Star Trek: "The Doomsday Machine" (Part 3 of 8 - Test #1)

This video is my "reimagining" of the visual effects from the classic 1967 "Star Trek" episode "The Doomsday Machine". I am the sole creator of all of the models and images you see in the revised visual effects sequences.

I started this project way back in 2005, long before Paramount and CBS Home Video got the bright idea in their heads to remaster the original series in high definition and with new CGI effects. Well, that project, which involved 79 episodes (eighty if you count "The Cage" pilot episode) has started and finished (and they did a great job!) in the time it's taken me to get not quite halfway through one episode. Admittedly, I picked what is arguably the most effects-heavy episode in the original series, and they had a small platoon of people working around the clock, whereas I'm one amateur hobbyist working in his scattered free time... but still--five years??!

What you're viewing in this clip is an assembly of visual effects footage in various states of completion. The opener to Act II with the Enterprise sailing through the debris field is complete but for a planned re-rendering of the planet killer--I tweaked the model's textures after I released test footage last month, and now it doesn't match the appearance of the machine in the following scene. Speaking of which... the following sequence where the planet killer opens fire on the Enterprise is semi-complete; there are about 20,000 more asteroids and the glowy blue dust cloud that still need to be added, and I may re-render the planet killer itself to give a better angle on the antiproton beam effect. The rest of the visual effects from that point forward are old shots from my March 2008 attempt to complete this episode. I haven't shown this footage to hardly anyone until today, so I hope it's of interest for--if nothing else--comparison purposes with the visual effects that will eventually replace them in 2010.

So! I hope you enjoy my take on part 3 of this classic episode of "Star Trek". You can find part 2 by following this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a73eE9d0ve8

Hopefully the final version of part 3 and parts 4 through 8 will see the light of day in 2010! Visit my website at http://www.scottgammans.com to watch "work in progress" videos as I post them on my blog, and thanks in advance for your feedback!

PLEASE NOTE: This presentation is not endorsed by CBS Studios Inc. or Paramount Pictures Corporation and should not be confused with the official Star Trek: Remastered episodes syndicated by CBS Television Distribution and available on Blu-Ray and DVD from CBS Studios Inc. (Be sure to buy the Blu-Ray season box sets. They are totally awesome!)

This presentation is a reimagining of the original visual effects from the classic 1967 Star Trek episode "The Doomsday Machine". This performance is being presented strictly for free, private, in-home entertainment purposes only.

"Star Trek" and various related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. No infringement on the copyrights, trademarks or intellectual property rights of CBS Studios Inc. or Paramount Pictures Corporation is implied or intended. Live action footage and background music is from the 1967 "Star Trek" episode "The Doomsday Machine" and is copyright (c) 1967/2009 CBS Studios Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation.

It is ILLEGAL to sell, rent, or show this video performance in a for-profit public venue. If you paid for a video disc, tape or other media containing this presentation or paid to view this performance, please report it at www.scottgammans.com.

Thanks... and enjoy the show.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Star Trek
• The Doomsday Machine
• planet killer
• USS Enterprise
• USS Constellation
• remastered
• CGI
• visual effects

[tkgsingsct]

I'm a die-hard Trekkie from 'way back -- and I think your work is really stunning - way to go!

[PortVienna80]

0:27 That was close, Sulu's one helluva pilot! Just watched the first two parts,and I must say, you've done an excellent job on this classic episode.

[bovb902]

god damnit a 4 beam laser?

[kjkdbq]

I like to know where part 4-8 are

[lozman67]

Never been much of a Trekkie myself, but the ingenuity of the fans with their fan made films is stunning.. love the additions on this vid!

[EnlightenedRogue]

This was my favorite Trek episode and there is alot of unedited footage in this sequence. Growing up watching these in the 70's on WPIX, the station paired down the episodes to 44 minutes and it really took away from the plot line. Later on they were restored to a point but I guess now everything from the original edits should be on the DVDs. I sohuld just cave in and buy the whole set.

[FeignofCordor]

Why is there no part 4?

[hasablad69]

4:00 - The USS Constellation's logo was - - - - A PRETZEL!?!

[CatKnight1]

Excellent opening graphics: The Enterprise dodges and weaves through the asteroid field, while the Machine goes THROUGH it. It really displays their relative strengths without saying a word.

[antimony11]

sooo good....like the Enterprise's tail-lights at 7:35. Enhancements are pure dope!

[Setebos]

@cleekmaker00 -- no problem. I was thinking that, if I was serving on a starship, and I saw that sort of expression on my commanding officer's face, then I'd be quietly thinking that it was time to closely inspect the escape pods.