Series Finale.

For over five years and 261 episodes, through Commentary: Trek Stars and Stage Nine, Trek.fm has looked at the people who make Star Trek and and their work both inside and outside of the franchise. But all good things...

In the series finale of Stage Nine, Mike Schindler and John Mills reflect on their time at Trek.fm by recalling three key moments in their relationship. We look back at our first encounter online, recording the pilot for From There to Here, and finally meeting face to face.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
John Carpenter (00:04:47)
From There to Here (00:22:50)
Close Encounters (00:42:20)
Closing (00:48:054)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Discovery, Season One.

Eighteen months ago, we began this podcast with a look at the writers working behind the scenes to create the latest incarnation of Star Trek. After a very long road, the finished product is finally here.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler take a look at the first season of Star Trek: Discovery. We discuss our thoughts on the series, how it lived up to our expectations, and what outside work we discovered along the way.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Discovery (00:02:23)
Creative Standouts (00:23:13)
Final Thoughts (00:59:41)
Closing (01:04:55)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 9: The Hateful Eight.

Three months ago, word leaked that Quentin Tarantino was developing a new Star Trek film with J.J. Abrams producing. Some people were not happy. Others were overjoyed. But a lot can happen in three months. Last week, information was revealed about a car crash on the set of Tarantino's Kill Bill, which many feel he was largely responsible for. Ever since, the questions on everyone's minds are "How did this happen?" "Is Tarantino at fault?" "Should he even be allowed to direct Star Trek?"

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills discuss the recent revelations regarding Tarantino, and question how that changes the way his work is perceived. We also conclude our series with Tarantino's latest film, The Hateful Eight. In news, we discuss the surprise release of the new Abrams production, The Cloverfield Paradox. And stay tuned to the end for a special announcement.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
The Cloverfield Paradox (00:01:17)
Tarantino (00:14:32)
The Hateful Eight (00:42:55)
Final Thoughts (01:05:18)
Announcement (01:15:23)
Closing (01:20:35)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 8: Django Unchained.

In 2012, Quentin Tarantino returned to the western genre in another unconventional way with the release of Django Unchained. The film stars Jamie Foxx as a freed slave turned bounty hunter who is on a quest to find and save his wife.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler take a look at Tarantino's seventh film. We discuss westerns, the history of the Django character, and the idea of a Django/Zorro crossover.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Django Unchained (00:00:58)
Closing (00:34:37)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 7: Inglourious Basterds.

While J.J. Abrams was relaunching the Star Trek franchise in 2009, Quentin Tarantino was in his own corner of the movie world making Inglourious Basterds. The film offers an alternative look at World War II from the perspective of a group of people from vastly different backgrounds who are all hell-bent on destroying the Nazi party.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills take a look at Tarantino's World War II western. We discuss the stellar work by the cast and crew, the importance of language in war, and the accurate portrayal of film projection. In news, we look at the work of Star Trek's latest director, Hanelle M. Culpepper.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Hanelle M. Culpepper (00:01:30)
Inglourious Basterds (00:10:35)
Closing (00:34:09)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 6: Death Proof.

Quentin Tarantino grew up in the 1970s watching double features of exploitation movies at run-down theaters known as grindhouses. It was a unique experience which does not exist today. In 2007, Tarantino teamed up with fellow director Robert Rodriguez to recreate the experience with a double feature appropriately titled Grindhouse.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler look at Tarantino's Grindhouse contribution, Death Proof. We discuss the theatrical presentation, the extended director's cut, and how the movie went about creating the film damage look. We also wonder if Zoe Bell exists in the Movie Universe.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Death Proof (00:01:21)
Film Damage (00:19:31)
Closing (00:43:07)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 5: Kill Bill.

After directing Jackie Brown, Quentin Tarantino disappeared from the movie scene for six years. But when he returned, it was with the four hour "roaring rampage of revenge" known as Kill Bill.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike Schindler and John MIlls take a look at Quentin Tarantino's exploitation epic. We discuss the build-up, our reactions to Volumes 1 and 2, the differences in The Whole Bloody Affair, and the film's connection to Star Trek. In news, check out the new Discovery writer/producer, Vaun Wilmott.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Vaun Wilmott (00:01:55)
Kill Bill (00:06:05)
Origins (00:18:58)
Anticipation (00:23:33)
Vol. 3 (00:44:07)
Closing (00:49:03)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 4: Jackie Brown.

