Hidden Frontier Productions Issue 1 by Richard Miles

It's been an exciting start to 2010 at Hidden Frontier! We hit the ground running the first weekend in January with the first filming on Season 3 of Star Trek: Odyssey. The 3rd season will combine the Helena Chronicles and Odyssey together as one show. This will allow us to explore the plots together and make for an exciting build up to the conclusion of the story. Meanwhile we began releasing the first season of our original show, Frontier Guard in late January and one episode is being released each week for 11 weeks. The show follows Connor Blake as he adjusts to life in the 25th century and tries to uncover his mysterious past. Work continues on our audio dramas, Federation One, Henglaar MD and Grissom, as well as our newest audio drama, Voyages of the USS Angeles. Originally a video series, the audio episodes pick up with season 2. Season 1 is available on Vimeo and the original pilot movie is being restored for release in a few months. As always, we invite everyone to join us on the forums and for our weekly Monday Night Chats. We hope you enjoy the HFP Magazine! Rob

Special Thanks: Interviewees: Heather Ashleigh; Ryder Bach; Corey Jones; Julia Morizawa; Melodee M. Spevack; Sean Paul Teeling. Writers: Rob Caves; Brian Childers; Gerri Donaldson; Bodo Hartwig; Richard Miles; Eugenia Stopyra. Staff: Writers: Rob Caves; Brian Childers; Gerri Donaldson; Bodo Hartwig; Richard Miles; Eugenia Stopyra. Head Writers; Gerri Donaldson; Eugenia Stopyra. Graphics: Richard Miles LA Liaison: Rob Caves Assistant Editor: Heather Ashleigh Editor: Richard Miles Managing Editor: Rob Caves. Production Companies: Hidden Frontier Productions and TC Productions Issue available to download and view online via: trekkiecentralmagazine.mfbiz.com Frontier Guard remains the property of Hidden Frontier Productions. Star Trek remains the property of CBS, no infringement is intended.

Corey Jones Interview

Heather Ashleigh Interview

Ships FGS Polaris

The Trading Post

Character Bios: Blake, Campbell, Pills

Ships FGS Enterprise Julia Morizawa Interview

15 16

Ships FGS Timmerson

Ryder Bach Interview

Character Bios Warrick, Strayteb, Sobel

Ships Copermicus Academy

Melodee Spevack Interview

Ships FGS Gallant Character Bios Tawn, Gribb, Kellogg

Zisser, Costas, Johnson

Johnson, Poulson

Audio Insider By Bodo Hartwig

Sean Paul Teeling Interview

Staff

HFP: How did you become involved with Frontier Guard? CJ: My manager got me the audition and I went in doing the best I could. When I got the call back I was honestly surprised I felt confident in my audition but not sure enough to say that I would have been called back... Cool fact is that I was actually being considered for both roles of Connor Blake AND his rival, Kasper Gribb HFP: How is your character involved with the storyline? CJ: My character Connor Blake is only a part to the whole Frontier Guard puzzle. All the other pieces and characters really solidify the story line but I'm just that one piece that is always at the end that you need to finish the puzzle. Connor is a significant part because of his history with the Ark and the fact that he has been apart of the Ark for these 500 years and in his cryogenic state was actually picking things up that he doesn't even know he had been learning. HFP: Can you give us some information about your characters past. CJ: I was in a boy scout-like organization with my dad and lived in Northern California. I wanted to play baseball because all the kids were talking about it in school but when I tried out I found out that I really wasn't all that good so I just said no... my dad tried to encourage me to do it and stick with it and to really give it my all but...I just wanted to do my own thing and try something new... so we got into the scouts and I found that learning about my surroundings and going on small adventures was something I absolutely loved it. Of course when Tom Corbett came on the air I did nothing but GLUE my eyes to the television wondering what it would really be like and how badly I just wanted to get up there and discover a whole new type of life and life style. Along with what kind of life I could find or ... what a space rock looked like... I just loved the thought and well ... when I came to be and came out of the cryo chamber... things were really cool at first but you can kinda say it was a burst of my bubble... everything around me I was still interested in but when I would discover something new... no one cared... it was all known to them and it was old news.... REALLY old news in fact. But my future is looking bright... and I can’t wait to see what I actually can discover to make peoples heads turn and go... wow we never knew that!!! and apart of that plan I feel... involves me

HFP: Where would you like to see your character taken during Frontier Guard? CJ: To his dreams of becoming an astronaut that discovers new and unusual things in the universe. Every kid deserves to have at least one dream come true HFP: How do you prepare for the role of Connor Blake? CJ: The day before the shoot I wake up in his mind frame... I work in his mind frame and then sleep in his mind frame... then on top of that incorporate all that he stands for... my dreams and aspirations and then go over the lines before bed time... although even for the lines there is a lot of time before then that goes into just getting those down. I take time out of EVERY day I have just to get them ironed into my head so when they come from me... they come from Connor HFP: How do you see the character you play? CJ: As an actor I'm encouraged not to answer that question actually because it will lead to bad acting

HFP: There is a friction between your character and some of the other cadets on the Polaris, why do you think this is, and would you like to see this change?

