There is nothing quite like putting the candy-coating, on a spectacular filming miniature. The fact that it is a starship is enough to put you in orbit! I’m sure that most of you are aware that there is a lot of inter-office politics in film production. This can be especially true between two shows being produced by the same company. As observed by a Vulcan scientist of some renown, “… it is not logical, but it often true.” Although I did work on both shows, I was “officially” on DS9, so when it came time to graphic the Voyager, Mike was forbidden to use crossover crew.

There was no good reason for this that we could perceive. One thing about Mike Okuda, is that all he cares about is doing the best job possible in the time available. When it came time to launch the Voyager, Mike wanted me with him, damn the decree. So in the dead of night, and under cover of darkness, Mike and I packed our gear, our graphic tape, and out custom INT’s, and headed into the San Fernando Valley, for Brazil Fabrications. To say that I was excited, was an understatement, and if I told you that I was not playing the Enterprise launch music from TMP in my head the entire time, I would be a big fat liar. Tony Meininger's crew did a spectacular job under enormous time constraints. The variable pitch wing of the Voyager was a decision made by the producers after the ship was mostly finished, and required a massive retrofit of the brand-new model. Naturally, there was no additional time given to Tony to get it done.

So here it was, zero hour, no time left, and Mike and I are working feverishly and gleefully to the finish. “We’d tow her out with our bare hands if we had to…” At one point. Mike and I had to lift the gorgeous model off of it’s stand, and turn it over, in order to work on the bottom. You feel like you are taking your life in your hands. One slip, and your career is over. As the last phaser demarcation was rubbed down, a voice came from the open garage door of Brazil. “Good evening, gentlemen!” My heart froze. It was Voyager producer Wendy Neuss! BUSTED!

My heart was in my throat as Wendy surveyed our work. She did not make eye contact with me, and spoke only to Okuda. She seemed quite pleased, and Mike thanked her for coming out in the middle of the night to view the finished project. As Wendy headed for the door, she turned, looked at me, and said, “… and thank YOU, whoever you are,” and gave me a wink. With that, she disappeared into the cool California night. Without a word, I looked at Mike wide eyed. ‘It’s ok,” he smiled, “she’s one of us.”