulses via the base station to a receiver connected to a computer. Dr Spratley said just seven unique ‘thought commands’ are needed to provide mouse-like controls for a computer. He believes implanting the chips will require minimal invasive surgery – yet could change the life of a quadriplegic or motor neurone disease sufferer. ‘It began as an investigation into what signals paralysed people can generate,’ he said. ‘If they can imagine using a limb, even if they can’t move it, you can tap into that signal. ‘Then you just have to imagine moving the muscle and the leg will move, the brain will train itself.

Dr Spratley, who now works for Cambridgeshire-based company 42 Technology, says the wireless chip is safer. ‘My work was only ever going to be the tip of the iceberg and I hope eventually it will help people. I am glad they are taking it forward.’

He is now looking for funding to start human trials.

- From Prophecy News Watch

Heads up all you Kiwi Trekkers. MGM on Sky are rolling out a few of the earlier movies. It might not be a ST movie marathon and we have had a bit of a drought since the hype of Star Trek – The Reboot died down, so those with sky – enjoy
Thanks Leah

STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) Friday 28 August, 8.30pm
The original crew of the Starship Enterprise from the 1960s TV show is reunited in this dramatic, science fiction epic, the very first Star Trek feature film. A mysterious cloud-like object is heading for Earth and destroying everything in its path. The only ship in range is the newly refurbished USS Enterprise, so Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), formerly a captain, is called upon to collect his old crewmates in order to intercept the enemy and save the world. When the original television series was cancelled in 1969, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry lobbied Paramount to continue the franchise through a feature film. The success of the series in syndication convinced the studio to begin work on a feature film in 1975. Paramount was disappointed with the scripts they were delivered so they scrapped the project in 1977. However, the box office success of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars convinced Paramount to revisit the idea of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and in 1978, Paramount assembled the largest press conference held at the studio since the 1950s to announce that Oscar–winning director Robert Wise (West Side Story, Star!, The Andromeda Strain, The Hindenburg) would helm the $15 million film. Nominated for three Oscars (Best Art-Set Direction, Visual Effects, Original Score) and a Golden Globe (Score). Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols. “With excellent special effects and witty nods to the old series, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE set a new standard in sci-fi films–and paved the way for a host of excellent sequels.” – Rotten Tomatoes

STAR TREK: THE WRATH OF KHAN( 1982) Friday 4 September, 8.30pm
The second Trek movie sees Admiral Kirk’s midlife crisis interrupted by the return of Khan, an old enemy. Khan and Kirk battle for control of the Genesis device, a powerful new weapon. Director Bryan Singer cited Khan as an influence on his film X2. Khan is also a favorite of director J. J. Abrams, producer Damon Lindelof and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the creative team behind the franchise relaunch film, Star Trek (2009). Khan was a huge critical and commercial success. It earned US$97 million worldwide and set a world record for first-day box office gross. Director: Nicholas Meyer (Time After Time, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country). Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Kirstie Alley. “Strong character interaction, a credible science fiction future, and intelligent plotting.” — BBC “Even without the words “Star Trek,” the film would still be a space adventure of the highest order.” – The AV Club (First Time on MGM)

STAR TREK: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (1984) Friday 11 September, 8.30pm
After the tragic events of the previous Trek film, The Wrath of Khan, the crew of the USS Enterprise returns to Earth after losing their friend Spock, who died from radiation poisoning. However, Captain Kirk discovers that Spock will not rest in peace until Spock’s remains are brought to planet Vulcan. Kirk and his crew steal the Enterprise against orders and set out on a mission to collect Spock’s remains from Genesis and lay him to rest in Vulcan. Upon release, the film broke the opening weekend gross box office records that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom set just a week before. Director: Leonard Nimoy. Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Christopher Lloyd. “Writer-Producer Harve Bennett knows where the gold is buried in this galaxy, and always hustles back to that lode of entertaining verities that have for so long sustained Star Trek.” – Time Magazine “The humanity of the Star Trek series, unexpected as it is in a sci-fi setting, remains the series’ best feature.” – New York Times