HFP: Is there anything else you can tell us about the character?

CJ: The only real friction I have is with Kasper... he’s a pain in my... well yeah I just don’t like him. Just because he’s good at sports and can have super human strength and all that doesn't mean that he's all that important.... trust me take an IQ test on the boy and you will find that brawn definitely wins out in his "blood line"... Half the time he's got cheat codes implanted in this eye piece and others he just blatantly has the answers to... and all because of his connection with his father and the Guard... I hope it can change but he’s going to have to prove himself to me that he's not a complete muscle head...

CJ: I (Connor) just want everyone to know that I’m just a kid... really nothing more.... I deal with problems that go on in life like relationships schooling and now the Frontier Guard. Things come up every now and then but it’s hard to be one of the ONLY one of your kind. I thought racism wasn't all that bad when I was younger. Now I definitely know the difference. I just want to fit in, even though I know that's not going to happen.~

HFP: How did you become involved with Frontier Guard? HA: It was a combination of things. I think mostly I got put into the show because I was there doing other projects and make-up. So the production crew just sort of put me into the show. But I did have to audition for my role to be sure I totally fit it, which I, obviously, did. Hehe, but there’s not much else to tell other than that. Okay, next question! HFP: How is your character involved with the storyline? She’s on of the cadets in the academy. She’s the one no one’s quite sure of. The other cadets aren’t sure whether to love her, or hate her. But they definitely think she’s strange. Gee…wonder why? Hehe…. HFP: Your character carries a stuffed Otter about why is this? HA: Haha, ok so THIS is why everyone thinks she’s strange. Why does she carry an otter around? That’s a good question…..Pills is very childlike in a lot of ways. She’s emotionally and mentally young for the most part. So having the otter is like her security blanket. Just like my son Jayden, for example. He carries around a stuffed monkey I bought for him. He LOVES that thing and Pills is exactly that way. She’s very naïve that way. HFP: What can you tell us about your character? HA: You mean besides what I just said? Hehe…she’s a mix of Hermione Granger and Elle Woods. She’s definitely….well….blond. Yet she’s EXTREMELY smart. And to know her outside of class you’d never know she was that smart. Things come out of her mouth that you would never expect her to know, and yet she not only knows what she’s talking about, she’s able to put it into use! There’s definitely more to her than meets the eye…even to more than what I just said. Pills has a dark past with her parents dying when she was 12 and having to live her life without them. That situation has made her that life can be taken out from under you at any time, and therefore she tries to make the best of each situation she’s in. She’s consistently happy, which makes everyone else sick, but that’s how she views things. She’s taking everything as a blessing because she’s lost the two most important people in her life. And the only person she has left is the otter….is it any wonder she talks to him? Hehe…. HFP: Where would you like to see your character taken? HA: I’d love to, at some point, see the dark side of Pills come out. Like I said, she hasn’t gotten angry so far. So I’d love to see a dark side of her come out. Because then people will know what she’s really made of. Plus I’d love some of the secrets of her past to start slowly unfolding too…and to figure out why it is that she picked an OTTER of all the animals she could pick! Lol….

HFP: How do you prepare for playing Gladys Pills? HA: I channel my inner blond….seriously! I have this amazingly natural ability to be a dumb blond (wonder why?!?!?!). And so I just channel that and there you go! Haha….

HFP: Can you give us some information about your characters past.

HFP: Is there anything else you can tell us?

HA: Okay, I need to read these interview questions a bit more carefully. Haha. Umm, well, like I said, her parents died when she was 12. They were murdered and she’s been on her own ever since. It’s not been made 100% clear to me in the actual storyline if she’s been bounced back and forth from foster home to foster home, but that’s the decision I made for her. That she’s so extremely happy because she’s has such a hard life up until now.

HA: Right now, that’s all we’ve got on Pills. It seems to be a lot, but there is definitely more in the making. So stay tuned! ☺~

FGS Polaris Class: Pathfinder Class Combat Scout

The last known example of the Pathfinder Class of Combat Scouts, the Polaris is perhaps one of the oldest - if not the oldest - commissioned vessel in the service of the Frontier Guard. Long pulled from active duty, this vessel serves as one of the training ships at the Copernicus Academy orbiting Luna. As the oldest known vessel in the Guard, the Polaris has a long and storied history. Many of its systems are antiquated to the point of being obsolete, other systems seem to have a mind of their own, when they work at all, and rumors abound that the old vessel is alternately cursed, haunted, or both Many of the cadets who are assigned to the Polaris deride the old scout, and consider it an assignment for the worst cadets at Copernicus Academy, one that is sure to doom their chances of making it in the Frontier Guard, if indeed they make to graduation at all! For all of these things, however, the old girl has withstood the test of time through its continued service to the Guard. It is perhaps a mute testament to the Polaris that, despite attempts to have the old scout finally stricken from service and sent to the junkyard, she still serves the Frontier Guard helping to train new cadets to this day, even if some of those cadets would rather be anywhere else. The reasons for her continued survival of decommissioning attempts remains perhaps one of the most speculated mysteries about her. A LOOK AT THE SHIPS BY BRIAN CHILDERS

"It's a scrapheap, only the worst cadets are assigned to it."

