The Human Adventure Continues...

INTERVIEW WITH PAUL OLSEN

Following on from the recent interview with Richard Taylor I thought it only fair that we should catch up with Paul Olsen, the artist who defined the finished look of the USS Enterprise. Paul gave the starship her "sparkling ballgown" and it is that look that is treasured and admired by all Star Trek fans around the world to this very day!

So Paul! To start with, did you watch Star Trek on TV as a kid ?

You know, sadly it wasn't on when I was a kid! I missed the whole series because I was busy painting, making posters and playing in bands in the UK at the time! I had no real exposure to Star Trek until I was hired to paint the Enterprise...but of course I knew what the Enterprise was and all the characters just through the pervasive ubiquitousness of the franchise all over the world. Was that English????

Oh! So how come you were specifically chosen to paint the Enterprise and how was it you chose to use pearlescent paint ?

I had an illustrator friend, Ed Scarisbrick, who shared a studio with another illustrator,Charlie White, who grew up and went to school with Jim Dow. Jim asked Charlie if he could take a month off (!!!) to paint the Enterprise, and Charlie, being THE most successful airbrush illustrator in the world at the time, couldn't take a month off because it would kill his freelance business...and in fact Jim was being a bit fast and loose because it took 6 months to paint the model working flat out 7 days a week! Jim then asked Charlie if he knew anyone handy with an airbrush who had the time to paint the model, Charlie said to Ed, "Don't you have a friend who can airbrush who's looking for work?" Ed nodded, Charlie gave Ed Jim's phone number, Ed called me and said, "Paul, how would you like to paint the Enterprise? What a phone call! Of course I said I would have to think about it....!! I hopped on my motorcycle and raced down to Magicam to meet up with Jim who suggested using pearl paints as he restored a 1935 Ford using them and thought they would be perfect for the model as they were transparent.

Tell us about your time at Magicam. Was it a good place to work at? What was the vibe?.

Great place to work…we were all friends and got on famously. Jim created a real professional, yet friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I loved it. A family of very talented and educated people…we had a good sound system and played great music all day long, all went out to lunch together and are all great friends to this day, though we've sadly lost a few over the years.

The Aztec paint job on the Enterprise. What was the thinking behind that?

That was Richard Taylor's idea---the man who designed the Enterprise. A top designer and FX director...very talented guy. I really don't know the whole story, but I reckon Richard must have drawn out what he thought would look cool and given it to Jim, who had one his people make a start on saucer before I came along. I'll have to write to him and ask him that!

When and why did you decide to write the book “Creating The Enterprise”?

In late October 2012 after you arranged for me to appear at the huge 2012 Destination Star Trek London show at the Excel...I was so moved by the experience, the wonderful people I met from all over the world, their enthusiasm and real interest in what did all those years ago that I had tell my story for all the fans. I had no idea of the depth of love and reverence that Star Trek fans have for Enterprise. I was blown away, totally. It was a real eye-opener, and a very pleasant one.

How did the 1701 Rebuild Project come about and what are its ultimate goals?

As a result of my book, I flew to LA and got back in touch with Richard Taylor and Jim Dow...I hadn't seen them for 34 years. We wondered where our model was, so when I returned to the UK where I live at the moment I researched and found our model had gone into private hands and would never be seen again. A lovely guy, Boyd Crompton of Trekworks in Texas, who has become a good friend, suggested that, "Paul, why don't you and Richard and Jim recreate the Enterprise?" Boyd was so enthusiastic about the prospect, that I mooted the idea to Jim and Richard who were both up for it...but it would be up to me to organize it all. They were busy with their own projects. So we decided to put together a platform to rebuild the Enterprise and engage the fans to help us with contributions...Phase 1 of which is the Prime Mover program offering unique premiums, and having every Prime Mover's name engraved on a sculpture that either Richard or myself will design that will accompany the Enterprise wherever she appears on the planet...forever. The premium levels start at $15 and go up to $500...the more you contribute, the more unique, collectible Star Trek premiums you receive...the $300 and $500 levels get a boatload of signed premiums plus a signed and numbered credit card-type card that lets you into ANY venue anywhere where our Enterprise will be on display at the very highest VIP level---forever! You can pass it down to your children and it will be good at least until the 24th century. VIP tickets to most Star Trek conventions cost thousands...so this card could be worth upwards of $30,000 or more if you use it every year...quite a deal.

And finally!... What will happen to the Enterprise once she is built and ready for display?

We will always keep her in the public eye, and she will tour the world being displayed At conventions, casinos, museums, hotel lobbies, building lobbies---always available to the public, because we are building her FOR the fans, with donations FROM the fans. The perfect Star Trek partnership in the spirit of what we all love about Star Trek. This one's for you...all of you, and will never be sold off or sequestered in one place...we want her to tour the world so fans everywhere will have a chance to see her. Richard Taylor will design a spectacular display for her. We plan to unveil her at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood walk of fame. Nichelle Nichols has already said she wants to do the unveiling (!). But first, we need the help of the fans to kickstart this adventure. 

Well thank you Paul for that generous and insightful input, and of course I am sure that alongside of myself there are countless Star Trek fans around the world wishing you every success with this historic venture.

You're welcome! Thank you for having me along.

Details regarding the 1701 Rebuild Project can be found on Facebook, Twitter and of online at www.1701rebuild.com