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The Federation Formula | About Picard

The Federation Formula | About Picard

The Federation formula | about picard | my discovery | smackdown ABOUT THE cover ARTIST: UFP member, teacher and digital artist Kevin Hopkins (pictured on next page in red plaid) has had designs on the Challenger space shuttle and has worked for Warner Brothers on such titles as The Matrix, The first fourHarry Potter films, Batman Begins, and many more.

our 45th year | Issue 4 | march / april 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 i n this 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 The Federation Formula by G.D. Hurn 1975. The club meets bi-weekly at various locations around the Phoenix 06 Starship Smackdown by David Stipes metropolitan area. As a group we have picnics, go hiking, watch movies, 08 About Picard by Dr. Dave Williams play games, take trips, and are active in the volunteer community. 09 My Discovery by Lisa Fischer You are about to read “Subspace Chatter,” our official publication, which highlights science fiction and fandom events, spotlights our members, 10 Incoming Transmissions and provides a resource for all things UFP. If you are in the area and 11 Official UFP Briefing would like to attend one of our meetings, email us at [email protected] 11 Winter / Spring UFP Calendar

2 | Subspace Chatter captain'S log HIkes and huzzah BY KIM SMITH, UFP CLUB CAPTAIN

Captain’s Log, 202003.1. mermaids, jugglers, fire eaters, In the past few weeks the UFP has and plenty of mead. There were enjoyed hiking North Mountain, bagpipes and kilts, Catholic nuns

drinking Château Picard while singing, and costumes a plenty! watching : Picard, and We had a really fun day. Coming up more! Five UFP members went ten people show up to watch two soon we will enjoy another hike at hiking North Mountain along with a episodes of Picard and try the two Lookout Mountain, some gaming four legged fur friend. Afterwards Star Trek wines. Most agreed the and pot lucking, then calendar lunch, and then most went to new series has a strong beginning planning and a bat walk at dusk. Walt’s home where a few more and can’t wait for more episodes to I hope you can join us soon! members joined up for gaming. come. Finally, seven UFP members We played a new Star Trek game went on an away mission to the called Five Year Mission which is a Arizona Renaissance Festival (one cooperative game that is really fun. dressed the part) while the rest of At the next meeting we had over us just tried to fit in. There were Dr. Kimberly Smith - UFP Captain.

Subspace Chatter | 3 wh ich real-world organizations inspired ’s fictional ufp?

By G.D. Hurn, UFP Member, M.S. in Military History. By reading these two mission statements alone, one can surmise that the UFP is more analogous here are arguments in fandom as to whether to the UN than any other real-world government T The United Federation of Planets (abbreviated organization. However, while they sound similar, as UFP and commonly referred to as the they are not identical. So let’s see how this Federation) is modeled after the real-world UN or statement would read if combined with that of NATO, or something completely different. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

In the real world, the United Nations (abbreviated as the UN) is “an international union of nations that agree to exist autonomously and promote the principles of liberty, human rights, justice, sovereignty, and equality, and to share their culture in peaceful coexistence.”

“The Parties (of NATO) undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that peace and security are not endangered, and to refrain in their relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the [principals] of the United Nations.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. I’ve always believed the UFP was akin to the UN, but with its own In the fictional world of Star Trek, The Federation military force. Now the UN does have a military, but is “an interstellar union of planetary governments this military is made up of neutral nations that do that agree to exist semi-autonomously under a not have a vested interest in the outcome of certain single central government based on the principles conflicts or resolutions of wars between member and of universal liberty, rights, and equality, and to non-member states. The UN military is very limited share their knowledge and resources in peaceful in so far as to be able to perform peacekeeping cooperation, scientific development, space missions and nothing else. The UN does not have exploration, and mutual defense.” any means of power projection across the world. If

4 | Subspace Chatter the UN needs to “knock some heads,” they usually call the United States for we have demonstrated considerable skill in “knocking heads.”

When Gene Roddenberry pitched the idea of Star Trek to the executives of CBS television in 1965, what was happening in the world? The Cold War, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. When NATO was created, the 800-pound gorilla Most if not all the writers and producers of the in the room was the United States. When the UFP program served in the Second World War, and was formed, was the principal military witnessed the growing tensions between the US arm of the fledgling Federation, but only so strong and the USSR. And while Roddenberry envisioned because of the combined might of the Earth, a future where “the barriers that divide society , Tellarite, and space fleets. melted away in favor of a truly united peoples that look to the future with hope, not fear,” he did so acknowledging that there was a real threat of intractable foes in the universe. Those foes would be given the names of the Empire and the Star Empire, which have been viewed by fandom as analogous to the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China.

