So what makes the magic of Star Trek to you? The stories, the message, the science, the technology? All the above?
One of the most important factors in what makes Star Trek magical to me is that it is believable. The science borrows from real developments and runs with it, it takes all those seemingly impossible science-fiction scenarios and makes them science-fact (with some exceptions), the ships look like they could be real – development ideas from those with a science and/or aviation background, people who know what they are talking about, people who make the sets look like they have a real function, people that give us this wonderful techno babble that filters it’s way into everyday speech, the people that create the real magic, the visual magic behind Star Trek.
We all know who these people are, I’m talking about Drexler, Okuda, Eaves, Sternbach and Graves. I, like many, would love to meet these guys in person, ask questions, listen to thier stories, maybe bounce ideas of one and other for future projects, but unfortunately for me, they are in the US and I’m in the UK.
So it got me wondering, have these guys ever attended conventions in the UK?
The short answer is NO.
The worst part is, they have NEVER been asked to attend a convention in the UK. I had a brief conversation with Doug Drexler about this, and asked whether he would ever attend a convention if he was ever asked to do so, and his reply was “absolutely”, and he also thinks the other guys would be up for it too, again, if they were asked.
So, as we have Star Trek’s 50th anniversary coming up in 2016, and the Destination Star Trek brand gathering more supporters at every convention, then maybe they could be asked to attend any event that may be held in London in 2016.
For this to happen however, Media10, the company behind DST, need some nudging. As our heroes have never been asked to come to the UK before, perhaps they are not on Media10’s radar, maybe Media10 don’t understand that a great many people would give their right arm to be in the same room as these guys, have autographs and photo shoots.
This is why I have started an on-line petition to have Media10 ask the question of Drexler and co. I’m sure that some, if not all of these guys, would be asked to attend the 50th anniversary in Las Vegas, and I’m sure that Media10, if they have any sense, would want to try and organise an event to coincide with this milestone, and I’m sure they would recognise the fact that the ideal location would be in London, the place that started the DST franchise. I’m sure they would want to have as many high profile guests as possible, as well as the usual guests that played a small role here and there. I’m sure that if they are made aware of the fact that we would love to see Doug, Mike, Rick, Denise, Dorothy and Douglas in London, in 2016, that media10 would pursue this to its logical conclusion.
Obviously Media10 are not going to be swayed by little old me, they need to know that you guys feel the same, that you guys would put your signature to any petition that would make this happen.
Well little old me has in fact started a petition, and I need ALL of you to sign it.
I know there are going to be some huge hurdles to jump, number one is knowing whether or not an event is going to take place in 2016 at all, in London no less, but if you think about the scale of the anniversary, it makes perfect sense that this will be the case. Plus there have been rumours among the previous guests of 2014 that they have been approached to attend any London event in 2016.
I know the likelihood of getting everyone together at the same time at the same event is a big ask. These guys are hot property in the entertainment business, and are in constant employment. Work commitments come first. But even to have them acknowledged as potential guests is 90% of the task complete.
Regardless of these questions, you MUST sign, as I have just stated, getting these guys recognised as potential guests is 90% of the battle, and if they are all asked, but only 1 or 2 can make it then that would be a very good result.
So, if you would like to see Doug Drexler, Dorothy Duder, Michael Okuda, Denise Okuda, Rick Sternbach, John Eaves and Douglas E. Graves in the flesh, in the UK, please, please please follow the link and sign the petition, it only takes 30 seconds.
Many thanks.
Darren