The creaking of the plywood floor on the bridge; the half croissant Doomsday Machine; echoes reverberating (from the sound stage ceilings) in outdoor planet surface scenes; the Children of Vol’s hairdos; the shuttles & alien ships; and so on. Such issues are not what I—a staunch Original Series Trek fan—term “part of the charm” of TOS.

Granted, in one of Shatner’s books he made reference to crushing resource limitations that plagued TOS, resulting in compromises. (Interestingly, user reviews of the current TOS DVD release contain complaints of these versions lacking enhancements!)

As for the current enhancement project, I’m guessing that the original alien props will not be visually replaced and although less than thrilled about this, I understand the reasoning. So instead of entering into a “enhance” vs. “hands-off” discussion, I’d like to add to an existing third thread.
Tone down the most laughable visual elements while retaining the props’ overall, original appearance. Using the Horta example, the obvious, four human limbs moving under the prop are what make it so… well, difficult for viewers to suspend disbelief. So, digitally ‘copy and paste’ say, two of those intermittently bulging ‘hands’ or ‘feet’ onto two, additional areas of the prop in its movement shots, resulting in a less human-operated-looking, Horta featuring three limbs per flank.
Even in the days before the first “Star Wars” movie, I’ve always felt a large number of Trek TOS room sets seemed either too stark or contained distractingly gratuitous gadgets, controls, decorations, and so on. The effect of background and miscellaneous related visuals can be just as powerful as the more front-and-center aliens and space scenes. I hope the ideas behind the excellent Castle exterior enhancement in the updated “Cat’s Paw” carry over to future enhancements.
Before I list a few specific examples of things I hope to see enhanced, I have a general question. (Note: I’m not trying to start a thread here; I’m mildly curious). We’re all aware of the post-TOS Trek-based series and movies, as well as audiences’ expectations of special effects. Conversely, older TOS fans may remember the (small) handful of science fiction movies–released roughly around the time of TOS—that somehow used the technology of the day to astonishing effect (Remember “Silent Running”?). My point here is, would researching both period and post-TOS-related productions help the current enhancement team continue their good work at informing and thus capturing their intended ‘TOS vibe’ while using the enhancement ‘tools’ of the 21st century?
In any event, assuming the following has not already been addressed, here are a few specific issues I hope to see enhanced:
* Those darn, head-level, deep space pictures (mats?) around the interior bridge parameter. Suggestion: make them appear to be a battery of station-specific visual monitors (stylistically similar to McCoy’s vital signs displays in Sick Bay). At times these peripheral bridge viewers could display believable, non-distracting ‘Star Fleet’ screen savers. Or, the enhancement team might ‘copy and paste’ the same blinking lights, from the lower councils, over them.
*The Enterprise interior corridor scenes: enhance the corridor lengths so they appear to physically extend beyond the confines of the original stage sets
*Update the feigned robotic, ‘female Jack Web’ voice of the original series’ speaking computer. For example, use something similar to the voice samples we hear on computerized switchboards, telling us which button to press to connect us to our intended destination / department
*The absence of ‘night club’ music and any video scene-based entertainment for patrons in the bar set in “Trouble with Tribbles

* I like the enhancements done on the destroyed outpost on “Arena” but there is still too much empty, dull space in the opening outpost scene. Something like a bombed Shuttle port with a couple of destroyed Shuttles & charred service equipment would work.
*The same prop is used as: the Atavacron, M-5, and Gary Seven’s computer
* (Similar to the “Cat’s Paw” castle enhancement) an Acropolis – scale. elaborate Greek structure constituting Apollo’s abode would be welcome and the same again for the ruins set surrounding the Guardian of Forever
* visually enhance the artificial grass found in many episodes
* The Federation space suits and the Tholian Commander in “The Tholian Web”
* The “Providers” and their underground abode
* the Scalosian’s ‘freezer unit’–including the clothes dryer hose!
* As already mentioned in previous posts, in several episodes, human, guest actors’ facial alien make-up could use some digital help
* The Tantalus Field’s screen “button”
* Do something with all scenes that were merely colored negatives (i.e., the Oracle’s ‘punishment’ of Kirk and Spock committing sacrilege, and the “corridor” in “The Alternative Factor”
*The Romulans’ Cloaking Device
* The ‘antenna’ in “Shore Leave”
*Norman’s central control complex room
* Nomad
* Dr Adam’s treatment room
* Dr Corby’s Android mfg. room
*Vol
* The Malcot creature
* Flint’s M-4
* Stratus (Cloud City)
*tumbling or ejected debris ‘effects’ resulting from hand Phaser fire on structures or rocks.
* add some sparks to horta’s tunneling
*Enhance M-5’s voice so it’s less obviously James Doohan’s voice
* Please do something about “Gertrude” – one of Sulu’s ‘plants’ (the green glove prop)
…You get the idea
Hollywood projects intended for a mass audience have to be profitable yet despite my comments I’m confident that the current project will succeed without whoring Gene Roddenberry’s legacy. Assuming that top-floor bean counters will not be sending daily “deadline, deadline!” memos to the upgrade team, the project should be a success.
GRAtRez

O

Thanks… I think?

MichaelT, I’d wish you’d stay, but thanks for introducing me to this site.