Vulcan Fashions from Trevco

Since being granted the Star Trek license a few years ago, Trevco Inc. has created some of the best Star Trek shirts ever.  There are dozens of designs including many that will be of interest to Vulcanologists.  They range from the somewhat "classy"...

... to the totally kitchy...

There are some from the Star Trek films and from all the Star Trek television series.

There are even a few offerings featuring our Romulan cousins.

Though the official website only ships to the USA, and is designed for retail outlets rather than the individual consumer, I have found all of these styles on eBay and most can be found at a Star Trek convention near you!

Happy 81st to Leonard Nimoy!

Join me in wishing a happy 81st birthday to Leonard Nimoy today!

Though officially "retired" from acting, Nimoy has still managed to do voice work in the last year for The Big Bang Theory (airing on March 29th) and the forthcoming Zambezia.

He also continues to work as a photographer and has promised news about a new project this year.

Take a moment today to reflect on the enormous and important body of work that Mr. Nimoy has gifted us with.  I, for one, predict much more yet to come.

LLAP

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.

Star Trek Quogs

Early in 2009 CBS created a new animated Star Trek style which they called "Quogs."  Several products were launched in close succession beginning with GoAnimate's Star Trek Quogs Channel where anyone can create their own animated films using the Star Trek characters.

Here's a brief example I created:

Mission to Vulcan: Part One

There are two characters of interest to Vulcanologists: Mr. Spock and a Romulan.

Following the trend of large scale reusable wall stickers that have become popular in the last few years, LTL Prints has a large selection of Quogs wall stickers available.

Funko also released a series of five inch vinyl Quogs figures including Spock, Kirk and an Orion Slave Girl.

Last, but not least, Armitron released a few Star Trek Quogs wristwatches including this one featuring our favourite Vulcan.

I quite like the stylized design of the Quogs characters.  It seems a logical next step after the original animated series.  I think CBS should have done more to promote them.  I wish that they had also created a new animated series, even if it were just web-based.  I'd also love to have that Romulan as a Funko figure in my collection!

Spock Animators' Model Sheets

I was recently able to pick up a bunch of great model sheets from Star Trek: The Animated Series on eBay.  The best of the bunch are these four which feature our favourite Vulcan, Mr. Spock.

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

Jane Wyatt as Amanda

Celebrating the mother of our favourite Vulcan.