1984 Andrew Probert Interview

Andrew Probert has been responsible for the look of Star Trek since 1979 in so many ways, and the influence of his work still is evident today even in the new Trek movies. Here is an interview with this amazingly talented production designer and artist from Enterprise Incidents #17 published in May of 1984.

Most of the article is concerned with his work on ST:TMP, which expanded the look of Trek universe from the low-budget TV series to motion-picture quality detail and design. Sharp-eared fans (pun intended) may have heard his name used on-screen in TMP, during the subspace radio chatter that was audible over the Epsilon Nine outpost exterior scenes. "Commodore Probert" was the officer named by the voice that was relaying orders for various ships... ships that even more attentive fans may have noticed as having been named and numbered in the Star Fleet Technical Manual!

 (Click on images to enlarge; once open, you may have to click again to view full size.)

My first exposure to Mr. Probert's work was when I ordered prints of his awesome paintings of the TOS cast members from Lincoln Enterprises in the early 70's. Below is a photo of the three I ordered and are now framed on my home office wall. I wish I had gotten the entire set, but my funds were limited back then. Come to think of it, they still are...

Bonus: below, from the same issue, is a short feature that looks at the environmental suits used in the third season of the show. The rare photo of Walter Koenig in the suit is the highlight.

Bonus #2: A pensive-looking Kirk is featured in a publicity still taken during the filming of the third-season clunker "Spock's Brain."

1980 article: The Lost Designs of ST:TMP

From issue #32 of Starlog, published March 1980, comes this revealing article on the "Lost Designs of ST:TMP" featuring an interview with Andy Probert.

Probably the best photo you will ever see for the details on the filming model of the Vulcan shuttle "Surak."

1976 article "Spock, Part 2: An Analysis"

Last entry, we looked at Part 1 of an two-part examination of the character of Spock, from a 1976 issue of "Quasimodo's Monster Magazine." This time, part 2 is a conversation about the Vulcan's popularity with writer Jacqueline Lichtenberg, who co-penned the book many of us remember so very, very fondly; "Star Trek Lives!"

Update: I recently added Jacqueline as a friend on Facebook, and alerted her to this post. She was kind enough to comment, so click on the "comments" tab for this entry and see what she had to say! It is so neat to be able to interact with people like her who had such an impact on my young life as a Trekker.

Bonus item: the next inside page from the "Star Trektennial" edition of Lincoln Enterprise's 1976 catalog (see others posted by using the "Lincoln Enterprises" tag on the sidebar).

Below is the painted Kirk portrait that I ordered from the page above (left-hand lower part of the page); more will be posted in the near future. These were done by a young Andy Probert, who was responsible for much of the final look of the redesigned Enterprise in "ST:TMP."

And below is what the keychain viewers in the catalog looked like. This one had a film clip frame of Uhura in it. Scanned image is larger than actual size.

Look for more Lincoln Enterprises material in upcoming posts. Be sure to comment if you have memories of you own you want to share! (Update: here is a Flickr group devoted to sharing filmclips acquired from Lincoln Enterprises!)