JAMES CAWLEY SPEAKS!

[YJAGG]

...I think the difference is New Voyages was a modern-era show set during the 5YM as opposed to STC's very accurate return to the 60s. There were definite references to later series and movies - Carol Marcus, 24th Century Kirk, Spock and Scotty, Ferengi, Borg, the Excelsior, Dr Yar, need I go on? Dare I say Cawley felt that STC stole his spotlight?

For the most part I disagree, on this yes NV had call forwards and took full advantage of using trek actors, but their work felt original and true to TOS, while STC always felt more like a Next Gen episode on a TOS stage but again to each his own...

I never donated on kick starter, but I did donate a few dollars here and there directly, and I headed up to NY for Trekondarogra, so the only thing I can say I was ever owed was thanks for the donation and thanks for buying a ticket and making the trip, which I got so, I can see a donator wanting something for their effort.

 

[ialfan]

It's a shame none of the few filmed episodes will likely ever be released. I doubt any negative attention would have come due to them. A couple quick scenes filmed and added to one of them could have worked as an ending to the series instead of just "stopping". That said I understand it's Mr. Cawley's decision and respect that. NV/P2 entertained us all for a decade and imo brought several episodes that stand up with any of the better TOS episodes. I certainly will enjoy rewatching them again in the future.

 

[Noname Given]

It feels as if he is hiding behind the guidelines as a reason in order to deflect public criticism, rather then owning the fact that he just made a personal decision and doesn't want to do it anymore. He has never been one to take criticism very well.

He's not 'hiding' behind anything. His statement speaks for itself. Personally, I've not really been a fan of NV/Phase II - but I have been involved in fan productions in another genre and I understand it's A LOT of work; and people not involved really DON'T have a clue how hard it can be; and yes, he could have more than one reason for calling it quits; but who cares?

Unless you pledged for something he never delivered, why should he state every personal reason he has to you?

 

[feek61]

But by then he was already competing in his head with STC over who had the most accurate TOS sets down to the centimeter - no way was he going to let THEM build a full engine room first.....

Well for the record, STC DID build and finish their full engine room first, lol, but no matter. I agree that NV should have carried on with the Phase II plan as they intended and not regress for seemingly the sole purpose of being in competition with STC. It was such a great idea and had such potential because very little exists about that time-period in Trek; it is a wide-open canvas. IMO, it was really a missed opportunity for NV (and fans).

 

[Mudd]

How ya figure? Again, the guidelines are one public reason, his lack of interest (facilitated by multiple factors) is another. Why does he have to list EVERY reason for his actions EVERY time someone asks?

That's a real good question.

ST:NV was one of the groups that created the ambitious physical productions associated with modern Trek fan films. They and a couple of others rang in this whole era; if other productions have surged to the fore as the genre winds down, so be it.

 

[Admiral2]

I'm not going to dump on James Cawley for any reason. His creations are the main reason I bothered to watch Trek fan films in the first place, because they were fun and enjoyable.

I don't know what he promised and I frankly don't care. What he delivered was more than good enough for my tastes. I also say this having never donated a dime to any fan film. If you donated money to NV/PII productions and feel like you're getting cheated, that's for you to deal with. I'm not going to get on James's case for no longer giving me what I was getting for free.

His reasons for bowing out of fan films are his own. I prefer to just thank him profusely for what he did bring to the computer screen and wish him good luck in all his future endeavors.

 

[Firebird]

I don't know what he promised and I frankly don't care. What he delivered was more than good enough for my tastes. I also say this having never donated a dime to any fan film. If you donated money to NV/PII productions and feel like you're getting cheated, that's for you to deal with. I'm not going to get on James's case for no longer giving me what I was getting for free.

I'm gonna disagree with you on that point, because it's a similar case to why the Axanar debacle pissed off so many people, though obviously nowhere near the same magnitude. There are still episodes unreleased that fans donated towards making via Kickstarter. If people donated money to help P2/NV make shows, then James had an obligation to use those funds to do what he set out to do. We have to hold each production accountable for the money they've used or misused. If he doesn't want to finish the episodes himself, then he needs to give the material to someone that can finish them so donors can get what they paid for.

 

[Admiral2]

I'm gonna disagree with you on that point, because it's a similar case to why the Axanar debacle pissed off so many people, though obviously nowhere near the same magnitude. There are still episodes unreleased that fans donated towards making via Kickstarter. If people donated money to help P2/NV make shows, then James had an obligation to use those funds to do what he set out to do. We have to hold each production accountable for the money they've used or misused. If he doesn't want to finish the episodes himself, then he needs to give the material to someone that can finish them so donors can get what they paid for.

Okay, but what's absolutely true in both cases is that people who donate take on a ton of risks, the least of which is not getting the film they wanted. There is never a guarantee. These films are being made by people who in most cases have other full-time jobs and private lives that are just as demanding as those of people who don't make effects laden motion pictures as a hobby. There are a host of things that can happen that can stop the production, including creator burn-out, and given that we're not talking about a major studio that can insure its production against shutdown, donors should go into donating understanding this, no matter what they think the creators' obligations are.

