Building the Klingon Bridge

As Van had set about to build the frame and construct the upper platform, Ricky Thompson and Randy set out to construct the Klingon bridge facade. We had already determined that it would be to our advantage to go ahead and film the Klingon scenes.

The weekend of March 19th, we contacted every Klingon group with members in Georgia that we could find. Literally two dozen emails were sent, and sadly, many were undeliverable (closed and inactive accounts, that sort of thing), but we were able to make contact with a few, and we're hoping to cast two or three Klingons in the coming week. If you frequent the convention scene in Klingon costume and would like to have a part in our fan film, please contact us at once at producer@projectpotemkin.com. We need at least two or three, but could settle for five or six Klingons, depending on how many actually are interested!

We also knew that we wanted to construct the Klingon bridge set. Using the Klingon bridge seen in "Elaan of Troyius," we were able to devise a relatively simple fascimile of that set.	On March 22nd, construction of the facade began. Using 2"x3"x8' boards, we constructed a frame on which we secured two 1/8" hardyboard panels.
We cut a 48"x96" vinyl lattice panel in half and painted it red. Ideally, we would have used hexagonal lattice, but it was unavailable at a reasonable price, so we ended up using diamond lattice. As in the case of our main bridge set, we're not trying to recreate a museum piece; we're trying to achieve a practical, reasonable facsmile that we'll be able to use for the next few years.	We painted the hardyboard panels pastel blue. Then, using 2"x3"s, we constructed legs for the panel and stood it up. Again, using 2"x3"s, we created a frame with legs for the lattices so they would stand upright. We added a thin strip of flat molding (painted silver). Then we moved the two lattice panels to either side, and brought out the office chair as a test.
We also created a small control panel for the Klingon Science Officer (on the left) to operate while he occasionally delivers lines in the episode we're planning to shoot. The panel is just a cardboard box, uniquely cut, and placed on an empty paper roll with an overlay of a Klingon control panel graphic.	Finally, on the 27th, with the background, lattice work and control panel completed, and the Klingon emblem applique applied to the hardyboard, it was time to turn to the lighting. We used 85W colored lights, three of them, evenly spaced.
Once the lighting was installed, we took a test shot from seat level looking upward to see if the emblem is properly sized. It looks a tad too small, so we're going to print another one and replace this one with it. (BTW, we believe the emblem is by the fan Balsavor.)	A test shot with Jeremy in the foreground sitting in the Klingon commander's chair. You can barely make out the control panel on the left. The look is very similar to that of the Klingon, and we see that we're going to move the lighting a bit further out.

So what we need now (aside from a few touch-ups and tweaks) is a bunch of Klingons!

Again, if you're in the South Georgia, Northwest Florida, or South Alabama area, and have your own costume and makeup, we need you for our upcoming fan film. Contact us at once at producer@projectpotemkin.com and volunteer. Filming will take place on one Saturday afternoon in April or early May. We will cater lunch before the shoot and a light buffet afterwards to everyone who helps out.

Next Saturday: we expect to begin the construction of the raised platform. We will also be displaying the props we'll be using in upcoming Potemkin episodes...