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zooming with sid | picard | killing harry | troi & worf | meeting nimoy our 45th year | Issue 5 | YMA / JUNE 2020

CAPTAIN Kim Smith EDITOR/DESIGNER David Matteson We aim to highlight the interests FIRST OFFICER Annette Sexton-Ruiz UFP CONTACT Dave Williams of our diverse membership. REC OFFICER Walt Bartlow EMAIL [email protected] Make suggestions or contribute to COMM OFFICER Kevin McAlonan WEBSITE www.u-f-p.org Subspace Chatter. Email us today! the united federation of phoenix inh t is issue

The United Federation of Phoenix (UFP) is the Southwest’s oldest 03 Captain’s Log by Dr. Kimberly Smith Trek and fan organization, continuously operating since 04 Picard Season One by David Williams 1975. The club meets bi-weekly at various locations around the Phoenix 05 Zooming with Sid by Teresa Spencer metropolitan area. As a group we have picnics, go hiking, watch movies, 06 Killing Harry by David Stipes play games, take trips, and are active in the volunteer community. 08 Meeting by Michael Gibbs You are about to read “Subspace Chatter,” our official publication, which highlights science fiction and fandom events, spotlights our members, 09 My Favorite Characters by Lisa Fischer and provides a resource for all things UFP. If you are in the area and 10 Incoming Transmissions would like to attend one of our meetings, email us at [email protected] 11 Official UFP Briefing

2 | Subspace Chatter captain'S log together while apart BY KIM SMITH, UFP CLUB CAPTAIN

The past 3 meetings of the UFP At the second Zoom meeting working from home now while have been online Zoom meetings, people were better with their audio others do not have that option. with an average of 12 people controls, and some Trek books Many have taken up home projects attending. It is nice to see people, were mentioned like the Picard such as house painting, vegetable even if on-screen, during this prequel book. We also brought up gardening, dog walking, and more. Covid-19 quarantine. We have been the topic of ordering some UFP Comic-Con has officially been meeting from 4:00-5:30 on our canceled and many wonder if Star regular Saturdays. Trek Las Vegas will be soon to follow. We looked at example pint The first UFP Zoom meeting glasses with various UFP logos people were getting used to the on them. It was discussed that we settings, audio controls, and such. need a 45th Anniversary logo and Then a discussion ensued about perhaps for some new t shirts. : Picard which had just finished airing the week before. In We hope you come Zoom with us general, the reviews on Picard were wine glasses, shot glasses, and/or soon. Stay safe, stay healthy and favorable. Other shows people pint glasses. If you are interesting live long and prosper! discussed included The Expanse, in ordering some glassware, please Red Dwarf, Dr. Who and . let me know ASAP. Examples of Everyone agreed the Zooming wine glasses were shown. worked just fine and we would do this again until it becomes safe to At the third Zoom meeting we meet in person. learned that some members are Dr. Kimberly Smith - UFP Captain.

