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)

Stage Nine: A Podcast about the People Who Make Star Trek

79: Last Friday

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)

78: The Scarlet Bat Symbol

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)

77: Cloverfield in Space

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)

76: Cruelty on Display

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)

75: I Need to Eat Some Strudel

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)

74: A Presentation of Presentation

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)

73: It Ain't Show Art

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)

72: Sir John

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)

71: QTrek

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)

70: A Diamond Bullet to Your Brain

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)

69: You Gotta See This!

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)

68: Star Trek 4Ever

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)

67: That Disney Cash

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)

66: Hey, It's Lem!

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)

65: Unpack That One

Stage Nine is a show from Trek.fm that explores the work of Star Trek creatives past, present, and future. Join Mike Schindler and John Mills each week as they look at the people who make Star Trek, and their work both inside and outside of the franchise.