Scott W of Schertz, Texas wins a jumbo prize pack including 2 framed film cell pieces and a unique press backgrounder signed by Director  JJ Abrams.

He says:

Yay!!!!! Swag!!!!  JJ Abrams Swag!!!!!!!!!

Here’s what you won:

(1) Star Trek media backgrounder signed by Director JJ Abrams

Collected by MovieSet correspondent Quinn Bender at the Star Trek press junket in LA, this is a photo-copied media hand-out filled with behind the scenes stories, challenges and anecdotes from the making of Star Trek. Comes with a MovieSet COA.

(2) Framed and numbered Star Trek film cells art pieces

Each features mini-poster art from Star Trek (2009), surrounded by hand-picked film cells depicting action from the film with Certificate of Authenticity and a black frame ready for hanging.

Wanted to win?

No doubt of the huge passion and enthusiasm from this legendary fanbase for this sweepstakes (who doesn’t want cool prizes anyhow?) But perhaps you are kinda ticked off because you didn’t win because you entered everyday? Well there is some good news after the break.

Star Trek: The Mission Continues… Sweepstakes!

The Star Trek franchise is re-booted and you are invited to come aboard and enter to win one of three pieces of Star Trek history. Ideal for your displaying on your bridge or Holodeck.

Your mission is simple: Fill out the entry form daily for a chance to win framed film cell art pieces featuring Kirk, Spock and Uhura and more of the Enterprise crew. Then, enjoy some alternate reality relaxation with MovieSet’s collection of behind the scenes videos, news and still photos from the making of Star Trek.

Star Trek: The Mission Continues… Sweepstakes!

The Star Trek franchise is re-booted and you are invited to come aboard and enter to win one of three pieces of Star Trek history. Ideal for your displaying on your bridge or Holodeck.

Your mission is simple: Fill out the entry form daily for a chance to win framed film cell art pieces featuring Kirk, Spock and Uhura and more of the Enterprise crew. Then, enjoy some alternate reality relaxation with MovieSet’s collection of behind the scenes videos, news and still photos from the making of Star Trek.

Prizes: Three limited edition, 9.5″ x 11.5″ framed film cells – Each comes with a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure quality.

• 1st Prize – poster art of Kirk, Spock and Uhura surrounded by 12 film cells
• 2nd Prize - photo signed by Zachary Quinto as Spock with 10 film cells
• 3rd Prize – Enterprise crew action poster art with 10 film cells & plaque

More Star Trek:

• Captain Kirk speaks on Star Trek vs. Star Wars
• Nimoy Speaks: Champions Younger, Fresher Cast in new Star Trek
• Spock and Uhura’s Hanky Panky on the USS Enterprise
• Kirk, Sulu, Pavel and the Enterprise Crew Talk Trek

• Summary
• Cast & Crew
• Blog (2 posts)
• Videos (18 videos)
• Stills (51 photos)
• News (12 articles)

More Sweepstakes:

• Contestbeat
• Sweepstakes Advantage
• CashNet Sweepstakes
• Lots of Luck Contests and Sweepstakes
• Sweepstakestoday.com

No doubt you saw the new Star Trek movie – in fact you probably saw it twice because you are a true fan of the Star Trek universe.

In honor of this exciting installment of the Star Trek story, MovieSet assembled a prize-pack worthy of a hardcore fan including a press backgrounder signed by Director JJ Abrams who brought this dynamic installment of Star Trek to life, plus a pair of numbered and framed Star Trek film cell art pieces to display on your own bridge, den or bedroom.

Be sure to explore the collection of behind the scenes Star Trek videos, pictures and news at MovieSet.com.

The Star Trek Director’s Cut Sweepstakes runs from June 25 until Aug. 1 2009 – Enter daily for more chances to win.

One Lucky Winner Scores a Grand Prize Pack with:

(1) Star Trek media backgrounder signed by Director JJ Abrams

Collected by MovieSet correspondent Quinn Bender at the Star Trek press junket in LA, this is a photo-copied media hand-out filled with behind the scenes stories, challenges and anecdotes from the making of Star Trek. Comes with a MovieSet COA.

(2) Framed and numbered Star Trek film cells art pieces

Each features mini-poster art from Star Trek (2009), surrounded by hand-picked film cells depicting action from the film with Certificate of Authenticity and a black frame ready for hanging.

SO ENTER THE CONTEST

What are you waiting for?…

Now that you have Entered the Sweeps, Check out some of this Star Trek Roundup!

MovieSet gets Trekky – StarTrek Special Edition – Behind the Scenes #33

Spock and Uhura’s Hanky Panky on the USS Enterprise

Captain Kirk speaks on Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Kirk, Sulu, Pavel and the Enterprise Crew talk Star Trek

MovieSet Exclusive Interview with Quinn Bender (discussing the Star Trek press junket)

Nimoy Speaks: Champions Younger, Fresher Cast in new Star Trek

and you probably also entered the previous Star Trek Sweepstakes, but check out:

Star Trek Sweepstakes Winners Announced!

ContestHound.ca Canada’s Sweepstakes Directory
Canadian Sweepstakes and Contest Directory – free to enter contests and sweepstakes exclusively for Canadians. Sign up for the Contests for Canadians Update to enter to win prizes just for being a subscriber..
http://www.contesthound.ca
CashNet Sweepstakes
AllCanadaContests.com – Canadian Sweepstakes

I won I won!

Earlier in May, MovieSet started a Star Trek Sweepstakes where you could win tons of free Star Trek gear!  We were giving out tons of prizes, and we got TONS of entries!

So CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle T of Kinston, North Carolina! He’s our Grand Prize winner, meaning he takes home a poster signed by the cast, as well as some other top notch Star Trek goodies!

Wow, thanks for the cool prizes, I’ll be sure to visit your site regularly! – Kyle T

No Problem Buddy!

But that’s not all!

We also had 5 first place winners and 10 runner ups which means in total we had 16 winners taking home some cool Star Trek gear!  So congrats to Keith R. from Toledo OH, Laura C. of Clifton Heights PA, Josh L. from Albany NY, Melissa S. from Point Pleasant NJ and Denyse G.  from Seminol FL. They all won the “First Place” prize!