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The Ringer T has made a fashion comeback, and ours is a popular favorite. This classic style is sure to impress even the most discerning t-shirt connoisseur with an eye for retro-coolness. Great for relaxing in comfort yearround.

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Give any room futuristic flair with this colorful poster! Perfect for dressing up any wall, this is the perfect size for maximum visual impact, or instantly creating a theme for a room. Images look great on this high-quality poster, printed on heavyweight 7 mil semi-gloss paper using superior dye inks. Treat yourself or give as a gift.

Elegant Tile Coaster, let the cadets guard your drink! Liven up any room or party with our fun, hip tile coasters, measuring 4.25â&#x20AC;? x 4.25â&#x20AC;? and 1/6-inch thick. Images are applied with a polyester resin that accepts dye as part of the coating. Four felt pads protect your furniture from scratches. Dishwasher safe. Not for use with abrasive cups and mugs.

Connor Blake

Connor son of Dr Jason Blake, a prominent scientist on the Ark Research Project was abducted in 1957 from the planet Earth and frozen in stasis for 500 years. Now at 17 biological years he takes a position as a cadet 4th class with the Frontier Guard on Copernicus Station. Blake has not come to the academy with a perfect reputation he is known for his anti-social behaviour, his lack of diligence with assignments and disruptive outbursts. He has had to overcome many obstacles to get where he is today. Blake wants to present himself as a diligent student and says that his father has taught him to study hard, respect his instructors and to work as part of a team. Blake believes his father is proud of him no matter what he does. But, it remains to be seen if Blake can overcome his reputation and succeed! Is there more to this youth than we know? Will he live up to his reputation, overcome his origins and prove worthy of the Frontier Guard? Who is Connor Blake or should we say “Johnson”? Why is he here and will we find that out?

Zyta of Human and Antarian origin is a laid back kinda girl. Seemingly not phased when more senior officers are around and not ready to jump before being asked! At 17 she seems to have typical teenager woes and she is more concerned with her relationship than the excitement of being a cadet 4th class with the Frontier Guard on Copernicus Station. She seems to make outlandish statements, is this because she is attention seeking? However, it seems that she has compassion when she knows that others have had it “tough”. Already in the short time that she has been on the station she has well developed friendships. Will this skill be translated into an ability to command or is she just too laid back?

Another new 4th class cadet of the Frontier Guard, Gladys seems to be a girl searching for something. Gladys has an interest in the occult and uses Tarot Cards to predict the future! Is she seeking out what will happen to her in the future? Does she believe that she can foretell it? Will it be bring her happiness and joy or will it bring her more suffering? Gladys lost her parents at the age of 12 and even though she is 17 years old she still seems to be “young”. She has a security blanket in the form of “Mr Otter” who she freely talks too and interacts with. Is Gladys ready for the Guard or will this be too much for her? Or, will the trials that she has already gone through in her younger days mean that really she is stronger than she appears?

FGS Enterprise Class: Alliance Class Command Carrier.

If the Trident Class cruiser is the Apex of the typical commanding officer in the Frontier Guard, then only the truly exceptional are honored with command of the massive Alliance Class Carriers. These enormous ships are the flagships of Frontier Guard fleet operations, capable of coordinating the strategic and tactical actions of dozens of Frontier Guard ships simultaneously, and projecting power via their complements of Peacemaker and Peacekeeper fighters, as well as support craft like the Achilles. In years past, Guard pilots took to space in fighters and fighter/bombers to engage enemy vessels and those enemies own fighter screens, or to attack installations and surface targets. In the modern era, however, most fighters are flown as drones, their pilot operators safely aboard a carrier like the Enterprise, aboard a capital ship, or space stations. The fighter's telepresence control links allow nearly instantaneous responses within a large range, and allow these fighters to perform manoeuvres that would put a living pilot at risk from both the GForces of the manoeuvre itself and from enemy firepower. However, all current Frontier Guard fighters still maintain an integral cockpit, and all Guard fighter pilots are trained to pilot their craft personally and keep those skills honed should combat come, once again, down to pilot against pilot. The Peacemaker is the Frontier Guard's premiere single seat interceptor fighter, designed for fleet defence operations against enemy sub capitals and other fighter craft, fast, agile, and capable of operations within space and a planetary atmosphere, the Peacemaker is one of the hottest fighters a pilot can dream of. The Peacekeeper is the Peacemaker's bigger cousin, designed for the role of fighter/bomber. Crewed by two, this rugged ship can carry ordnance that makes them a deadly threat to any subcapital ship or installation, and can even threaten a full-size capital ship under the right circumstances. An older fighter, the Peacekeeper is now also largely flown as a telepresence drone by its pilots, who have come to love the toughness of this machine. The FGS Enterprise is commanded by one of the most storied Frontier Guard commanding officers of all time, Admiral Diadem Gribb.

