.com.unity Forums - OT: The original Star Trek getting a CG makeover

Found this over at Animation World Network -

Quote:

ORIGINAL STAR TREK SERIES TO GET CG MAKEOVER.
STAR TREK is getting a 21st century makeover. CBS Paramount Domestic
Television is releasing digitally remastered HD episodes of the iconic
1960s sci-fi series, with all new vfx and music, to celebrate the
groundbreaking series' 40th anniversary, it was announced by John
Nogawski,
president of CBS Paramount Domestic Television.

The new episodes also mark the first time in 16 years that the original
STAR TREK series can be seen in broadcast syndication. The episodes
will
begin airing on the more than 200 stations that own the rights to the
weekend broadcast syndication window starting Sept. 16 (check local
listings for station and dates). All 79 episodes of the original STAR
TREK
series will eventually be remastered, with the first batch of episodes
chosen from a list of STAR TREK fans' favorite shows. TV GUIDE reports
that
�BALANCE OF TERROR� will be the first upgraded episode to air.
Meanwhile,
THE DIGITAL BITS reports that CBS Digital will do the CG work in-house.

"STAR TREK redefined science-fiction and constantly pushed the envelope
with concepts that were ahead of their time," Nogawski said. "By giving
the
series a digital upgrade using the best technology available today, it
will
continue to be a leader in cutting-edge television programming as we
introduce the series to a new generation of viewers."

The most noticeable change will be redoing many of the special effects,
created with 1960s technology, with cutting edge CGI:

* Space ship exteriors -� The space ship Enterprise, as well as other
Starships, will be replaced with state-of-the-art CG ships. The new
computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the
original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington D.C.

* Show opening � The Enterprise and planets seen in the main title
sequence
will be redone, giving them depth and dimension for the first time.

* Galaxy shots � All the graphics of the galaxy, so frequently seen
through
the window on the Enterprise's bridge, will be redone.

* Exteriors � The battle scenes, planets and ships from other cultures
(notably the Romulan Bird of Prey and Klingon Battle Cruisers) will be
updated.

* Background scenes � Some of the iconic, yet flat, matte paintings
used as
backdrops for the strange, new worlds explored by the Enterprise crew
will
get a CGI face-lift, adding atmosphere and lighting.

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the
famous
opening theme. The original score by Emmy Award-winning composer
Alexander
Courage has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio
with
an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals. A
digitally
remastered version of William Shatner's classic original recording of
the
38-word "Space, the final frontier�" monologue continues to open each
episode.

The remastered episodes have been converted from the original film into
a
High-Definition format, which gives viewers a clearer, crisper, more
vibrant picture than before, even when viewed in standard definition.
Once
stations upgrade and start broadcasting HD signals, the episodes will
be
all ready for viewers to enjoy in HD."