Propworx 50th Anniversary Auction

On September 10, 2016, Propworx will be having a special auction of costumes, props and artwork to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.  There are some lots of incredible quality including several that will be of interest to Vulcanologists.

First is Lot #0040 a Roman Phaser from Star Trek: TNG

Lot #0047 Spock Ear Prosthetics from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Lot #0048 Leonard Nimoy Director's Chair from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock from the collection of Joe Longo.

Lot #0053 & #0054 Romulan Senate Stools from Star Trek: Nemesis

Lot #0061 Unification Photos from Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0062 Unification Photo from Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0081 Vulcan Ear Prosthetics from Star Trek: Enterprise

Lot #0095 Romulan Shuttle Concept Art from Star Trek: DS9 from the collection of Gary Hutzel

Lot #0169 Ambassador Spock Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Unification"

Lot #0186 Perrin Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Sarek"

Lot #0194 Mintaken Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Who Watches the Watchers?"

Lot #0200 Sarek Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Sarek"

Lot #0204 Neral Concept Art by Robert Blackman for Star Trek: TNG "Unification".  Interesting, the character's name is spelled "Narel" on the artwork.  I wonder if this was an error or the spelling changed during production.

Uncertain Logic

StarTrek.com has released the intriguing cover image for a new novel being released March 24, 2015.  The cover of Christopher L. Bennett's Star Trek: Enterprise: Rise of the Federation: Uncertain Logic features the Kir'shara.

 

Years ago, Jonathan Archer and T’Pol helped unearth the true writings of Vulcan’s great philosopher Surak, bringing forth a new era of peaceful reform on Vulcan. But when their discov­ery is seemingly proven to be a fraud, the scandal threatens to undo a decade of progress and return power to the old, warlike regime. Admiral Archer, Captain T’Pol, and the crew of the U.S.S. Endeavour investigate with help from their Vulcan allies, but none of them suspect the identity of the real master­mind behind the conspiracy to reconquer Vulcan—or the price they will have to pay to discover the truth.

Meanwhile, when a long-forgotten technological threat reemerges beyond the Federation’s borders, Captain Malcolm Reed of the U.S.S. Pioneer attempts to track down its origins with help from his old friend “Trip” Tucker. But they discover that other civilizations are eager to exploit this dangerous power for their own benefit, even if the Federation must pay the price!

Jolene Blalock as T'Pol

Propworx Star Trek Auction III

Yesterday, Propworx held its third Star Trek prop and costume auction. Smaller and quieter than any previous Propworx event, this auction yielded some great deals for the few bidders involved.  There were a few items of interest to Vulcanologists.

The highlight was this Lirpa from the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Kir'Shara." A lot of four of these Lirpa were sold at the Christie's auction for $4800. Subsequently, in the It's a Wrap! eBay auctions, half a dozen more sold for prices ranging between $600 and $1500.  Yesterday's Lirpa sold for $800 which is a pretty good deal considering how much time has passed since the other auctions.

Next, is this beautiful piece of pre-production art by Andrew Probert.  Some readers may remember the  interview I did with Probert about the design process for this shuttle.  I regret not bidding on this piece.  It sold for just $550 which is extremely reasonable for this type of prototype Star Trek production art.

Next up is a series of wigs belonging to our Romulan cousins.  These are all from Star Trek: Nemesis.  Many similar pieces sold through the IAW auctions for the same sort of prices $100-$300.

Finally, these interesting Reman control panel buttons sold for $100.  I was not totally thrilled with the design of the Remans in Star Trek: Nemesis.  Their appearance seemed a huge evolutionary leap forward from their Vulcan progenitors.  I also thought their long fingernails were quite impractical for creatures who spent their days mining.  However, the fact that the art department considered those nails when designing the Reman control panels is a testament to their foresight.  Rather than using touchscreen panels, they used these separated keys so the fingernails could pass between them.

EXCLUSIVE! Interview with Gary Graham

Here's another Exclusive Vulcanology interview.  Enterprise's Ambassador Soval, Gary Graham, agreed to answer a few questions for us.

SCOTT: How did you prepare to play a Vulcan? Was there much research involved? Did you ask any other actors who had played Vulcans for tips?


GARY: I asked Rick Berman (exec. prod) who the Vulcans are.  I had gotten the role, so I had an inkling.  But Rick told me -- they aren't beings without emotion; on the contrary, they are so passionate, they realized they needed to learn how to supress those emotions for their society to survive.  That was my key to understanding Vulcans.  Also, for my key to playing the Ambassador, I took a cue from Archer's line in the pilot, when I react emotionally to his words: "Raising your voice to make your point? Ambassador, you HAVE been on Earth too long."


SCOTT: Did you or the writers come up with any interesting backstory elements for Soval that we never saw or heard about on screen?


