“Star Trek: Lexington,” the Internet-based Star Trek fan film, has started production at their production facility in Birmingham, Alabama. They started principal photography on Sunday, June 10, 2007 and will be continuing filming throughout the summer of 2007. Co-Executive Producer and series premiere director Joseph Bonice is finally seeing his dreams come true.
“Back when we started [in Ohio three years ago], I knew we’d get to film,” he says. “Despite all the setbacks and issues we’ve dealt with along the way, we’ve done it. I’ve personally been working on this series, in both its written form and the fan film form, since 1985. For me to see the characters I’ve written about to come to life in front of me has really made me proud of what we’ve done and accomplished. I’ve got no regrets!”
“We are tapping into this region’s growing television and cinematic industries,” said Associate Producer and Director of Photography Ritch Bradford. “Some of the motivation for the cast and crew is the promise of wide exposure to an established world wide fan base. We intend raise the bar for the fan film genre by using cutting edge computer graphics, challenging cinematography, and some of the region’s best talent.”
“Star Trek: Lexington” was originally based in Columbus, Ohio. However, when Bonice moved out of Ohio to take a job in McAlester, Oklahoma, the long distance between him and his production staff made it nearly impossible for him to maintain the production. In January of 2007, he moved again to Anniston, Alabama and the entire series to Birmingham, Alabama. At that time, he started pre-production all over again, almost from square one. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the local filmmakers he’s befriended to help produce the series, the series was re-launched and came to full production status within six months, a Star Trek fan film record.
“I really can’t single out any single person… this is a team effort,” Bonice said. “We’ve got a really talented team here. Can’t say enough about them. If it was not for this wonderful group of talented and professional people pitching in, I think we’d still be wondering what was up! I’m very proud of this team and what we’ve done so far.”
The production’s two other co-executive producers, Justin Burton and Russell Christensen, work with Bonice in various areas, but especially in the areas of computer-generated images (or CGI) and future episodes. In fact, Burton and Christiansen stated they have already got scripts for their first six of ten episodes and have the remaining four Season One episodes planned out. Bonice and company was keeping mum on what specifically they were planning but they did give some general indications.
“We’re going back to The Original Series and bringing back some characters that should be seen again, as well as continue some of the unresolved storylines,” Christiansen hinted. “I think people will be pleasantly surprised about who and what we’re planning on bringing back to keep [Captain] Alex [McKnight] and the crew of the Lexington on their toes!”
In a rare commentary, the producers talked about the plot of their series premiere, “All in the Appearances” and what the fans could expect.
“Well, we don’t want to let too much out but this is an action packed episode,” Bonice said. “The script was written originally by several writers but the idea is from a Richard Harrison of Columbus, Ohio. The final form of our script was edited by scriptwriter Thomas Scott. The writers did a great job on it and when we read the final version of the script, we were completely blown away! And that’s the version we’re filming!”
“Let’s see, you want to know something about the series premiere?” added Burton, “Okay, I’ll talk for a bit on it. For starters, we’ve brought back the Romulans, which we thought was not well explored in the Original Series. We’ll see a Romulan ship that should be familiar to most Trek fans (hint, hint). They’ll be dogfighting, space battles and the usual stuff too but as Joey’s rather fond of saying to all of us, “This isn’t your daddy’s Star Trek”!”
The team mentioned that they are now starting to plan for pre-production on their second episode, “Fool’s Paradise”. While the director for that episode has been picked, they aren’t talking about whom it could be or the episode’s plotline.
“”Paradise” was Russ’s idea and basically talks about “how far is too far with reality?” It’s a moral story and should make you stop and think, just like the Original Series did. It’s a good story to follow up “Appearances” and it’s relevant to something we can relate to in 2008. We’ve got a good director for this episode.” Bonice said.
When asked about the series’ characters, the team wasn’t so quiet or tight with the information.
“Almost all of the characters that were created in 1985 are here in 2007 and on the screen,” says Bonice. “They’ve all undergone changes prior to pre-production and some have been changed a lot since we started rehearsals and production. Casting was difficult for me, as I didn’t like have to choose from so many different and talented actors!”
Added Burton and Christiansen, “This isn’t a traditional Star Trek crew. Just go to the website and you will see some things in there that show just what we’re doing on the character side of things.”
The producers also spoke of Lexington in relation to their film’s standing in the Star Trek fan film world.
“I think and hope this is really going to become something popular [just like Star Trek fan film heavyweights New Voyages and Hidden Frontier]. This production isn’t only just to keep us occupied. It’s also to help put the Birmingham film-making community on the map,” says Bonice.
The Lexington producers say principal photography should wrap in August or September with a late-fall to mid-winter release on the Internet. For more information, you can visit their website, starshiplexington.com, for more announcements, cast and Behind the Scenes photos, trailers, and other information.