And the biggest difference between James Cawley and Alec Peters is that James is telling you why you're not going to see more episodes of NV/PII. You may not like the reasons, you may not consider them valid, but you have them. What James is not saying is "Hey, the next NV is gonna be great, and we're gonna do it, but first pay the rent on my studio so I don't get evicted! Gonna be great!" I'm willing to give him more of the benefit of the doubt.

But again, I didn't donate, so make of it what you will.

 

[feek61]

Okay, but what's absolutely true in both cases is that people who donate take on a ton of risks, the least of which is not getting the film they wanted. There is never a guarantee. These films are being made by people who in most cases have other full-time jobs and private lives that are just as demanding as those of people who don't make effects laden motion pictures as a hobby. There are a host of things that can happen that can stop the production, including creator burn-out, and given that we're not talking about a major studio that can insure its production against shutdown, donors should go into donating understanding this, no matter what they think the creators' obligations are.

And the biggest difference between James Cawley and Alec Peters is that James is telling you why you're not going to see more episodes of NV/PII. You may not like the reasons, you may not consider them valid, but you have them. What James is not saying is "Hey, the next NV is gonna be great, and we're gonna do it, but first pay the rent on my studio so I don't get evicted! Gonna be great!" I'm willing to give him more of the benefit of the doubt.

But again, I didn't donate, so make of it what you will.

All true but still that doesn't address the issue of unfulfilled promises; promises made to solict money from donors.

 

[Zaminhon]

All true but still that doesn't address the issue of unfulfilled promises; promises made to solict money from donors.

I'd be interested in knowing where the remaining money went . Was it donated to charity, in some account accumulating interest, used for the set tour? Was that ever disclosed? Hopefully it all went into the Set Tour in NY.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

All true but still that doesn't address the issue of unfulfilled promises; promises made to solict money from donors.

Further, what about all the people who worked on these unfinished, unreleased episodes? Don't they deserve to see the fruits of their labor, so to speak? Seems a shame that they put in all this work not to get the satisfaction of seeing that work out in the wild.

 

[urbandefault]

After putting years of his life and who knows how much personal treasure into NVP2, he came out with at least two very good to excellent episodes. That's a lot for any film producer, and many or most never achieve that much. Really, who can blame him for losing his passion for the project?

The fact that he was able to turn it into a licensed property is something akin to a miracle. If that hadn't happened, he might have just struck the sets and shut everything down.

Cawley's NVP2 was a trailblazer in fan films, and set the bar high enough that we all enjoy the benefits.

 

[feek61]

After putting years of his life and who knows how much personal treasure into NVP2, he came out with at least two very good to excellent episodes. That's a lot for any film producer, and many or most never achieve that much. Really, who can blame him for losing his passion for the project?

The fact that he was able to turn it into a licensed property is something akin to a miracle. If that hadn't happened, he might have just struck the sets and shut everything down.

Cawley's NVP2 was a trailblazer in fan films, and set the bar high enough that we all enjoy the benefits.

Indeed, Cawley's NVP2 were trail-blazers and deserves all of the credit that they get; nobody is saying anything different. That doesn't address the issue however.

 

[Admiral2]

The fact that he was able to turn it into a licensed property is something akin to a miracle. If that hadn't happened, he might have just struck the sets and shut everything down.

Speaking to that, has it occurred to Cawley's questioners here that part of that Licensing Agreement might be a clause that forbids him from publishing any "fan" thing for as long as the agreement is in effect? And before you say "Why not just tell us that?", there are also such things as non-disclosure clauses.

Do I know this is the case? No. I'm just trying to offer an alternative theory to "He's screwing us donors just like Alec Peters!"

 

[HerbFlynn]

Speaking to that, has it occurred to Cawley's questioners here that part of that Licensing Agreement might be a clause that forbids him from publishing any "fan" thing for as long as the agreement is in effect? And before you say "Why not just tell us that?", there are also such things as non-disclosure clauses.

Do I know this is the case? No. I'm just trying to offer an alternative theory to "He's screwing us donors just like Alec Peters!"

I think I'd agree that he could be bound by clauses might be restraining James. But on the flip side, he could have negotiate to be able to use the NV/P2 unreleased episodes for promotional purposes.

 

[YJAGG]

Well here is a question are the Tour sets available for filming like Star Base Studios. If so what are the costs (dose Star Base studios charge to use their sets? )

 

[Admiral2]

I think I'd agree that he could be bound by clauses might be restraining James. But on the flip side, he could have negotiate to be able to use the NV/P2 unreleased episodes for promotional purposes.

You’re assuming he didn’t try. It's entirely possible he ssked for that consideration and CBS/P said "No."

 

[Phoenix219]

You’re assuming he didn’t try. It's entirely possible he ssked for that consideration and CBS/P said "No."

Why would I assume that, when it has not been suggested or implied, and in fact, the exact opposite is documented; James was tired of and giving up fanfilms long before the guidelines. The set tour and the guidelines gave him a very easy out.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I'm curious. How much did Mr. Cawley raise via crowd funding? What perks are left to be fulfilled?

 

[Phoenix219]

The last batch of episodes was definitely funded via Kickstarter.

Perks? You mean all of the episodes people (including all the volunteers that acted and produced the episode) put their time, money and energy into?

If you're no longer going to make the episodes, then say that. If its a personal decision (that affects other people) be blunt and honest about that. Don't hide behind vague generalities and bs guidelines to deflect criticism.