James Cawley is not the only veteran of the fan film Star Trek New Voyages (now Phase II) who is headed to the big screen in JJ Abrams’ new Star Trek. Jeff Quinn, New Voyages’ first Spock, has also landed a small Trek role. At the Saturday night screening for the Phase II episode “To Serve all My Days – 1969 edition,” Quinn talked to TrekMovie about his Star Trek movie experience.
Just like with Cawley, Quinn’s is a non-speaking part, but he did say that he is “front and center” in a couple of shots. Quinn couldn’t give any details on his role, but his partially shaved eyebrows might be a clue. Quinn did his scenes this last week and was there for the last day of shooting. Even though Quinn is no stranger to the film biz, from both his time with New Voyages and with his regular job doing visual effects for Battlestar Galactica, he was still impressed with the scale of the production saying “it was a marvel to see how they do it in Hollywood.”
Landing the role actually didn’t come directly from Quinn’s involvement with New Voyages / Phase II. Quinn tells TrekMovie.com that his path to a part started last year with that casting call looking for people with ‘unique features’ who were willing to shave their eyebrows. The lanky sharp-featured actor who portrayed Spock for four episodes with New Voyages quipped “clearly I was OK with that.” Quinn sent in an email and picture and then went through the traditional audition process until he was finally was selected. The visual effects artist turned part-time Vulcan clearly felt fortunate for the experience, stating “it was an honor and a privilege to work on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek.”
Quinn at the Phase II event Saturday
TrekMovie.com will have more from the Phase II "Night in 1969" coming up later.
Man, congrats to all the New Voyages guys for getting parts in the new movie!!
Does anyone know why he left New Voyages? I though he was very good, and clearly still in with the New Voyages/Phase II crowd if he still attands their events. did he just not have enough time?
great that half the new voyages cast is turnign up in real star trek. they deserve it, that show is better that Enterprise and some of voyager and even early TNG
#2
Ah, now here!!!
I know that some of the early Enterprise stuff was bad but towards the end it got better with the Terran Empire and those crazy crazy Andorians. And those episodes were better than this New Voyages stuff hands down!!!
Pretty much the same story with Voyager ( and they overused the Borg) but it was still cool…… Except for those stupid Ocampa!!!!!!!!!
TNG was on average, better than New Voyages but i’m willing to concede that at times, it sucked!!!……. … Not too often though!!
Oh and congrats toJeff Quinn for getting into the movie!!!!
Yes!!! Bad Actors for a Bad Movie!! Can’t wait to see this!!!
Cool.
Is this the April Fool’s post?
GOD!!!! Let this movie be the April Fool’s joke!!!!!!!
APRIL FOOLS! Feel better now? You see, the joke is that he’s NOT in the movie. Meaning he really is. I’ve got to tell you guys, that I TRIED very hard to watch some of the “NEW VOYAGES” and just couldn’t stomach it. It was mostly lame acting. So lame it made me laugh. Especially this guy’s face. It’ll make me laugh if I seem him in the new movie, speaking part or not. The effects were pretty cool, too bad they couldn’t get better actors. Scotty, was REALLY bad. I could do a better Scottish accent then that actor, and I can’t even do a Scottish accent.
Speaking of wigs, all the “NEW VOYAGES” actors had these CRAZY looking over sized wigs on, that also made me crack up. You spend all your time looking at these weird mega wigs on their heads.
Congrats Jeff! Love New Voyages! I give credit to you all who are (were) involved, giving so much time, work and money for something you believe in without profit .
That is really cool that he gets to be in the movie as well.
whats his unique feature ?
Is there only me who ISNT getting a cameo or part in this movie?
I know a guy called Bill who should be in this movie. Maybe you know him? He was big in a SCI FI Series in the 60s…
9-DMC
Hey man…if you can’t see past the limitations of the acting and extend your imagination around it, that’s your problem. The writing has been very good in the last two episodes, and even the acting has improved. If you can’t stomach it, fine…but I don’t think there is any need for you to trash on it just because you can’t see beyond the surface details. It’s a great show. Heck, even Scott Bakula had some pretty cringe worthy acting on Enterprise from time to time…and I really like Scott Bakula…he’s a genuinely nice guy, but he couldn’t seem to deliver anger without it feeling forced.