Over time, Starfleet would evolve to become the (almost) perfect reflection of the United Federation of Planets: an amalgamation of various races across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, serving in a fleet that does not consider it to be purely military but quasi military in nature whose principal mission is the “peaceful exploration of space and mutual defense.” Only in war, when all avenues of diplomacy and peaceful efforts have been exhausted, does the UFP, only after the deepest of thought and consideration, and with great reluctance, unleash Starfleet. In my humble opinion, The UFP is a futuristic ______blend of NATO and the UN, and yet remains a unique creation unto itself. The military arm of the About the Author: G. D. Hurn is a U.S. Coast UFP is obviously Starfleet. But Starfleet is much Guard veteran with a M.S. in Military History - Cold more than a deterrent force. Starfleet embodies War, and a United Federation of Phoenix member the very words of the UFP charter: “…in peaceful since 1981. He contributes to Subspace Chatter cooperation, scientific development, space with his insightful articles that juxtapose science exploration, and mutual defense.” fiction with real-world military history and strategy.

Subspace Chatter | 5 estroying spaceships was one of the more Dinteresting challenges on the Star Trek TV shows. The default approach was to superimpose some gasoline fireballs over the spaceship miniature and then dissolve the model out and call it a day. Early on after I arrived at Star Trek I did experiment with what were supposed to be thermonuclear explosions with bright flashes and shock waves. It was effective in the scenes but a bit unsatisfying.

creating When the story allowed I would try to make the shot a bit more fun with what I called “visual a dramatic shorthand.” I was looking for what quickly communicated visually that a starship was in trouble. As I originally pondered this I wondered what was a real-world visual correlate to spaceships being destroyed. To me, the best comparison was a huge military ship in combat. I most often thought of the Bismarck sinking in 1941. After a massive battle, the Bismarck rolled starship over onto its side and sank. This is an example of how an artist’s life experiences can affect their work. My awareness of the Bismarck capsizing is a direct result of building a model for a middle school history class. I proudly showed my model of the Bismarck to my instructor. Being a typical young teenager I had not smack done my research and had constructed the model sinking by the bow like the Titanic. My instructor complimented my model and then informed me that the Bismarck actually sank by rolling over or capsizing. My embarrassment etched the experience into my memory for me to draw upon many years later for Star Trek. ndby visual owfx artist and ufp member david stipes Previously I wrote about the glass tabletop approach to spaceship shots on Star Trek where the ships were filmed predominantly level for maximum readability and recognition. To better dramatize the destruction I would violate the glass tabletop and tilt the ships over as if they were capsizing. My two favorite examples are from DS9 “Sacrifice of Angels” episode 130 and “Valiant” episode 146 with additional examples in “Tears of the Prophets” episode 150 and “Changing Face of Evil” episode 170. When the ships were hit they would roll over like a dying dreadnought on the high seas. As the capsized the hull would burn away revealing the inner structure and then followed by the ever-popular fireball explosions. In a couple of instances, we would have the ship do a huge jolt from the blast and then come apart in tilting pieces or in one case the ship began to tumble from an impact in the front. They were effective visually and had a strong visceral impact.

Of course, none of our fanciful destruction scenes would have happened without the talents of the CGI artists at Digital Muse and Foundation Imaging. With a smackdown team like this, the poor spaceships didn’t have a chance!

DS9 “Sacrifice of Angels” DS9 “Valiant”

DS9 “Sacrifice of Angels” DS9 “Valiant”

DS9 “Sacrifice of Angels” DS9 “Valiant”