After the success of Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino was in a position in which he could make almost any movie he wanted. With that power, he chose to adapt Elmore Leonard's crime novel Rum Punch into the Blaxploitation homage Jackie Brown.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler take a look at Tarantino's third film. We discuss the choice to go with a smaller character piece as his follow-up to Pulp Fiction, the film's unconventional casting, and what this adaptation tells us about how Tarantion may approach Star Trek.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Jackie Brown (00:02:01)
The Cast (00:18:15)
Closing (00:32:47)

Hosts
Sir John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 3: Four Rooms.

The 1990s produced numerous independent filmmakers who quickly became rockstars, and formed a tight-knit community. In that spirit, Quentin Tarantino teamed with three of his contemporaries to create the anthology film Four Rooms. The movie stars Tim Roth as a bellboy working alone at a hotel on New Year's Eve. As the title suggests, the film is divided into four stories, one for each "room," with each story written and directed by a different filmmaker. Those four filmmakers are Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino.

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills continue their series on Tarantino with a look at Four Rooms. We discuss the poor reception, the varying quality of the segments, and what makes Tarantino's segment a standout. In news, we look at the writer hired to pen the script for Star Trek 14, Mark L. Smith.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
News (00:01:17)
Four Rooms (00:14:02)
Tarantino's Room (00:30:34)
Closing (00:35:42)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 2: Pulp Fiction.

In 1994, Quentin Tarantino released his second feature film, Pulp Fiction. The art form would never be the same.

In this episode of Stage Nine, John Mills and Mike Schindler look at what many consider to be Tarantino's masterpiece. We discuss the atmosphere of film culture at the time, our initial experiences with the film, and the impact it had on the medium.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Pulp Fiction (00:02:17)
Memories (00:24:00)
Closing (00:37:16)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino, Vol. 1: Reservoir Dogs.

The news of Quentin Tarantino's involvement with the next Star Trek movie has been rather polarizing. What has he done in the past to suggest that he is the right choice? What is it that makes his movies special? Why should we be excited?

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills attempt to answer those questions with a new series examining each of Tarantino's films, starting from the beginning with Reservoir Dogs. We discuss our initial reactions, the impact the film had on the culture, and how it fits into Tarantino's overall career. In news, we look at the film's potential rating and profile the writers who are working on project.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
News (00:13:00)
Reservoir Dogs (00:27:44)
Closing (00:57:46)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Chris Steftenagel (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) John Mills (Show Art) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Tarantino on Trek.

Quentin Tarantino is one of the most talented and influential filmmakers currently working. He has also mentioned several times that he is a massive Star Trek fan and would be interested in taking a turn helming a Star Trek movie. However, he has claimed that he will only direct ten films, and he is currently in pre-production on Number 9. So what would the chances be that this A-List auteur would make a studio franchise film his last?

In this episode of Stage Nine, hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler discuss the recent news that Quentin Tarantino is writing a story for a new Star Trek movie with an eye towards directing. We discuss Tarantino's unique talents and what he could bring to Star Trek. We also discuss his idea for a James Bond sequel, and the possibility of a Star Trek cinematic Universe.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Quentin Tarantino (00:00:58)
Babel Conference Thoughts (00:21:45)
Closing (00:34:09)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler


Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Chris Steftenagel (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) John Mills (Show Art) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Directors That Never Were.

Star Trek movies have a rich history of hiring top-tier directing talent. Whether it is Oscar-winners like Robert Wise, or newcomers like Jonathan Frakes, the filmmakers behind the franchise can be relied on to turn out a high-quality product. But who were the people who almost made Star Trek movies?

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike and John take a look at the people who may have directed Star Trek in an alternate reality. We discuss filmmakers such as Philip Kaufman, Ron Howard, Harve Bennett, and even Ridley Scott, and wonder what their movies may have been like.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
TOS Era (00:01:50)
TNG Era (00:21:33)
Closing (00:36:58)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Justin Lin's S.W.A.T.

Last year, Justin Lin brought his action expertise to the franchise with Star Trek Beyond. This year, he has adapted another classic television property for the 21st century with his pilot for the new series S.W.A.T.

In this episode of Stage Nine, John and Mike take a look at Lin's new series. We discuss the show's origins, how the pilot differs from other police procedurals, and what makes it signature Lin. We also discuss Trek's newest director, Chris Byrne, and his work on Star Trek: Discovery 1.9, "Into the Forest I Go."

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Chris Byrne (00:01:44)
S.W.A.T. (00:10:16)
Closing (00:27:48)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Eight Legged Freaks.