Subspace Chatter | 3 picard completes season one

By UFP Member David Williams drew more support from past Picard and his crew in Season 1 fans in a way that DSC could was clearly and disconcertingly Star Trek: Picard (PIC) wrapped its not. The stories in PIC were also presented. This future, while 10-episode Season 1 on Thursday, presented differently, in a more fodder for great drama and March 26, with “Et in Arcadia, Ego, psychological, introspective show character growth for Picard and Part 2”, bringing to a conclusion than the more action-focused DSC. Star Trek: Voyager’s a galaxy-spanning story arc for () during Season 1, did a 93-year-old Jean-Luc Picard Perhaps the biggest complaint not sit well with many TNG and (Patrick Stewart). The UFP planned about PIC was the presentation VOY fans, particularly those who to screen the two-part finale of a darker future in the Galaxy watch Star Trek TV shows for its on March 26th in the Marston post Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), utopian vision of the future and Exploration Theater on Arizona which was the last time we saw escapism for the troubles of our State University’s Tempe campus, these characters. While the contemporary 2020 world. but the event was canceled Federation worlds still appear to when the COVID-19 Coronavirus be utopias build around post- Finally (SPOILER HERE), the National Emergency required ASU scarcity economics, there are still conclusion of Season 1 with Picard to shutdown its campus. Still, individuals who fall through cracks sacrificing his life to save Data’s many UFP members watched the in the expansive social safety (Brent Spiner) “daughter” Soji (Isa finale using their CBS All-Access net, to become victims of their Briones) and the community of subscriptions in their homes. own inner demons, whether that Data’s synthetic descendants from is drug- and alcohol abuse (Raffi Tal Shiar (or Zhat Vash)- Season 1 of PIC was generally Musiker (Michelle Hurd)) or un- inspired genocide, and thereafter well-received by long-term Star counseled psychological trauma resurrected as a synthetic life form Trek fans, certainly far better (Chris Rios (Santiago Cabrera) himself , sets up a fascinating than Star Trek: Discovery’s and Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill)), the world for ongoing storytelling for (DSC) first season was received. humans who make up Picard’s Season 2. Terry Matalas is taking Although both shows used crew. Also, with the various races over for Pulitzer Prize winner serialized storytelling rather than of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants Michael Chabon as showrunner episodic stories common in the still recovering from the for Season 2, for which writing is Roddenberry-era ( TOS, TAS) and War (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, underway. Once the COVID-19 Berman-era (TNG, DS9, VOY, Seasons 6-7), the effects of the National Emergency is resolved so ENT) shows, and both shows Romulan Supernova (movie Star that groups of people can begin used theatrical-quality production Trek (2009)), including collapse of working together in close proximity, values and special effects, the Romulan Neutral Zone, and then production of Season 2 the focus around established the forced relocation of Romulan will begin in southern California. characters from past shows refugees to nearby Federation and Until then, we can look forward (mostly Capt./Adm. Picard, but other worlds, and the collapse to the new animated show Star also Seven of Nine, Will Riker, of law and order in those border Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Deanna Troi, and Data) regions, a darker future for the Discovery Season 3 later in 2020. worlds visited by retired Admiral

4 | Subspace Chatter zoomingwith along alexander siddig

By UFP Member Teresa Spencer he had been offered a part on Dr. Who a few years ago, but was unable to accept because For the second week in a row, Star Trek: Deep of the timing. Space Nine actor Alexander Siddig (“Sid”) had an online chat via Zoom with fans all around the world. We each waited patiently to speak with him. There was even one woman in Japan who got up hours before she was supposed to go to work.

When it was my turn, I asked him if he would ever appear on Picard if offered. He said he would if the writers found a good way to bring his character of He also said Doctor Bashir that he didn’t know what the role back, not just was because of some confidential a walk on. I story information. He did say that pointed out he was open to appearing on Dr. that maybe Who if the details could be worked had out beforehand. lifted the ban on the genetically- During the Covid-19 virus he does enhanced (a the shopping for himself and his wife Shanna, stigma his character endured on Deep Space a script consultant whom he met while doing Nine). That of course started a discussion about Cairo Time. Sid and Shanna live somewhere Discovery having a lot of plot points revolving in Massachusetts. He said that she likes doing around Section 31. karaoke, so once the crisis is over he’s going to take her out for karaoke night. Sid also said that Another fan asked about him being on Dr. Who, he wished there was some way to do a singalong pointing out that the Master looked a lot like Sid while talking via Zoom. and how it would have been a good role for him. I’ve been able to see him play the bad guy on The Watch a video recap of this chat, which starts off Spy on Netflix and other antagonistic characters with my questions, here: youtu.be/9I8wurWzBZ8 and he’s downright menacing! Sid answered that and check out sidcity.net for the next Zoom chat!

Subspace Chatter | 5 actor Garrett Wang would have to be filmed over blue screen. This would allow his image to be extracted without costly rotoscoping which are hand-drawn, frame-by-frame, silhouette mattes killing corresponding to his body shape. We had to keep the actor over the blue screen as he fell away from the damaged hatch.

