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Star Trek: Voyager's Tim Russ Answers Questions About His New Project Star Trek: Renegades

By now, many of you have heard of the new Tim Russ helmed Trek project Star Trek: Renegades. If not, it's a brand new film brought to you by the same folks responsible for Star Trek: Of God's and Men that needs your help via Kickstarter. The new project features many Trek alumns including: Tim Russ reprising his role as Tuvok & directing the feature, Garrett Wang, Gary Graham, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, and Life After Trek-kers Manu Intiraymi & Walter Koenig. The story of Renegades takes place several years after Voyager's return home and delves into the dark side of the human psyche, pushing the characters to their limits, and forcing them to carry out actions that they never would have as Starfleet officers

We got the awesome chance to ask Tim Russ a few questions about the upcoming project...

Subspace Communique: What are a few noticeable differences in the story between the new Star Trek: Renegades and the previous Star Trek: Of Gods and Men.

Tim Russ: One of the biggest differences is that "Of Gods and Men" takes place in a parallel universe, and "Renegades" does not. Also, this storyline takes place a number of years beyond Voyager's return home.

SSC: Once the Kickstarter campaign is successful, when will you start filming?

TR: Probably late Spring or early Summer of 2013.

SSC: What is the estimated time frame for production on the film?

TR: Not sure yet, we have to break down the script, and that is still being written.

SSC: How do you feel about reprising your roll of Tuvok?

TR: Well I look forward to portraying the character in a new and different story line.

SSC: Are you planning on taking the character of Tuvok in any different directions from that of Voyager?

TR: I think he will basically be the same character as was portrayed in Voyager, but his choices and actions within the storyline will be based on the unusual challenges he faces.

SSC: Was it difficult juggling two responsibilities (acting and directing) in Star Trek: Of Gods and Men? And what are the things that drew you back to tackle both responsibilities again in the new Star Trek: Renegades?

TR: It's always difficult and tricky to do both jobs on a shoot, that of actor and director. It can be distracting because sometimes you find yourself observing the scene looks while you are in the middle of acting in it..it's a very strange sensation. You have to fight that urge to do so.

SSC: What did you learn from working on Star Trek: Of Gods and Men that you will take with you to either use and/or modify while filming the new project?

TR: The main thing is having adequate funds and or recourses for the production. It won't be millions of dollars but the budget should at least cover the basic elements like crew, talent, locations and equipment etc. During several days of shooting on "Gods and Men" we had a very difficult conditions to work in; remote location, little or no cell service, excessive heat and virtually no crew. Eventually that improved considerably because we moved to L.A. to finish shooting. On "Renegades," we plan to shoot in a much more logistically, comfortable, and practical location.

SSC: We've heard you previously mention that it was pretty hot on the set of Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. Ending on a lighter note; is air conditioning a priority in the new production?

TR: Well I have to say, that even on big budget series like "Voyager" there were days where we worked on location in miserable heat. But yes…AC will be a priority.

You can get more information about Star Trek: Renegades and donate to the cause on the official Kickstarter page here.

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