Also we have Joel B. of Charlottesville VA, David H. from Monroe VA,  Lisa D. of Starkville MS, Max F. from Columbus OH, Elaine K. of La Quinta CA,  Shanna M. from Cape Fair MO, Eric W. B. from Sun Prairie WI and David S. from Ashville NY! Whew! Those guys all won the ‘Runner Up’ Prize.

Congrats guys!

Here’s a list of what we we gave away

• Grand Prize
• (1) Star Trek one sheet signed by cast
• (1) Star Trek movie Enterprise Model
• (4) Movie passes
• (1) CD Soundtrack of movie
  .

• First Prize
• (5) Star Trek the Movie Tie-in Paper back
• (5) Set of 10 Limited Edition Trading cards
• (5) Pair of movie tickets
• (5) CD Soundtrack from Star Trek movie
  .

• Runner Up Prizes
• (10) Star Trek the Movie Tie-in Paper back
• (10) Pairs of movie tickets
• (10) CD Soundtrack from Star Trek movie
  .

Feeling left out?

You should! The transporter room is empty, and Scotties not going to beam you to this party!

But fear not! For we have MORE contests with MORE prizes, just waiting for you to win them, including a 2 person trip to Las Vegas as part of our Hangover Sweepstakes!

So for your chance to win one of the many prizes we are always  giving away at MovieSet, check out our other contests for your chance to win cool stuff from your favorite movies!

The Hangover and Transformers 2 Sweepstakes!

Distribution

Sure lots of actors have blogs and Twitter account but it’s nice to see an actor really laying it out with Zachary Quinto does. He’s laid down a stream of consciousness style rundown of the release and promotion tour of Star Trek.

In S. N. Love it…, ZQ talks about the whirlwind of appearing on Saturday Night Live, rocking the after-party and heading to an early morning flight to Tokyo for another premiere.

all is settled…

To help celebrate the arrival of ‘Star Trek,’ one of the most anticipated movies of the year, we’re giving away prize packs we think you’d fight a Vulcan to win. Imagine beaming home with a signed ‘Star Trek’ one-sheet, a scale model of the iconic USS Enterprise, the CD soundtrack or pairs of movie tickets! A truly Trek-tacular collection. Enter today to live long, prosper and win!

Get energized and enter the Star Trek sweepstakes!!

The Grand Prize Includes:

• Star Trek one sheet signed by cast
• Star Trek movie Enterprise Model
• Movie passes
• CD Soundtrack of movie

First Prize:

• 5 Star Trek the Movie Tie-in Paperbacks
• 5 Sets of 10 Limited Edition Trading cards
• 5 Pairs of movie tickets
• 5 CD Soundtracks from Star Trek movie

Runner Up Prizes

• 10 Star Trek the Movie Tie-in Paperbacks
• 10 Pairs of movie tickets
• 10 CD Soundtracks from Star Trek movie

Click to get energized !!

We hope you enjoy the Star Trek contest and best of luck!

Chris Pine, who plays the young James T. Kirk in the latest Star Trek film, confessed to a Hollywood press conference that he was never much a fan of the series. The actor went on to say it was the franchise rival Star Wars that captured his childhood imagination.

“I think watching the original Star Trek series as a kid, it was a little campy, the effects were kind of absurd. I just wasn’t able to get into it,” Pine said.

“Growing up in the Star Wars generation, there’s just something kind of visceral and fun about that world– it’s more about the effects.”

Later Pine said he studied the Star Trek history rigorously since landing the famous role of Captain Kirk. He lauded the series’ commitment to positive themes, calling the deck of the Enterprise a miniature United Nations, a place of cooperation, free of sexism and racism.

“The world that Gene Roddenberry created was… this grand allegory that explored all these deep social issues. As a kid I had no concept or clue of what was going on,” Pine said. “Watching the original series now, you get a great sense of how really radical what Gene Roddenberry was doing back then. I have a great appreciation for that now. Speaking of the positive vision, this really wonderful vision of what we are capable of, is quite a wonderful thing in today’s age.”

While a small but vocal band of die-hard Trekkies have denounced the new Star Trek film for abandoning established story lines, Leonard Nimoy has been quick to defend the new adventure, saying the essential tenants of peace, tolerance and cooperation in Gene Roddenberry’s creation should always take precedence over the minutia of story details. At a press conference in Los Angeles last week, he said true fans would understand that.

“I have to point out there is great authenticity in this movie. It’s a brilliant cast they’ve put together here. I’m an admirer of all the cast in this movie,” Nimoy said.

“Over the years I’ve often been asked, ‘what contributes to the longevity and interest in Star Trek, and what makes it successful?’ I think one of the things that’s easily overlooked is the fact all of the people on this Enterprise crew, all of the people involved in various characters in Star Trek, are highly educated and highly professional people. They are for the most part scientists, and they really know how to do their jobs. I think people admire that… each makes their own contribution to the solution of a problem.”

In its more than 40-year history, Star Trek has carved out an iconic place in modern pop culture as the only ongoing story that encapsulates the awe, wonder and bold audacity of the human desire to explore the universe. The original TV series was not a hit when it first aired, but later caught on among the ever-growing legion of fans who responded to its compellingly funny, contentious, charismatic personalities and its five-year mission to peacefully engage new worlds and cultures.  The new film marks the first time fans will learn how exactly that mission began.

In order to achieve greater freedom in the writing of the story, an alternate universe is introduced, where the writers aren’t chained to the decades of plot development.

This movie’s release marks the first time in 18 years that fans will again see Nimoy assume his now legendary character.  He admitted to great disappointment when not invited to share the screen with Trek helmer William Shatner in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations.

“Frankly I had felt marginalized for a long time. I haven’t been asked to be involved with Star Trek for about 17 or 18 years. This felt like somebody had said: there’s a value to you that we’d like to take advantage of and do something with. It felt good. It felt good. Frankly, I felt appreciated.”

