News Star Trek Voyager Documentary

[Tosk]

I completely agree that threats of legal action seem out of line, but I think Zappone should rethink posts like this one:

"I understand the frustration, but that’s no excuse for threats. I have 6 figures invested, and John had $55.00, as far as I can tell. I’d be happy to refund him, and the rest of our grrat backers can see the film in 2 weeks."

In my opinion, that is not a good look.

 

[Firebird]

It's a pity no one else on staff knows how to type words into the internets.

Seriously. If David has the time to type it into a comment section not everyone is checking, he's got the time to put it into an email for everyone to see.

 

[Akiraprise]

I completely agree that threats of legal action seem out of line, but I think Zappone should rethink posts like this one:

"I understand the frustration, but that’s no excuse for threats. I have 6 figures invested, and John had $55.00, as far as I can tell. I’d be happy to refund him, and the rest of our grrat backers can see the film in 2 weeks."

In my opinion, that is not a good look.

Yeah, I thought that was a bit out of line myself. Frustration on both sides boiling over.

 

[Tomalak]

The guy threatening legal action is a dick, but there are a lot of other very reasonable comments about the lack of communication. David only responded to the most extreme example.

It's really not difficult to keep backers informed with regular emails. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for these projects to treat backers as an afterthought once they've got their money, so it's not a model I put much faith in very often. The DS9 doc was a good experience as a customer, this one hasn't been.

But I'm looking forward to seeing the film and that being the end of it.

 

[Akiraprise]

Did they do a review and grading thread in DS9 when the doc was released or was there not enough interest to warrant it? I couldn't find anything. I could edit in a poll in this thread.

 

[Tosk]

Another Zappone post I want to pick at slightly.

"You’re right, we don’t have the great Ira Steven Behr. But that film took 6 yeara to make"

Six years from start to finish, but not six years from the crowdfunding phase. What We Left Behind was released two years after the initial Indiegogo campaign.

To The Journey was successfully funded way back in 2021, with the Blu-ray projected to be released in 2022. So we're already three years past when we should/could have owned the film, with ever dwindling updates and vague excuses for why it's taking so long. And what updates we do we have to scrounge around for in old message threads or YouTube appearances...or hideously expensive cruises.

Reading through the comments on the Indie page (and here too of course) I think it's fair to say that 455 Films have really tarnished their rep on this one.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

What a saga.

 

[Cryogenator]

How much restored 35mm footage does the documentary have?

 

[SarcasticVulcanSalute]

I'm looking forward to seeing this documentary, regardless of the "drama" producing it.

 

[tomalak301]

Another Zappone post I want to pick at slightly.

"You’re right, we don’t have the great Ira Steven Behr. But that film took 6 yeara to make"

Six years from start to finish, but not six years from the crowdfunding phase. What We Left Behind was released two years after the initial Indiegogo campaign.

To The Journey was successfully funded way back in 2021, with the Blu-ray projected to be released in 2022. So we're already three years past when we should/could have owned the film, with ever dwindling updates and vague excuses for why it's taking so long. And what updates we do we have to scrounge around for in old message threads or YouTube appearances...or hideously expensive cruises.

Reading through the comments on the Indie page (and here too of course) I think it's fair to say that 455 Films have really tarnished their rep on this one.

I only asked the question about a possible lawsuit out of curiousity. I didn't think there would actually be one, and I can get the frustrations from the producers regarding that. What I don't get is how tone deaf they seem to be in their comments. All I wanted this entire time was a sense of communication and back and forth between those who are working on this film and the backers to paid hard earned money to get it off the ground. That isn't so hard, yet now we have more drama because the producers have almost brought this drama on themselves with the delays and lack of communication. Then add in the fact that the only updates they were doing were at conventions and the cruise. I also rememeber being at the San Francisco Convention last year and I asked Dave Zappone about the communication thing and it was at the time he said they needed to be better at the social media thing. Well, apparently they were not because they fired the Social Media guy and no one else could sit down and send a mass email to the backers just simply updating what is going on. I don't think they will or should be sued, but I do feel like there are similarities to this and what Axanar did and that era were it seemed like everyone was asking for money. You ask for money, you are going to be held accountable for everything you do. Maybe not only a social media guy they should have hired, but also an accountant because it sounds like they didn't use their money properly.

I just read the comments and they were talking about Ryan Husk being hired by Creation. Does Creation say that if they are an employee (They should be considered contractors rather than employees though) then they can't do anything else? I mean what does Adam and Gary do when there are not conventions? I get they get guests for conventions and I'm sure there is a lot of planning involved, but conventions are, what, a once a month thing? Also, you plan for one it's like you're planning them all at the same time. Why couldn't Ryan stay on as the social media guy anyway? I don't really get that part.

 

[Tomalak]

My long-running theory is that they spent all the money very early and have been trying to get the film finished on the cheap with a skeleton staff, which is why it’s taken so long.

 

[tomalak301]

My long-running theory is that they spent all the money very early and have been trying to get the film finished on the cheap with a skeleton staff, which is why it’s taken so long.

All the more reason to hire an accountant early on in the process, maybe you could have both: A CPA who is good at the social media thing. Kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Tosk]

The idea that they can't find "a good social media person" is laughable anyway. Do you really need a paid, dedicated individual to keep people up to date? We don't need some crazy engagement across all platforms, just the occasional email to backers.

 

[tomalak301]

We actually got an email today. This is the kind of thing I was expecting all along.

Update on Star Trek Voyager Documentary


Dear Backers,

It’s been a while since our last email update, and we recognize that we haven’t communicated directly with the entire backer community in some time. While we’ve shared updates through webcasts and at conventions, we know how important it is to keep everyone informed—and we’re committed to doing better.

We want to assure you that the Star Trek Voyager documentary is still very much in progress. We’re now in the final stages of post-production on an improved version of the film—shaped by feedback from early screenings and enriched by a new interview with Kate Mulgrew. Taking the time to get it right and deliver a documentary worthy of Voyager’s legacy has remained our top priority as it's been for What We Left Behind, For the Love of Spock, and our other projects.

While we had planned to begin distribution around this time, we now expect to deliver backer screeners by the end of April 2025. Timing for the DVD/Blu-ray combo and the official release is still being finalized, and we’ll share more details as soon as we have them.

We’re incredibly grateful for your continued patience and support. This project has only been possible because of you, and we’re working hard to deliver a film that reflects the passion and commitment of the Star Trek Voyager community.

If you have questions, feel free to get in touch at voyagerdocumentary@gmail.com (voyagerdocumentary@gmail.com)—we’ll respond promptly.

Live long and prosper,
The 455 Films Team

 

[Firebird]

Congratulations on doing the bare minimum, 455.

 

[Akiraprise]

Well, it's better late than never. I appreciate that they acknowledged their communication short coming and gave us a more direct update.

 

[Tosk]

"We're committed to doing better" ...now that it's apparently two weeks away from release.

Hopefully the Blu release isn't still a year away.

 

[Tomalak]

A welcome update, but it shouldn't have taken weeks of asking to get it.

Still, at least we have a date to hold them to. Just a couple of weeks left in April...

 

[GulBahana]

Hope to get the Blu-Ray before Christmas.

 

[Tomalak]

Hope to get the Blu-Ray before Christmas.

Which year?