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Chris Bateman's avatar

Do you know when you submitted your spec script, Will...? I mean, which year (and if possible, which month)? I'm mindful that this WAM is coming up, and when it does I'll have no excuse not to have researched the background. 😂

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Will Stape's avatar

'Shadowdance' was submitted Feb 1993 and was purchased in late April - so a fast turn around in the sale process. Bout the same for my DS9 script as well - all of two months total. Berman & Piller's Trek writing offices at Paramount steered a tight ship all things considered. 🖖

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Chris Bateman's avatar

Ah, so you submitted and were signed before the end of season 6 - you really did just slip in before the bar dropped! 😁

Looking forward to watching "Homeward" again... it's a really creative twist on the holodeck malfunction story from a time when all the other writers seem to have given up on finding new ways to make that plot device work. 😉

Chris.

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Will Stape's avatar

Yes, what's wonderful about what Michael Piller did with opening up TNG is how much talent was discovered and how much Trek benefited from it. I'd imagine you know as a fan and in your research, this somewhat sad, jarring truth; time again veteran Hollywood writers would pitch to Star Trek and fail miserably. Often these big names were crushed and left Paramount meetings with nothing but bruised egos.

It takes a knowledgeable writer using their innate talent to properly shape a workable story - also one that doesn't step on previous material and is unique. TNG honed my skills, shaping my way of approaching the story in all my work. Trek's narrative demands provide a uniquely uplifting, motivating creative boost. Piller injected this lovely hypospray into all of us in Trek fandom, also for those of us who were aspiring Hollywood screenwriters/creatives. It often became truly life changing for so many. 🖖

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Chris Bateman's avatar

Great commentary - I might quote some of that in the WAM if there's space (the words run out quit quickly).

All the best!

Chris.

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Will Stape's avatar

Cool - looking forward to it. By the way, did you see my Star Wars BFI piece a few days ago? Was curious as to what you think about Kathleen Kennedy endorsing such a rare showing of the original SW print.

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Chris Bateman's avatar

I did see that, and am very much in favour of showing original prints! ❤

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