10 Best Uses Of Special Effects In Star Trek
Star Trek began with physical filming models, so where did that journey bring us?
Star Trek has a long history with visual effects, from The Cage to Section 31. For this article, visual effects include physical filming techniques and digital creations. Star Trek featured, at one time, the longest visual effect put to film, as well as featuring one of the first computer-generated sequences in cinema.
The franchise often works with limited budgets to produce high-quality setpieces. While the film franchise generally, with some exceptions, has a bit more to play with, the television side of Trek must turn scraps into stars.
Though times have changed and the streaming era has brought more money and advancements in CGI to the fore, Trek has consistently proven that it can do a lot with a little. This has allowed some of the oldest iterations to age well, while some other properties have flagged a little in the years that have passed.
It's not a competition but Star Trek has surely earned its spot in the pantheon of beautiful VFX scenes, as these examples prove.
10. Clouds, Planets, And Reflective Rings
The opening credits sequence for Star Trek: Voyager was designed by veteran Trek alum Dan Curry and realised by a large team that included David Stipes, Ron B. Moore, Image G, and The Post Group, while taking inspiration from Santa Barbara Studios hypothetical Solar System tour.
The sequence is a combination of CGI and filming models, depending on how close and detailed the ship needed to be in the shot. For the close-ups, the filming model was used to show the minutiae of the USS Voyager, while for wide-shots, the CGI model was used - the first time a CGI shot of a hero ship had been used in such a fashion in Star Trek.
The reflection of the ship in the rings was a combination of filming models and CGI, while the planet Voyager passes at the end was painted onto card. The flaming cloud in the beginning of the sequence almost didn't make the final edit, as Rick Berman wasn't convinced that it worked. Thankfully, other voices spoke up in its defence.