harry Sometimes the obvious solution is not the best. by visual fx artist and ufp member david stipes The tendency would be to set up the shot like it was happening with the actor moving away from In episode 137 “Deadlock” the Voyager the set. There are a couple of ways of doing and crew are duplicated in a subspace- that. One, of course, is to suspend the hatch set turbulence phasing between normal reality and at the ceiling of the stage and drop the actor an alternative reality where they are under attack 60 or 70 feet to an airbag below. We did not by the and sustaining tremendous want to jeopardize the real actor and, because damage. One point in the story Ensign the scene starts in semi close-up, we could not (Garrett Wang) and Lt. B’Elanna Torres (Roxann use a stuntman. The second solution was to be Dawson) are in an access tube trying to do horizontal and suspend the actor on wires to repairs. The exterior hull is sheared away under physically float him away from a fixed set piece Harry and B’Elanna exposing them to the raw in front of the blue screen. The disadvantage environment of outer space. Harry hangs onto a was that we would need a gigantic blue screen rail as B’Elanna tries to reach for him. Unable to that was taller than the stage because we were hang on he slips and falls away to oblivion. far away from the screen and using a wide-angle lens. When Garrett was close to the camera The visual effects team was brought in to we could see his face and performance but his solve this production challenge in a safe and body was not over the top of the blue screen, economical way. It was determined that since once again necessitating expensive hand- Kim had to be over a starfield in space, the drawn rotoscoping.

6 | Subspace Chatter This left us with the solution we used. We realized we only had to make it look like Harry Kim floated away from us. The camera was attached to the inside of the damaged tube set. The set was relatively small, so we mounted it with the camera on wheels and moved it away from the blue screen and the actor. This way the actor remained in front of the blue screen during the travel, and we got the illusion that he was falling away from the set when in actuality the set was moving away from him.

The effect was flawless and no one until now had any idea of what was required to pull it off.

Many viewers do not realize that the Harry Kim that started the Voyager mission died in this episode. Harry Kim from the alternate destructive reality joined the Voyager crew and was the one who eventually returned home.

The Hollywood Reporter included this episode in “Star Trek: Voyager -- The 15 Greatest Episodes” by Aaron Couch and Graeme McMillan (23 September 2016).

About the author: David Stipes is a visual effects consultant, artist and compositor. He has worked on Star Trek since 1992 and received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects. As a member of the United Federation of Phoenix, David offers his unique insights to fellow fans through his contributions to this publication. Learn more by visiting David at DavidStipes.com.

Subspace Chatter | 7 MEETING leonard nimoy

By UFP Member Michael Gibbs Fast-forward 25 years. That same co-worker came to me in 2011 and said, “Did you know that Nimoy I was too young to watch the original Star Trek series is going to appear at Phoenix Comicon this year? during it’s first run but caught the re-runs in the Here’s your chance.” I could not believe that he mid-1970s. Each day, I would run home from school remembered the story from all those years ago, and plant myself in front of the television to watch but I bought a ticket and a photo op and headed the crew on their five-year mission. My family knew downtown. better than to interrupt me between 4 and 5 PM each As I was waiting for my turn weekday. for a picture, I realized that I would probably have about 40 One day my mother told me seconds with the actor. How that Leonard Nimoy would could I condense the entire be appearing at a nearby story into 40 seconds? shopping mall and asked if I would like to go see him. I entered the photo booth WHAT? The man that brought and blurted it out in one Mr. to life? Of course! breath—“You probably don’t remember this, but back when The day came and my mom I was 10 years old you came to brought me to the mall. Mr. a shopping mall in Denver and Nimoy was signing autographs and chatting with my mom brought me to see you but I was too scared fans. As the crowd thinned, he noticed my mother to talk to you, even though you both encouraged me and I standing nearby. My mother nudged me and I just didn’t know what to say to you and she forward and said, “Go say hello.” Nimoy smiled and eventually took me home and I was distraught for gestured, “Come on over, son.” I was absolutely days, then I told a co-worker about the story and terrified! I pressed tight against my mom’s leg, 25 years later he remembered it and told me you’d looked up and said, “I don’t know what to say!” She be here today so I came down to finally tell you in said, “Just tell him how much you love the show.” person how much I love your work.” She tried and tried to get me to overcome my fear and go talk to him, but I simply wouldn’t budge. She Nimoy stared at me as I caught my breath. Shaking finally said, “If you don’t go over there, I’m going to both fists in the air I exclaimed, “I am redeemed!” He take you home.” We left without ever talking to him. laughed out loud at my story and put on a big smile for the camera. More than a decade later, I told this story to a co- worker. I’m sure he gave me a decent measure of Sometimes you really can get a “do over.” grief over my inaction.

