Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
Encyclopedia
Star Trek: Hidden Frontier (HF) was a Star Trek
fan film project. Produced on digital video, the show's sets are almost completely virtual, using a green-screen chroma keyed process to place performers into virtual settings.
The series is set during the era of the Star Trek: The Next Generation
series. Episodes revolve around the starship USS Excelsior, and its home base, Deep Space 12, which is located in the Briar Patch, a region of space introduced in the film Star Trek: Insurrection
.
Hidden Frontier has produced 50 episodes, and focuses on character relationships, including gay and lesbian characters and subplots.
Produced by Rob Caves, Hidden Frontier ran for seven seasons and was produced by volunteers in Southern California. The final episode of the series aired in May 2007. Two new spin-offs, Star Trek: Odyssey
and Star Trek: The Helena Chronicles, also produced by Rob Caves, take place shortly after the end of Hidden Frontier.
, on Deep Space 12, a space station in orbit of the planet Ba'ku. It follows the daily life of several officers serving onboard the station and a few of the ships stationed there. Early in the series, an advanced species, the Grey, are introduced and become the primary villain, with a story arc that spans the entire series. Later, secondary villains are introduced including an Andorian
trader and later the Tholians along with a man named Siroc. Mysterious ancient alien artifacts become a key focus of the series.
The crew interacts with many established species from Star Trek, including Andorians, Ba'ku, Klingons, Romulans, Son'a, and Tzenkethi.
Because of the expense involved in building and storing the sets required for all the locations used in the series, the series is filmed in a spare room of the executive producer's home and utilizes a green screen
matting technique to place actors into "virtual" sets. As a result, there is often a slight green halo around the actors, which some viewers decry, while others apparently have little trouble with. And, while from a technique and technical standpoint the show is behind some other fan films, it shows how far fan film has come in that it is an amateur web based series, with a multi-arc plot and which manages to produce at least six episodes per year, whereas most fan films are either one-offs or are released at a much slower rate.
Because of the risk that the episodes are burnt to DVD and sold, endangering the legal position of the show's producers, most episodes are released in low resolution. At this point only five (originally six) episodes have been released in high quality, those being a special edition of Season 1's fourth episode, "Two Hours," Season 6's premiere and finale, "Countermeasures" and "Her Battle Lanterns Lit," (which is originally released both low and high resolutions, but it has been later regularized into a single regular episode) and also Season 7's premiere, "Heavy Losses" and the two-part series finale.
Several key roles had replacements during the seven year run. The character of Lefler was originally played by Kelly Jamison, but because of work obligations, she had to pass the role on to Joanne Busch. The character of Ro Nevin was originally played by Arthur Bosserman, but he decided to leave the cast after five seasons to pursue professional interests in music. The role was passed to Bobby Rice.
For Seasons 2 and 3, nine episodes were produced each season. The later seasons were reduced to six, as nine episodes were too much work for the volunteer cast and crew. Nonetheless, Season 7, the final season, consists of eight episodes. In Season 6, a short fan-fic author Steve Berman
wrote was adapted for a memorable scene in episode "Vigil."
Hidden Frontiers theme music is taken from the film Galaxy Quest
. Because of the crew's short production schedule and low budget, the music for most of HF's episodes was inherited from Paramount-owned soundtracks (both Star Trek and non-Star Trek), possibly to confine copyright issues to a single studio which generally owns Star Trek properties. Original scores were created for the last four episodes, when several fans of the series, who were also composers, volunteered to create the music.
Season 1
From the ashes of the Dominion War, the Federation meets the Grey, a powerful confederacy of alien races. The U.S.S. Excelsior is assigned to a new starbase, Deep Space 12, which serves to protect the healing planet Ba'ku and the hidden frontier of the mysterious Briar Patch.
Season 2
Conflicts with the Grey escalate as the Excelsior begins to explore the Briar Patch. Old enemies, like the Dominion, resurface and new enemies, like the Orion Syndicate, appear amid ancient mysteries.
Season 3
Deep Space 12 tries to repel a major Grey attack, political tensions rise among galactic powers in the Briar Patch, and a centuries-old antagonist appears at the center of a growing conspiracy.
Season 4
Ancient and powerful artifacts are at the center of new conflicts among the Federation, Cardassians, Bajorans and Tholians in the Briar Patch. The crew of the Excelsior face their own personal tragedies.
Season 5
For five years the Grey have stalked the Federation as Starfleet has plumbed the depths of the Briar Patch, discovering the powerful and ancient tetrahedrons. Meanwhile, the inscrutable Tholians have stepped up their own incursions in the Patch, bringing them to the verge of war with the Federation.
