The team behind What We left Behind has provided us with an update on their much-anticipated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine documentary, including the release of a new video announcing the latest milestone.

Picture is locked

In a new video announcement, producer, and former DS9 showrunner, Ira Steven Behr announced that the doc is now “picture locked,” which he said mean it was “basically done,” meaning that filming and editing for the doc have now been completed. However, the video (below) also made it clear there are still many post-production tasks that need to be completed, including licensing and approval of Star Trek clips, sound design, graphics and color correction.

The release date is still pending, however the team is committed to having the film out to Indiegogo supporters later in 2018, which is the 25th anniversary year of DS9.

Details on HD remastering elements of DS9

One of the more exciting elements of the doc will be the remastering of some footage of Deep Space Nine into HD, as noted in the update video above. The team have been able to scan a select handful of reels from the original DS9 film negatives, which will allow presenting elements of DS9 in high-definition for the first time. Speaking to TrekMovie, producer Kai de Mello-Folsom adds more context to the including of HD footage from DS9, saying “As these sequences are part of a larger film, it is important to note they are generally edited to serving a broader narrative purpose.”

Just like with the remastering of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the process is very time-intensive and expensive. According to de Mello-Folsom, they have been focusing on using the more easily-accessible scenes with limited (or no) VFX requirements. The team have been working closely with CBS on post-production and consulting with original DS9 creative team members like Mike and Denise Okuda, Jonathan West, and Doug Drexler.

Expressing enthusiasm for the HD process, de Mello-Folsom said:

We have been truly excited to see the detailed sets, lighting design and makeup work come to life in a new and more vibrant way, and hope to work with CBS Home Entertainment to scan additional content in the coming months, license and budget pending.

Headed to STLV for panel and dinner with Vic

The What We Left Behind team is again headed to the big Star Trek Las Vegas convention for a panel which will share new details and never-before-seen content from the documentary. They are also promising to reveal never-before-seen content from Deep Space Nine.

There will also be a special dinner “Night with Vic Fontaine & Friends” event. Here is a description:

Be part of a special night with the best holographic lounge singer in the quadrant — Vic Fontaine (Jimmy Darren!) — along with Ira Steven Behr and the team behind the DS9 Documentary and a host of special surprise guests in a private dinner event during the 2018 Star Trek Las Vegas Convention. Guests will be treated to homestyle Italian cuisine selected by ‘Vic’ himself, opportunities to meet-and-greet with all our celebrity guests before, during, and after dinner, and walk away with a special #DS9Doc swag-bag and digital access to an online photo-album to remember the evening by!

Tickets for the event are $500 and available at www.ds9documentary.com (while tickets last).

Last chance to get your name into the doc

For a donation of $50 you can get your name in the credits of What We left Behind. There are just two more weeks to take advantage of this opportunity. To be part of the doc, visit www.ds9documentary.com.

All proceeds from items sold directly fund post-production & publicity of the documentary.