Ralph M. Miller

I’d like to refer to Ralph M. Miller as the “Audio God” of Star Trek fan films. In addition to working on Starship Farragut, he has also worked on Starship Exeter, Star Trek: New Voyages/Phase II and Star Trek – Of Gods and Men. In addition, Ralph’s professional credentials also include other movies – Just Desserts, Bonnie and Clyde: End of the Line, and InAlienable, which featured an assortment of Star Trek alumni in a sci-fi trial movie. Ralph is known for his talents in Sound production. When working on a film, Ralph wears many hats: Sound Designer, Foley artist, sound effects editor, ADR recordest, boom operator, production sound mixer and music editor.

Well, Ralph – you’ve got quite an impressive resume as it relates to providing sound work. How did you get involved doing sound work for Star Trek fan films?

Like most of us involved, way back in 2004 I saw Star Trek New Voyages “Come What May” and “Starship Exeter” on the Internet. My first reaction was “WOW!” I was so impressed with the sets and special effects, but the sound quality of both productions was not the greatest. So I contacted the producers and offered to help with sound design for their next episodes. At first I did not hear back from them, so I sent them each a demo CD. With in 24hrs I received a phone call from both.

Mixing in Star Trek New Voyages' IN HARMS WAY

I have been working hard to build a reputation for my sound design work, and as a result, I have been fortunate to have been approached by other quality productions such as “Starship Farragut” and “Of Gods and Men.”

You’ve also provided voice work as well. For Starship Farragut in particular, you’ve been the Farragut’s computer in the live action series and a Gorn in the animated adventures. What other voices have you lent for film projects?

I haven’t had as many opportunities as I have hoped for. It is a tough business to get into. I do a lot of background voices in the episode and in some cases, the actors are not available for looping (ADR) sessions, so I have to mimic their voices. I usually get away with it undetected. “The Gorn” and “The Guardian of Forever” for Of Gods and Men” are the two that I am most proud of.

A Favorite Element of Trek Fan Films - The Guardian of Forever

Mentioning Starship Farragut: The Animated Adventures, please describe what it was like working on this project. I would think that it would have been a change of pace, considering that most projects you’ve worked on have been live-action and this being animation. 

Revitalizing the 'Gorn"

It has been a real joy to work on the Animated Adventures. First let me say, NEO f/x has been wonderful to work with. I have put a lot of effort into making it sound exactly like the original cartoon, from using the same sound effect, and to using the original music.

With the Internet being so viral and computer technology enabling folks to make their own videos -what are your thoughts on this? Do you think that there is a ‘film revolution’ taking place? Do you think that Hollywood and the film industry are changing business practices to compete or to raise their quality of their films?

Yes! Times are changing Big Time! I believe that one day all media will be on the Internet.

Working on Star Trek New Voyages' WORLD ENOUGH & TIME

You’ve provided some great comedic video clips on YouTube, including being a Klingon Commander battling words with Kirk and playing President Nixon in contemporary times. Any other comedic video projects you’d like to mention?

Well, I have a new one, “Star Wars/Geico” –a commercial spoof that is pretty funny. I have more projects in the pipeline. Please stay tuned.

Thanks for your time. It was great talking with you and learning more about your sound work. For those interested, you can see Ralph’s YouTube work at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rmsinc#p/f

SCI-FI Make-up Artist, Carol Crouse

Carol lives in California and is no stranger to doing make-up for SCI-FI. She has been involved with Star Trek – Hidden Frontier, Frontier Guard, and Star Trek: New Voyages/Phase II – “The Child” and “Kitumba” (not yet released). Outside of make-up activities, her professional background and hobbies includes teaching High School art classes in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 35 years. Besides teaching art, she also enjoys drawing portraits, watercolor paintings, and working as a cake decorator.  Regarding her cake decoration skills, Carol proudly states, “I can, and have, put anything on a cake, some designs you wouldn’t believe!”  In addition to putting odd things on cakes, she’s put odd things on humans to turn them into aliens!

Alien Prostethics

Frontier Guard Make-up

Before we begin the interview, I thought I’d share some quotes from those that have worked with Carol:

Dennis Bailey (Creator and Executive Producer of POLARIS) - “Carol was delightful to work with.  She understood exactly what was needed and how to accomplish it.   And she’s a great person who contributed a lot to the high morale on the set during some very long shooting days.”

POLARIS Make-up

Rob Caves (Executive Producer of Hidden Frontier and Frontier Guard) - “Carol is a very skilled artist and an absolute delight to work with!  She brings a strong work ethic and brightness to the set that is invaluable.”

It would seem that Carol has a good reputation.   