Season 6
The Tholians make their move, and the galaxy will never be the same. New villains emerge, and new threats entangle the crew of the Excelsior in unexpected danger. Episode 6.05 has a scene based on a story written by author Steve Berman
.
Season 7
Thrown into a war with sinister enemies, Starfleet and the members of the fleet attached to Deep Space Twelve fight for the safety of the Briar Patch and Federation. Shrouded by mystery and circled by villains with no remorse, the war is just beginning.
Official websites
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
fan film project. Produced on digital video, the show's sets are almost completely virtual, using a green-screen chroma keyed process to place performers into virtual settings.
The series is set during the era of the Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
series. Episodes revolve around the starship USS Excelsior, and its home base, Deep Space 12, which is located in the Briar Patch, a region of space introduced in the film Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection is a 1998 American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Michael Piller , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise, and the third to feature the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
.
Hidden Frontier has produced 50 episodes, and focuses on character relationships, including gay and lesbian characters and subplots.
Produced by Rob Caves, Hidden Frontier ran for seven seasons and was produced by volunteers in Southern California. The final episode of the series aired in May 2007. Two new spin-offs, Star Trek: Odyssey
Star Trek: Odyssey
Star Trek: Odyssey is a Star Trek fan production from Areakt Productions, the creators of Star Trek: Hidden Frontier. Set after the end of Hidden Frontier, Odyssey follows the USS Odyssey as it struggles to get home from a dangerous mission that has taken it and her crew 2.5 million light years...
and Star Trek: The Helena Chronicles, also produced by Rob Caves, take place shortly after the end of Hidden Frontier.
Plot
Based in the Briar Patch (Tikrit Expanse) introduced in Star Trek: InsurrectionStar Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection is a 1998 American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Michael Piller , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise, and the third to feature the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
, on Deep Space 12, a space station in orbit of the planet Ba'ku. It follows the daily life of several officers serving onboard the station and a few of the ships stationed there. Early in the series, an advanced species, the Grey, are introduced and become the primary villain, with a story arc that spans the entire series. Later, secondary villains are introduced including an Andorian
Andorian
Andorians are a fictional race of humanoid extraterrestrials created by D. C. Fontana for the Star Trek universe. They are native to the icy M-class moon Andoria , which orbits a blue, ringed gas giant. Definitive traits include their blue skin, a pair of cranial antennae, and white hair...
trader and later the Tholians along with a man named Siroc. Mysterious ancient alien artifacts become a key focus of the series.
The crew interacts with many established species from Star Trek, including Andorians, Ba'ku, Klingons, Romulans, Son'a, and Tzenkethi.
Main cast
| Character | Actor(s) | Rank | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Quincy Knapp | David Dial | Rear Admiral | Commander of Deep Space 12 (former Commanding Officer, USS Excelsior) |
| Elizabeth Shelby | Risha Denney | Captain | Commanding Officer (former Executive Officer), USS Excelsior |
| Tolian Naros | Larry LaVerne | Captain | Commanding Officer, USS Helena (formerly Executive Officer, USS Excelsior) |
| Dr. Henglaar | John Whiting | Lieutenant Commander | Chief Medical Officer, USS Excelsior |
| Robin Lefler | Kelly Jamison, Joanne Busch | Commander | Executive Officer (former Chief Engineer), USS Excelsior |
| Matt McCabe | Wayne Webb | Lieutenant | Tactical Officer/Security Chief, USS Excelsior |
| Myra Elbrey | Barbara Clifford | Lieutenant Commander | Counselor, USS Excelsior |
| Ro Nevin | Arthur Bosserman, Bobby Quinn Rice | Lieutenant | Chief Science Officer, USS Excelsior |
| Corey Aster | J.T. Tepnapa | Lieutenant Commander | Chief Engineer (former Assistant Chief Engineer), USS Excelsior |
| Jorian Zen/Dao | Adam Browne | Lieutenant | Tactical Officer, USS Helena (former Helmsman, USS Excelsior) |
Notable recurring characters
| Character | Actor(s) | Rank | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glinn Betras | Rebecca Wood | Glinn, Cardassian military | Renegade Cardassian officer in Siroc's employ |
| Jennifer Cole | Jennifer Cole | Rear Admiral | Commanding Officer, USS Independence |
| James Darwin | Cliff Gardner | Commander | Executive Officer, Deep Space 12 |
| Artim Ibanya | Beau Christian Williams | Ensign | Junior Science Officer, USS Excelsior |
| Joseph Johns | Mike Johns | Commander | Executive Officer, USS Independence |
