The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast

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8-20 Star Trek season 3 writers memo - 1968 Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Star Trek producer Fred Freiberger gives Gene Roddenberry an update on scripts for the 1968 season of Star Trek. What's revealed is just as relevant to production today, and we welcome back Assistant Director and longtime Trek insider Michael DeMeritt to shed some light behind the scenes.

See the original document: Star Trek season 3 writers memo - 1968

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-19 Makeup supplies memo - 1967-1968 Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

A detailed budget and a memo from Star Trek producer Bob Justman spell out the very real need to keep on top of production expenses when it came to makeup supplies on TOS. We welcome back Michael Westmore to talk about keeping the ship running and what actors actually steal from the set.

See the original document: Makeup supplies memo - 1967-1968

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-18 "In Essence, Nothing" deal memo - 1968 Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

"The Tholian Web" started its life as a pitch called "In Essence, Nothing" by Judy Burns. Hear the story of what really motivated pitching to Star Trek when Judy herself joins The Trek Files today to discuss her work on the series!

See the original document: 'In Essence, Nothing' deal memo - 1968

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-17 From the Bridge - "Gene's Back" - May 1987 May 31, 2022

Show notes

The man behind some of the most beloved sci-fi/fantasy magazines, Kerry O'Quinn, drops by The Trek Files one more time to share his view "From the Bridge" as well as some personal tales of his time with Gene Roddenberry.

See the original document: From the Bridge - 'Gene's Back' - May 1987

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-16 Tests for Make-Up/Hair/Wardrobe - May 12, 1987 May 24, 2022

Show notes

Should Data be grey or bubblegum pink? This was just one decision to be made before Star Trek: The Next Generation went before the cameras. Hollywood make-up legend Michael Westmore joins The Trek Files to discuss the earliest days of defining the look of TNG's characters.

See the original document: Tests for Make-Up/Hair/Wardrobe - May 12, 1987

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-15 Letter from David Houston to Gene Roddenberry - 1975 May 17, 2022

Show notes

From soap operas to Star Trek, hear the origin story of one of the most important sci-fi publications of the 20th century: Starlog! We welcome publisher Kerry O'Quinn to talk about the letter to Gene Roddenberry that kicked off a publishing empire.

See the original document: Letter from David Houston to Gene Roddenberry - 1975

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-14 More Aliens in Lead Roles memo - 1989 May 10, 2022

Show notes

A simple memo from Gene Roddenberry prior to Star Trek: TNG's third season says so much. Is the show being too "parochial" in elevating humans over aliens? We welcome Syfy Sistas host Fran Taylor bak to The Trek Files to discuss diversity in Star Trek then and now.

See the original document: More Aliens in Lead Roles memo - 1989

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-13 Fan letter to Michael Eisner - 1978 May 03, 2022

Show notes

Fan mail to Star Trek often went to Gene Roddenberry, but in this letter from 1978, a dedicated adult Trekker shares her opinions on what a new Trek movie or series could be with the studio head who was writing the checks. John Champion joins The Trek Files for this week's discussion.

See the original document: Fan letter to Michael Eisner - 1978

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-12 Letter from Rear Admiral Miller - 1968 Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

An exchange between Rear Admiral H.L. Miller and Gene Roddenberry speaks to the connection between the armed services and Star Trek. We welcome Paramount executive Dave Rossi back to The Trek Files to share some stories about that special link behind the scenes.

See the original document: Letter from Rear Admiral Miller - 1968

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

8-11 Creative Concept Notes - 1986 Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

In the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gene Roddenberry sent very few memos. In this rare document, he shares specific thoughts on many aspects that set TNG apart from its predecessor and still resonate to new Star Trek series today.

See the original document: Creative Concept Notes - 1986 part 1

The Trek Files Season 8 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

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