8 | Subspace Chatter my favorite characters: troi & worf

By Lisa Fischer, UFP Member that is causing the problem.” The I can relate to Worf’s feelings of ending was sad for Deanna but she being incomplete and wondering Counselor Deanna Troi and Lt. experienced something that could if living half of a life is really worth Worf are my favorite Star Trek not be replicated. This episode the effort. The emotional roller characters. Read on to hear about shows me that life coaster Worf was feeling when two of my favorite episodes can give us Deanna brought in Alexander for which showcase why. great gifts, the first time to see him after his in spite injury. Alexander was so excited “The Child” is a o f to see his father, but Worf and his standout episode stubborn pride ruined it. for Troi, showing Pride can be a funny emotion, it how she can can give you great strength and go through also great weakness. We all have child bearing moments where we really can’t and give up her deal with the cards life has dealt child in such a us. Sometimes it’s hard to short time. Even see the sun shining on through such the other side when trauma and sadness depression stares with having to say us right in the goodbye to her son she eye. Alexander was still able to focus on just wanted putting the safety of her ship to give his and crew first. This episode is a dad a big uniquely emotional one, where so hug but his much was on Troi. father didn’t want himself I recall this small bit of light was viewed as a an alien entity that impregnated sadness. half of a man. her, and before she knew it, she was having a baby. Ian Andrew Troi To me, The best part of grew from infant to an eight-year the episode this story is not the old boy in a day. In this instance “Ethics” is the first science miracle that Dr. I can relate more to the alien. I real father/son episode Russell performed to repair wish my life would be just that, an between Worf and Alexander, and Worf, it was the emotional miracle experiment of me growing up as a has a few tender parts I really Counselor Troi did for Worf and human and when my body stops to like. After breaking his back and Alexander on their father and work, I’ll truly join the universe. becoming paralyzed, Worf feels son relationship. Yes, medical his only way forward is to ask science is great, but to repair one’s Deanna really could not rationalize his son to help him perform the emotional state from depression, to let Ian go, even as Ian was Klingon ritual of Hegh’bat, where as a counselor can do, is the real brutally honest with her and said, it is tradition for his son to kill his triumph here. “Mother, I must go now, it’s me father with a blade in a ritual.

Subspace Chatter | 9 S ources of free McNeill And Wang’s Di scovery Season 3 Star Trek content Captain Proton A “Big Tonal Shift”

Following up on the conversation Star Trek: Voyager stars Robert Director dropped we had at our virtual meeting, Duncan McNeill and Garrett clues on what we can expect. there are many sources where Wang participated in a virtual you can access free or low cost panel where they discussed “Michael Burnham has found Star Trek content during the their upcoming podcast and a new core, not to mention a pandemic. For example: memories of their years on new partner in crime. So again, Voyager. McNeill floated the there’s a big tonal shift on that

Stream (many) Star Trek movies idea of a Captain Proton web show, less driven by the pain and with a free trial to ! series, based on the campy guilt of her past and more about https://www.hulu.com/ sci-fi adventures and the magical reunification of the Harry Kim would play out in the Discovery crew and wherever she Star Trek audiobooks and ebooks Voyager . went off to. God knows where available free for a month with she went as the Red Angel. So Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/ “I loved the Captain Proton those two things coming back holodeck stories. I thought there together is very much the theme, Books and movies also available should have been a lot more of and how grateful everyone is digitally at your local library. that, partially because I liked the and what’s next. It’s got a lot Some libraries are also waiving character I got to play. We could of action-adventure and not so late fees to make it easier to have done so many things in the much pain.” rejoin and start borrowing again. Captain Proton holodeck story. For books and audiobooks most So yeah, I think there is a great The new season of Discovery libraries offer their collections via opportunity to go revisit that.” takes the series beyond any other the app “Libby.” point in time in , CBS All Access has been giving the creative team more and mobile Star developing several Trek series freedom of movement when it Trek games are ‘free to play’ across different tones and sub- comes to defining the far future. https://www.arcgames.com/en/ genres, so a Captain Proton show games/star-trek-online isn’t totally out of the question. Stream now on CBS All Access.