In the new adaptation, he added, fans will see countless homages to the original series, a striking but reinvigorated portrayal of the familiar characters and a storyline in tune with the vision of creator Gene Roddenberry.

“When we were making the series it was about what issues the writers were going to tackle in Star Trek that they could not tackle in other television series. Those were the things that made Star Trek interesting for me. In this film I think it’s a question of vengeance. It’s the defeatism and emptiness of vengeance.”

It could be one of the most talked about developments in Star Trek’s endlessly-evolving storyline, but it’s one the young cast of the latest Trek feature say has been percolating for 40 years.

“There was, I do remember, one particular instance where Spock was playing a harp,” said Karl Urban, who plays the young Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy. “Uhura was singing and caressing his ears. It was one of those hypnotic scenes in the original series. I think while that relationship wasn’t developed, it certainly was there in the subtext.”

The romance between Uhura and Spock, which blossoms in the background of the latest Star Trek installment, is a rare twist to the franchise’s established norms. A young Spock, not yet committed to the stalwart logic of his father’s Vulcan race, submits to his human desire for romance and companionship.

“I think it provides a really interesting depth,” said Zachary Quinto, who plays the young Spock. “Uhura essentially represents a canvas onto which Spock projects the emotions he can’t really otherwise express.”

Zoe Saldana, who assumes the role Nyota Uhura, said the relationship was a natural progression for the characters.

“Spock and Uhura had more in common, in terms of their attraction, than any other characters in the script. She was an apt pupil, she only lives to work, she loves to study, she loves to be the best at what she does. And then all of a sudden there’s this mentor that is a couple years older than she is. He’s got pointy ears, and he’s sexy. He always knows the answer. It just made more sense.

“For him… to allow Uhura to see something not even his father was allowed to see, to see him fail, was absolutely priceless.”

The romance comes to light after several failed attempts of James Kirk to woo Uhura for himself. It’s something Chris Pine, who plays the role, said was a refreshing break from Hollywood’s norm for for awarding the hero with the love interest.

“What I loved about this version is that that relationship added a lot of humor that we were able to explore. Who knows, in further versions of it I think one thing that hasn’t been explored is, I think, Kirk is somewhat of a workaholic. There’s a reason he hasn’t been able to sustain a relationship.”

This Unique Cast Interview Includes: Chris Pine as James Kirk, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov, Eric Bana as Nero, Clifton Collins Jr as Ayel, Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Bruce Greenwood as Capt. Christopher Pike.

How did you feel about taking on such an iconic role?

Chris Pine: It was twofold. It’s a big tent-pole, big-budget studio movie. So there was a lot of pressure from that, as there were a lot of people expecting to make a lot of money. On top of that, it’s Star Trek — there’s the added pressure from the avid, protective fanbase. But I think, really, once I met J.J. and I got to learn what he wanted to do, that he wasn’t looking for a bad impersonation of what Mr. [William] Shatner had done, realizing that what Shatner had done was so unique and was so specific and was so iconic… it was very liberating. Because I knew that, if anything, I kind of had to go in that opposite direction to make any mark of my own on the part. There was a conversation on the part, about how I might be able to take nuances from his performance and add them to my own. But it was very much a re-imagining, and very much in the spirit of [inaudible].

I just wanted to follow up on that. In making the characters your own, have any of you met your counterpart from the original series?

John Cho: I met with George [Takei]. We’ve known each other for a little bit, but, um, I wrote him a letter after I got the role and requested we have a meal and talk. As far as making it my own, it was really just avoiding — he’s become an icon himself. His character’s an icon. The show is iconic. And he’s quite the icon as a person, as a citizen. Mostly it was just avoiding doing an imitation of him.

Anton Yelchin: Yes, Walter [Koeing] came on set (thankfully once I had finished my scene — it was very intimidating to think he would come in the middle and I’d have to do the accent in front of him.) [Laughter]  We were doing a scene that involved some playback, and he was pretty complimentary [about my performance]. It’s the highest compliment I feel I could get was from Walter himself. Um, I felt like the essence of Checkov is the accent. So I tried to stay as true as possible to that accent, while messing around with it a little, but still maintaining that general kind of spirit he created. Because I really think that’s what made the character so special for 40 years. It wouldn’t be as exciting or interesting to play just a Russian kid on a spaceship.

Chris, did you talk to Bill?

Yes, I saw him last night at a charity show in Burbank. My interaction with him has been really wonderful. I sent him a letter early in the process, explaining to him who I was, you know: who this punk kid was, who was for the time being taking on this role [of Captain Kirk]. He was very kind and wished me luck, but I know Leonard [Nemoy] was the same way; it was a wonderful feeling handing over the mantel to us. Again, allowing us the freedom to make these characters our own without having any feelings of weighty expectations and responsibilities.

Have you all always been big Trekkies? What does the world of Star Trek mean to you personally?

Clifton Collins Jr.: I wasn’t really a Trekkie, but I think any one who’s lived in America knows who these characters are, and knows how the theme song goes. We all know what the U.S.S. Enterprise is. For me personally I didn’t know anything about the Romulans, I just followed J.J.’s lead, but Star Trek for me is a part of Americana.

Chris Pine: I was not a Trek fan, but my grandmother was a huge William Shatner fan. So when she babysat me we would inevitably end up watching reruns of TJ Hooker… [Laughter] But I was a casual observer [of Star Trek]. I think it is startling that this one story has had such an intense hold on so many people for so long — I can’t think of another thing that has. And I think quite possibly the reason for that is when it came out in the late 60s, there was a great social unrest. We had come out of two world wars, and there was great division. As cheesy as it may sound, the idea that so many people could work together as one and achieve great things is a really — well, why not?! That’s a wonderful vision of humanity. The deck of the Enterprise is a [inaudible] United Nations, it’s a place free of sexism, racism — there’s people from disparate backgrounds. So again, hopefully the resonance it had in the 60s, it will have [today] with a similar effect on a world torn by economic crisis and wars. I think we spend more time trying to kill one another than anything else, so to present a vision of the world working together is quite a beautiful thing.