HFP: How did you become involved with Frontier Guard? JM: I first became involved with Rob Caves and Hidden Frontier Productions in 2003. I auditioned after submitting through Backstage West and landed the role of S’Tal in “Star Trek: Hidden Frontier.” I was brought in for several episodes until its series finale in 2007. Then I was immediately asked to play the role of Stadi in “Star Trek: Odyssey,” whom I’ve continued to portray over the last couple of years. Hidden Frontier Productions began talking about the development of “Frontier Guard” about the same time and I immediately expressed interest in auditioning for a role. I was excited about the possibility of being involved in an original series with the company because I’ve always believed that they do such amazing work but were inevitably stuck under a glass ceiling simply because of the legal barriers of using “Star Trek” concepts. Finally, at the beginning of 2009, “Frontier Guard” was ready to begin casting. I was brought in for a screen test for the role of Zyta and I didn’t hesitate to accept the role when it was offered to me. HFP: How is your character involved with the storyline? JM: The character of Zyta is still in the very early stages of development. So far, in the storyline, she serves as one of Connor’s friends or sidekicks. She supports his development by simply being on “his side” in every episode (at least so far). However, she has the potential to create problems and obstacles as well because of her constant need for attention, especially from boys. Hopefully we’ll see more complexity from her as the storyline progresses. After all, everyone has secrets. HFP: How does your character Zyta, compare with your other HFP characters, Stadi and S’Tal? JM: I think Zyta is much more similar to Stadi, based purely on the rumour that both characters were largely inspired by my actual personality. I think both characters sometimes have a tendency to react based on their emotions, even when their emotions might not accurately represent what is really going on. I also see some similarity between Zyta and S’Tal in terms of their romantic relationships. Zyta has expressed concern in her attraction to a certain person because she doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to relationships. Similarly, there was a time in “Hidden Frontier” when S’Tal was conflicted regarding her attraction to the character of Barrett, simply because he was human and she was Vulcan. In general, I believe similarities between two different characters can always be found, even in the sci-fi world, because even if they are intended to be a new, futuristic species, they are all created by the imaginations of us today. And in the real world, I believe that we’re all universally connected in several ways, but primarily by the fact that we all share this complex thing called human emotion. HFP: And how are they different? JM: For one, Zyta is much younger and more immature than both Stadi and S’Tal. But in a way, that could potentially leave so much more room for unexpected twists in her character development. All three characters are constantly trying to define themselves as individuals, but I think Zyta has barely begun the search for her purpose in life, which means she could believable expand into any direction. Because of her youth and immaturity, I think she also has more of a tendency to act before she thinks, which can get her into trouble. One of the most

interesting things about working with any character is helping them grow and change. And I think Zyta has a lot of growing up to do. HFP: Where would you like to see your character be taken? JM: Specifically, I don’t know where I’d like to see Zyta be taken. But regardless, I know I’d like it to be an intense journey. Based on the few scripts we’ve worked with already, I imagine Zyta being the most “human” (for lack of a better term) of all the students. What I mean is that I think she’s most likely to be the one to exhibit human tendencies that we’re all familiar with today in real-life such as reacting out of emotion rather than logic, constantly needing attention and approval from others, letting her personal life getting in the way of her studies, being unsure of where the line is between what she wants and what is right, etc. For example, we’ve already seen hints of rebelliousness and the need of approval from boys in her character. I would like to see these aspects of her personality lead to conflict in the storyline. She’s already begun some sort of romantic relationship with the character of Rendan. Well, what if her attraction to him led to some dramatic rift in her relationships with her best friends, Connor and Jacek? HFP: How do you prepare for playing Zyta, in comparison to Stadi and S’Tal? JM: As an actor, the way I prepare for any role remains pretty much the same. I memorize my lines en rote, meaning I memorize the words only, running them as fast as I can, without any hint of emotion or meaning behind them. This way, I prevent myself from getting stuck in saying my lines a certain way, especially since once I’m on set working with the other actors, I often find that what I’m saying actually has so much more meaning and subtext behind it than I originally thought. Then I identify my objective for each scene and I examine what tactics the character is using in each line she says. In other words, I have to know why I’m saying anything in the first place. If necessary, I’ll create a back story that inevitably leads to a stronger emotional connection to the character. I often create back stories based on my real life because I can always dig up something from my own past that in some way, shape or form helps me relate to the character. And I keep my preparation mostly to myself because I believe that these are things that aren’t necessary for the other actors, director, writer, etc. to know about as long as I give a good performance on tape. HFP: Is there anything else you can tell us about your character? JM: Nope. I’m really only exposed to my character’s development as I receive new scripts. I can share my thoughts and ideas with Rob Caves, but for the most part, I often don’t know anymore than the audience does. Of course, we’re actually filming much more than the public can currently watch. So, I think it’s best for me to stop right here.~

FGS Timmerson Trident Class Cruiser:

Named for three-pronged spear of ancient Terra, the opportunity to command a Trident Class Cruiser is the apex of many a commanding officer's career in the Frontier Guard. Sometimes called an 'assault carrier' the Trident has, like its namesake, its own three pronged punch in the form of its long range antiship missiles, multiple gun batteries, and its complement of Achilles dropships as well as small squadron of Peacemaker interceptor fighters.

Aqarii Horde Ship Class: Tactical Cruiser

This cruiser is capable of taking on many opponents in its weight class or heavier and coming out on top, and in combination with a squadron or fleet action, these ships can deliver a crippling hammerblow to an opposing force.

