That Mass Effect Film Shot In Tempe? It Has A Teaser Trailer! [Video]

Over the weekend, the brains behind the Mass Effect fan film shot at UAT invited the wife and me to come check it out.

While we were there we got to check out the props, catch an early screening of the teaser trailer (below) and generally geek out about cameras, videography, special effects, and video game space operas.

My better half snapped some shots, and fun was had by all:

Jamil Abubakar – 1st AD
Caleb Evans – Writer & Director
Paul DeNigris – Professor
Ty Bitterolf – Grip / Compositor
Jared Oppie – Director of Photography

(I’ll post the rest of the pics on Facebook.)

Here’s the teaser, starring the voice of Shepard, Mark Meer. Enjoy!

I love that he threw the word “scum” in there.

So What Is This “Star Trek Live” Thing Next Sunday Anyway? [Event]

It’s been on the Lightning Octopus Calendar for a while now, and you may have seen billboards for Star Trek Live around the valley, but what-the-trek is it?

Star Trek Live: Starfleet Academy takes the stage next Sunday (Nov 20th) at the Mesa Arts Center.

It calls itself as an “action-packed, interactive  adventure based on one of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time. ... With cutting-edge special effects, audience interaction and on-screen appearances…”

Realizing that could mean almost anything, I decided to look around, see what I could find, and share what I found without being too spoiler-y.

If you’d like to know what you’re getting into before grabbing tickets, here’s what I’ve put together:

Star Trek Live is kinda for kids.

The experience seems to fall in the range of “edu-tainment,” focusing on space sciences and learning about NASA.

I wouldn’t say it’s only for kids – I (shamefully?) admit I’d probably enjoy myself just as a trek-geek.

It’s about an hour long, and very interactive.

The audience is part of the very beginnings of a still-under-construction Starfleet Academy. You’re being oriented as new recruits when an uninvited Romulan decides to crash the party.

::dramatic chipmunk music::

The actors are experienced at improv and interact a lot with the audience, as well as bringing kids on stage to help with science experiments. The last 15min of the show is open for Q&A and the actors answer in character.

Reviews I found have been pretty positive, saying it’s very smart, fun for kids, and surprisingly funny.

Here’s a link to a little video of the performers explaining the experience to a Florida news show, if you want a better idea of what they’re all about.

If anyone else has any insights, please feel free to share.

And if you still need your Trek fix after this, don’t forget that Star Wars vs Star Trek is the Saturday after next. I’ll be moderating!

Star Trek vs Star Wars – Arizona Decides [Event]

Half the fun of being a geek is passionately debating & defending things that aren’t even real.

Let us behold a conversation in the 2009 movie Fanboys, where a Trekkie and a Star Wars fan (both played by kids from that 90′s Judd Apatow show Undeclared) politely discuss Star Trek & Star Wars:

Seth Rogen: I would like to see your Darth Vader take on one Borg drone. And we’ll see who’s laughing then. Am I right?
Jay Baruchel: Darth Vader can put the entire Borg collective in a vice grip with his mind.
Seth Rogen: Uh, Darth Vader has asthma, so name me one Star Trek character with a respiratory disease, ’cause I’m drawing a blank.

And so on…

Itching for a great debate themselves, the NERDS have organized an all-in-good-fun, and most likely lively, debate about things that end in Trek and Wars.

• The cage match will occur at The Royale in Downtown Mesa
• Saturday, November 26th around 1pm.
• Yes, you love both, but just for fun you pick one side and stay true for the afternoon.
• (Or just sit back and watch the chaos.)
• Both sides will have subjects to quickly defend and debate.
• A winning side will be declared.

Sure, it’s kinda apples and oranges here, but that’s never stopped real geeks from drawing their bat’leths and lightsabers.

The Meetup for the event is over here, so get all the extra details if you’re interested.

They’re also looking for some extra moderators and subjects to discuss, if you’re free and interested.