"The Monsters Are With Us" -- a Star Trek fan production

[@ronhanks4610]

Awesome story, very well written.

[@Potemkin1711]

One of my personal favorites.

[@Lyraa357]

We are all judged by appearance at first contact. Sadly this has meant war and racial/ religious and gender persecutions throughout our history here on earth. What really jazzes me about watching these movies, is the adherence to the basic idea of Star Trek: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, and every effort put forth to understand and accept each other regardless of the differences. When so much outside my little bubble is heartbreaking, violent and fear fueled, it is refreshing to my soul to keep hope for humanity through the loving display you all continue to give us. Thank you!

[@Potemkin1711]

thank you! we hope you will continue to enjoy our modest efforts and share them with your fellow fans!

[@markbishop9743]

Interesting concept. So many different arcs could be created from this short story. Congratulations another fine episode and you guys did a wonderful job

[@jamesdye4603]

I have been watching Trek in all its incarnations since the beginning, and I have to say that this production is a completely original concept. GR would be proud, I think. Just my two cents.

[@Potemkin1711]

Thank you so much, James. We appreciate your kind words and hope you'll continue to enjoy our offerings!

[@tomcampsvideos]

I really enjoy your episodes. 👍

[@Potemkin1711]

We're glad to hear it!

[@wu3705]

Another excellent episode. I can only imagine what your productions would look like if you had a hollywood budget and hollywood set to film on...but then I don't know if it would have the same appeal...from the short time I have been watching all of your different productions I have grown to enjoy the different actors and the ways each one has engaged the particular character he or she is portraying at the given time. Perhaps some of what my enjoyment in your production comes from the characters and not so much the scenery. Don't tell Hollywood this. Those guys have forgotten character development long ago. Don't get me wrong, I have noticed the better CGI throughout the different timeframes of your productions and it shows for sure. But for those that appreciate a good story you have done well to center your focus on the characters and a good story. Thank you. I find myself still watching your productions...I have a few to go I think!

[@Potemkin1711]

we keep trying to improve all phases of our productions. Look for some changes once the Lexington studio is finished.

[@wu3705]

@@Potemkin1711 Indeed...my apologies if you took my above statement as being critical...you have my utmost compliments throughout your production stages. I can only imagine the difficulties of balancing the costs of the expense of life and full time movie production on a budget as well. I see some of the comments from others and wonder what are these folks thinking...and to be honest...I'm not wealthy by any means but I don't live on a fixed income either. Props, sets, cameras, gas money, food, clothes, make up, electricity, heating, cooling, rent, heck just people's time on a computer editing for a 10 minute video...folks have no idea the hours and logistics that go into it...paint and wood and nails and carpet...not to mention the performers!!!...I guess I should shut the heck up...or maybe not...I don't know...I am just a guy...one that has been around...but hey I might would give you a touch of cheap advice that might help you on your set work if you want if you promise that you won't take it wrong. You seem to have good cameras and your cameras seem to pick up the details that most of your set is made of wood be it plywood panels or simple pine boards. Good cameras will focus and pick out the wood grain under the paint fairly easy...I am OCD, that is my issue and not yours...I am not trying to insult your set work I promise, you guys do awesome work...your cameras do pick up on the drywall screws that you build the set with. Before you paint the boards you might try and cover the screw heads with a cheap small white mail label or round sticker that can be purchased from an office store that can be easily painted over. The trick would be to not press down and cause the sticker to sink in when applying so when you paint it the thing looks more natural. I do follow you on FB. But I am just a simple aircraft mechanic and not a carpenter or producer or anything like that. I wish I was closer to you guys. I could break out the tools and the welder and make you guys a real Klingon dagger! Oh wait...y'all might get hurt with one of those...my bad :D

[@Potemkin1711]

I didn't take your comments as negative. I agreed with them. ;) We have tried hiding the screwheads, but the methods wevevtried don't hold up to the extremes (heat and cold) of the studio temperatures. Again, we're going to see if we get a better result in t hgt e new studio with a different technique. :)

[@wu3705]

@@Potemkin1711 Ok, that's good...I certainly would not want to come off negative on any of your work...I hope to send a couple of dollars your way as soon as I can after the holidays. Maybe I can help with a bucket of paint or something.

