Friday 26 August 2016

Visit the TOS sets, remade in Ticonderoga, New York

Last month a cool new Star Trek attraction opened in Ticonderoga, New York: Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour. Based around recreations of the TOS sets perfectly rebuilt by James Cawley and associates, using blueprints and reference stills, the tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in world of Star Trek. Included is the full bridge, corridors, transporter room, and engineering. Continue below to check out the sets:

Here's the press release detailing the experience:
Star Trek super-fan James Cawley is honoring the 50th anniversary of the iconic franchise with the opening of his meticulously designed Star Trek: The Original Series set tour. Located in historic Ticonderoga, New York and under license by CBS Consumer Products, the set tour brings memories to life by allowing fans to boldly go and tour the sets of the legendary Starship Enterprise.

Recreated exactly as they were laid out on the “Desilu” (now Paramount Pictures) Stage 9 in Hollywood for the original run of Star Trek, guests will be able to step onto the soundstage and be transported directly back to 1966. Starting this July, visitors can receive guided tours, photo opportunities and an immersive experience into the world of the classic television series.

A true franchise fan, Cawley began creating the sets in 1997 after receiving a copy of the original set blueprints from Star Trek: The Original SeriesTOS costume designer William Ware Theiss. From there he spent 15 years researching, crafting, and refining his set replicas alongside other dedicated fans and craftspeople. Cawley was joined on the project by Star Trek alumni and fellow fans including prop fabricator Ed Miarecki and concept designer and SFX supervisor Daren R. Dochterman.

Studying stills and frame captures from the series and sourcing vintage materials and antiques, Cawley ensured even the smallest details were accurately and lovingly reproduced including an array of props and set decorations. The result is a stunning achievement offering the most complete and accurate reproduction of the original standing sets from Star Trek: The Original Series.

“To me there is no other franchise around that is more enjoyable and more socially relevant than Star Trek,” said James Cawley. “I’m very thankful for all the support I’ve received on this project and can’t wait to begin welcoming my fellow fans this summer.”
The Tour's Facebook page has released oodles of images since the announcement. Here are some of my favourites:










Of course what is absent from the official releases about this attraction is that the sets were in fact built to enable to filming of the fan film series Star Trek: New Voyages - A series no longer able to be produced due to the strict new Star Trek fan film rules. This attraction rather ingeniously allows all that work building these sets to be put to good use, and with endorsement from CBS no less - Genius.



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