10 | Subspace Chatter have been shared on the UFP’s remembering larry facebook page:

We are sad to report that longtime “Larry and I kept in touch for many UFP member Larry Zacher has years and visited me in London in recently passed away. His absence Larry would always volunteer for the late 90’s and then lost touch with will be felt by all and he will be UFP events. Pictured here with him in the 2000’s...he was a good truly missed. He was known for his Frank McShane at the Phx Library at friend, esp. during my UFP years. He encyclopedic memory of the Star the UFP table for Library Day.“ definitely had one of the best Star

Trek Concordance. Jim Strait has Trek collections I’ve ever seen. I have shared some comments about this Larry was an extreme fan of a lot of wonderful memories from wonderful man: DeForrest Kelly. David Bluestein the UFP days...so those who were made an appropriate memorial there at the same time, let’s please “For members of this group who for De at his home. It was only connect, esp during these times. did not know Larry Zacher, a great appropriate that Larry be pictured Here’s to Larry!“ - Kirk Hill Star Trek Fan of Arizona has left along side. Note Larry’s suppressed this world. I know he turned away grin standing next to the memorial. “I moved from Phoenix to LA and from fandom and many that knew Though solemn, I believe Larry could began working for a brief time on him, but I have always respected not suppress his appreciation of TNG. On a visit to LA, I got Larry a & appreciated his emotional his fellow Star Trek fans at the UFP visitor pass onto the Paramount commitment to the Dream we all meetings. lot. Well, one of the unwritten rules know as Star Trek.. of filming is that if actors are on In years past, the UFP participated the lot, they are safe from fans and At UFP meetings we had chips & in a variety of social events. At this don’t get approached. I didn’t think pop that members would donate. one we went roller skating. Yes, it through that Larry wouldn’t know We had a Darth Vader mug on the Larry was a bit unstable. When Larry that and DID approach some of the counter next to them for people to fell, he didn’t just go down, he went actors working that day. Scared the chip in money to partially reimburse spread eagle across the rink. Once beejebus out of me that it would get those who brought refreshments. it was clear he was not hurt, he was back to me! But it was all fine. He was Larr y ’s “Feed Vader ” was a dominant rather entertaining.” an intrepid soul.” - Lynne Kourtidis reminder that if you were going to eat/drink you should pay. Justice Additional memories of Larry’s “His was the most human soul.” was important to Larry. lasting impact on those he knew - Mike Farabee UFP virtual event Calendar summer 2020

Saturday May 9 4:00 pm Zoo m meeting Join us online from 4-5:30 PM until further notice Saturday May 23 4:00 pm Zoom meeting Join us online from 4-5:30 PM until further notice Saturday june 6 4:00 pm Zoom meeting Join us online from 4-5:30 PM until further notice Saturday june 20 4:00 pm Zoom meeting Join us online from 4-5:30 PM until further notice

Subspace Chatter | 11 the united federation of phoenix

Welcome to the Southwest’s oldest Star Trek and science fiction fan organization, continuously operating since 1975. The UFP is a collective of like-minded men and women from all walks of life who get together to have fun, engage in activities, and celebrate our shared love for Star Trek. Inside these pages is “Subspace Chatter,” our official monthly publication, which highlights science fiction and fandom events, spotlights our members, and provides a resource for all things related to the UFP! If you are into Sci-Fi and are in the Metro Phoenix area, consider attending one of our meetings. We would be glad to meet you. Drop us a line at [email protected] for more info.

inside this issue of subspace chatter

Captain Kim Smith discusses the UFP’s virtual meetings via Zoom in her Captain’s Log. Visual effects supervisor David Stipes explains how Harry Kim was killed off on screen. Dave Williams reviews season one of Picard. Lisa Fischer talks about her two favorite characters: Troi and Worf. Michael Gibbs gets redemption in his 35-year quest to meet Leonard Nimoy. Jim Strait and other UFP members pay tribute to longtime club alumni Larry Zacher. Plus the latest Trek news and club events in this issue of Subspace Chatter!

The United Federation of Phoenix P.O. Box 37224 Phoenix, AZ 85069