* So, how did you learn or become involved with POLARIS?

My good friend Doug Caprette – who also recruited me for “Star Trek: New Voyages” – asked me if I would like to get involved with doing makeup for “POLARIS,” and I said “yes.”

Prosthetics Workshop

* I take it that you’ve known Dennis Bailey?

No, not before starting to work on “POLARIS.” He and I exchanged emails prior to the shoot, to work out makeup needs, and Gina Hernandez’s effects make-up, but we had not met until I walked into the studio.

* I take it that you’re a Star Trek fan having working on two independent Star Trek fan film efforts.

I’ve always liked the original series, and some of the later stuff, and movies 2, 4 and 6.

* Do you plan to come out to the remaining film shoots for POLARIS later this year?

At this time I am planning to do makeup for the upcoming green screen shoot. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it to all of them.

* Any tips to those INDY SCI-FI film projects whose budgets are extremely limited – in regards to make-up department?

Some things simply can’t be done on the cheap, especially now that most filming is being done in HD format. One thing I do is compare prices and quality for the more expensive items such as foundation and eye shadow. If possible, I try to make some items do double, or even triple, duty. Not wasting materials saves a lot of money. This requires being organized. One thing I do is use wax paper for my palettes, labeling each one with the actor’s name, therefore not having to start fresh each time I do touchups that day. (I always start fresh each day). I don’t mix too much foundation at a time, thus reducing waste.

* POLARIS has a lot of people involved from various TREK productions – to include, STARSHIP FARRAGUT, INTREPID, EXETER and PHASE II – what’s your thoughts on the culmination of cast and crew members from those effort coming together on an INDY SCI-FI film project?

I think it’s great! You’re getting an experienced, knowledgeable group of people who know each other’s strengths, and know how much they can be depended upon. And it’s a terrific opportunity to meet new people and find out about other SCI-FI projects.

* Agreed.  In addition, Dennis and the rest of the cast and crew are great folks – working with them adds personal rewards to the experience.  Do you have any other upcoming film projects?

I’m doing a lot of makeup for Hidden Frontier this spring: shooting is nearly every weekend, sometimes both Saturday and Sunday. Other than that, I have no other projects. However, I am planning to learn airbrush makeup in the next few months. That’s something I’ve wanted to learn for a while now.

Dennis Russell Bailey  is a good friend who lives a couple miles from my home.  His name should ring a bell for those Star Trek: The Next Generation enthusiasts.  He wrote the episode, “Tin Man” and worked on the teleplay for the episode, “First Contact.”  In addition, he wrote “The Tressaurian Intersection” episode for Starship Exeter and co-wrote Starship Farragut’s “Just Passing Through.”

Dennis contacted me around JAN/FEB 2008 about an original SCI-FI project he had been developing.  He shared his Starship Polaris script and after reading it – I was intrigued.  It had a compelling story and concept; good science fiction with some elements reminding me of Star Trek.  Initially, we talked about costume concepts and the Polaris’ ship design.  Much has changed and progressed since then, as well as a few script versions.  I got off track with him given our Starship Farragut project and did not reconnect until I saw Dennis again at our premiere event last fall where we presented “A Rock and a Hard Place” and “Just Passing Through.”  We started to talk again at Farpoint 2009, and then much more recently.  Dennis has been a good friend and most supportive of our film project, that I wanted to return the favor, as well as be involved in something creatively new.

During the production of “Just Passing Through”, I along with some other assistants — completed 28 costumes within 30 days.  Given the fact that all of us have paid, full time job commitments – getting all costumes completed in time for filming was quite an achievement.  Dennis observed filming of this production and was able to see for the first time our costumes. Since then, he’s also seen our other costumes. 

In our recent discussions, Dennis shared that he’s been most impressed with the level of quality, accuracy, and production volumes regarding Starship Farragut’s costumes; and asked that I come aboard as Costume Supervisor (Co-Producer).  Given my limited bandwidth (full-time career, family and the Starship Farragut project), I had to think about “how” I could commit.  Most of this work could be done at my place after work during the work week, and because Dennis lives in proximity to my house, it will be convenient for us to get together and work on costumes (he’s proficient in sewing as well).  Also, since much of this work entails altering off-the-shelf clothing and not starting from scratch, it should be an easier wardrobe operation.  I accepted this role and will ensure that all Polaris costumes necessary for filming are completed on time.

With the actors and crew who have agreed to participate on this project, I believe that Polaris is going to be a fun production and great film.  The other folks involved have great experience and track records successfully creating both fan and independent science fiction films.  Stay tuned for further details and possible interviews with the cast and crew; I’m excited to be aboard Polaris!