I am totally off topic here, but just came across these strange pics on someones flicker site. It looks to me to be a pretty close match to the bridge photo of JJ Abrams during his online chat. Who knows what this is, anyone? Early mock up? Toy Prototype? Could this be it?
http://flickr.com/photos/bre/286293534/in/set-72157594357616814/
To all those who continually bash the creative energy of Star Trek New Voyages/Phase II, remember this; these are FAN films, not Paramount issue. These folks do it “for love of the game,” not profit. Personally, I can overlook the lapses in acting because the passion on display permeates every pore of these productions. Even the donated VFX and other input are all pro bono. So, if you can’t just relax and enjoy them (I, personally, like them a hell of a lot more than televised pablum such as “Voyager” ANY day of the week), then go out there and do BETTER yourselves! Because that’s what they do, and I (as a fan) applaud them for it!
Re: #16 – Oh, surely not. Those crowded panels look like a design step backwards from TOS sets. More Irwin Allen than Matt Jeffries.
As for Jeff Quinn, good for him! Fortunate fellow!
Scott B. out.
Re: #16 – That’s nothing to do with the new film.
http://flickr.com/photos/bre/sets/72157594357616814/
“Found on the G4 set!”
From October 2006
http://flickr.com/photos/bre/286293444/in/set-72157594357616814/
In that photo you can see the official Paramount packaging for the toy.
Congratulations to Jeff Quinn.
I´m guessing he`s a Romulan! Or a Vulcan?
We`ll see (if they don`t cut the scene).
I like new voyages. But I prefer Hidden Frontier. And yes these guys are not brilliant actors, but they are dedicated to trek. I for one am glad they produce their own shows. And as thanks I want to wish them all the best of luck in everything they do.
Special congrats to Jeff Quinn.
19>
If you look closely that ‘packaging’ is just a bunch of old TNG figure packages surrounding it.
I’d recognize that packaging anywhere.
16 looks like a cross between enterprise and TOS
panelles look a bit cluttered for my taste but like it what ever it is
#4,7,9 —
He’s only an extra — he doesn’t need to know how to act (and I do agree he is not a good actor).
My crazy great aunt used to work as an extra in films back in the 1960s and 1970s (she can be seen in ‘Network’, a film which was nominated for a best picture oscar) — And I KNOW FOR A FACT she can’t act.
Quinn said he was hired because of his angular facial features. If that was the criteria for this “extra’s” role, then I think they did a good job in casting Quinn.
What, then, is it?
And why would someone design something like that? Look at the shapes of some of the displays. Hmmm….
Anyway, CONGRATS Jeff!
Hope to see you back as Spock again in the future!
His performance in World Enough and Time was actually very good.
For this film, his role will probably be something like “Romulan #6”
I have a huge brass Enterprise belt buckle. Can I be in the movie, too?
Damn, I live on the wrong coast.
I really hope he’s not a Vulcan. I never thought he pulled it off.
10. But Cawley’s wig isn’t a wig.
14. You.
That bridge design looks exceedingly small (smaller than the TOS set)and impractical to shoot in a widescreen format because it’s vertical dimensions appear to be almost equal to it’s circumfrence. And I see a place for the navigator and helmsman to sit, but not a place for the captain!
Meh
Congrats to Mr. Quinn…what I wouldn’t have given to just be a piece of set dressing on this movie. And I also applaud all those involved in the fan productions. Yes, there are many limitations, but they are fun nonetheless.
As for those pics of the bridge model…I am intrigued. The do appear to be a mid-stage representation between the “Enterprise” and “TOS” designs…I wonder. Although, everything we’ve seen in interviews to date suggests that the bridge is on a grand scale for the movie. If this model is to scale, it appears to be somewhat cramped quarters. Ah well, let the debates and speculations go on…that’s what keeps the interest alive during our 400-plus day wait.