Along with Aron Eli Coleite, Jesse Alexander has written what are arguably the two best episodes of Star Trek: Discovery thus far, "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry," and "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad." But before his turn at Trek, Alexander's very first movie was the B-Movie homage, Eight Legged Freaks.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike and John take a look at Alexander's first movie, which he co-wrote with director Ellory Elkayem. We discuss the film's light-hearted tone, the contributions of the cast, and John's fear of spiders.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:57)
Eight Legged Freaks (00:04:05)
Closing (00:23:34)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Discovery.

John and Mike have been talking about Star Trek: Discovery since the very first episode of Stage Nine. For over a year, we have brought news of the creative team behind the show, and discussed much of their work, all in anticipation of the latest Star Trek series. And now, Disco is finally here.

In this episode of Stage Nine, John and Mike give their impressions of Discovery after the first five episodes. We discuss our initial reactions, how the show compares to other Trek first seasons, and look at a few new writers who have joined the staff of the show.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
Parsec Awards (00:02:36)
Discovery (00:06:34)
Closing (00:27:46)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

NX-01 Movie Night: Sunset Blvd.

On the NX-01, Trip Tucker led the crew on their great adventure through the history of cinema with Movie Night. Over the course of Star Trek: Enterprise's four-year mission, Trip showed 13 films. The first, For Whom the Bell Tolls, was covered by us on Warp Five. Today, we look at the second, Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike Schindler and John Mills are joined by Warp Five's Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss Sunset Blvd. We give our thoughts on the film, discuss the career of Billy Wilder, and ponder why Trip may have chosen in for Movie Night.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:54)
Sunset Blvd (00:02:27)
Closing (00:40:40)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Guest
Brandon-Shea Mutala

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

The Orville.

Star Trek has always portrayed humanity at its finest. Enterprise is the flagship of the fleet. Its officers, the best the Federation has to offer. But what about the adventures of the lower-tier vessels? This is the premise of Seth MacFarlane's The Orville.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike Schindler is joined by Justin Oser of Earl Grey to look at the pilot of The Orville. We discuss our thoughts on the show, the crew of Star Trek vets working behind the scenes, and what the shows says about Star Trek.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
The Orville (00:02:15)
The Crew (00:13:29)
Real Trek? (00:31:25)
Closing (00:46:00)

Host
Mike Schindler

Guest
Justin Oser

Production
[Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Akiva Goldsman's I Am Legend.

It was recently revealed that the screenplay for Star Trek: Discovery's pilot was co-written by executive producer Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman is no stranger to classic science fiction, having adapted TOS writer Richard Matheson's novel I Am Legend for the big screen.

On the 51st anniversary of the franchise, Mike and John take a look at some work by one of the people leading Star Trek into its next phase with Goldsman's I Am Legend. We discuss Goldsman's role on Discovery, his adaptation of Matheson's book, and how the alternate ending of the movie differs from the theatrical cut.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
News (00:02:10)
I Am Legend (00:04:54)
Adaptation (00:18:05)
Closing (00:36:21)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
[Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Jesse Alexander's The Saint.

"The way they pick TV shows is, they make one show. That show's called a pilot. Then they show that one show to the people who pick shows, and on the strength of that one show they decide if they want to make more shows. Some get chosen and become television programs. Some don't, become nothing." -Jules, Pulp Fiction

Star Trek: Discovery writer Jesse Alexander wrote one of the ones that became nothing. That show was a remake of the Roger Moore classic, The Saint. But unlike the pilot that Mia Wallace starred in, The Saint has been expanded to feature length, and released as a direct-to-video movie starring Adam Rayner and Eliza Dushku.

In this episode of Stage Nine, John and Mike take a look at The Saint. We discuss our limited history with the franchise, the pilot's peculiar structure, and what it may have been like in its original form.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
The Saint (00:01:18)
Our Thoughts (00:11:03)
The Original Pilot (00:21:24)
Closing (00:31:23)

Hosts
John Mills and Mike Schindler

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)

Domino.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek redefined the look of the franchise for the 21st century. The person most directly responsible for this is director of photography Dan Mindel. But Star Trek and Into Darkness are just two of many films Mindel has photographed with his unique style.

In this episode of Stage Nine, Mike and John begin a new series in which we look at the cinematographers of the modern era of Trek. We begin with Mindel's work on Tony Scott's Domino. We discuss the movie on the whole, the techniques Mindel used to give the film its unique aesthetic, and wonder whether or not this look could have been obtained with digital cameras.

Chapters
Intro (00:00:00)
News (00:01:13)
Domino (00:09:47)
Closing (00:30:35)

Hosts
Mike Schindler and John Mills

Production
Mike Schindler (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Jeff Sutter (Associate Producer) Chris Stenftenagel (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)