| Traya Knapp | Crystal Huerta, Noora Hadden, Leanna Spear, Jessica Lyons | None | Admiral Knapp's daughter |
| Korg | Karl Puder | General, Klingon Defense Forces | Commander of Klingon forces in the Briar Patch |
| Malek | Jonathan Connor-Foertsch, John Nelson, Travis Sentell | Gul, Cardassian military | Ambassador to the Federation |
| William Martinez | Anthony Diaz, Dan Crout | Commander | Head of the Grey Research Facility |
| Jason Munoz | Jason Munoz | Lieutenant Commander | Commanding Officer, USS Olympus (former Executive Officer, USS Excelsior) |
| Jenna McFarland | Adrianne Lange, Rebecca Wood | Lieutenant | Helmsman, USS Excelsior |
| Alynna Nechayev | Reneé Huberstock | Admiral | Commander of Operations in the Briar Patch |
| Siroc | Jim Davis | None | Enemy of Tolian Naros, instigator of the Tholian War |
| Milo Surgant | Brandon Stacy, Lorenzo Leonard | Lieutenant | Renegade Starfleet officer in Siroc's employ |
| Vorina | Suzy Kaplan, Julie Anne Gardner | None | Member of the Orion Syndicate in Siroc's employ |
Background information
Star Trek: Hidden Frontier premiered in 2000, an offshoot of the fan series Voyages of the USS Angeles, produced by the Star Trek fan club of that starship name in Southern California, and for legal reasons only circulated among the cast and crew; no copies of the earlier series are available to the public and no reference to the show is even made on the club's web site. Hidden Frontier inherited the setting, Deep Space 12, and several of the characters from the Angeles series, but quickly went on to establish its own identity. Two later HF episodes made use of footage originally shot for Angeles episodes that were never produced.Because of the expense involved in building and storing the sets required for all the locations used in the series, the series is filmed in a spare room of the executive producer's home and utilizes a green screen
Green Screen
The Green Screen international wildlife film festival is held annually in Eckernförde, Germany. The festival shows full-length and short nature documentaries about animals in their natural habitat. It is the only festival of its kind in Germany...
matting technique to place actors into "virtual" sets. As a result, there is often a slight green halo around the actors, which some viewers decry, while others apparently have little trouble with. And, while from a technique and technical standpoint the show is behind some other fan films, it shows how far fan film has come in that it is an amateur web based series, with a multi-arc plot and which manages to produce at least six episodes per year, whereas most fan films are either one-offs or are released at a much slower rate.
Because of the risk that the episodes are burnt to DVD and sold, endangering the legal position of the show's producers, most episodes are released in low resolution. At this point only five (originally six) episodes have been released in high quality, those being a special edition of Season 1's fourth episode, "Two Hours," Season 6's premiere and finale, "Countermeasures" and "Her Battle Lanterns Lit," (which is originally released both low and high resolutions, but it has been later regularized into a single regular episode) and also Season 7's premiere, "Heavy Losses" and the two-part series finale.
Several key roles had replacements during the seven year run. The character of Lefler was originally played by Kelly Jamison, but because of work obligations, she had to pass the role on to Joanne Busch. The character of Ro Nevin was originally played by Arthur Bosserman, but he decided to leave the cast after five seasons to pursue professional interests in music. The role was passed to Bobby Rice.
For Seasons 2 and 3, nine episodes were produced each season. The later seasons were reduced to six, as nine episodes were too much work for the volunteer cast and crew. Nonetheless, Season 7, the final season, consists of eight episodes. In Season 6, a short fan-fic author Steve Berman
Steve Berman
This article is about the writer. For the lawyer, see Steve Berman ; for the Mayor of Gilbert, Arizona see Steven M. Berman.Steve Berman is an American editor, novelist and short story writer.-Biography:...
wrote was adapted for a memorable scene in episode "Vigil."
Hidden Frontiers theme music is taken from the film Galaxy Quest
Galaxy Quest
Galaxy Quest is a 1999 science-fiction comedy parody about a troupe of human actors who defend a group of aliens against an alien warlord. It was directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon. Mark Johnson and Charles Newirth produced the film for DreamWorks, and David...
. Because of the crew's short production schedule and low budget, the music for most of HF's episodes was inherited from Paramount-owned soundtracks (both Star Trek and non-Star Trek), possibly to confine copyright issues to a single studio which generally owns Star Trek properties. Original scores were created for the last four episodes, when several fans of the series, who were also composers, volunteered to create the music.
