Why no direct to DVD Trek Movies?

[Falcor5]

While other Sci-Fi series like Babylon 5 and Stargate have had direct to dvd movies Trek never has. I am wondering why not? Does Paramount think there is no market for them? I know I would be interested in one. We could maybe finally get a DS9 movie or a Titan direct-to-dvd movie mini series with some of the cast members from other shows.

It would be a great way to have new stories with some of the old casts and even a good way to introduce new characters for alot cheaper than a regular movie or a weekly show. So why do you think Paramount does not seem to be interested in this? Would you purchase a direct to dvd trek movie?

 

[T'Cal]

I like the premise a lot. I'd be up for that or for a miniseries that is released on disc 6 months later when the next miniseries is released.

 

[smeos]

I do like the premise myself. It would also allow them to focus more on other aspects of the ST universe. Since you're only invested for a couple of hours or a six or so episode miniseries, you could get really creative.

My personal wet dream would be a Band of Brothers like series following some Starfleet Marines through the Dominion War or some other conflict.

 

[Therin of Andor]

So why do you think Paramount does not seem to be interested in this?

For each of the post-70s ST TV series, the cost of the permanent sets were costed across an anticipated five-year run. So to suddenly start producing ST telemovies, when there are no permanent sets at Paramount, makes this extraordinarily difficult.

The only time a series of telemovies was seriously considered was when ST II was made by Paramount's television arm, but eventually released theatrically. And they were using the sets already built for ST:TMP (which were built over the ones made for the abandoned "Phase II").

ST fans tend to b very finicky about their SPFX, and many would baulk at sets made for extensive greenscreen or bluescreen enhancements.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Starfleet Marines through the Dominion War or some other conflict.

Yuk. War. You can keep that.

Whatever happened to exploring strange new worlds and new civilizations? Going boldly where no one has gone before? That is Star Trek's premise. Not battling for survival against nasty aliens week after week.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

While other Sci-Fi series like Babylon 5 and Stargate have had direct to dvd movies Trek never has. I am wondering why not? Does Paramount think there is no market for them? I know I would be interested in one. We could maybe finally get a DS9 movie or a Titan direct-to-dvd movie mini series with some of the cast members from other shows.

It would be a great way to have new stories with some of the old casts and even a good way to introduce new characters for alot cheaper than a regular movie or a weekly show. So why do you think Paramount does not seem to be interested in this? Would you purchase a direct to dvd trek movie?

That would be awesome. I'd buy 'em.

 

[Luke Lightsaber]

It didn't work for B5.

 

[Candlelight]

It didn't work for B5.

But it did for Galactica.

 

[Luke Lightsaber]

But that's because Sci Fi actually aired it on the network, and put some decent money behind it. Also, it was really part of Season 4.

 

[Lieut. Arex]

Originally Posted by Luke Lightsaber
It didn't work for B5.

That's more a function of the property's popularity and the quality of the films. Stargate's The Ark of Truth has sold pretty well (as of this writing #455 at B&N, #48 in Movies at Amazon). A solid Trek film would do at least as well. Therin's got it right. At the time the various series and movies were ending, it didn't make financial sense for Paramount to tie up sound stages preserving the sets for the possible production of direct-to-video or DVD movies.

Above and beyond the cost of preserving the sets, the cost of the casts would have prohibitive, especially for the original or TNG crews once they'd had a taste of big screen dollars. To be cost-effective, they'd have had to cast a largely or completely new crew. And the market wasn't really there for it. Certainly not with ratings for each season of each series diminishing and shrinking box office for the films. Trek went through a period where the market was glutted with weak product already, a slapped-together Captain Sulu movie would've only made the situation worse.

It would be cool if they did, especially something like Jimmy Diggs' proposed Kzin animated movie, The Lions of the Night, but I don't see it happening.

 

[Luke Lightsaber]

It can't be done anyway. It would have to be mostly CG, since most of the most famous models and costumes are in the hands of collectors.

