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ianbanks's review
4.0
I'm a bit of a Trekkie and I've always had an interest in the production side of films and TV so this is like catnip for me. Mr Piller goes through all the stages of the production of a script, from ideas to outlines to drafts to edits to production. It's amazing to see the difference between idea and the final picture as well as the reception and the corners that get cut to get there. The input from actors and producers is interesting: several people say that nobody wants to watch the story about someone who decides to save a bunch of aliens being uprooted from their home because the Federation wants a rare rock that's only found on their planet. Reader, I LOLed. Really interesting and entertaining read.
davecreek's review
4.0
FADE IN gives us an insight to one of STAR TREK's less-explored corners
Most books about films are either about much-beloved productions, such as CITIZEN CANE or 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, or disasters such as HEAVEN'S GATE. It's rare to find a book about a movie that did just middlin' at the box office and isn't one touted as a favorite by most people.
The late Michael Piller wrote such a book, though: FADE IN: FROM IDEA TO FINAL DRAFT. It's subtitled "The Writing of STAR TREK: INSURRECTION," and it's a fascinating look at how such franchise movies are born.
Piller was a writer and producer on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and co-created two other Trek shows, DEEP SPACE NINE and VOYAGER. He's credited with bringing new life to the writing on TNG when he joined the show in its third season. With Piller insisting upon a new emphasis on character, the show took off creatively.
So Piller was a TREK veteran when he tackled the ninth movie in the franchise, which was also the third TNG film. Coming off the massive success of the previous outing of the franchise, FIRST CONTACT, was daunting, but he forged ahead.
I'll leave the story of the many iterations of the script for you to discover in the book itself. Piller's concepts and eventual script passes through a lot of hands, including that of TREK head Rick Berman, plenty of Paramount studio people, and the movie's two main stars, Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner.
Stewart is especially incisive in his criticisms of the early version of the script, revealing a deep understanding of story structure and of what a STAR TREK story should be. He even has a good handle on the details of TREK lore, citing specific episodes in which he believes INSURRECTION's themes had been explored earlier and insisting that Pillar find new paths to take.
TREK fans will enjoy this look behind the scenes, especially when Piller talks about his professional relationship with TREK overlord Berman, who has remained somewhat of a mystery man to fans.
Other movie fans may appreciate the insight into franchise filmmaking.
I easily found FADE IN online when I searched for it in the days before this review. It was never given a professional release, and given that ST: INSURRECTION is one of the less popular TREK movies, Piller suposedly considered the book a gift to his friends.
But now it seems I can't find a link to it. I hope you have better luck.
Most books about films are either about much-beloved productions, such as CITIZEN CANE or 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, or disasters such as HEAVEN'S GATE. It's rare to find a book about a movie that did just middlin' at the box office and isn't one touted as a favorite by most people.
The late Michael Piller wrote such a book, though: FADE IN: FROM IDEA TO FINAL DRAFT. It's subtitled "The Writing of STAR TREK: INSURRECTION," and it's a fascinating look at how such franchise movies are born.
Piller was a writer and producer on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and co-created two other Trek shows, DEEP SPACE NINE and VOYAGER. He's credited with bringing new life to the writing on TNG when he joined the show in its third season. With Piller insisting upon a new emphasis on character, the show took off creatively.
So Piller was a TREK veteran when he tackled the ninth movie in the franchise, which was also the third TNG film. Coming off the massive success of the previous outing of the franchise, FIRST CONTACT, was daunting, but he forged ahead.
I'll leave the story of the many iterations of the script for you to discover in the book itself. Piller's concepts and eventual script passes through a lot of hands, including that of TREK head Rick Berman, plenty of Paramount studio people, and the movie's two main stars, Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner.
Stewart is especially incisive in his criticisms of the early version of the script, revealing a deep understanding of story structure and of what a STAR TREK story should be. He even has a good handle on the details of TREK lore, citing specific episodes in which he believes INSURRECTION's themes had been explored earlier and insisting that Pillar find new paths to take.
TREK fans will enjoy this look behind the scenes, especially when Piller talks about his professional relationship with TREK overlord Berman, who has remained somewhat of a mystery man to fans.
Other movie fans may appreciate the insight into franchise filmmaking.
I easily found FADE IN online when I searched for it in the days before this review. It was never given a professional release, and given that ST: INSURRECTION is one of the less popular TREK movies, Piller suposedly considered the book a gift to his friends.
But now it seems I can't find a link to it. I hope you have better luck.
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