Stage Nine: A Podcast about the People Who Make Star Trek

Domino.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek redefined the look of the franchise for the 21st century. The person most directly responsible for this is director of photography Dan Mindel. But Star Trek and Into Darkness are just two of many films Mindel has photographed with his unique style.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike and John begin a new series in which we look at the cinematographers of the modern era of Trek. We begin with Mindel's work on Tony Scott's Domino. We discuss the movie on the whole, the techniques Mindel used to give the film its unique aesthetic, and wonder whether or not this look could have been obtained with digital cameras.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) News (00:01:13) Domino (00:09:47) Closing (00:30:35) Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Dark Tower. The Dark Tower is a beloved series of books written by Stephen King. For the past decade, numerous filmmakers have tried to crack The Dark Tower's code, and adapt it for the big screen. Last week, it finally arrived in theaters courtesy of Star Trek: Discovery executive producer Akiva Goldsman. But does it live up to fan expectations? In this episode of Stage Nine, John and Mike take a look The Dark Tower, Mike describes his experience watching the movie with absolutely no context, and John tries to decipher how the picture is similar to and different from the book. In news, we discuss Discovery showrunner Gretchen Berg's Trek fandom. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Dark Tower (00:01:05) Gretchen Berg (00:21:20) Closing (00:27:33) Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Star Trek Las Vegas convention is many things to many people. For some, it's a chance to hang out with fellow fans from around the world. For others, it's about seeing favorite actors from the franchise. And others still, it's a chance to meet the people responsible for creating Star Trek behind the scenes. In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike tells John about his experiences at this year's convention. We discuss the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery, and detail a chance encounter with Ira Steven Behr. In news, we ponder the rumors of a new Khan miniseries in development by Nicholas Meyer. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Disco Klingons (00:01:32)  Ira Steven Behr (00:07:12)  Meyer on Khan? (00:29:55)    Closing (00:39:01)   Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Last week at San Diego Comic Con, CBS gave us our largest taste of Star Trek: Discovery yet. While the centerpiece was a new trailer, a lot of behind-the-scenes information was revealed as well. In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler take a look at all of the Disco news, including the trailer, new directors John Stuart Scott and T.J. Scott, new cast member Wilson Cruz, and new composer Jeff Russo. And in our feature, we discuss short stories from the new book Empower: Mind Over Matter by Disco writers Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  The Discovery Trailer (00:04:29)  New Discovery Directors (00:15:38)  Jeff Russo (00:22:11)  Wilson Cruz (00:33:39)  Empower (00:44:10) Closing (00:57:56) Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Kirsten Beyer's Full Circle. Star Trek: Discovery's writing staff has many Trek veterans from all facets of the franchise. Whether it is the original movies, The Next Generation, or the Kelvin timeline, everything is covered. Even the tie-in novels. In recent years, Kirsten Beyer has taken the reigns on the post-series Voyager books, continuing the story of Janeway and her crew. Now, Beyer is bringing her talents to the screen. In this episode of Stage Nine, John is joined by Charlynn of Punch It to discuss Beyer's first Voyager novel, Full Circle, and what we can expect her to bring to Discovery. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Kirsten Beyer (00:02:30)    Closing (00:25:57) HostJohn Mills Guest Charlynn Schmiedt Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Dead Like Me. Star Trek: Discovery is not the first show which Bryan Fuller departed shortly after its creation. Fuller also left his very first series, Dead Like Me, after only a handful of episodes. And yet, it could be argued that Dead Like Me maintained the essence of Fuller's vision long after he was gone. In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike is joined by Sarah of The Talk Film Society to look at Dead Like Me. We discuss what makes it inherently Fuller, what place it has inside the larger Fuller canon, and what that might indicate about Fuller's lasting impact on Discovery. In news, we take a look at a couple new Discovery directors, Jonathan Frakes and, presumably, Doug Aarniokoski. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  News (00:12:38)  Dead Like Me (00:29:08)    Closing (00:54:54) Host Mike Schindler GuestSarah Buck Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Supergirl: For the Girl Who Has Everything. Prior to joining the Star Trek: Discovery writing staff, Ted Sullivan worked on another beloved geek property, Supergirl. In the first season of that series, he co-wrote "For the Girl Who Has Everything" with Derek Simon. The episode is an adaptation of a classic Superman comic by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons entitled "For the Man Who Has Everything." In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike is joined by his Commentary Track Stars co-host Max to look at how Sullivan translated Moore's comic to the small screen. We discuss the comic and the episode on their own terms, as well as how the adaptation maintains the essence of the source material while modified to work in a different medium. We also ponder what this might tell us about Sullivan's approach to writing Star Trek. In news, we briefly discuss Disco's new cinematographer, Glen Keenan, and Damon Lindelof's upcoming Watchmen TV series. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  News (00:02:22)  The Comic (00:05:51)  Supergirl (00:18:04)  The Episode (00:26:00) Writing Trek (00:42:30)  Closing (00:50:00) Host Mike Schindler Guest Max Hegel Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Mummy. While Alex Kurtzman has co-created Star Trek: Discovery with Bryan Fuller, his primary focus has been directing the first film in Universal's Dark Universe, The Mummy. In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike is joined by Lee of Earl Grey to look at Kurtzman's new movie. We discuss our thoughts on the film, what its performance means for the rest of the Dark Universe, and how we feel Kurtzman performed as a director. ChaptersIntro (00:00:00)  The Mummy (00:01:43)  The Dark Universe (00:12:00)  Alex Kurtzman (00:19:50)  Closing (00:32:36)   HostMike Schindler Guest Lee Hutchison ProductionMike Schindler (Producer/Editor) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Wonder Woman.   Star Trek fans identify Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk, the most iconic leading character in the franchise. But in Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman, Pine takes on the role of sidekick as Captain Steven Trevor. In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike and John take a look at the new DC film. We discuss our thoughts on the movie, Pine's performance, and the DCEU as a whole. In news, we ponder what other Star Trek project Nicholas Meyer could be working on. Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Meyer's New Trek (00:01:36)  Wonder Woman (00:11:34)  Chris Pine (00:22:35)  The DCEU (00:31:08)  Closing (00:43:40)   Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Music of Nimoy and Shatner.     Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner are men of many talents. While best known for their work as actors, writers and directors, both Nimoy and Shatner have had musical careers spanning multiple albums. In this episode of Stage Nine, John and Mike take a look at the music of Nimoy and Shatner. We discuss their early work, such as Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space by Nimoy and The Transformed Man by Shatner, and more critically acclaimed efforts, like The Touch of Leonard Nimoy, and Shatner's masterpiece, Has Been.   Chapters Intro (00:00:00)  Lee Rose (00:01:04)  The Music of Nimoy and Shatner (00:02:45)    Closing (00:29:49)   Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler   Production Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Chris Stenftenagle (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)