John Cho: That’s probably what impressed me the most growing up. I wasn’t a Trekkie, but I was very impressed with the multi-ethnic casting. George in particular made a great impression on me, as a young Asian kid growing up in America. It was really meaningful for me to see him on television at that time in the late 70s.

A question for Chris. Is there any indication that you will be playing Captain Kirk again or forever?

Chris Pine: It’s so presumptuous, I think, to start talking about — we get a lot of questions about sequels. This movie has yet to come out. I think we’re all really proud of the movie we made… Being an actor, it’s quite an experience to watch a film and forget after the first 10 minutes that you’re in it. You’re actually munching popcorn as fast as the guy next to you, and you’re as involved and engaged as him, the non-participants… We had an absolute blast making it. I had a lot of fun, and if they were to invite me back I certainly would be the first one to sign up.

I’d like to ask John and Chris about that fight scene on the drill — that was amazing, I wondered if…

John Cho: That actually happened. [Laughter]

…was it choreographed to the nines, or did you guys do it a million times and then picked one? How did it work?

John Cho: Yes, that was choreographed. That was us. We were on wires at Paramount, trying not to vomit.

Chris Pine: It’s incredible, you know, having to put together that scene. Reading through that scene, it’s about three pages and it took us a month and a half to shoot. I had no concept or visual preparation of the scene. We had a great stunt team behind us… putting together an intense and quite fun Star Trek [inaudible] for about two months before we began shooting. The fight scenes were choreographed, but left enough breathing room on the day where you could change it up. Our stunt doubles were incredible, and we left a lot of the hard work to them. But a lot of that was wires, and a lot of work down at Dodgers Stadium on huge platforms. That’s another genius of J.J.’s is that he’s able to see in his mind what the final product would look like.

For Eric, I think you’re one of the first Star Trek villains who doesn’t exclaim Shakespeare and doesn’t give a big speech to introduce himself. Can you talk about the characterization for that villain?

Eric Bana: The thing that drove me to the project, the most significant factor to me was that the film wasn’t taking itself too seriously. When you read the script you really got a feeling for the sense of humor in the script. I was very hopeful that would make it’s way through the film, because the first thing you loose in films are the jokes and the sense of humor and lightness, it’s the first thing that’s dropped on the day. But I felt that with J.J. it had a really good chance of staying there, and in fact I think he took more from it. So that’s really just a case of a director allowing an actor to bump around. Because I saw no reason why Nero had to be scary every single moment. I saw no reason why he couldn’t be a smart ass. It’s just essentially being allowed to have freedom [as an actor].

So J.J. really let you do some of that?

Eric Bana: He let all of us pretty much do anything and everything we wanted. He’s an unbelievable collaborative filmmaker. He knows exactly what he wants himself. But I don’t think — I’m pretty sure I speak for just about everyone here: if you had an idea, it was going on film. [To cast:] True?

[The cast nod in agreement]

John Cho: True, Eric Bana, true. [Laughter]

What was it like, respectively, when each one of you got into your chairs on the Enterprise?

Anton Yelchin: Um, there was a lot of — me and John did a lot of [presses buttons on imaginary console, makes beeping noises].

John Cho: [Laughs. Responds to beeping noises with his own. The pair beep out tune to Star Trek theme song.]

[Laughter subsides]

Anton Yelchin: It was such a beautiful set. It had an aura of epic-ness. But for me the process of entering this world started with the wardrobe fittings. But to J.J.’s credit, the set was a world of its own. If you went off the bridge you ended up in a hallway in a different part of the Enterprise. The set didn’t just end on either side of the bridge. It kept going. You really were in this world, and the crew was separated, outside the — what would you call it? The window?

Eric Bana: The windshield.

John Cho: The ship’s goggles.
[Laughter erupts]

I have a question for Eric. The makeup you wore really made you look unrecognizable. What was it like to put all that on? And what was it like to play a villain rather than the heroes you usually play?

The makeup was actually a lot of fun. But when you put it on and moved your face, nothing happened. It was like you had a crap-load of botox injected into your head. You would literally look into the mirror and [makes a facial expression] like that, and nothing would happen. So there was a process in preproduction where I literally re-calibrated my movements for the camera. Otherwise the camera wouldn’t pick up on any of your expressions for the whole film.

We had the most incredible makeup artist on this movie. But to describe the scene, basically, all the Romulans would get divided up, and Chris and I would be in the caravan with about eight others and we’d be high as a kite from all the chemicals… I don’t think there was anything we shot before lu

nch. [Laughs]

Chris, William Shatner played Captain Kirk on and off for 30 years now. Do you want to play Captain Kirk for that long?

Again, I think it’s a little presumptuous to talk about 30 years in the future when the film has yet to come out. I have a lot of fun playing this incarnation of the character in this story, I’m signed up for two more — just like I think everyone else is in the cast. I’m having a lot of fun right now, but I’m not going to count any chickens before they proverbially hatch.

You said you were not a Star Trek fan, but are you a fan now?

I am, yeah. I gained much more appreciation — I think watching the original series as a kid, it was a little campy, the effects were kind of absurd. I just wasn’t able to get into it. Zak [Zachary Quinto] has spoken about this quite eloquently, and I think it’s very true: growing up in the Star Wars generation, there’s just something kind of visceral and fun about that world–it’s more about the effects. The world that Gene Roddenberry created was much more [pause] kind of this grand allegory that explored all these deep social issues. As a kid I had no concept or clue of what was going on. Watching the original series now, you get a great sense of how really radical what Gene Roddenberry  was doing back then. I have a great appreciation for that now. And again, speaking of the positive vision, this really wonderful vision of what we are capable of, is quite a wonderful thing in today’s age.

For Eric, you’ve played a lot of good-guy and bad guy roles, what does it take to go from one to the other?

I never make any distinction in my head, really. I just try to find characters I think are interesting. I never tell myself if they’re good guys or bad guys, villains or heroes. People always ask if it’s more fun playing the villain. Well, I don’t know. You kiss less girls, that’s for sure. But less fun, more fun, more freer? I don’t know if there’s much difference actually.