Connection to Trek canon
- Elizabeth Shelby appeared in the TNGStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
2-parter "The Best Of Both Worlds". She was also featured in the novel series Star Trek: New FrontierStar Trek: New FrontierStar Trek: New Frontier is a Star Trek novel series created by John J. Ordover and Peter David and published by Pocket Books. The idea behind it was to create a Star Trek book series with its own continuity and not one that is purely a reaction to the television shows. Nearly every story of the...
. - Robin Lefler appeared in TNG episodes "Darmok" and "The Game". She was also featured in New Frontier.
- Ro Nevin is the brother of Ro LarenRo LarenRo Laren is a recurring fictional character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, played by Michelle Forbes.Ro Laren was also planned to be a main character in the two following Star Trek television shows, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager...
, who left StarfleetStarfleetIn the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
to join the MaquisMaquis (Star Trek)In the American Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Maquis are a 24th Century paramilitary organization or terrorist group first introduced in the 1994 episode "The Maquis" of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who subsequently also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation and...
. - Captain Mackenzie CalhounMackenzie CalhounMackenzie Calhoun is a fictional character from the Star Trek universe. Created by Peter David, Calhoun is an extraterrestrial from the planet Xenex, and is captain of the Federation starship USS Excalibur....
from New Frontier appears in "Vigil" portrayed by James CawleyJames CawleyJames Cawley is an American executive film producer and actor, known for his assumption of the role Captain James T. Kirk in the fan film series Star Trek: Phase II.-Star Trek: Phase II:...
. His ship, the USS Excalibur, appears briefly in "Perihelion". - Captain Hikaru SuluHikaru SuluHikaru Sulu is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by George Takei in the original Star Trek series, Sulu also appears in the animated Star Trek series, the first six Star Trek movies, one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and in numerous books, comics, and video games...
and the USS ExcelsiorUSS Excelsior (Star Trek)The USS Excelsior is a starship in the Star Trek universe. The Excelsior was first seen in the 1984 film, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. It later appeared in the 1986 film, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home...
appear in "Yesterday's Excelsior". - Wesley CrusherWesley CrusherWesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
appears in "Echoes". - The USS Defiant featured in the TOSStar Trek: The Original SeriesStar Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
episode "The Tholian Web" and EnterpriseStar Trek: EnterpriseStar Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
2-parter "In A Mirror, Darkly" appears in "Voyage Of The Defiant". - Artim Ibanya was introduced in Star Trek: InsurrectionStar Trek: InsurrectionStar Trek: Insurrection is a 1998 American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Michael Piller , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise, and the third to feature the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
. - Corey Aster is the cousin of Jeremy Aster, who appeared in the TNG episode "The Bonding".
- Alynna Nechayev made four appearances in TNG, and two appearances in DS9Star Trek: Deep Space NineStar Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. - Kira NerysKira NerysKira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
appears in "Countermeasures".
Episode listing
For a key to the abbreviations and additional notes, shown thus <1>, see the end of this section. The ratings for "Best of Season" come from a series of polls done on the Hidden Frontier forum in January 2006. A synopsis of each season is included, as well as a first air date, when known.Season 1
From the ashes of the Dominion War, the Federation meets the Grey, a powerful confederacy of alien races. The U.S.S. Excelsior is assigned to a new starbase, Deep Space 12, which serves to protect the healing planet Ba'ku and the hidden frontier of the mysterious Briar Patch.
- HF1.01 – 2000-__-__ "Enemy Unknown, Part 1"
- HF1.02 – 2000-__-__ "Enemy Unknown, Part 2"
- HF1.03 – 2000-__-__ "Enemy Unknown, Part 3"
- HF1.04 – 2000-__-__ "Two Hours"
- HF1.05 – 2000-__-__ "Perihelion" - Voted best of season
- HF1.06 – 2001-04-29 "Echoes"
Season 2
Conflicts with the Grey escalate as the Excelsior begins to explore the Briar Patch. Old enemies, like the Dominion, resurface and new enemies, like the Orion Syndicate, appear amid ancient mysteries.