[@janetbailey3804]

ANOTHER SUPERB EPISODE FROM THE POTEMKIN, THE AWAY PARTY WAS EXCEPTIONAL, AND T'NOSHI AND THE CREW WERE AT THEIR FINEST, WELL T'NOSHI, THE OTHERS FELL INTO LINE!!!GARY BAILEY KING OF DARKNESS

[@edmclaughlin4923]

So hard for actors to play Vulcans. I'd like to play poker with the Vulkan in the first 22 seconds.

[@Potemkin1711]

T'Noshi is far from the typical Vulcan we have seen in Star Trek.

[@edmclaughlin4923]

OK. Still watching. I assumed. It's tough without complete histories of the crew. I still think anything is spectacular.

[@Potemkin1711]

T'Noshi's first appearances were in Project: Potemkin. She's now a regular cast member in the Starship Tristan creative group.

[@edmclaughlin4923]

Yes, I figured out you are still producing. I will keep on looking. I am really happy.

[@AngelCatBaby]

This is interesting....thank you for this one....HIGH 5

[@deborahcapuano1223]

Did Raven appear in any other episodes? I have this vague memory of seeing her somewhere else -- that blue hair is rather distinctive -- but I just finished going through all the episodes listed on youtube and don't find one involving her, I am sure I remember one where she had a more active role ...or am I just confused?

[@Potemkin1711]

The actress who played Raven played two roles (Security Officer Raven and Security Officer Onyx) in this episode. Alas, Elizabeth lived in Atlanta and didn't appear in any other films of ours.

[@funzjag]

Another entertaining 15 minutes. Thanks! 🖖

[@BillWJr2]

All of your videos have been great. I look forward to each new one you put out. Very entertaining.And I have also come to the conclusion that I've completely fallen for Christin Woods.My Pon Farr must be acting up...

[@quoniam426]

I'm jealous, lol T'Noshi seems to be a much better version of my ex girlfriend...

[@kalajel]

Your ex was a Vulcan?

[@quoniam426]

LOL, of course not, but they have a lot in common, except T'Noshi would have been better, stronger willed and her logic and self control give her an edge in dealing with things. I don't want to offend Christin Woods in any way, though, she has her life and I don"t want fiction to interfere with my private life. I wish her a long life and proeperity. \\//,

[@kellyrayburn4093]

This was a very good episode. My only kick is why didn't T'noshi recommend a mind meld? Of course she would require permission from the ranking officer, and it would have taken the story in a slightly different direction, but there was still drama to be had using that scenario. And before you say, "She would be repulsed by what she saw", remember, she is a Vulcan. She would put her personal feelings on the side to save her captain. Vulcans, unlike humans, don't allow emotions to cloud their judgement.

[@kelsoisdead]

Kelly Rayburn Great Question! When I originally wrote the script back in 2012 it was for the USS Potemkin cast and the first officer was not a telepath. When we went back to update the script to reflect the cast changes prior to filming, and that role fell to T'Noshi, I was very keen that she still come to the solution intellectually rather than falling back on Vulcan mysticism. We could have inserted a scene or throwaway line regarding mind melds, but I didn't feel that it would benefit the story to do so. With a running time under 15 minutes, and with one filming day to complete the story, every line counts! Perhaps T'Noshi would have attempted a mind meld if she had not come to her leap of logic. Or perhaps not. Thank you very much for taking the time to ask the question!

[@kellyrayburn4093]

@@kelsoisdead I understand. The only thing I take exception to is a mind meld being referred to as Mysticism. It's not Mysticism, Vulcan or otherwise. It's simply aligning brainwaves to match the brainwaves of another being that you want to communicate with. Something Vulcans can do but humans cannot.