Ton for ton the Aqarii Horde Ship is one of the toughest cruisers in space and a feared opponent to many a commander. Recognizable by its distinctive drive pods that make up part of its antigrav based propulsion systems, the Horde Ship boasts thick and durable armor, strong defensive screens, even stronger gun batteries including a rapid fire bow-mounted cannon array suitable for engaging spacecraft and installations alike, and a complement of combat drone fighters that acts as a force multiplier for these ships when engaging an enemy spacecraft. These are cruisers not to be underestimated by any Frontier Guard commanding officer.

HFP: How did you become involved with Frontier Guard? RB: I got an audition through my agency. I came in originally reading for Conner. Once it became clear that I was much better suited to play the dorky sidekick, things got rolling. HFP: How is your character involved with the storyline? RB: All I really know is my character and how he relates to the other characters. I think because the storyline is so intricately tied to Connor Blake's experiences, my close friendship with Connor Blake is my involvement in the storyline. I am connected to the story through my friendship with Connor. HFP: What can you tell us about your character? RB: He's smart, or he thinks he's smart. He's Connor's closest friend. He wishes that he did better with the ladies. He has a very interesting and mysterious past with his father. And he complains a lot. HFP: Where would you like to see your character taken? RB: I'm interested in seeing his relationship with his father. His father is a somewhat infamous character. I don't know too much about it but I know that it has something to do with some political action his father took or something like that. I could be completely off base but it's some famous incident that has led Jacek to write his father off. I'm interested to see where this whole story goes. Also, to see how he does with the ladies. HFP: Can you give us some information about your characters past. RB: Well, he's always taken school maybe a bit too seriously. He's pretty handy when it comes to machines and things. I don't know too much else other than things I've made up. And the vague idea I have of the thing with his father. HFP: How do you prepare for playing Jacek Tawn? RB: I sort of change my voice a little bit. I pronounce words just a little differently. I don't know, it's really the voice. Once I get myself into the voice I feel comfortable. I guess you could call it like the doorway by which I enter into Jacek. The voice I mean. HFP: Is there anything else you can tell us? RB: Other than the hot room and costumes and makeup, it's great fun to shoot. All of the people working on the show are wonderful to be around and I have a great time every time I show up. I'm just as excited to see where the show goes as the next guy. I also have a band called the body parts. myspace.com/thebodyparts if you're interested to know about anything else I'm working on.~

Confident, assured and able to intimidate! A Doctor with the rank of Major in the Guard who left for more money! Seconded to the Guard from her non military employer as a contractor, she is not a member of the faculty at the Academy, but will be teaching two classes on xeno-biology. There may be some mystery around this Doctor with what seems rumour and innuendo about her part in the curing of a particular virulent disease, did she help cure it or was she part of the cause? It seems that she can stand up to questioning with the ease of a politician, one that can use “spin” to her advantage. Why is Dr Trem Warrick at Copernicus Station, she seems to be a person that has firm ideas about who and what she is about. Are there some underlying ulterior motives? To come from leading research to teaching classes and general medical duties seems a step backward in what appears to be an intelligent women’s career! What does she want and who is she going to push aside in the process or does she just want to go back to her roots in the guard? Why does she need to reunite with Conner Blake?

The first thing that can be said of this woman is that she is an enigma! A major currently teaching navigation at the Academy seems to have a very secret past. It appears that her records do not hold much information on her service history. Why? Where has she been and what has she done? Is she a member of special forces or in fact does she have a special force. It appears that this major may have some special skills! Could it be that she is pre-cognisant or even telekinetic? Does she have other motives for being at the Academy? All we have are questions about this major. What did she do in the war? Why are there no records for her during the war? Why is she here? What is her assignment at the Academy?

Igor Sobel, a human is the Commandant of the Academy and is an informed and well educated man, confident and self assured. Knows his place in the world and how important he is! Not easily caught off guard and able to put someone in their place when required. Versed in the classics is this a man that knows that to look forward one must be aware of the past evidenced by the antique diving helmet on his desk. This man knows how to command and how to give orders succinctly and to the point. Does he have another agenda? What about Dr Trem Warrick did he employ her and why? How about Hemela Strayteb, another intriguing member of his staff! What is his agenda when it comes to Conner Blake? Is this man just interested in preparing officers for the guard or is there another set of orders he must follow?

Copernicus Academy Class: Newport Class Station

Commanded by Igor Sobel. only the records of the Frontier Guard can accurately tell how many cadets have walked the corridors of Copernicus Academy over its long history. Located in orbit of Luna in the Sol system, this multimillion ton space station is a self-contained environment of learning for its many cadets that attend every year. The station levels contains everything necessary for the cadets various fields of study and phases of training from their first years to their final years and eventual graduation for the Academy. Copernicus has four docking berths on the ends of its long arm structures, each capable of housing vessels up to the size of a Combat Scout, as well as shuttlebays, transports of various sizes, numerous work bees, and fighter launch and recovery bays for its small onboard complement of Peacemaker fighters. Despite its role as an institution of higher learning, it would be a mistake for an aggressor to think that Copernicus is incapable of defending itself. Its location near Earth would bring the brunt of the Frontier Guard forces in-system immediately to bear on any attacker, along with Copernicus' own defensive batteries, her fighters, and - if needed - the firepower of her training combat scouts and their cadet crews. Copernicus Academy is the home port of the oldest ship in the Frontier Guard fleet, the Polaris.

