In looking at the new image, I was immediately delighted – I always hoped that a “Remastered” version of this episode would correct a few things, particularly in regard to this composite:

In the original 1966 shot, the Fesarius clearly over-filled the frame, but the composition of the shot allowed you to see the horizon of the Fesarious falling off the left side of the screen… and the falling off horizon was in sharp focus (you can see it in the comparative shot, or at http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/en/images/0/0f/Fesarius_Enterprise.jpg)... Now, think about principles of photography: if something in the background of the shot is in crisper focus than something in the foreground of the shot, then anything closer to the camera should also be out of focus. In this case, the distant horizon of the Fesarius is out of focus, the foerground of the Fesarius is out of focus, and the Enterprise was in crisp focus. That’s poor execution.

Irregardless of what the proper diameter of the Fesarius is, compared with the figure quoted in that Spockservation, the Fesarious is significantly larger than the E (one site estimates it at 4 miles). If anything, the Enterprise would be in crisp focus, the closest elements of the Fesarius (depending on exactly how far off the E’s bow it sits) and falling off in distance should be proportionately less focused.

Whether or not the visual effects artists at CBS Digital employ an aesthetic of variable focus, or use infinity focus, one thing is clear: to expect a 4-mile dimameter ship of unrecognizeable and unencountered technology to have NO surface detail is unlikely. The 1000-meter Enterprise, after all, has surface detail down to and below a meter’s width.

Also, consider that the CBS Digital folks may be visually re-scaling the Fesarius to better coincide with the in-episode Spockservation of size.

While the Fesarius will likely still be a pulsing complex of domes on a sphere (remember, it’s hard for all of us to judge in full from a single still photo), it’s extremely reasonable for both the domes and the macrosphere of the ship to have some visual indication of scale. Some cluster of these surface domes will end up detaching from the macrosphere and moving autonomously as Balok’s pilot ship, so again having detail on the ship (which to me almost resembles docking clamps reaching for the domes) is a logical decision. Without demonstration of surface detail/scale beyond “hey, this ship doesn’t fill the screen while this other one overflows the screen”, the believability of the two existing in the same visual space just isn’t there.

The other thing about this re-take that, again, I find improved is something that I’m noticing many people disliking – that being the lighting of the Enterprise in relation to the Fesarius.

Look again at the original shot, where we have a massive alien ship blotting out all visible space (and clearly extending well out of frame) and pulsing with light and activity… looking dim in relation to the grey Federation starship that appears in the 1966 composite to be radiating heavenly light.

Compare this with what I feel to be a far more believable lighting scenario in the new CGI version – a 4-mile spherical alien ship blotting out not just visible space but logically eclipsing 180-degrees’ worth of starlight from illuminating the Enterprise. As a result, you’ve got the Enterprise largely getting bathed in golden radiating light from the Fesarius. The Enterprise looks “plastic”-like only because rather than being largely called out by strategic point-sources of light, the Fesarius’ glow is overall non-specific in source because of its size and distance relative to the Enterprise.

The Enterprise is not a light-source (and won’t be until its refit, in 5+ years), so it’s at the mercy of its environment for that light – I assume you guys have noticed that already from some of the new shots in other episodes.

I have every expectation that in motion, this will look eactly as it should – my hope is that in the money shot of the Fesarius rolling right up onto the Enterprise’s bow you’ll see the lighting dynamically change as it gets closer. Overall space light from the Enterprise’s fore will fade and be replaced with the rippling lighting from the Fesarius. And all will be right in the world.

> In response to #48. If you think that looks fake, then I challenge you do
> something better.

If you are referring to the Enterprise in that shot, it’s already been done. Think Starship Exeter.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo

> 48 and 45…

Ooo, I’m a number. :-)

> please keep in mind you are looking at a single static shot.

Obviously.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo

For the most part I still find the orginal special effects excellent. That’s why I will always want both the original episodes, along with these newly remastered episodes in my collection. Yes, some effects do look dated compared to today’s visual effects standards, but all in all they still hold up quite well- remarkably well in my opinion.

Maybe that’s why I’m such a big fan of “the cage” episode. I still find the special effects, sound effects, music and alien make up so amazing in that episode! It’s so unique and original that it doesn’t seem all that dated to me at all. (I’m sure my eight year old next door neighbor would beg to differ!)

As the original series ages, and the original effects look more and more dated, especially to the younger generation, I find that I’m MORE impressed with the original effects. It must have been very, very difficult for the artists from the original show to pull off the believable looking effects, that we all take for granted nowadays.

They didn’t quite pull off a believable effect in the “Corbonite Maneuver”, but this was one of the rare exceptions…

No matter how dated the effects on the original appear, the “fun factor” of watching Star Trek TOS hasn’t changed at all for me. And you’re right, the little gaffs and mess ups don’t spoil the fun at all, it’s part of the charm of the original series.

To me these newly remastered episodes are not improvements in the stories, just enhancements that will broaden the appeal of future audiences.

Mike:o

Love live Spock…and Quark!

I’ll be right over to fix the wee bairns…

Unhandled Exception, Access Violation. I’m a computer engineer and this game MAY be stillborn. Bethesda released a patch today which is Release Day, but the patch is not fixing the problem. We need Scotty on this one!