Anton, I understand you are actually Russian. What kind of conversations did you have with J.J. on how far to push that accent? It seems like it verges on caricature.

Yeah, I mean, the accent isn’t as much a Russian accent as it is a Cold War stereotype of a Russian accent. I emailed J.J. before we started and said, ‘this is what I’m thinking…’ after watching the original. And his response was really brief. He said ‘yeah, that sounds great–we’ll have a really good time.’ So there wasn’t too much conversation. If anything it happened on set. It was more about capturing that original accent and capturing that general spirit.

Chris, your character and Zak’s character are kind of fighting over the same girl. Will that be the same for the next movie?

I certainly hope I’m able to get a girl in the second one. [Laughs]  But what I loved about this version is that that relationship added a lot of humor that we were able to explore. Who knows, in further versions of it I think one thing that hasn’t been explored is, I think, Kirk is somewhat of a workaholic. There’s a reason he hasn’t been able to sustain a relationship.

Interview sitting: Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Bruce Greenwood as Capt. Christopher Pike

Obviously this film takes place on an alternate timeline. The young Spock is very different from your Spock. He’s very emotional, human, he has a relationship with a girl…

Leonard Nimoy: He does, doesn’t he! [In a melancholic tone] I noticed that.

How did you feel when you first read that in the script? Were you resistant to that?

Leonard Nimoy: You know, I’ll tell you. I was bemused by it when I read it in the script. I was amazed by it when I saw it on screen. I thought it was incredible.

Did you think it worked?

Leonard Nimoy: Brilliantly. Didn’t you? [Laughs]

Well, Spock is half Vulcan half human. I guess it’s more of the human side we’re seeing, instead of the usual Vulcan side.

Zachary Quinto: I don’t necessarily agree with you. I think there’s a duality, an internal conflict, because he’s really split between those two halves of himself. But I just don’t think he’s gained the kind of control over that duality that Leonard had when he played the character. That’s the journey of this character. It’s not that he won’t arrive there, or that he possesses more humanity than… Vulcanity? [Laughter]

Leonard Nimoy: That’s great, I love that! “Vulcanity.” That’s a new one.

Zak, you play probably the most iconic of all the characters in the Trek universe. How intimidating was it for you to do that, and how even more intimidating was it for you to do that with Leonard present. And Leonard, what do you think of the new Spock?

Zachary Quinto: Well, I think all of us were faced with a certain level of intimidation stepping into these roles, theoretically. Although, J.J. did a phenomenal job of diffusing that from step one, in terms of really dictating that we were encouraged to use the original performances as points of departure, but from there we were expected to develop our own points of view and perspectives on these characters. For me, Leonard’s involvement was only liberating, frankly. I knew he had approval over the actors who played Spock, so when I got the role I knew from the beginning it was with his blessing. And at that point we developed our own relationship.

I was the first one to be cast in the movie. I got cast in June and we didn’t start shooting until November. Over those months, Leonard and I spent a number of times hanging out and just talking about life, and the characters. Just getting to know him personally was incredibly freeing and helpful in the process.

And Leonard?

Leonard Nimoy: I think it’s appropriate when the old timer walks on the set and everyone be intimidated. [Laughter] It’s classic. I used to be a kid on the set. I was intimidated. Why shouldn’t they be? [More laughter]

For Zoe and Zachary, this relationship didn’t exist at all in the series. Uhura never expressed any interest in Spock at all. Was it in the script from the beginning, or was it something that you developed along the way. How did you approach this brand new relationship in the Star Trek canon?

Karl Urban: If I may express some of my Trek knowledge here. There was, I do remember, one particular instance where Spock was playing a — what was that instrument — a lier?

Leonard Nimoy: Yeah, yeah.

Karl Urban: Uhura was singing and caressing his ears. It was one of those hypnotic scenes in the original series. I think while that relationship wasn’t developed, it certainly was there in the subtext.

How did you approach it? I mean, Spock is an emotionless character, it’s not a normal romance.

Zoe Saldana: I try not to publicly announce the story line I’m in. In this situation, that whole relationship to me gave me the desire, as the newer generation, to completely fall in love with the character. After reading about the character, going to all the fan sites, I realized Spock and Uhura had more in common, in terms of their attraction, than any other characters in the script. She was an apt pupil, she only lives to work, she loves to study, she loves to be the best at what she does. And then all of a sudden there’s this mentor that is a couple years older than she is. He’s [inaudible] and pointy ears, and sexy. He always knows the answer. It just made more sense. It’s also the start of the connection they have. For him, being a Vulcan, always having this battle [with his human side]. To allow Uhura to see something not even his father [was not allowed to see], to see him fail, was absolutely priceless. And for Uhura to have only this man call her by her first name, I just thought it was kind of awesome.

Zachary Quinto: For me, the relationship provides a great source of levity in the film: between Kirk and Spock, between Kirk and Uhura. But between Spock and Uhura I think it provides a really interesting depth. Uhura essentially represents a canvas onto which Spock projects the emotions he can’t really otherwise express. And I think that dynamic for me was really rewarding as an actor. That scene that Zoe and I played in the elevator was definitely one of the most present experiences through shooting, and that has a great deal to do with Zoe and her emotional availability and openness. It was such a comforting, confined space that we were in, in that moment.

Leonard, did you have any hesitation going back to this character after all this time? What attracted you to the project?

Leonard Nimoy: It was a combination of the script and the J.J.’s enthusiasm, and the writer…Roddenberry talking about their sensibility, their sense of what Star Trek was about, and what the Spock character should be about. Frankly I had felt marginalized for a long time. I haven’t been asked to be involved with Star Trek for about 17 or 18 years. This felt like somebody had said: there’s a value to you that we’d like to take advantage of and do something with. It felt good. It felt good. Frankly, I felt appreciated. I was happy to go back to work.

What are your thoughts on Gene Roddenberry?