[@drmayeda1930]

@@kellyrayburn4093 Mind melding with an alien species is going to be the last thing a Vulcan would try since it's regarded as violating the person's privacy. Look how reluctant Spock was to mind meld with the horta.

[@kellyrayburn4093]

@@drmayeda1930I agree she wouldn't take the act of melding minds lightly and would be loathe to do it for the very reason of personal privacy regardless how unaesthetic she found the other being. But unlike the situation Spock found himself in, she has the life of her captain to think about. I think she would say something on the order of, "As distasteful as I find the prospect, I think a mind meld might give the key to communicating with these people and could help us in locating the captain."

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

@@kelsoisdead , I like the way you did by adding depth and critical thinking to T'Nonsi's character. Great job all.around and the mix of drama,philosophy and humor was reminiscent of Trek pre 2009.

[@eldergroan]

the writing on your content is amazing! i'm always so eager for your original concepts and execution! 8D

[@Potemkin1711]

eldergroan Charles Kelso is s great writer.

[@PDXParalegal]

All of your videos are fabulous. I look forward to the next.!!

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

That opening scene was the best hook I've seen in ages. And decently wrapped by the rest of the story too, well done all!

[@Potemkin1711]

Thank you!

[@Jeng4280]

I really REALLY love this Tristan series as well as Potemkin. And I'll have to admit I have a small girl crush on. Christin Woods character T'Noshi. She's very smart, and logical. But she does experience emotions at some point in time. For a fan film this is brilliantly done!

[@Potemkin1711]

Thank you! I attribute all our success to our cast members like Christin Woods and our writers like Charles Kelso. These talented folks help bring all our productions to life. Thank you again!

[@Jeng4280]

That's really awesome. Keep up the good work and keep those vids flowing. I'm anxious to see how this all plays out. Seems like you don't necessarily focus on one story..its all mini stories thrown around. Very fast paced and interesting for me. Makes you think!

[@davideversole9767]

Bravo, guys. Been waiting years to see this story. It was worth it.

[@hespudo]

nice beginning to the story! I was hooked. it's interesting to know that even as we search for other intellegent life out there, just how we will communicate with them will be interesting. (it's not as if they will speak English ) you guys bring up a good point about communication with others.

[@rtpoe]

I want to know what happened on Gaspar 7, and how you can "almost inhale" a Crown Prince!

[@Potemkin1711]

rtpoe The planet's inhabitants are gaseous beings. ;)

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

Starfleet would have reprimanded the guy in the yellow shirt in the opening sequence. It looks like he ironed his shirt with a hot rock! Come on guys! I know this is a fan production, but that doesn't mean you can just be lazy and not care about the little things, like having a uniform that looks half ways presentable!

[@Potemkin1711]

P Toth Tristan is a delivery ship with a rather laid back captain. If he chooses to be lax on regulations, it's his decision, not Starfleet's.

[@AvaByNight]

Whooo, New Episode. erm... I mean film :D

[@JM1701ABCD]

What happened to that video of you all during the Lexington days when you went to the video store for the Star Trek DVD launch?

[@Potemkin1711]

Wrong production group. Sorry! We were in Albany, Georgia, doing Project: Potemkin back then. Some of their cast joined ours.

[@hespudo]

just wanted to add that I'm looking forward to the day paramount comes to its senses and let's people like you consult on star trek projects, you have more original storyline and characters, which is what I feel Gene Roddenberry universe should really be. keep up the excellent work!

[@Potemkin1711]

Thanks! We're just having fun telling what we hope are entertaining stories, sometimes with a message. The fact that so many people enjoy our missions is all the reward we need. ;)

[@vincepurpura8905]

Back in the 60's, when Gene Roddenberry created the Klingons, he based them on humans of the time.

[@JB-ym4up]

yay! another episode from Potemkin studio.

[@DMSProduktions]

Ya did it again! * * * * *