Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
A look at the visual effects team behind the iconic television show and how they used practical effects, model photography and artistry.
This was the TV show that first sparked my interest in visual effects and over the years, I've come back to it time and time again. In the decades since it was broadcast, there's been breadcrumbs scattered over how the VFX were created and I've done my best here to gather them all up to share. I searched the web for blu-ray extras, exclusive releases, podcasts and of course, Cinefex.
Robert Legato, Dan Curry, Ron Moore, Gary Hutzel, Michael & Denise Okuda and many others were brought together by producer Peter Lauritson to work behind the scenes creating magic (or should that be "sufficently advanced science"?)
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*▶️ Playlists*
- Makin' Star Trek
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58-kYtQUHvPCeF6JgbnHR2pokLrewgns
- VFX History
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58-kYtQUHvO3QDR3IoCxZBVHOAkcHW3S
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*📖 Bibliography*
Campbell, G. and Trotter, D., 1989. Special Effects: The Next Generation. Cinefex, (37)
Curry, D. and Robinson, B., 2021. Star Trek: The Artistry of Dan Curry. London: Titan Books.
Amazon link to Dan’s book: amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-Artistry-Dan-Curry/dp/1785659340
*▶️ Video sources (I cannot guarantee these links will continue to work)*
- youtube.com/watch?v=mYIRoRicoYU
- youtube.com/watch?v=kJSZEH8n6fw
- youtube.com/watch?v=Xu704p568-Y
- youtu.be/wjJDrDSUH8I?si=9EH2dhdqpcF5Mzm-
- John Knoll: Old School Cool - vimeo.com/391366006
- youtube.com/watch?v=dN9Uy0HoY-4
Thanks to:
- @GCKoerner for pointing out that the model motion control was shot at Image G, not Foundation Imaging.
- @faldor for letting me know the Dauphin was in Season 2, not Season 3.
------------------------------------------------------------
*🔖Chapters*
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Shoot on Film, Edit on Video
07:25 Video Compositing
11:03 Shooting models
16:21 Practical Elements
18:10 Self-repairing Borg Cube
19:17 3D Viewscreens
20:30 Faking motion control
21:19 Undercranking
*Models*:
Enterprise D, Alex3D : www.alex3d.space
Enterprise D bridge, WhyNotBoth - open3dlab.com/project/2d64fe26-2d5e-4474-a679-8cabe42812ad
"FREE - SkyBox Sci-Fi Space Room Interior" (skfb.ly/oIJv6) by Paul is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@AdobeVideo
#aftereffects #startrek #vfx
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts
A look at the visual effects team behind the iconic television show and how they used practical effects, model photography and artistry.
This was the TV show that first sparked my interest in visual effects and over the years, I've come back to it time and time again. In the decades since it was broadcast, there's been breadcrumbs scattered over how the VFX were created and I've done my best here to gather them all up to share. I searched the web for blu-ray extras, exclusive releases, podcasts and of course, Cinefex.
Robert Legato, Dan Curry, Ron Moore, Gary Hutzel, Michael & Denise Okuda and many others were brought together by producer Peter Lauritson to work behind the scenes creating magic (or should that be "sufficently advanced science"?)
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus*
*▶️ Playlists*
- Makin' Star Trek
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58-kYtQUHvPCeF6JgbnHR2pokLrewgns
- VFX History
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL58-kYtQUHvO3QDR3IoCxZBVHOAkcHW3S
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*📖 Bibliography*
Campbell, G. and Trotter, D., 1989. Special Effects: The Next Generation. Cinefex, (37)
Curry, D. and Robinson, B., 2021. Star Trek: The Artistry of Dan Curry. London: Titan Books.
Amazon link to Dan’s book: amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-Artistry-Dan-Curry/dp/1785659340
*▶️ Video sources (I cannot guarantee these links will continue to work)*
- youtube.com/watch?v=mYIRoRicoYU
- youtube.com/watch?v=kJSZEH8n6fw
- youtube.com/watch?v=Xu704p568-Y
- youtu.be/wjJDrDSUH8I?si=9EH2dhdqpcF5Mzm-
- John Knoll: Old School Cool - vimeo.com/391366006
- youtube.com/watch?v=dN9Uy0HoY-4
Thanks to:
- @GCKoerner for pointing out that the model motion control was shot at Image G, not Foundation Imaging.
- @faldor for letting me know the Dauphin was in Season 2, not Season 3.
------------------------------------------------------------
*🔖Chapters*
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Shoot on Film, Edit on Video
07:25 Video Compositing
11:03 Shooting models
16:21 Practical Elements
18:10 Self-repairing Borg Cube
19:17 3D Viewscreens
20:30 Faking motion control
21:19 Undercranking
*Models*:
Enterprise D, Alex3D : www.alex3d.space
Enterprise D bridge, WhyNotBoth - open3dlab.com/project/2d64fe26-2d5e-4474-a679-8cabe42812ad
"FREE - SkyBox Sci-Fi Space Room Interior" (skfb.ly/oIJv6) by Paul is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@AdobeVideo
#aftereffects #startrek #vfx
I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all
#AdobeCommunityExperts
