ATROPA is not a Star Trek fan film, nor was it ever intended to be one. In fact, it’s closer to an independent sci-fi film than a fan film. So why am I talking about it here?
Ever since the Star Trek fan film guidelines came out two years ago, armchair quarterbacking fans have suggested than Trek fan filmmakers simply create original sci-fi stories and then go sell them directly to Netflix or some other streaming or on-demand service. They offer this advice with the same casual confidence of telling someone to remember to use brown sugar to make chocolate chip cookies…as though what they’re suggesting is the easiest thing in the world.
It’s not.
And that’s why I’m focusing today’s blog on Atropa, a film by ELI SASICH. In a really fascinating and enlightening audio interview, he taught me a LOT about how things work in the real world of Hollywood for an independent filmmaker trying to break into the industry. If you’re one of those people who thinks it’s a simple thing to make a good film and sell it to Netflix or Hulu or Amazon Prime…this interview is going to open your eyes. (So if you want to keep your eyes closed, don’t listen!)
Visual FX by Tobias Richter (who did the FX for Axanar)
Now, if you absolutely, positively MUST have a Star Trek fan film connection to care about this film, then I’ve actually got one for you! The visual effects for Atropa (and they are STUNNING!) were created by TOBIAS RICHTER of the The Light Works in Cologne, Germany. Tobias has done equally stunning VFX for Star Trek: New Voyages, Renegades, and Axanar.
Here’s a trailer for the 7-episode Atropa miniseries (totaling about 80 minutes):
You can only watch Atropa via the special STUDIO+ app from Vivendi (download it here) on an iPhone or iPad, which is a little frustrating if you prefer watching a TV (or don’t use Apple products). Fortunately, I’ve got an iPhone and was able to use my AppleTV to watch on a big screen TV, and there are other technologies available to get video from your phone or tablet to your television, as well. There is also a monthly subscription of $3.99, but the first month is free. So watch Atropa (and maybe a couple of other series) and then cancel…no big deal.
By the way, Atropa was one of ten finalists in the inaugural edition of Canneseries Digital at the Cannes Film Festival. Although Atropa did not win (that award went to a digital series called Dominos out of Canada), making to the finals is nothing to sneeze at!
And now, here’s an interview with Eli Sasich that I’m certain you’ll enjoy…