GARY: I came up with the notion that T'Pol is my long-lost daughter (just based on the fact that she is a spitting image of my younger sister when she was very young, who everyone told me looked like me).  I thought it was a slam dunk when I suggested it, but it was never picked up.

SCOTT: You've had quite a bit of history with Star Trek. Is it true that you were one of the final actors considered to play both Sisko and Janeway?  If so, what was that audition process like?


GARY: That's what I heard, from my agent and also from another source at Paramount.  I never heard it from either Berman or Braga, so I can't give it full veracity.  You'll have to ask them.  And the audition for any lead is always pretty exhaustive.  I think I remember the initial audition and two subsequent callbacks.


SCOTT: You also played an Ocampa called Tanis in the Voyager episode "Cold Fire." How did working on Voyager differ from working on Enterprise?


GARY: Though I enjoyed most of the cast members on Voyager, the tone on the set was tense.  It wasn't like the very relaxed and joyously creative set I'd grown used to on Alien Nation.  The Enterprise set was also a very relaxed set. The people all got along, the DP played rock music while they were changing lights, the mood was light and playful and Scott Bakula was extremely welcoming and made the experience fun and wonderful.  Scott's a very hard worker, but also kept the mood light and fun.


SCOTT: In 2007, you played a freedom fighter called Ragnar in the Star Trek fan film Of Gods and Men.  How did you come to be involved in that project and do you have any plans to work in fan films in the future?

GARY: I was approached by a guy named Sky Conway who sent me a script and said they've got Walter and Nichelle and Russ and J.G. and Ruck; All actors I respect.  I liked the script, and... wait for it... they paid me what I asked! Badaboom!  The working conditions were abysmal, but once the camera rolled, it was lovely.  I LOVED making the movie WHEN WE WERE WORKING. Once they said cut, back to Hell.  LOL.


SCOTT: Outside of your Star Trek work you've had a long and varied career as an actor. You've also written a book about how to become a working actor. Are there any career highlights you'd like to discuss?


GARY: Yeah, read the book: Acting & Other Flying Lessons.  I discuss 'em all!


SCOTT: What new or upcoming projects should your fans watch for?


GARY: Right now I'm working on being a rock star!  Hahaha... I'm joking, but music absorbs most of my time.  The Gary Graham Band is appearing at the Whiskey a Go Go on March 29th.  Apart from that I've co-written and recorded ten original songs (available on iTunes and Amazon) called American Rebel Part One with my partner Lisle Engle.  They rock!

Also, I did a feature movie in South Dakota last summer that should be coming out this spring or summer.  It's called Dust of War.  As the director describes it... "Road Warrior kicks Terrence Malick's ass."  Hehehe...pretty accurate really.


The official site for Engle & Graham is at englegraham.com

I'd like to thank Mr. Graham for taking the time to work on this interview with me.

LLAP

Propworx Star Trek Auction II

This weekend, Propworx held their second Star Trek auction.  This event was all Online and there was a little less fanfare than there was for the first one in Las Vegas.  Nevertheless, it can be said it was a huge success.  Most of the items sold for at least their estimated price and few were passed over.

There were a few items of interest to fellow Vulcanologists.  A resin life cast of Leonard Nimoy sold for $500.

 A large IDIC sign from Deep Space Nine sold for $550.

The item I was most excited about came from the collection of Michael and Denise Okuda.  It's a "doorbell" that was used in the set for the home of T'Pol's mother in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Home."  I love how the design reflects the shape of the Vulcan gong that was introduced in "Amok Time."  The whole piece is just really pleasing to look at.  It sold for $900!

Another unique item that sold for $100 was a foam core pre-production model of the Vulcan ships seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation "Unification."  I've previously written about Rick Sternbach's design and actual model of the ship here.

Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 44

Profiles in History is gearing up for their 44th Hollywood Auction.  It takes place May 14 and 15, 2011.  There are lots of great items with ridiculously high prices.  Two items in particular will be of interest to my fellow Vulcanologists.

First, lot 1545 is a piece of concept art by John Eaves featuring the Vulcan homeworld.  It was created for the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Home."  It has an estimated price of $400-$600 which is more or less in line with other Star Trek concept art.

Second, lot 1457 is the wonderful Robert Fletcher Spock Kolinahr costume from Star Trek: The Motion Picture.  Though this piece is iconic and rare I think it's hardly worth the estimated $30,000-$50,000.  Spock costumes are few and far between but the distressed nature of this one and the fact that it is seen on screen for less than 5 minutes reduce its value.  I'd say a more reasonable price for this might be $10,000-$15,000.  We'll see how it does at the auction!

UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, the Spock costume was passed over at auction this evening.  $30,000 is a ridiculous opening bid for this piece.  Though there was healthy bidding on some of the Star Trek items in this auction a great many were passed over.  The opening bid prices were simply too high.  The John Eaves concept art sold for a solid $700.

Doug Drexler and Vulcan Design

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