bout the author: David Stipes is a visual A 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 By Dr. Dave Williams, UFP Member Château Picard winery in France with two Romulan assistants, Laris and Zhaban. The latest Star Trek series premiered on Thursday, January 23 on CBS All Access. Star Trek: Picard At the time of this writing, the first 5 of 10 episodes tells the continuing story of Jean-Luc Picard since have aired. Here’s some info to catch you up: we last saw him in Star Trek Nemesis (2002). If you haven’t been watching, here are some of the key Ep. 1: Remembrance: Picard’s retirement is facts. WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW: disrupted when Dahj, apparently ’s daughter, visits and is subsequently murdered by Tal Shiar Joining Sir as Admiral Jean-Luc agents. Meanwhile Narek arrives on The Artifact, a Picard, Ret. as part of the ensemble cast include: captured cube and meets Soji. • Santiago Cabrera as Cristobal ‘Chris’ Rios Ep. 2: Maps and Legends: Picard meets Dr. Jurati (human, ex-Starfleet, pilot of La Sirena) and discovers Dahj may have a twin android sister, • Michelle Hurd as Raffi Musiker (human, ex- and goes to seek Starfleet support in searching for Starfleet, Picard’s last first officer) Soji, but is rebuffed. Narek attempts to gain Soji’s • Evan Evagora as Elnor (Romulan warrior from confidence, on behalf of his sister Narissa & the Tal the Qowat Milat sect) Shiar who want to destroy the nest of these androids • Alison Pill as Dr. Agnes Jurati (human, medical doctor & cybernetics specialist, from the Ep. 3: The End of the Beginning: Picard seeks the Daystrom Institute [worked with Bruce Maddox help of his former first officer from the Romulan {TNG, The Measure of a Man}]) resettlement, Raffi Musiker, and a pilot, Chris Rios, • Harry Treadaway as Narek (Romulan, possibly a to begin the search for Soji. Meanwhile, Hugh helps Tal Shiar agent) Soji interview a disordered former Romulan-Borg, • Isa Briones as Dahj & Soji (a biological synthetic who refers to Soji and her sister as “The Destroyer”. android, made from Cmdr Data {TNG} by Bruce Maddox) Ep. 4: Absolute Candor: Picard & the crew of the La Sirena stop at Vashti, a Romulan resettlement Guest cast returning in their prior roles: world, and recruit Elnor as protector and bodyguard • as Data (TNG) for Picard. The ship is saved by an appearance of • as Seven of Nine (VOY) vigilante Seven of Nine. • as Hugh (TNG) • as Will Riker (TNG) Ep. 5: Stardust City Rag: On Freecloud, Picard and • as (TNG) crew rescue Bruce Maddox and learn the location of Soji (The Artifact) before Dr. Jurati kills Maddox. The story takes place in 2399, 10 years after the Romulan star went supernova, as told by Spock New episodes of Star Trek: Picard air Thursdays (Leonard Nimoy) in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) starting at 1:00 AM on CBS All Access, from January & ~18 years after the events of Star Trek Nemesis. 23-March 26, 2020. The series has already been Admiral Picard is retired from Starfleet, and living at renewed for a second season!

8 | Subspace Chatter my discovery or “why didn’t i learn to speak klingon?”

By Lisa Fischer, UFP Member The writers outdid themselves is Captain Philippa Georgiou, in the first season. I am not sure Michael’s mentor in the beginning. I found that Discovery definitely how many twists there were but I Due to the alternate universe twists has a darker mood she was no longer than the rest of the there for Michael, but in Star Trek series, and the midst of trouble the after the first couple of new Georgiou became episodes I was not too an ally in her own right. sure how I felt about Even Michael and the show. Being a big Ash Tyler’s emotional Trek fan I was not going relationship, with its to give up that easy. As unexpected twists, still the storyline grew and gives me hope that I more characters were too can get through introduced, I fell hard difficult emotional for it. What a nice switch to have know if I missed just one episode twists of my own with strength and the main character be in a role I would be lost. “Fast paced determination, just as Michael has other than that of the Captain. and crazy” is how I describe the done. Sometimes, there may even second season. Having be a moral in the story without the opportunity to watch even knowing it. I will admit I do several episodes at the ASU relate to Ensign Tilly’s character theater was fantastic! in feeling a bit awkward, but she

Michael Burnham goes through so many struggles and yet still perseveres. She inspires me to My immediate thought while take a deep breath and being introduced to this new see life as not good or universe would be, “why didn’t bad, but as a test of my I learn Klingon?” I like the fact character – pushing me that the has to become stronger in actually became a written and my times of troubles, spoken language for all of us die and to remember my support has a strength within herself that hard fans. But I never did learn groups of family and friends. she doesn’t even know she has. Klingon, and being able to read Michael was never alone, even Which I can have too. the subtitles fast enough to keep at first, it seemed like there was up with the conversation is not always someone who had her I am excited and anxiously waiting my strong point, although I catch back. In fact, I believed in Captain for season three of Star Trek enough to scrape by. Lorca as a strong ally. Then there Discovery to start.