HFP: How did you become involved with Frontier Guard? MS: I actually heard about Hidden Frontier Productions in the LA Times article. As a fan of the Star Trek canon I was understandably intrigued and, when auditions were announced, I decided to give it a whirl. That meeting led to roles in ODYSSEY (Achlys) and HELENA CHRONICLES (Caeleno), which in turn led to FRONTIER GUARD. HFP: How is your character involved with the storyline? MS: Major Hemela Strayteb is one of the professors at Copernicus Academy, apparently a teacher of navigation and a very good one. Strict but fair and determined to mold her students into the best cadets they can become. Behind the scenes, though...ah, that's where things get interesting. What else is she? Watch and find out. HFP: What can you tell us about your character? MS: Professor Strayteb is yet another enigma in the complex storyline of FRONTIER GUARD. She is an experienced teacher with the rank of Major, but her service record is strangely inconsistent and missing many important facts. Her background is shrouded in mystery, but the respect accorded to her by her peers indicates that she is far more than she appears to be - and they know it. Strong and determined, with a definite personal view of right and wrong, Strayteb is not someone to cross. She is fair minded but does not suffer fools gladly and wow - this lady can hold a grudge. She controls her anger well, but is not of the "forgive and forget" school of philosophy. HFP: Where would you like to see your character taken? MS: I would like more to gradually be revealed about her military past and special skills. I would also love to see the complicated history between all of the veteran characters bubble to the surface as they deal with the current day's threats and the mysteries of the Ark. What exactly happened between Warrick and Strayteb that makes their dealings so (to put it mildly) volatile? How did Strayteb come to teach at the Academy and why? Her long friendship and apparent respect for the eccentric Professor Kellogg would be another aspect of the storyline that would be fun to pursue. HFP: Can you give us some information about your characters past. MS: I believe that she was quite the intense, badass soldier in her day who, despite her combat years and injuries, is still quite capable of killing with cool efficiency when necessary. Beyond that, let's leave the lady wrapped in mystery and discover her gradually HFP: How do you prepare for playing Hamela Strayteb? MS: I channel my anger, for a start. She's got a serious edge and strong sense of purpose that commands my respect - this is not someone to take lightly on any level.

On a practical note, she evolved as her makeup was created and the wig sealed the deal. The moment I found that wonderful wig and added the white streak I started to come to terms with how Strayteb saw herself. Sometimes a simple discovery like that can make a character "gel" on a visceral level. The same with the gloves. There's something about those gloves...

HFP: Is there anything else you can tell us?

MS: Keep watching. There are so many levels to explore as this storyline unfolds around some very powerful characters who all have their agendas, some secret - others less so. Take nothing at face value. Connor is not the only one with a lot at stake in this extremely high-risk chess game where the pieces are everything from individuals to entire species. Enjoy the journey!

FGS Gallant Class; Zodiac Class Combat Scout

The duty of a Combat Scout in the Frontier Guard is primarily reconnaissance and patrol functions, as such these ships are one of the lightest and smallest ships of the line in the Guard inventory. Many commanding officers in the Frontier Guard have cut their teeth on a Combat Scout, and their versatility is one reason why these vessels are in such widespread service in the Guard and are used as primary training vessels for new cadets. The Zodiac Class is an integrated platform expressly designed to fulfil the role of the Combat Scout, with performance and electronic sensing and countermeasures capabilities greater than its predecessors. The Gallant, although no longer a top of line Combat Scout, is the newest class of training vessel assigned to Copernicus Academy, as its systems are still in wide use in the Frontier Guard. As such, the Gallant is considered an Honor Ship, reserved for the best and brightest of cadets, and is the most desired posting and dream for many a cadet attending Copernicus Academy.

Cadet Tawn, should he be at the Academy? Not because of his father’s conviction for treason but because he has researched 97 different “good-luck” charms that he can carry on his person without breaking uniform code. Not afraid to make outrageous requests to satisfy his needs. It appears that Tawn is a sensitive young man, easily goaded into making comment. Does he have an inferiority complex because of who his father is and does he feel the need to stand up to this? He does seem to have convictions and pride in whom he is! But what about his need to cut the feet off rabbits because of his posting on Polaris and does it mean that he suffers from a touch of ego-centricity?

Arrogant, sure of himself and his place in the Universe! He is the son of a very famous Admiral one that has had a distinguished career. Gribb has a lot to live up to, and as he says himself in his family “…graduating at the very very top, anything less would be a shame on the Gribb name.” Gribb is an accomplished athlete sure of his ability, grappling, running diving, rope climbing, swimming and making ALL Kytorian by the age of 13! Gribb believes that above all the other cadets and thinks that he will be able to outdo them all! In his eye excellence is mediocre and that he says that he is held to a higher standard than others and that he can achieve it. Although his father is famous and he feels that instead of being in his father’s shadow as he is now that his father will be able to retire in his. Conceited, egocentric and egotistic is he who he thinks he is or does he just have the biggest ego never mind the big mouth?