- HF2.01 – 2001-__-__ "Refugees"
- HF2.02 – 2001-__-__ "Yesterday's Excelsior" - Voted best of season
- HF2.03 – 2001-__-__ "Old Wound"
- HF2.04 – 2001-__-__ "Great Starship Robbery"
- HF2.05 – 2001-__-__ "Encke"
- HF2.06 – 2001-__-__ "To the Stars"
- HF2.07 – 2001-__-__ "Fire in the Heart"
- HF2.08 – 2001-__-__ "Coward's Death"
- HF2.09 – 2001-__-__ "Worst Fears, Part 1"
Season 3
Deep Space 12 tries to repel a major Grey attack, political tensions rise among galactic powers in the Briar Patch, and a centuries-old antagonist appears at the center of a growing conspiracy.
- HF3.01 – 2002-__-__ "Worst Fears, Part 2"
- HF3.02 – 2002-__-__ "Worst Fears, Part 3"
- HF3.03 – 2002-__-__ "Heroes"
- HF3.04 – 2002-__-__ "In Memory Of"
- HF3.05 – 2002-__-__ "Modus Operandi"
- HF3.06 – 2002-__-__ "Santa Q"
- HF3.07 – 2003-__-__ "Ashes"
- HF3.08 – 2003-__-__ "Voyage of the Defiant" - Voted best of season
- HF3.09 – 2003-__-__ "Hell's Gate, Part 1"
Season 4
Ancient and powerful artifacts are at the center of new conflicts among the Federation, Cardassians, Bajorans and Tholians in the Briar Patch. The crew of the Excelsior face their own personal tragedies.
- HF4.01 – 2003-__-__ "Hell's Gate, Part 2"
- HF4.02 – 2003-__-__ "Piracy of the Noble" - Voted best of season
- HF4.03 – 2003-09-11 "Addictions"
- HF4.04 – 2003-10-28 "Grave Matters"
- HF4.05 – 2003-12-03 "Crossroads"
- HF4.06 – 2004-03-26 "Entanglement, Part 1"
Season 5
For five years the Grey have stalked the Federation as Starfleet has plumbed the depths of the Briar Patch, discovering the powerful and ancient tetrahedrons. Meanwhile, the inscrutable Tholians have stepped up their own incursions in the Patch, bringing them to the verge of war with the Federation.
- HF5.01 – 2004-05-02 "Entanglement, Part 2"
- HF5.02 – 2004-06-13 "Imminent Danger"
- HF5.03 – 2004-07-07 "Darkest Night"
- HF5.04 – 2004-08-04 "Security Counsel" - Voted best of season
- HF5.05 – 2004-10-24 "Epitaph"
- HF5.06 – 2004-12-01 "The Battle is Joined"
Season 6
The Tholians make their move, and the galaxy will never be the same. New villains emerge, and new threats entangle the crew of the Excelsior in unexpected danger. Episode 6.05 has a scene based on a story written by author Steve Berman
Steve Berman
This article is about the writer. For the lawyer, see Steve Berman ; for the Mayor of Gilbert, Arizona see Steven M. Berman.Steve Berman is an American editor, novelist and short story writer.-Biography:...
.
- HF6.01 – 2005-02-27 "Countermeasures" - Tied in vote for best overall episode
- HF6.02 – 2005-04-12 "Dancing in the Dark"
- HF6.03 – 2005-06-__ "Homeport"
- HF6.04 – 2005-08-12 "Beachhead"
- HF6.05 – 2005-09-28 "Vigil" - Voted best of season; tied for best overall episode
- HF6.06 – 2005-11-24 "Her Battle Lanterns Lit"
Season 7
Thrown into a war with sinister enemies, Starfleet and the members of the fleet attached to Deep Space Twelve fight for the safety of the Briar Patch and Federation. Shrouded by mystery and circled by villains with no remorse, the war is just beginning.
- HF7.01 – 2006-03-17 "Heavy Losses"
- HF7.02 – 2006-04-29 "Bound"
- HF7.03 – 2006-06-23 "Past Sins"
- HF7.04 – 2006-09-01 "Hearts And Minds"
- HF7.05 – 2006-11-23 "The Widening Gyre" - Music composed by Patrick Vogler
- HF7.06 – 2007-01-19 "Things Fall Apart"
- HF7.07 – 2007-03-17 "The Center Cannot Hold" - Music composed by Dex Craig
- HF7.08 – 2007-05-19 "Its Hour Come Round At Last" (series finale)
External links
Media- 06/18/2006 Mention in New York Times article
- 06/19/2006 Featured on NBC, The Today Show
- 07/07/2006 Featured on National ABC, affiliates and ABC Video on demand.
- 09/06/2006 Featured on BBC.
- LA Times
Official websites
- Star Trek: Hidden Frontier website
- Hidden Frontier/Odyssey/Helena Chronicles series wiki encyclopedia (as a single title, not a series)