Subspace Chatter | 9 W hoopi invited S ceth Ma Farlane’s picard season 2 to join picard cast star trek plans influenced by fans

In addition to Jonathan Frakes, A rumor has been popping up has a plan for Marina Sirtis and Brent Spiner, for days about the idea of Seth Picard’s second season, but one more classic Star Trek: The MacFarlane and NBC trying to it may change based on fan Next Generation actor is in the buy Star Trek. feedback to season one. mix for Star Trek Picard’s Season 2’s storyline. The rumor details that MacFarlane In regards to this Kurtzman says: would scrap all of the current and “Before we lock things down it’s

Appearing as a guest on The planned Star Trek shows except terribly important to listen to View to promote the new series, for Picard. fans, and hear what they like — Patrick Stewart reminisced with and what they didn’t respond to host Whoopi Goldberg — who of That means Discovery, the — or what wasn’t clear, and make course, portrayed the enigmatic planned Lower Decks animated sure we’re tacking accordingly. I bartender through six series, Section 31 starring learned when I started working years of the show and two Next Michelle Yeoh, and the rumored in the Star Trek world that that’s Gen films — about their time Pike and a really essential part of making on Trek together, and formally shows would all be axed. these shows. invited the actress to return to the 24th Century. MacFarlane also has wide- You have to listen carefully and sweeping plans to reinvigorate understand that sometimes Judging by Goldberg’s emotional Star Trek that includes a new when people are complaining reaction, this is the first time film starring William Shatner and about things, they’re actually she’s gotten the formal invitation Jonathan Frakes. He also wants complaining about something to join the show — certainly it’s to reprise his role else; there’s a different problem the first time publicly she’s been as and helm his own series. [below the surface] and you have invited, at least — and it’s likely to get to the root of that problem. to be some time until we know Again, this is only a rumor for anything about how Guinan will now. MacFarlane’s So I want to give a little room to play into Picard Season 2. returns to later this year. learn from people’s reactions.”

10 | Subspace Chatter PICAR D SCREENED AT ASU LEPRECON 46 Fantasy Con

In a joint activity between the UFP April 10-12, 2020 at Crowne Plaza and ASU’s School of Earth and Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort. Space Exploration, local Star Trek C ontinuing adventures Three Days of great fun, including fans watched the Picard premiere Gaming, Dealers’ Room, Art Show, on the big screen at ASU’s Marston The next meeting will be Saturday Film Festival, Charity Auction, Panel Exploration Theater. Close to 130 March 14th where the UFP will hike Discussions, Workshops, Musical

people showed up. The event Lookout Mountain and then head Events, Demos, Make and take, included a screening of the Short back to Kim & Dave’s home for video Movie Previews, and much more. Trek “The Children of Mars”, watching, followed by a business followed by a panel discussion meeting. Are you interested in joining Guests of Honor: James A. Owen, by our own Dr. Dave and ASU PhD us? For the address, please email us Robert McCammon, David Ayres, student Kara Brugman, and a raffle at [email protected]. You can also find Margaret and Kristoph, Dr. David A. of Picard items donated by Dr. Dave, out more about our club by visiting Williams, and more. See you there! before screening of episode 1. The our website www.u-f-p.org, or check Picard finale will also be screened out our facebook page at facebook. Go to www.leprecon.org for more in the Marston Theater on Thursday, com/UnitedFederationofPhoenix. info and to purchase pre-registration March 26 from 5-8pm. Live long and prosper! memberships at discounted rate!

UFP event Calendar winter 2019 - spring 2020

Saturday Nov. 23 8:00 am road trip Lowell Observatory and Museum of Northern Arizona Saturday Dec. 7 10:00 am christmas angels and Lunch at Paradise Valley Mall Saturday Dec. 21 1:00 pm White Elephant Christmas Party in North Phx Tuesday Dec. 31 8:00 pm new year’s eve party and Chinese Gift Exchange in Cent. Phx Saturday Jan. 18 1o:00 am hiking north mountain and Gaming in Glendale Thursday Jan. 23 5:00 pm Star Trek: Picard Premiere at Marston Theater ASU in Tempe Saturday Feb. 1 2:00 pm wine & cheese tasting and watching Picard episodes in N. Phx Saturday Feb. 15 8:00 am Arizona Renaissance festival the faire in Gold Canyon Saturday Feb. 29 1:00 pm gaming and potluck in the West Valley Saturday mar. 14 1:00 pm Hike Lookout Mountain and Video Watching in North Phx Saturday mar. 28 1:00 pm calendar planning and Bat walk in North Scottsdale fri-sun, apr. 10-12 weekend LepreCon 46 at Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort

Subspace Chatter | 11 t he 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.

is n ide this issue of subspace chatter

Emmy Award-winning visual effects supervisor David Stipes adds depth and dimension to starship destruction. Dr. Dave Williams catches us up on the latest happenings with Picard. UFP Member Lisa Fischer wishes she learned to speak Klingon before watching Discovery. G.D. Hurn examines which real-world organizations influenced Gene Roddenberry’s UFP. Captain Kim Smith discusses a recent trip to the Renaissance Festival in her Captain’s Log. And we are proud to showcase cover artwork by Kevin Hopkins in this issue of Subspace Chatter!

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

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