When they announced the new fan film guidelines, it seemed like it was their "line in the sand" that had been drawn ("The line must be drawn HERE! This far, NO FURTHER!"), and it was pretty clear, at least to me, that CBS & Paramount were not open to fans’ suggestions on what could be changed or modified in the future. In essence, they want no competition of any kind even if it is friendly competition of quality content, no negotiation of fan film guidelines terms, and perhaps more importantly no room for motivating fans to make content that honors the legacy that Gene Roddenberry left with Star Trek. They really went all out to publicly punish Alec Peters for daring to go where no fan has gone before in pissing them off royally.
Though, it is their IP, and they can establish whatever guidelines they wish, I get it. That does not mean I agree with those guidelines on any level necessarily. I might understand why on some level, but to say I absolutely and totally disagree would be an overstatement. Some of the guidelines were actually pretty reasonable, but I can understand why CBS and Paramount would be so limiting. The runtime limitation requirements, the use of Hollywood grade actors, and fundraising limits as well as paying the people involved for their work and time are the only items I found myself disagreeing on in principle. The rest I can somewhat agree that they are necessary to protect their respective intellectual property.
That being said, I cannot in good conscience participate in a boycott of Star Trek of any kind. Star Trek is my main nerd love. I've loved it longer than some of the newer "JJ Abrams Star Trek"-bred fans, and I have always loved Star Trek through thick, through thin, and all in between. I can't just abandon Star Trek on the drop of a hat because I fundamentally disagree with much of the guidelines. Besides, any Trek is better than no Trek at all.
I don't disagree that the guidelines are going to hurt fan made content projects in the future, and I do not disagree on principle that they're totally designed to bury any bit of competitor even on a friendly level. Paramount and CBS are in the business of making money, and in a mostly capitalist-driven world, bringing in revenue for profit is "paramount". Pun intended. Without profit, not unlike the greedy Ferengi, the two respective Star Trek IP holders cannot produce new Star Trek films, shows, products like the licensed cosplay merchandise, or licensed memorabilia that some of us have come to enjoy.
Without revenue being brought in, Star Trek would be no more. Star Trek just wouldn't be. Whatever form we get our Star Trek, it may not be exactly what everyone wants, but what is? Do we really expect CBS and Paramount to stand by while fans, even with their best of intentions, butchers their IP? Don't get me wrong. Some of the fan made content is excellent, but some of it is pretty sour, and if a new fan is turned off from that sour content, it may turn them off completely to any Star Trek content on TV and in film. That means losing revenue, losing profit, and essentially losing fans due to lack of interest in what I believe to be the greatest cultural phenomenon in the past half century that it has been around. Of course, losing revenue and fan interest means no more Star Trek. Is that what we really want?
I like what many pages on Facebook have suggested. Contact CBS and Paramount through proper channels and express how fan made films, with their support whether financial or otherwise, can only help the brand. Be sincere, be polite, but most of all be diplomatic or tactful. The last thing fans should be doing is expressing major disinterest or even a boycott over a disagreement of how CBS and Paramount are limiting fan projects. We want to keep Star Trek going for another 50 years and beyond, and continue to work towards building our society towards Gene's vision, but we can't do that if every "Dick & Harry" fan suddenly wants to boycott the brand because of every major bump in the road that comes along that cramps our style of what Star Trek should be.
Until we are not like the Ferengi in Star Trek, not driven by capitalist wants in material things, CBS and Paramount will still want to make money, but to do that, the fans in all of us should be supportive of their endeavors, make appropriate suggestions when possible, express what could be done differently with the TV and film content when appropriate and possible, and overall support our nerd love at all times possible, because when they do pull the plug over whatever disinterest or boycotts are in place, we’ll miss it a lot more than we do now.
I, for one, want to see more “utopian” Federations in Star Trek, not less. But that’s what I want. I know it’s not what everyone wants. And that’s okay. Although Captain/Admiral Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) found a way to have her cake and eat it too with defeating the Borg and getting her crew home, we should be thankful we’re getting one or the other. I prefer to eat cake, but that’s just me! I prefer to enjoy it while it’s there and appreciate the feelings it brings in me! I have the same feelings about having my science fiction, and in particular, having my Star Trek be a sounding board for philosophical, ethical/moral, and metaphysical discussions. Stories that make us all wonder, ponder, and question the things that are, and hope for what could be possible.
I implore fans to rethink any boycott. Instead, use your power of diplomacy, of reason to persuade CBS & Paramount to reconsider their fan film / content guidelines. Let's use Star Trek for what it was meant to be, a moral compass to point to when we disagree with something important.
Those are my thoughts on the newly formed guidelines. I truly believe that if Gene Roddenberry were still alive, he'd be disappointed not just with CBS and Paramount, but with the fans as well. Some fans are acting like Star Trek IP holders owe us something for our trouble, but in fact we owe them for still making any Star Trek possible in the first place. It seems like it's a sure paradox. Star Trek wouldn't be around if it hadn't been for the fans' power in large numbers, but fans would not have Star Trek if the IP holders simply moved on to greener and better pastures. They could easily do that, and then no more Star Trek at all.
If you're truly a fan, ask yourself "Do we want to have no more Star Trek?" If you are like me, and you like all things Star Trek, you'll not participate in any sanctioned boycott.
Sincerely,
~ Jeffrey R. Kuntzelman 2016
Concerned Star Trek fan