Human, Antarian, Rheban and Kytorian this Copernicus Academy Professor is as diverse in his ethnicity as his claimed lack of knowledge in lots of subjects! He holds the rank of Colonel in the Frontier Guard. Manipulative and easily able to make sure that he tells you nothing at all with the way he uses words. Kellogg is well versed in literature and history. A bit of a charlatan with a well developed sense of humour. Cadets will have to ensure that they get up early to get one over this Professor. What does he teach at the academy? One thing that we can say about him though is that he does have a nice set of canines!

This cadet is prone to embellishing stories and maybe if you said it then it may happen. Excited and way “over the top” was a grappler and likes sports such as boar hunting. He has joined the academy with his best and childhood friend Rico Costas and is from Procyon VII. Lots of things get him excited, going to the academy, having Kasper Gribb on his ship. Talks 20 to the dozen Loves the big bang and is yes you guest it fascinating with armaments and loves blowing things up and anything that is on fire!. Fetch seems to think that he is a shy guy, but from all appearances has a big personality that likes to be at the centre of attention. Gossip seems to be a thing that he does without realising it and tells you secrets about everything and everyone! Don’t tell him anything that you don’t want others to know!!

From Procyon VII he has joined the guard with his best friend Fetch Zisser and like him is assigned to the Polaris. He seems to be a sensitive character with his interests in cooking and music! Rico was captain of his school grappling team but it seems that he is more into the arts as he states that he can play 52 instruments including drums, guitar and the pipes. However can he play them well? He loves to cook and seems to know a lot about this field likes to use flames to cook his food. A trait that he seems to share with his friend Fetch. Although he says that some of his favourite foods to cook are things like fire roasted duck, pork flambé and anything that he can grill! Claims that they are synthetic and that he doesn’t eat meat! Will this sensitive male have the strength of character to make it through his cadetship?

Sarah Johnson is Connor Blake’s biological mother, born on earth in the 1930s and wife of Martin Johnson. It appears that this woman was profoundly affected by the disappearance of her young son. She believes that her husband put her in an institution because he wanted to protect their son but to protect him against what? But is she just a women from the 1950s and is her planet of origin really Earth? There appears to be more to her than can be seen! Why does she think that her husband allowed their son to be taken by what she believes were alien abductors? Who is she?

This man is Connor Blake’s biological father and he was born on Earth in the 1930s and married to Sarah Johnson.

Martin Johnson

Martin put his wife into a mental institution, why? Sarah seems to think that it was to protect Connor! Why would Connor need to be protected from her? It seems that he does not have the same opinions as his wife and does not believe or does not admit that aliens took his son! He believes that he will find him by using the traditional methods of Earth of the era. Does Martin know more about his wife that he lets on or is he just a man of his time?

Jennifer Poulson

Investigative reporter with the Public Relations Corp of the Frontier Guard and not afraid to ask questions! Jennifer seems to think that “if you ask it they will answer it”! Not afraid to steam ahead even if the interviewee does not want to answer the question. Has more gall than most! Jennifer believes that if it happened then everyone has the right to know about it. Not afraid to ask questions of even more senior officers she appears to forget that there is a “chain of command”. Jennifer though seems to have a little lack of patience because if the interview does not go the way she wants it too she just moves on!!

Bringing Star Trek: Grissom＇s first audio episode to life was a task of its own. The plot from the original prose had to be condensed to a working 60 minutes script, and a huge number of characters had to be taken care of. All main story arcs had to be set up, and in big parts it was also about general introduction. A difficulty with presenting a Star Trek story in audio format was to let the audience always know and imagine where the scenes are taking place. There is a scene in the first episode that starts in Grissom＇s transporter room, takes the listener through a corridor into a turbolift, only to end up on the bridge, where the next best thing is an intercut dialogue between the Captain and another crewmember on a Starbase. It was an experiment none of us knew if it was going to work, but it did. The production was also lucky to have immensely talented voice actors who did a great job. With an international cast like this, everyone had to record his/her lines separately, which was also an experiment. But thanks to such good performances and an above average recording quality delivered by everyone, there was no single scene that had to end up on the cutting room floor. We requested more than one take of every line of dialogue, so there was tons of material to choose from, and therefore always a good take to fit in. The sound design for Grissom was another very unique task. In terms of known Trek sounds, the show had to be TOS related, but due to the fact it＇s set between Star Trek II and III, it had also to be movie era. It allowed lots of additional sounds to be taken from various affordable FX sound libraries, as long as they were somewhat “compatible＂ to canon Trek. Every beep,

door chime or comm signal had to be chosen carefully to create a familiar and believable setting for the listener. Once the rough cut of the episode was complete, it had to be scored. Sean Teeling s wish for the show s main tunes was a piece, or a melody, which was somewhat reminiscent to “Ilia s Theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The task was not to recycle known Trek music, so an original Grissom Theme was composed which ultimately ended up as piece for the first preview. For the episode, it had to be deconstructed into its motives, harmonies and musical lines, which all became the ground base for all the different settings and characters. Given the fact the episode contains quite a lot of music, there are always elements of this single theme piece lurking behind every spoken line. All in all, it was a lucky combination, and episode 1 shows that all elements of the production came together more than nicely. With episode 2 being in postproduction, we try to keep the style as introduced in the pilot, and use every potential we can see, be it the characters, the actors who voice them, as well as the settings, sound design and music. Working on this show has been a great experience so far, and we all try hard to get out the best of it.

