The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

by Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens

The Making ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine &reg is an exclusive look at the incredible adventure that began long before the first scene was shot. Filled with anecdotes and insights covering all aspects of what television viewers see each week, as well as little-known stories of "Borg Tribbles," "Cardassian Bowling Alleys," and the "Funniest Joke in the Universe," this unprecedented behind-the-scenes chronicle is based on a year of research and exclusive observation of every stage of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

From the earliest concepts for the show to the rigors of full-scale production, The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine examines the other side of the camera, and provides a detailed look at every stage of television production -- from story breaking, to writing, casting, production design, to the show's magnificent model work and state-of-the-art computerized special effects, and final editing.

Genres: Star Trek, Nonfiction, Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Reference, Star Trek The Next Generation, Tv

319 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive look behind the scenes of the entire production of the 1st and some of the 2nd Season. Some of the content might be too technical for some (there are things like entire scripts reproduced and a lesson in film editing) but I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Very interesting to see how "things were done" in the industry in the early 90's and where they saw the future heading (more computers!)

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the creation of the best Star Trek series of all time. I was particularly fascinated by the writing of the season finale, and the work that goes into particular scenes by the writer, the cast, and the director. A great warm-up read, prior to plunging into the "Star Trek DS9 Companion".

[Tanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brag: My copy is signed by Terry Farrell. Back when you didn't have to pay for the autographs.

[Donovan Ackley]

so-so...too much techno-babble for me but a true production geek might love it

[Natira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe die deutsche Ausgabe des Heyne-Verlages gelesen und es gibt ein paar kleine Probleme mit dieser, weil die Grammatik nicht so ganz passte (z. B. ich "werfte" bzw. nicht laufende Sätze); ich habe mich entschieden, dass dieses Problem der deutschen Ausgabe aber nicht meinen Gesamteindruck von diesem Buch schmälert. Daher statt 4,5 doch 5 Sterne. ;)

Das Buch war nämlich ansonsten - Softcover (wird leider bei Goodreads als Bindungsversion nicht angeboten), Größe daher etwas über A4 - für mich eine Informationsquelle und bereicherte mich um Wissen z.B. über das erste Treatment (ich sage nur Fußmassage) des Pilotfilms, die Änderungen durch die Autoren und welche Impulse durch andere Personen und wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiter (nicht alle flossen ein, z.B. blieb der Name "Quark" erhalten) Berücksichtigung fanden. Die Autoren berichten über die "Entstehung" und Entwicklung und Umsetzung/Realisierung dieser Serie, wobei sie sich insbesondere auf den Pilotfilm und die letzte Folge der ersten Staffel konzentrieren. Wer hier Anekdoten der Schauspieler sucht, wird nicht fündig. Zwar geht es auch um die Besetzung und die Darsteller der Hauptcharaktere kommen zu Wort, aber auch hier geht es im Wesentlichen um die Entwicklung des Charakters oder die Abläufe/Herausforderungen beim Dreh. So war mir z.B. klar, dass die Szenen nicht chronologisch gedreht werden, aber es bedurfte tatsächlich dieses Buches, um mir - Pilotfilm und Dreharbeiten von Avery Brooks - diesen Aspekt _richtig_ vor Augen zu führen. Von der Entwicklung, Design, den Bau der Sets, den Dreh, optische Effekte, Ton/Musik, Schneiden der Folge - es gibt viel zu schauen (diverse Skizzen, Memos, handschriftliche Notizen) zu lesen und zu erfahren.

Ach ja, noch während des Lesens habe ich mir den Pilotfilm von DS9 angeschaut und bin gerade wieder dabei, die Serie zu schauen. Ich warte weiterhin sehnsüchtig auf eine remasterte Version ... bitte?!

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great behind the scenes insight into my favourite television show, Star Trek Deep Space Nine. The authors are established star trek (novel) writers and they do a spectacular and comprehensive job of describing the conceptualisation and development of DS9.

They leveraged interviews and access to get “behind the curtain” and reveal the painstaking process and team work required to deliver this amazing show.

If there was a criticism it was that it was made in 1994 and therefore without the benefit of a book-ended exploration of the show and everything that went on. Particularly the departure of Terry Farrell and the arrival of Michael Dorn from/to the cast, and the storyboarding and execution of the Dominion War. This would have completed this narrative.


But I am so glad I got to read this 30 years later.

Credit to the writers for predicting subscription based, streaming platforms and well ahead of the technology in 94.

Very impressive


I love this show. I love these authors. They are actually our emissaries into a world we are only allowed to glimpse.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great introduction to the world of Television show creation. Every process of an episode's production is given great attention, and I found myself often thinking "oh, so that's how they pull that off!"

I really highly recommend this, especially to Star Trek fans. A fair amount of elements are a bit outdated now, as practices have changed and evolved since 1994, but much of it still remains relevant. It's also eery how a lot of this book's prediction of the future has actually come to pass - especially the prediction of an on-demand channel where people can watch every single Star Trek episode whenever they want.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are sections of this deep dive into Deep Space Nine that serve as an excellent behind-the-scenes analysis, offering interesting insight and stories about the production of the tv series. The early story treatment and production sketches are highlights.

There are other sections of this book that are insufferably
self-satisfied, featuring failed attempts at humor, and a strange self-congratulatory smugness. Entire paragraphs of cringe.

There’s also a repetition of praise for the producers of DS9 (and Star Trek of the 90s), Rick Berman especially that comes across as sycophantic. A little of this goes a long way.

Good for fans who want to skim to the good bits…

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't read the entire thing, but it was fun to learn more about DS9's conception and design and see some behind the scenes stuff.