Leonard Nimoy: He was a brilliant man. A brilliant complicated man. We had a complicated relationship; it was like a father-son relationship that was typically classic. Sometimes it was great sometimes it was really bad. Um, sometimes we disagreed strongly on certain issues. But obviously, he was of a very special mind. A very special mind.

For Zachary, did any of the Vulcanisms give you any trouble. The eyebrows? The salute?

Zachary Quinto: I spent a little time actually training my hands to do the salute. That didn’t come particularly easy. I would rubber-band my ring finger with my pinkie finger and drive around Los Angeles doing little salutes in the months leading up to shooting. But that was about it. Everything else came together.

Somewhere in the press releases you said this Star Trek is able to go places that the original Star Treks never accomplished. What is that?

Leonard Nimoy: I think at its best, for me, when we were making the series it was about what issues the writers were going to tackle in Star Trek that they could not tackle in other television series. Those were the things that made Star Trek interesting for me. In this film I think it’s a question of vengeance. It’s the defeatism and emptiness of vengeance. That makes it interesting to me.

We’ve tackled some interesting issues over the years. Racial issues, economic issues, ecological issues. That’s what made Star Trek interesting for a lot of people.

Were you surprised it took this long for the studio to reinvigorate the franchise, to recast these roles?

Leonard Nimoy: Frankly I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about that. I was simply busy doing other things. For me Star Trek was finished. I had done what I could, what I was asked to do, and it was over for me. When the next generation of films came along, I was left out of it and Kirk was killed. I think somebody was sending us a message! [Laughter] It was somebody else’s game now and that’s the way it was for a long time.

Zoe, what was it like being the only girl among the crew?

Zoe Saldana: I loved it. What I loved most about playing Uhura was the fact that she was also very comfortable in that environment, so I was able to infect her with that level of myself. She needed to be that way in order to still hold court and have authority, to be very very feminine and be demanding.

Karl, you play another iconic character, Bones. And you were able to deliver a classic line, how was it decided to incorporate that line?

I had no choice on whether that line was in or out. But I must say, as a long-time fan of the show it was quite surreal to be in that position, delivering those lines. I had such huge admiration and respect, for the wonderful contribution that Mr. Kelley had donated to Star Trek, in developing his character so well for 40 years. And, uh, you know, it was a real privilege to be given the opportunity to develop the young character. We did not want to mimic him, or develop some sort of caricature, which would have sold the character and Mr. Kelley short. Really, the challenge for me was identify some sort spirt of that character then funnel it through what my interpretation of a younger version of that character would be. There’s certain moments, certain lines, that were very challenging to find myself in that moment.

A question for Zachary. What emotions did you have to personally strip yourself of to portray Spock, who is stripped of almost every human emotion?

Zachary Quinto: I really didn’t see it that way actually. I think Spock experiences deeply run emotions, and i think that especially in the context of his relationship with his mother, I think there’s a real depth of feeling. The only thing I feel I had to strip myself of was the ability to express it in a conventional way. I think that is ultimately the dilemma of Spock, because if he doesn’t feel emotion then there is no conflict within him. So the conflict exists within the feeling, the deeply rooted and sublimated feeling of emotion, without the opportunity to do much with it, other than hold on to it. Which is challenging, and can be painful.

Bruce, unlike the other cast members you had less material to work from. Was that liberating or more challenging.

Bruce Greenwood: I think Zak said it really clearly when he said, these characters — we were invited by J.J. to use the original characters as much a part of [inaudible] and you’d be foolish not to. So there was room for me to do something that referenced what the character was about without repeating it.

Zachary, on Monday nights I watch religiously, with my 11 year old, Heroes. He’s upset that Sylar is going to be Spock. On the other hand, my best friend is a Trekkie, and he hates the fact that Sylar is going to be Spock. So, I think there is going to be a backlash on either one of your fan bases. What do you think about that?

Zachary Quinto: Um, I don’t know. Fan reaction isn’t something I really attach myself to very much. I mean, I care deeply about the work I do, and I’m grateful on so many levels for these very contrasting and challenging opportunities I’ve had in the last couple of years. But, um, my focus is my work. And people’s reaction to my work falls in the category of things I have absolutely no control over. I would certainly love to invite my Heroes fans to join us on this journey. And don’t be pissed, it’s all good. [Laughter]

A follow up question about McCoy. For some reason he is the character that gets the most laughs, so what did you find in him…

Leonard Nimoy: I resent that! [Laughter]

Beyond that gruff voice, he could be the world’s youngest curmudgeon already. How did you find him? You obviously know a lot about the series, so I imagine that Kelley crept in there somewhere.

Karl Urban: Well, um, thank you for your question. It’s not that I found him, it’s what works for me to come up with a kind of simple mantra that could envelop me like a jersey. It was simply that McCoy is this sort of cantankerous, grumpy doctor with the most appalling bedside manner. But for me, beneath that often prickly surface, you have the most compassionate, altruistic, loyal, dedicated friend you could possibly find. For me that’s a real treasure of the character, because he often gets to do the opposite of what he says. For example, when he helps Kirk get on board the Enterprise, he’s grumpy and cantankerous about it, but what he’s actually doing is helping out his friend, sticking by his friend. That to me is a wonderful treasure.

Leonard, as well as staring in the original movies, you also directed. Would you like to go behind the camera again?

Leonard Nimoy: No. No, I’m done with all that, thank you. I’m not set up to be a director, um, after Spock had died — sort of, in Star Trek two — they asked me if I’d like to be involved in Star Trek Three. I was told I should be directing, and I took it as an insult, because I felt ‘what’s wrong with my acting?’ [Laughter]

I would like to say this, though. Over the years I’ve often been asked, ‘what contributes to the longevity and interest in Star Trek, and what makes it successful. I think one of the things that’s easily overlooked is the fact, um, all of the people on this Enterprise crew, all of the people involved in various characters in Star Trek, are highly educated and highly professional people. They are for the most part scientists, and they really know how to do their jobs. I think people admire that. People might not be consciously aware of it, but somehow you sense that these are very professional people that know what they’re doing and each makes their own contribution to the solution of a problem. While I have the opportunity to say that, I have to point out there is great authenticity in this movie. You believe these characters, you believe these people are professionals. That, I think, has something to say about the professionalism that’s happened with all the people who are playing these characters. It’s a brilliant cast they’ve put together here. I’m an admirer of all the cast in this movie. I think they’ve done a great job.