 

[Therin of Andor]

It can't be done anyway. It would have to be mostly CG, since most of the most famous models and costumes are in the hands of collectors.

What costumes couldn't be made again?

As for models, CGI seems to be the economical method these days.

 

[Falcor5]

It can't be done anyway. It would have to be mostly CG, since most of the most famous models and costumes are in the hands of collectors.

Its not that hard to make new costumes and most exterior shots are all CG now.

 

[Ah Forgive!]

They could even do a premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel or air it in parts as a mini-series. Seems like a way for Paramount to make some easy money.

 

[Falcor5]

They could even do a premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel or air it in parts as a mini-series. Seems like a way for Paramount to make some easy money.

Good point or they could do it the opposite way like the Direct to DVD Futurama movies where it first comes out on DVD then two or three months later it plays on Cartoon Network. Except instead of Cartoon Network the Made for DVD Trek movies could play on Sci-Fi or maybe Spike?

 

[Sean Aaron]

They could even do a premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel or air it in parts as a mini-series. Seems like a way for Paramount to make some easy money.

Good point or they could do it the opposite way like the Direct to DVD Futurama movies where it first comes out on DVD then two or three months later it plays on Cartoon Network. Except instead of Cartoon Network the Made for DVD Trek movies could play on Sci-Fi or maybe Spike?

Totally. People would pay money for non-sanctioned stuff like some of the higher-quality fan productions, so I think it's a no-brainer that anything official with good production values would sell enough to pay for the show.

I think TV is going that way anyhow with download and disc-distribution replacing broadcast eventually.

 

[Therin of Andor]

They could even do a premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel or air it in parts as a mini-series. Seems like a way for Paramount to make some easy money.

According to Paramount's complaints about their accounts, even with ST there's nothing "easy" about making profitable SF for TV. In any case, CBS owns the rights to TV ST, not Paramount.

TOS made its money in syndication prime time repeats. TNG didn't make profits for several years, supposedly. And, as I said above, the sets of previous ST spin-off series were costed over five years.

 

[Sean Aaron]

TOS made its money in syndication prime time repeats. TNG didn't make profits for several years, supposedly. And, as I said above, the sets of previous ST spin-off series were costed over five years.

True, but look at what you can do now with digital effects which have become cheap enough that they show up in fan productions. You could easily do stuff with a small budget and not have to deal with long-term contracts or costs of having an ongoing tv show. Just do it like they do in the UK: make a few shows (five or six) and sell them or publish for download or direct-to-disc.

It just needs someone at the studio who believes in the project to make it happen.

 

[Therin of Andor]

look at what you can do now with digital effects which have become cheap enough that they show up in fan productions. You could easily do stuff with a small budget and not have to deal with long-term contracts or costs of having an ongoing tv show.

And many fans detest CGI sets, and would ignore such a show.

There is no "easy" - or Paramount would have done it between TMP and ST III, as originally planned.

CBS just spent a lot on new SPFX for TOS on HD. But why do you assume telemovie productions would not require "long term" contracts? If a first film does well, the agents then jack up the salaries of the cast for any attempted sequels. So contracts with sequel clauses will still be a given.

Costs of an ongoing TV show would probably be less than a one-off telemovie, since the costs of numerous episodes can be absorbed across a year's worth of series.

 

[RobertScorpio]

While other Sci-Fi series like Babylon 5 and Stargate have had direct to dvd movies Trek never has. I am wondering why not? Does Paramount think there is no market for them? I know I would be interested in one. We could maybe finally get a DS9 movie or a Titan direct-to-dvd movie mini series with some of the cast members from other shows.

It would be a great way to have new stories with some of the old casts and even a good way to introduce new characters for alot cheaper than a regular movie or a weekly show. So why do you think Paramount does not seem to be interested in this? Would you purchase a direct to dvd trek movie?

The last BAB-5 Dvd movies were awful...so I hope they never make another one. But if Paramount does decide to make a Direct to Dvd movie? Go ahead...just LEAVE DEEP SPACE NINE ALONE!!!

Rob