"Empyrean" -- a Star Trek fan production

When the Starship Caliborn is on a dangerous rescue mission by the Empyrean Nebula, Dr. Saorise Byrne is confronted with an obstacle that will change her entire life. At the edge of experience, a new journey begins…
Starring Billy Swanson as Captain Robert Hawkins, Daniel Rhodes as Chief Engineer Luneieschek, Laura Johnson as Tactical Officer Edda Jax, Mat Acra as Science Officer Taer, Miriam Hall as Navigator Reya Cochran, Andrew Ortwein as Helm Officer Carter, and Sarah Holton as Medical Officer Saorise Byrne. Guest starring Donovan Franklin as Lieutenant Ellen Ramirez. Featuring Erika Emrick.
Written by Billy Swanson. Directed by Robin Kunkel. Edited by Andrew Ortwein. Visual effects by Ross Trowbridge and Andrew Ortwein. Model by David Metlesits. Art by Ali Ries. Set art and effects by Steve Gallant and Alexander Richardson. Sound by Andrew Ortwein. Makeup by Donovan Franklin, Sarah Holton, and Daniel Rhodes. Props by Randall Landers and Carl Marchese. Music: "Night Vigil" by Kevin MacLeod, "Night Attack" by Rafael Krux, and "Go On Without Me" by Bryan Teoh. Caliborn theme by JCR Miller.
Associate Producers: Michael Day, Kevin Palm, Ross Trowbridge. Producers: Robin Kunkel, Billy Swanson, and Sarah Holton. Co-Executive Producers: Rick Foxx and Andrew Ortwein. Executive Producer: Randall Landers.
Filmed at Studio 4, Potemkin Pictures, Lexington, Kentucky.
Produced in 2023 by the Starship Caliborn Creative Group.
Presented by Potemkin Pictures
C04

[@silvereagle2061]

Wow, you actually got me to tear up on this one.

[@AndrewOrtwein]

You are not alone here on that one

[@eldergroan]

WOW - very deep; true Trek!

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Everyone has their own Trek, but mine is definitely the deep kind that can be cerebral and/or emotional, tackling difficult issues. Glad you liked it!

[@ddmyers8361]

Every well put together story actors well wonderful truely brought characters to live and an over great job in front and behind the camera tks for sharing with us all.

[@HeyitsHilda]

Doc deserves all the wine in the galaxy 💕

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Amen to that!

[@joshuairwin2016]

Some exceptional work on this one! I think the digital set/green screen work was excellent! A powerful and poignant story. Sarah Holton portrayed Dr. Byrne in a very believable and moving way. And Billy Swanson is doing a suburb job playing a more serious military style Captain. Great job too on the writing!

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Thank you! Using green screens and set extensions to bring a story to life, in a non-distracting way, is one of my favorite things about post-production. It's such a source of dopamine for me. Doesn't hurt that the story, acting, and direction are all so wonderful that I just have the best building blocks to work with.

[@thecopycat7153]

Oh and by the way very good job on the special effects,so cool!!!!!!

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Thank you! One of my favorite puzzles in editing is adding subtle effects to enhance the story without distraction. Seems like a never-ending endeavor, but I feel like we hit a good spot with this one. Ross's space scenes were absolutely gorgeous!

[@calanon534]

VERY well done! Bravo.

[@ronhanks4610]

Excellent work well done to all involved 👍

[@wernerlouderback6796]

Great writing Billy 📖✍😀👍

[@AndrewOrtwein]

This x 1000

[@GeorgeKayaian]

Well written and performed. An excellent episode in front and behind the camera. Congrats to all!

[@thecopycat7153]

I agree 💯 percent with you on that!!!!

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Thank you! It's great to be a part of this crew.

[@Reziac]

Lot of story packed into just a few minutes. Very good. Also, pretty impressed with the acting and direction.

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Billy, Sarah, Donovan, and all the actors really shined here and Robin's attentive direction pulled the best out of them. I actually felt kind of awestruck on set that day.

[@Reziac]

@@AndrewOrtwein Yeah, the timing and really _feeling_ the script were just outstanding.

[@michaelaldredge-greenwell1692]

So beautifully written & acted!! Such grace, beauty, thoughtfulness, nobility, immense kindness coming from each character!! This broke my heart!! I’m tearing up right now! Silly, invisible, silent, onion-cutting ninjas!! This hit me…right in the feels. The amazing cast & crew have, yet again, gone above and beyond in letting us all see into our beloved characters’ daily lives; it’s so real…it’s actually like we’re actually there with the crew!! Thank you for such amazing work. So very poignant, gentle, heartfelt, beautiful, thoughtful!! More please

[@AndrewOrtwein]

I should have replied to this a long time ago. Michael, thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful comment. I'm absolutely delighted that our short little film moved you. It means so much to me (and I believe everyone else involved) that the love we put into this could connect with others in this way.

[@michaelaldredge-greenwell1692]

@@AndrewOrtwein Oh, you’re most welcome, my friend!!

[@ryanc5572]

Grateful for another Caliborn story. This one was sad... very heart-felt. Cheers everyone.

[@AndrewOrtwein]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Raymar3d]

Nice work :)

[@terryrose4804]

Well done. 🖖

[@JB-ym4up]

🖖

[@deathtone1614]

Nice

[@andytay5507]

So good! Thanks! I consider myself a tough guy, but about 4 min. in i was starting to tear up. How emotive! Great acting! Btw, is Edda Jax related to Jadzia and Ezri?

[@AndrewOrtwein]

THANK YOU! This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I honestly knew from the very first take that this one would strike a chord with people and I'm so happy that it came through that way. I must have watched that last scene 100 times while editing and yet it still causes me to tear up.

[@MarvelX42]

Really interesting ship design. Is there a name for it? Is it in any other media or original to this series?

[@beren225]

It is an Abbè Class Cruiser

[@ChristinaMoore79]

A poignant episode. Well done Caliborn team.

[@user-dr7bx3uo6z]

Not excited about these fan productions. Too short and too cerebral...

[@terryrose4804]

Thank you 1965 NBC executive.

[@andytay5507]

​@@terryrose4804And as Capt. Kirk said: 'Oh my'.

[@cwtnc]

This one struck me as emotive as opposed to cerebral/heavy narrative, but it was a really effective short story. How do medics deal with grief? I guess we fans react to these stories in different ways of course.

[@Potemkin1711]

i really dont know what to make of this statement. i think the responses from others will have to suffice.

[@grahamturner1290]

🖖