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On a cold winter night in Britain, with snow falling outside the window there is an interview taking place. This is a special interview for me because it is the first phone interview I have ever done. The interview in question is with Star Trek Grissom creator and executive producer Sean Paul Teeling, once we finally established a connection and can actually talk we are both in a cheerful mood. Staring the interview off I asked Sean Paul when did he first become interested in Star Trek? “I am the youngest of 5 children by 9 years” he answers “ so I sort of watched it from behind the armchair in the ‘70’s” he continues.”I then got the Palitoy or was it Mego Enterprise, and a Klingon Battle cruiser for my 7th birthday, and a Trekkie was born” he then adds that his older brothers bought him all the Mego Dolls, and his sis bought me… at which point he coughed….. Uhura, he also states that he still has them all in mint condition.

I then continued the interview by asking him when he chose to produce his own series and why? He answers this by complementing to of the giants of Star Trek fan films Rob Caves and Nick Cook by stating that he was inspired by them and especially Intrepid because if its locality to Ireland. He also says that he discovered the world of fan trek via Hidden Frontier Productions, which he loved, even though he is a bigger TOS fan. I then went on to ask why he chose Grissom for his series, to which he states rather interestingly that he is a huge fan of Titanic and saw a commonalities between the two ships. Sean Paul also mentions that he is a huge continuity buff and that he likes the idea of having a series that is In Sync with Star Trek III The Search for Spock which gives it a ultimate continuity with Grissom. I also asked Sean Paul if other eras were looked at before he settled on Star Trek Grissom. To which he answered that The Wrath of Khan was his favourite movie and that he also loved the Maritime feel that the movie had and wanted to replicate that into a fan film. I mentioned to him that some of the characters were already established in Star Trek 3 and I asked him how he went about creating the characters that would not only fit well but almost seamlessly into the group. He answered that he wanted Irish Characters from the start, which were included with the Irish nurse Murphy, he also states that the listeners should be warned that none of the characters are safe from being killed, especially as two were killed in the first episode. Sean Paul also wanted to illustrate that the 23rd Century is a dangerous place and he has illustrated that within the build of the characters within the series. Sean Paul mentioned that the series is recorded in the Cauldron, located in Dublin, but also stated that they had no experience in the Sci Fi genre, at which point he contacted Rob Caves of Hidden Frontier for advice and help. He also states that Bodo Hartwig helps out a great deal with not only being the Composer of the music but also is a bouncing board for ideas for the series. I asked Sean Paul if he knew how long the series was going to run, to which he answered that the series is going to run for 12 prose and an epilogue and 6 audio episodes at a release rate of 2 per year, which he states that they are after quality and not quantity. Finally I asked Sean Paul what else he could tell us about the series to which he answered that Nick Cook will feature in episode 4 playing Cyrano Jones, a character that featured in The Original Series. Apart from that he says that viewers should keep listening for some guest stars, that they will recognise.

TCM Staff

EDITOR RICHARD MILES

ASSISTANT EDITORS HEATHER ASHLEIGH AND ALEX MATTHEWS

HEAD WRITERS GERRI DONALDSON, ALEX MATTHEWS, RICHARD MILES AND EUGENIA STOYPRA

WRITERS HEATHER ASHLEIGH; JENNIFER COLE; GERRI DONALDSON; JOSH EDELGLASS; DANNY LAVENY; GUSTAVO LEAO; ALEX MATTHEWS; RICHARD MILES; EUGENIA STOYPRA; SEAN-PAUL TEELING and JOHN WHITING.

GRAPHICS ARTIST: RICHARD MILES

CREATIVE CONSULTANTS MICHAEL HUDSON AND RICK PIKE

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT RICK PIKE AND RICHARD MILES

WEBSITE STAFF RICHARD MILES

TREKKIE CENTRAL WEBSITE

WEBSITE STAFF LEE GARTELL AND RICHARD MILES

HIDDEN FRONTIER PRODUCTIONS MAGAZINE

PUBLISHERS ROB CAVES AND RICHARD MILES

MANAGING EDITOR ROB CAVES

EDITOR RICHARD MILES

ASSISTANT EDITORS HEATHER ASHLEIGH AND ALEX MATTHEWS

HEAD WRITERS RICHARD MILES, GERRI DONALDSON AND EUGENIA STOYPRA

WRITERS RICHARD MILES, ALEX MATTHEWS, BRIAN CHILDERS, GERRI DONALSON AND EUGENIA STOYPRA

GRAPHICS ARTISTS RICHARD MILES AND LEWIS CRANCHER

WEBSITE STAFF RICHARD MILES

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT RICK PIKE, ROB CAVES AND RICHARD MILES

LA LIASON Rob Caves