Zak, at the end of the original series it’s perceived that Mr. Nimoy tried to distance himself from playing Spock. He wrote a book, “I am not Spock…”

Zachary Quinto: Yes, I read it.

Are you concerned now about you too being too associated with Spock, as an actor?

Zachary Quinto: I think that was a different time. I think there was a stigma attached to science fiction that just doesn’t exist anymore. It’s become so much more mainstream. I think also people’s attention spans, for better or for worse, have diminished significantly since that time. And, uh, it’s incumbent upon myself to define the kind of career I want. And for me that’s a career of longevity and diversity. So now it’s my job to hopefully utilize this exposure as a platform to do other kinds of work and immerse myself in other genres. Also to invite the avid fan-base of science fiction, of Star Trek specifically, to come with me on that kind of a journey now, because that’s the kind of actor I want to be.

So, no.

[Laughter]

I wanted also to ask Zoe about Michelle. Did you talk to her at all about some of her key episodes?

Zoe Saldana: I did not see the series. As actors we’re prone to imitation, and I was very afraid of falling into that pattern, because Michelle did not deserve that. Also, primarily, Uhura deserves better: my entire focus. You know, I trust in J.J. Abrams. That’s the thing about working with a wonderful director… he’s known for taking care of his characters, while he’s blowing up buildings, while his characters are jumping off the highest tower in Tokyo, he’s still very loyal. As an actor, that’s the warmest sensation I could ever feel.

There were fundamental things about Uhura already in the script, and he definitely helped me whenever I was not capturing it, or whatever. [Inaudible] She’s young, she cant’ really be this confident woman who has it all together all the time. She’s a kid, and she’s infatuated.

When I met Michelle that was the biggest start for me, to know that there was complete and utter support and pride on her behalf toward me. The fact that she was very happy that I was playing Uhura. She just told me to definitely follow my instincts. Do it, and do it well.

Everyone is right where they should be. Chekov and Sulu are manning the navigation controls, Uhura is monitoring communications and pointy eared Mr.Spock is hovering over his science station.

The very anticipated Star Trek Film is out today. It has gotten an Incredible 96% on the “Tomatoe-Meter” at Rottentomatoes.com including Adam Tobias’ comment: “Trust me when I say Star Trek is easily one of the best science fiction films of this decade”

So from William Shatner’s suave debut to Tribblemania, Ricardo Montalban to Whoopi Goldberg, a look at the latest Star Trek buzz here on MovieSet!

Ace Correspondent Reports

First off, Quinn Bender brings us an Ultimate Star Trek Review! He recaps his experience, his expectations plus the good and the bad. No mercy! Check it out!

You can also catch Quinn in Behind the Scenes #33 (see below) or a special installment with an impromptu interview about the advance screening and press junket.

Quinn also transcribed hours of interviews from the junkets which will be appearing on the blog soon. Some great anecdotes and insight for the hardcore Star Trek enthusiasts, including:

* Star Trek Cast Interviews

* Captain Kirk Speaks on Star wars

* Nimoy Champions Younger, Fresher Cast

* Hanky Panky on USS Enterprise

Behind the Scenes Trek-tacular vidcast

Eric and Shaun from the Behind The Scenes series bring you an awesome episode dedicated to this fantastic new film. Check out the new Behind the Scenes Site Gets Trekkie episode where they discuss their favorite installments of the series, the casting of the new actors playing iconic roles, and riff about Start Trek lore.

Top 5 Star Trek Blogs

Also, check out our very recent blog post: MovieSet’s Crew Bring you Our Top 5 choices for Star Trek Blogs in this Universe! Including the Site Named Best New Fan site for 2008! by TrekMovie – The Star Trek Scrapbook Blogspot “It is a Star Trek History Buffs Dream website, Excellent in both content and quality” -Trekmovie

Trek-tackular Sweepstakes

Star Trek Sitelet

All the details we have about the new Star Trek is at the Sitlet. Here’s a few nuggets of knowledge for you you. Cast and Crew: Chris Pine as James Kirk, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov, Eric Bana as Nero, Clifton Collins Jr as Ayel, Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Bruce Greenwood as Capt. Christopher Pike. Directed by: J.J. Abrams Written by: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

For the Rest of the list and the latest News, Vids and Stills Go to our Sitelet!

Get energized and enter the Star Trek sweepstakes!!

.

SYNOPSIS:

Star Trek is the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. In the midst of an incredible journey full of optimism, intrigue, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind.

The fat of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals born worlds apart. One, James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine), a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), grows up on the planet Vulcan, an outcast due to his half-human background. With drastically opposite styles, the cadets in training become defiant, contentious adversaries, each going all out to be among the special few chosen to join the crew of the most advanced starship ever created.

The crew is headed by Captain Christopher Pike, and soon filled with young characters of the original series.  All will face a harrowing first test that will set in motion the loyalty, camaraderie, daring and good humor that will bind them forever.

In the midst of it all, Kirk and Spock will come face to face with an undeniable destiny: a need to forge an unlikely but powerful partnership, enabling them to lead their crew to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Starring: Chris Pine as James Kirk, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov, Eric Bana as Nero, Clifton Collins Jr as Ayel, Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Bruce Greenwood as Capt. Christopher Pike

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Written by: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

Opening on: May 8, Opens Wide and Worldwide

EXPECTATIONS

Only the worst. The studios had run Star Trek into the ground with self-indulgent snobbery in The Next Generation. An attempt to revitalize the brand with be-dazzling visual effects and a hot young crew seemed destined to hit theatre screens with a patronizing thud.

