Editing Newsletter/Winter 2007 (section)

== Upcoming Webisode '''Nightfall''' from '''Star Trek: Dark Armada''' ==
by [[herbalsheila]]
[[Image:Engineering.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Greenscreen background of a starship engine room with warp core, created by members of Fan Trek Productions]]

''Set against the grim backdrop of the Star Trek universe of the Dark Armada, the USS Batavia has been traveling through space for several years, having seen hundreds of alien worlds, alien beings and some conflicts.'' [[Image:Bridge03.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Greenscreen Starship Bridge created by Gwen Demulder]]''In the year 2389, the Federation is threatened by an unknown enemy, which is destroying everything in its path, bringing chaos wherever it goes. The Batavia crew must find a way to stop this danger or face annihilation themselves.'' - '''NightFall'''

Robin Hiert, an imaginative writer and Star Trek fan in the country of Netherlands, along with a talented group of actors, computer graphic artists, make-up amateurs and costume designers calling themselves Fan Trek Productions, is working on a free Star Trek webisode entitled '''Nightfall'''. The story will be filmed in the English language as well as thier own native tongue.

“Most of us are indeed die hard Star Trek fans, at least those who do most of the work, and are willing to put a lot of hard work and time in the production,” said Hiert. “But we also have people, mostly actors, not that into Trek, who just want to experience what it's like to be part of a production like this and how it all works. We found most of our cast and crew at Star Trek/Sci Fi conventions and through the Internet, and a few were volunteers from some articles that were posted in local newspapers.”
[[Image:RobinHiert.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Captain Alexander Richardson played by Robin Hiert]]
The group is not limited by age either. “We're working with people of all ages. Some are in high school, others are students and some are older, the oldest around 53, and have jobs. Our director works at the high school where we're shooting.”[[Image:Tricorders1.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Science Tricorders]]

70% of the film will be green screen with the beautifully detailed CGI backgrounds of the ships’ bridges, engine rooms and starship outer profiles inserted. The rest of the film will be of the actors on location. 

There are four locations for filming the shoots, one being a local high school in the small city of Bleiswijk for green screen filming. Three others are located in the surrounding countryside. The group is hoping to shoot additionally at a fifth site in Belgium but has not yet been able to obtain permission.

Having worked on this production from its inception since May 2005, Hiert himself developed and wrote the plot and backstory. Robin Hiert and his group are located in the Netherlands and Belgium. Together they have designed original details including weapons, uniforms, tricorders, commbadges, ships, and department rooms for each ship, which include an engine room and a bridge. 

“The biggest challenge is to get everything done, with a very low budget; the equipment, the cast and crew, software, costumes, make-up, props, and locations. Working with a low budget is the biggest challenge so far,” declared Hiert. “Another challenge has been to keep the show original. [[Image:Weapons2.jpg|290px|thumb|left|Medical Tricorder fully detailed]]We want to be different from the other series, like having a new story, new type of uniforms, new props, but in the end it should be recognized as Trek. The challenge is to make things as new as possible but keeping it as close to Trek at the same time.” [[Image:Clear plastic.JPG|275px|thumb|right|Medical Tricorder cast in plastic being detailed. Rifle in background.]]

That is quite a tough tightrope to walk from a creative aspect. The webisode will show the stunningly exhaustive and realistic technology, highlighting the creative talents of the group’s designers, prop makers, costumers, make-up and graphic artists.

Robin Hiert spoke enthusiastically about the talented people in his group. “The 3D animations are being done by Mark Rademaker. He has done a lot of work on modeling the backgrounds used for the green screen. Gwen Demulder has provided the group with a large number of Starship models. The U.S.S. Batavia, based on the Nova-class ships used in Star Trek, was one of many magnificent starships made by him from scratch. Gwen Demulder has also designed his own type of starships such as the U.S.S. Blue Star. Both of these ships are the main ships in the show. The rest of the special effects, such as green screen editing, phaser fire, transporters, and explosions are done by Martin van Buuren, Robin van Steenbergen, Albert Vis and others. The software programs used are FX Home Vision Lab, Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate, Vegas Pro 8, and 3D Studio Max for the 3D models and animations.”
[[Image:Phaser rifle 2.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|Phaser rifle]]
The weapons and tricorders were designed and made by Marco Groen. Though the commbadges were designed by Hiert, Groen also created them. The phaser rifles, hand phasers, commbadges, medical and scientific tricorders were cast to shape in clear plastic and then carefully painted and detailed to look futuristically authentic. [[Image:Wuppies1.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Sci-Fi Wuppies]]

Hiert, justifiably proud of his group, has become convinced that the work will have a loyal following. “Our 9 minute test episode has been downloaded over 20,000 times!” For thier test episode click on the folowing link http://www.darkarmada.nl/movie/S1/E0/Dark%20Armada%20-%2001x00%20-%20These%20Are%20The%20Voyages.wmv
[[Image:DA combadge1.jpg|125px|thumb|left|Dark Armada Commbadge]]
In order to purchase the software, cloth for sewing costumes and other supplies, Fan Trek Productions had been making and selling Sci  Fi wuppies, but are now selling mugs with their commbadge symbol on them. They are sold only in person when the group goes to conventions to promote. Understandably, they would rather work on producing and creating a Star Trek based show, instead of devoting time to running an Internet fundraiser. Much of their $3000.00 budget has also come from personal donations and out of their own pockets.[[Image:BlueStarCrew3.jpg|250px|thumb|right|USS Blue Star Crew: Tom Achterberg as Captain Talek, Martijn Aartsen as Commander Henry Atkinson, Nielco van den Bosch as Lieutenant-Commander Jack Dagger, Robin van Steenbergen as Lieutenant George Richman, Marli Guffens as Lietenant Rina]]

The group hopes shooting for '''Nightfall''' will be completed around September 2008, with a tentative projected Internet publishing date of Christmas 2008. Hiert said with a chuckle, “Post production will happen in, around, and after shooting.” 
                                                                                
The main characters and cast (USS Batavia):                                
         
Captain Alexander Richardson (Human) played by Robin Hiert
                      
Cmdr. Fina Matrin ( First Officer, Bajoran) played by Melissa van der Berg

Lt. Cmdr. Celissia Katina (Chief Security Officer, Ethernitan) played by Iris Janse 

Lt. P'Daal (Chief Science Officer, Vulcan/Betazoid) played by Martin van Buuren

Lt. Pierre du Pain (Chief OPS/Tactical Officer, Human) played by Jonathan Oppeel 

Lt. Ayana Preck (Chief Engineering Officer, Trill) played by Angelique Johnston

Lt. Alan Parker (Chief Medical Officer, Human) played by Daniel Brongers 

To view progress on production and eventually to see the webisode '''Nightfall''', visit the Dark Armada website at http://www.darkarmada.nl.