And the photo of the model was uploaded on November 1st, 2006, a full 4 months before Abrams was designated as the director and pre-production began.
they will end up on the cutting room floor. Maybe on the dvd cut tho?
Anyone remember those old G4 ads for Star Trek with the action figures? Could that be where that bridge is from?
Never cared for New Voyages but this guy always turned in a pretty good job. His acting was easily the best of the bunch. I never liked his “look”, the makeup was fairly hideous and gave him a very feminine look. But his delivery was always well done and his deep voice helped sell the character. I’m glad he got to be in the movie, he’s clearly a big Trek fan, so good for him.
Congrats to Jeff Quinn. Even if they did end up on the cutting room floor, someone at Paramount has put enough stock in what Cawley & Co. are doing to green-light a nine figure budget for the movie and let them play in the big boys’ sandbox a little………
The layout reminds me of the Star Trek VI bridge.
I don’t think this was for Trek XI.
Yay Jeff! You’re now a “Canon” Trek character! Hopefully they are paying you for this decently, and you’re going to frame a copy of your first “Star Trek” check!
Jeff Quinn!
Congratluations Jeff, on becoming a part of Star Trek Eleven!!! It is wonderful to know that you had this distinct opportunity come your way.
You will have to send a detailed description later. You have my email addy.
I am also glad you were at the TSAMD-69 Premiere. I hope it was a fun evening.
Good luck, Jeff.
Congrats to Quinn.
And as to the bridge. It’s funny how so many jump to the conclusion that if it is for Star Trek 0, that its the Enterprise bridge from Kirk’s command. When I saw it I immediately thought that it would work very well for an older ship’s bridge. In fact I think it would be perfect for an old Daedalus class ship bridge.
That said I am sure it has nothing to do with J.J.’s Star Trek. A pity. I like it.
7. CrazyPeopleWhoLikesThisTrekMovie – March 30, 2008
“GOD!!!! Let this movie be the April Fool’s joke!!!!!!!”
Ladies and Gents please meet our latest gnome for the Troll Hall of Infamy
Jeff Quinn could play a very young Mr. Homm. (Remember? The assistant to Lwaxana Troi.) He looks a lot like Carel Struycken at an early age in that photo.
I think it’s great that Jeff is in the film, but how many more casting announcements can they make now that it’s a wrap?
Quinn’s Spock was fine in my book. His performances were sincere, and he made a good No. 1 to James Cawley as Kirk. It’s great to know that Jeff and James are fans, and were there on set keeping an eye on things for us ;-)
Way to go “Sticky Ears” !!! You get a chance to act in the big film, play Spock for New Voyages… now working on Battlestar!! From video store to special effects.
Godness, greatest, great balls of fire!
I’m happy for you man!
I hope he’s a Vulcan… I’m betting he is.
#27 —
You might have been in this if you applied…There were about 125 extras on set just last week for the Cal State Northridge location shot. You probably would have had a chance to be it it then.
…and to all those complaining about this innocuous news bout Jeff Quinn being in this, I say : SO WHAT!… The guy has a non speaking part. Don’t get yourselves in an uproar over this…it makes you look petty.
I personally have no idea if this will be a great film or not, so I will reserve judgement — however, it seems that the detractors are getting desparate and are looking to put a negative spin on every bit of news that comes out of this production, even harmless information such as this story.
So is this guy related to Senior CNET Editor Kent German?
The two could be twins!
Contratulations to Jeff Quinn, and FWIW I actually rather liked him as Spock, it’ll be weird seeing this new guy (who I found off-putting in the trailer for the next episode again FWIW).
Congrtas my friend! Wish I could have been there as well!
I think the writing on New Voyages has gotten world-class, especially the episodes To Serve All My Days & World Enough And Time. Cawley can still cause a wince now and then with his Elvis-does-Shatner James Kirk, but his acting has improved by leaps and bounds lately.
And the Sulu vignette (Center Seat) was just a blast. Anyone who hasn’t seen it should run to YouTube and watch it NOW!