posted
Hate to throw another wrench into the works, but several of the shots of the E-B in Generations were CGI. A model was built, so that's not really a valid explanation. Doh! Maybe ILM is just hoarding the model.
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The First One
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed
Member # 35
posted
Er, yes, I already said that.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
The model alone was used in "Paradise Lost". If anything, ILM would be hoarding the CGI. Even so, why couldn't the VFX guys create another CGI? They could simply modify the existing Excelsior CGI.
------------------ "Forgive me if I don't share your euphoria!" (Weyoun to Dukat, DS9 'Tears of the Prophets') Dax's Ships of STAR TREK
The First One
A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pissed
Member # 35
posted
Because they're lazy. The modifications were made to the studio model so it could be damaged in the way the script called for. . . and I'm not sure if they ever removed the additions, explaining why when they needed a model for "Paradise Lost" they used the altered one. Either that or they felt an ordinary Excelsior wouldn't look tough enough to fight the Defiant.
Have we ever seen the original Excelsior model again with the E-B extras removed? Mostly we've seen the CGI version since. . .
posted
The Ent-B has a different paint colour and design (compare the paint design on deck 2). They also removed those fins near the impulse crystals. It wouldn't be worth converting the model back. Anyway, they now have the Greg Jein Excelsior miniature (from VOY "Flashback") to play with.
------------------ "Forgive me if I don't share your euphoria!" (Weyoun to Dukat, DS9 'Tears of the Prophets') Dax's Ships of STAR TREK
posted
Doh! I guess I though that was your sig, First One, and I never read sigs. 'Downgrading' the original model would be essentially impossible (good luck removing those bumps that go around the bridge section!), which is of course the reason the new model was built. From what I can tell, the CGI people only build new models if something specific is needed, so unless a script specifically calls for an Excelsior II (III?), we'll probably never see it again. Too bad, it's a fine looking ship...
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Jim Phelps
watches Voyager AFTER 51030
Member # 102
posted
I guess that nowdays it's not really cost-effective to use the seven-footer when you have the five-footer in existence. The fact that it hasn't been CGI-d doesn't play a role, since as late as season 6, Gary Hutzel did mostly motion control, while David Stipes preferred CGI (they change every other episode). Didn't know that the producers allow such a difference in style...
Boris
------------------ "Wrong again. Although we want to be scientifically accurate, we've found that selection of [Photon Energy Plasma Scientifically Inaccurate as a major Star Trek format error] usually indicates a preoccupation with science and gadgetry over people and story."
---a Writers' Test from the Original Series Writer's Guide
'Downgrading' the original model would be essentially impossible (good luck removing those bumps that go around the bridge section!), which is of course the reason the new model was built. From what I can tell, the CGI people only build new models if something specific is needed, so unless a script specifically calls for an Excelsior II (III?), we'll probably never see it again. Too bad, it's a fine looking ship...
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