posted
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?
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
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!
posted
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
-------------------- "That's what I like about these high school girls, I keep getting older, they stay the same age."
--David "Woody" Wooderson, Dazed and Confused
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
So, any chance of us non-americans to see some pics of these starbases, shuttles, sphinxes, borg-cubes?
-------------------- "The Starships of the Federation are the physical, tangible manifestations of Humanity´s stubborn insistence that life does indeed mean something." Spock to Leonard McCoy in "Final Frontier"
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I believe the ride is also going to Bremmen space park in Germany, so you non-Americans will also get your chance!
Registered: Mar 2001
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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?
Registered: Oct 2002
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I went! It was coool. Although you couldnt walk around the bridge or anything: you just stand behind Worf's tactical arch.
-------------------- Justice inclines her scales so that wisdom comes at the price of suffering. -Aeschylus, Agamemnon
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
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...
posted
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.
-------------------- "It speaks to some basic human needs: that there is a tomorrow, it's not all going to be over with a big splash and a bomb, that the human race is improving, that we have things to be proud of as humans." -Gene Roddenberry about Star Trek
Registered: May 1999
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