Hollywood insists 20-somethings rule the world. With Star Trek, the generation would now ascend to galactic awesome-ness for little more reason than their titillating sex appeal. Come on, the Enterprise bridge looked like an Ikea promo. Paramount Pictures really didn’t give audiences much else to go on, but for this drivel of information in slick trailers and the rare calculated leak. With such aggressive secrecy, what else could you conclude but to await the death blow to Gene Roddenberry’s altruistic vision.

EXPERIENCE

The Good

Boy, was I wrong. The main characters are so well written, performed and directed, I was embarrassed for my prejudice. Right off the top, an opening salvo of a galactic war made a fool of me. Gone are the pillow-fight battle sequences of films past, and here (hopefully to stay) is a gripping attempt to show war as the precursor to ultimate anguish. The camera moves from its wide shot of the battle sphere to an intimate close up of crew members as they’re sucked through a hull breach into empty space. The horror of their untimely death is clearly registered. This film balances grandiose battles like this with classic hand-to-hand skirmishes, each with equally engaging accomplishment.

A character-driven story, with carefully plotted intermissions of humor and more satisfying sub-plots than a federal election, this film is a tribute to the hallmarks of good science fiction. Even the tongue-in-cheek tips of the hat to the Trekkies — one-liners resurrected, inner-circle jokes materialized for the big screen — compliment, rather than interfere with the story’s natural flow.

The Bad

James Kirk’s reasoning for joining the academy — a fateful moment that lays the foundation for five television series and 10 films — is as concrete as a Klingon fart. In one rapid sequence the aimless youth is swinging fists in an Iowa bar brawl then the next morning, wiping caked blood from his lip, he’s boarding a shuttle for the Star Fleet Academy. He’s motivated by Capt. Christopher Pike, a friend of Kirk’s late father, who after bumping into the battered kid challenges him to board that shuttle and find some meaning in life with Star Fleet. The thing is, Kirk seemed selfishly content with his ruinous life, so why the sudden devotion to the federation?

On the other hand, the conflict in this film, provided by the Romulan Nero, is as sharp and attuned to the story as the gears of a watch. Unfortunately, the sub-plots and character arcs of the Enterprise crew are so engaging — humorous, dramatic, intricately woven and convincing — certainly no antagonist’s plot line had a chance to compete. Nero’s lonely crusade to collapse inhabited planets into black holes is a bit overblown for a guy seeking to avenge the death of his wife. Fortunately, what lacks in the story line is compensated by Eric Bana’s performance as the nihilistic, smart-ass villain.

CONCLUSION

I’ll see this movie again and await the next. Where the series degenerated from 60s camp to 90s tea-toting arrogance, this new adaptation seems to have spotted the best in both with blinding flare. Leonard Nimoy recently said that at the heart of this film is a question of vengeance — “the defeatism and emptiness of vengeance.”  But the film thankfully doesn’t wield morality like an iron club. It’s a quiet undertone layered into what’s quite simply a fantastic film. It honors the vision of creator Gene Roddenberry to celebrate humanity’s potential; to pit us against impossible odds where only through cooperation and moral certitude can we find a solution.

Check out more information, stills, videos and latest news about Star Trek at the Star Trek Sitelet.

From director J.J. Abrams, producers Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, “Star Trek,” featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no one has gone before. In theaters May 8, 2009.

In this Episode of Behind The Scenes Shaun and Eric go in-depth into the Star Trek Universe to bring you an episode of BTS – they discuss their favorite installments of the series, the casting of the new actors playing iconic roles, and riff about Star Trek movie lore.

Special guest, ace correspondent Quinn Bender talks about some specific details of the flick based on his observations at the advance screening and press junket in Los Angeles plus you’ll see an interview with Eric Bana discussing his evil character from the future, Nero.

Definitely check this one out!

Get energized and enter the Star Trek sweepstakes!!
Go to Star Trek Sitelet!

Follow us on this Journey and Don’t Forget to beam us up a comment on YOUR favourite Trek-Blogs.

Let’s revert the List format and start at the very top.

#1

My Star trek Scrapbook Blogspot | http://www.mystartrekscrapbook.blogspot.com/

This Site Named Best New Fan Site for 2008 by TrekMovie.com!

The website “Kingon Defense Academy” which has just opened, has a series of hilarious training videos to help earthers learn the tactics of these glass-grabbing aliens: http://www.whenkingonsattack.com/ You have to visit it for a good laugh, I got a real “kick” out of it!

#2

Next on the list we have:

Star Trek Auction Blogspot | http://startrekauction.blogspot.com/

This Blog Overall has the most up-to-date content and literally pumps out content like the blog here at MovieSet.

Check out this very Interesting Video where Trekkies Interchange Opinions about the upcoming flick.

#3

Star Trek Space Blogspot | http://startrekspace.blogspot.com/

This Blog features a vast amount of older content and is completely up-to-date with the newest content regarding the newest chapter in Star Trek History

Check out a scene from the Movie!

#4

Delphi Forums Blogspot | http://blogs.delphiforums.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=startreksfforum

The web log for Delphi’s Star Trek & Media Science Fiction Forum. They cover news and discussion about Star Trek and many other current sci-fi and fantasy TV shows and films.

#5

Last on our list we have:

Trek Web Blog | http://trekweb.com/

This is definitely the Fan Chill spot, Unreal topic discussions and links to everything you could want in the Trek Community.

Check out their latest poll

T’Poll: Movie Anticipation
What are you looking forward to the most in the new STAR TREK movie?

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A galaxy of prizes awaits you! To help celebrate the arrival of ‘Star Trek,’ one of the most anticipated movies of the year, we’re giving away prize packs we think you’d fight a Vulcan to win …

Imagine beaming home with a signed ‘Star Trek’ one-sheet, a scale model of the iconic USS Enterprise, the CD soundtrack or pairs of movie tickets! A truly Trek-tacular collection. Enter today to live long, prosper and win!

Get energized and enter the Star Trek sweepstakes!!

The Grand Prize Includes:

• Star Trek one sheet signed by cast
• Star Trek movie Enterprise Model
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First Prize:

• 5 Star Trek the Movie Tie-in Paperbacks
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