The complete history of the TV series, from conception, design and scripting to how the finished product was produced and sold. The book should be of interest to TV writers, directors and producers, as well as providing a behind-the-scenes guide for fans of the cult series.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"For would-be TV writers, directors and producers, this will be an education in itself, a polished but non-varnished look at how TV really works." -- Publishers Weekly
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
A complete history of what may be the most popular TV series ever -- the original Star Trek "TM" episodes! Filled with quotations from cast members, memos to and from Gene Roddenberry, biographies of cast members, sketches, photographs, set descriptions, and even budgets and cast schedules, this volume is a fascinating, invaluable behind-the-scenes account of the development and production of the original Star Trek "TM" series.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real look behind the scenes,
By Bernd Schneider (Germany) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Making of Star Trek (Mass Market Paperback)
This is a classic. It is the first book of its kind, and probably the first book about Star Trek at all. But The Making of Star Trek is much more than any of the later books with similar names. This book doesn't idealize or simplify the making of the series. It doesn't enthusiastically praise everything and everyone involved in its production. It is an authentic and meticulous report on how TOS in particular and a TV series in general comes to life. It shows that it is a process of try and error, that aspects have to be taken into account the viewers wouldn't think of, and that the responsible persons don't always know exactly what they want ("I need some device that does something...").The story how Stephen E. Whitfield (aka Stephen E. Poe) asked Gene Roddenberry if he could write a book about the series sounds like a fairy tale, but is true. The Great Bird was very forthcoming, and Whitfield was granted access to everything behind the scenes of the still running show, seemingly without any restriction. The book shows production schedules, budgets, private notes, script drafts, production sketches, all things that are usually kept secret or simplified for a larger public. I don't think that something like this would be still possible today. Compared to The Making of Star Trek, Whitfield's last book (he passed away in 2000) on Voyager seems rather superficial. The Making of Star Trek may be over 30 years old, but it is of more than only historical value. It demonstrates that TV is a business that sometimes doesn't allow technical or artistic perfection. It also shows how many things we may take for granted and that are essential parts of the Star Trek Universe today have taken a rather surprising course change. Who would like Vulcans with names like "Spook, Spork, Splak, ..." as frequently suggested in the early days, or who would think that one race was originally described with the words, "Honor is a despicable trait.", namely the Klingons?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Trekker's joy,
By A Customer
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Making of Star Trek (Mass Market Paperback)
I read this in the Seventies and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I've bought it again and enjoyed it all over again. Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at TOS. You have to read this book to understand what a groundbreaking series Star Trek was. You also learn how grueling a TV series is to work on. This book is fascinating, and sometimes hilarious!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic book for those interseted in television production,
By A Customer
This review is from: Making of Star Trek (Mass Market Paperback)
A classic book for those interested in television production, especially "Star Trek". This is the first book that gave the details of the production of a particular television series, and has served as a model for similar books to follow. The original "Star Trek" was still in production at the time this book was written, and the book has gone into many reprints. A good primer for those who follow the current crop of "Star Trek" shows and movies, and are interested in finding out about the classic original. This book is definitely a must-have for fans of the original series. Co-written by the creator himself.
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