At the Mission: New York convention in New York City today, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY writers Kirsten Beyer (ongoing Voyager novelist) and Nick Meyer (writer/director of multiple Trek films) took the stage to discuss the new series.
Moderator Jordan Hoffman started the panel by cautioning the audience to keep their expectations in check, as there were to be no major casting announcements, new footage, or other major production announcements – and as the event began, the convention staff announced that no photos (from either fans OR press) would be permitted during the discussion, so that’s why we don’t have any new shots of our own as part of this recap.
Kirsten Beyer and Nicholas Meyer dishing on the new Star Trek: Discovery. #startrekny pic.twitter.com/6h2bPph9ph
— Star Trek: Missions (@startrekmission) September 3, 2016
The lights dimmed, and a new video filmed specifically for this convention began: DISCOVERY show runner Bryan Fuller, along with executive producer Alex Kurtzman, took about three minutes to discuss the legacy of Star Trek, and that the new series is “about the best of what humanity has to offers,” but also that it is time “to modernize Star Trek for modern television.”
Beyer revealed that the very first person she ever pitched a Voyager story to, back years ago, was Bryan Fuller when he was on staff of that show – and she maintained that despite her involvement with DISCOVERY, her commitment to Voyager’s literary future will continue.
Fuller has had “a very specific vision [for the show] since day one,” said Beyer, and that everyone in the writers room is helping to fulfill that vision. “Personally, I’m very enchanted with his vision.”
Regarding the timeline setting – ten years before Kirk’s mission – Nick Meyer spoke positively to the desire to target a previously-unused time in the chronology, where there is “room to maneuver” in regards to Trek canon, without having to involve previously-featured characters from other series.
"@BryanFuller looked & found this opening. That 10 year pre-Kirk thing, it's pretty clever." – Nicholas Meyer pic.twitter.com/DzIXuebBAv
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) September 3, 2016
On Fuller’s now-famous “reimagining” comments, about modernizing Trek for 2017, Nick Meyer commented, “I think all art is a product of its time… we’re talking to scientists. We’re doing the best we can.”
“There are definitely going to be new aliens and interesting life forms as part of the main cast,” Beyer said cryptically, in response to a fan question.
“We have this delicate balancing act, to stay true to what we know [about the look of Star Trek],” Beyer continued, “but now [with today’s technology] we can do so much more.” She and Meyer also talked about the scientific advisers who have been coming to the DISCOVERY writing team to educate them on real science for the Trek universe.
“Most of the research we did at the beginning, watching old episodes,” said Beyer, “was really about getting ourselves grounded in the major events [of the shows],” and additional review work was to get terminology and other Trek jargon up to speed with the staff. Meyer clarified that he was really an “outsider” compared to Trek experts Fuller and Beyer, which contributes to the balance of the team.
"What I bring to it is a grounded, flat-footed, earthbound mentality." – Nicholas Meyer @startrekcbs @NetflixUK pic.twitter.com/yJdvM7omr4
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) September 3, 2016
When asked about the upcoming CBS All Access (and Netflix) streaming plans for the new series, Meyer lamented the days of “appointment television,” where people could get together after the airings of popular programs to discuss the previous day’s show – and that “live-streaming just isn’t for me.”
“The most important part [of the new show] is the optimism of Trek,” Beyer commented, “so rising to the occasion of that – and one that I’m really not worried about at all because it’s a shared vision in the [writers] room.”
“Everyone working on the show wants what you want.” Kirsten Beyer #StarTrekDiscovery pic.twitter.com/S4xfnirrcV
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) September 3, 2016
Hoffman than revealed a bit of news regarding a new role for Kirsten Beyer, who – in addition to writing DISCOVERY and Voyager – will be working with Simon & Schuster and IDW Publishing to create tie-in DISCOVERY comics with IDW’s Mike Johnson and popular Trek novelist David Mack. (When we asked IDW’s group editor Sarah Gaydos about this she said, “I literally can’t say anything about it – but I’m unbelievably excited!”)
Beyer discussed her role, saying this round of tie-in publishing will be created hand-in-hand with the television production, rather than “after the fact” as with most Trek publications, a new tactic for the print wing of Trek. She also noted that for those following the @StarTrekRoom account on Twitter, it’s Bryan Fuller behind the keyboard on that.
Lastly, when begged by a fan to “not screw this up!,” Nick Meyer thought for a moment and said – with no malice – that fans should probably lower expectations a bit, as there will always be disappointment when impossible-to-meet personal standards are set. “With all due respect,” he said, “fans do not know what they want.”
After the panel ended, both Beyer and Meyer came out to the crowd and offered off-stage selfies, autographs, and were kind enough to speak directly with fans – something very unexpected, as Meyer had been anticipated not to have any time for signing during this weekend’s events.
Stay tuned for more STAR TREK: DISCOVERY news as it breaks, right here at TrekCore.