As was recently revealed in another thread here, everyone's favorite Mojo has let us know he has worked on the upcoming "Borg Encounter" theme ride in Vegas. After consulting with him, I've decided to start this thread to ask a couple related questions, and see what's involved in this latest revisiting of the TNG era, tech and behind-the-scenes wise. Lessee here...
1) So, how's it feel to be back in the Trek saddle again? Book projects aside, I believe this is your first return to the Trek universe in terms of animation and design work.
2) How much VFX work has gone into this project? We know that Alice Kriege is back as the Borg Queen, so some more composite work is doubtless coming. How has this sort of project differed from working on Voyager or DS9, from your perspective?
3) I take it it'll be similar to the existing "Experience" thing already in Las Vegas. What, if any, new CGI models will visitors be seeing? Will the visitors to the ride be flying around in the same shuttle model from the previous ride? How about the return of old favorites like Voyager, any of the Enterprises, etc?
4) A big space battle, right? RIGHT?!
5) We're not about to ask about the story points or anything related to the ride's story. But, related to the story, is there anything new or exciting that'd be worth mentioning, design or VFX-wise?
6) Anything else you'd like to hint at or tease us with? And,
7) Wouldn't it be so cool if we could order some of Mojo's work in poster format?
Mark
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Any further insights to Wolf 359, either? Posted by Mojo (Member # 536) on :
I started work on "Borg Encounter" (I think it's called Borg Invasion now) back in October of 02 and finished up this past May. Believe it or not, it was a tight schedule!
As has been well publicized, Alice Kriege and Robert Picardo have major roles in the show and Kate Mulgrew has a nice cameo as Janeway. And, best of all, they're in 3-D!
I have to say (and this is regardless of having worked on it) I think BE is great. I generally tell people it's the best Star Trek movie in the last six years! It's well paced, the story works, it maintains continuity and the visuals are truly awesome. And, of course, the cast is a treat to watch.
As far as what you can expect, in every way shape and form this is better than The Star Trek Experience. It's far more fun and dynamic and, IMHO, it looks way better. A lot of effort went into making sure it had the look and feel of Star Trek and a number of key production staff had input.
Of course, I was there too!
As far as hardware goes... we tweaked the Borg Cube from Voyager to look better than ever - same goes for the Voyager model. This was a neccesity, since these ships get right into your face on a GIANT screen and they're in 3D.
You'll also see a new Federation space station and shuttle, as well as some cool new Borg hardware.
Oh, and there's a moment towards the end of the show where we managed to sneak in some Next-Gen style Sphinx Workbees! I had them made for Fact Files last year and we found a place for them in the show - at last, the Sphinx will have it's official debut!
I'm really most excited about the 3D. Both myself and producer George Johnsen (from Babylon 5) have extensive experience with stereo imagery and we made sure that not only the 3D gags work well, but that the entire show takes advantage of the medium. The shots, sets and general look and feel of everything was designed with 3D in mind, so the viewer will truly feel immersed in the Trek universe.
I know this is sounding like a press release, but it's all true!
Yes, there is a space battle.
No, it's not Wolf 359 in 3D, so stop drooling!
Mojo
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I'm looking for tickets to Vegas at Orbitz.
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
Hey, Mojo? I've tried to talk to you about something a few times over the last couple weeks on AIM, but every time I say hi, you log off. If you don't recognize my screen name I can understand that. And if you're busy (as I rather expect you have been, based on this), I can understand that, too. This is just a sort of "what goes on here?"...
--Jonah
Posted by Mojo (Member # 536) on :
I may not be getting the message, or I may have mistaken it for spam - what's the screen name?
Posted by Starship Freak (Member # 293) on :
So, any chance of us non-americans to see some pics of these starbases, shuttles, sphinxes, borg-cubes?
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
GreatBird2
Posted by Mojo (Member # 536) on :
I believe the ride is also going to Bremmen space park in Germany, so you non-Americans will also get your chance!
Posted by o2 (Member # 907) on :
Cool, this is only 25 miles apart from my home town. By the way, the city is called Bremen. Is there a time table available?
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Any chance of something on the SOUTHERN half of the planet?
I never will get to see The Experience... so has that gone now? Didn't they build a replica E-D bridge!?! What has happened to that?
Andrew
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I went! It was coool. Although you couldnt walk around the bridge or anything: you just stand behind Worf's tactical arch.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
...While extras ran amongst you, I understand.
Mark
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Bringing this thread back, an article on the new attraction has been posted on a Vegas newspaper. Certainly seems promising!
However, from the few pics we've seen, this ride happens in the post-FC part of the TNG era, i.e. with the grey uniforms and associated tech. One wonders how this will mesh with the existing attraction - if they leave the original as-is, then the live-action footage featuring Frakes and Burton will have them wearing the older uniforms, etc. Hm...
Mark
Posted by Fleet-Admiral Michael T. Colorge (Member # 144) on :
When does the Borg Encounters open? If it's before Jan 21, then I can go Las Vegas for my birthday and have a good reason.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
So what is the current experience ride - what happens? What do you do? Is/Was it good?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Hmm... Vegas is only a 4-5 hour drive from San Diego, CA. Of course I need a new car, but since I've never been to Star Trek The Experience either it would be more reason to make the trip. I'd just rather not make it bymyself prehaps if someone else lived close to me *hint*Proteus*hint*
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
I just want to say that Pocket REALLY pissed me off when the "Unseen Frontiers" book Mojo was working on was cancelled, and it is still my hope that we might someday see some other version of his work on it in print.
Because with the exception of "Star Charts" and "Starship Spotter," the world of Trek "nonfiction" is become a barren wasteland.
Yes, I know, it's probably futile.
Although the calendar stuff rocked.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
The new official website shows some more interesting hints at what's to come, including new Borg flying machines, and what is doubtless a floating Queen in yo' FACE done my Mojo, who has supervised such things before. Really shaping up, I'd say.
Mark
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I think the Borg drone gooses that blonde woman in the trailer..
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Nice to know people don't wear bras to the opening of these things.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
quote:Originally posted by Aban Rune: Nice to know people don't wear bras to the opening of these things.
LOL! Classic! Of all the comments! That should be put on the poster as a quote about the 'ride'!
Cummon though, since when have women at any Star Trek convention worn bras!?!
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Some of the men should.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
A new official TRAILER has been posted. Check it out for some CGI tidbits, including a new Federation starbase fighting a Borg cube!
Mark
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
That starbase looks pretty sweet. Me likey.
I don't care for the poster, though. They had all the actors and stuff right there on the set, but they still did cut and paste jobs, putting heads on bodies in a less than convincing way. I don't understand that.
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