The last week has been a bit heated but let’s face it, tensions have been high in the fan film world for so long.

It seems to me that one cannot raise questions in the fan film world, we’re all expected to be quiet and let things happen.

We’re not allowed to question the practices of a studio or question the methods fan films or fan studios obtain their money.

We’re expected to believe that everybody is a good ol’ human being and everything we read and hear from their own fingers and mouths should be left to slide away, no matter how disturbing what we read and hear from them can be.

The latest fighting started because questions were asked about Neutral Zone Studios and The Real Truth About Axanar got hold of it and then Ray Tesi didn’t like what he read and stated so on Fan Film Factor, and this spread through the fan film groups on Facebook.

There has always been a hidden nastiness in the fan film world, fan film history has had its share of coup attempts, people forced out, people leaving over troubling acts and more.

Alliances are forged and alliances are broken and sometimes reforged, below are some such examples of the movers and shakers.

Alec and Vic were once on the same team and tried to seize power of one production together, Vic was later part of STC while Alec had Prelude to Axanar and now they hate each other with a great passion.

Paul Jenkins helped Interlude out, what happened later? His signature was sort after for an Interlude release form and it wasn’t Paul who was being asked to provide it.

Ray and Jonathan clashed when Interlude was refused the use of Neutral Zone Studios (the business that isn’t a business) and a stink was kicked up about it and now Ray did a two-part interview with him.

Matt Miller found out that several fan film people he thought supported him and vice versa really had a pitchfork hidden behind their backs, 19 of them banded together to try force Matt to run his editorials to their liking, it was an eye-opening experience.

That link provides the location of the letter that Matt received and our response to it.

Those nineteen fan film people had a peace talks group but didn’t invite Matt and I, the very two people they were talking about, what sort of peace talks is that? well they ignored me, so it was just Matt they were after, heck nobody in that group who was a ‘friend’ of Matt’s had the guts or decency to give him a heads up that something was coming.

For over a month since the awards, I had almost forgotten about the bad events leading up to the 2023 Trekzone Fan Film Awards, recent events have brought back the feelings of anger I had about those 19 as they sent their letter about 24 hours before we were rolling out nominations, the leaders knew it was coming, maybe some of the 19 didn’t know but those leaders sure did.

They didn’t sink us, they nearly did, our morale was rock bottom and both of us wanted to quit but we dragged each other along and had good friends who reminded us about those who love what we do, and we got back on the horse and did a good show.

I’m glad that the 19 wrote that letter because after we had done our job for 2023, it was the perfect opportunity to shut them out permanently and live a much healthier life.

I got given a great gift after the awards, fan film makers (in particular Potemkin Pictures) that didn’t know or knew little of me, found me and spread my writings, I’ve had my best year in years, and I don’t have to push anybody or even ask anybody to do anything, they do it all themselves and I’m grateful for it.

I’m grateful to FSFilm, Euderion Infinity, Smoking Gun Films, Potemkin Pictures, The Wavelength and many others for flying their independent flag and living their dreams alone and not beholden to others, don’t bow down to the demands of a few, stay true to yourselves.

Hopefully this is the last time I comment in detail about the 2023 TFFA, I got a new idea to tell Matt about and hopefully by Star Trek Day I’ll have an answer and preparations for 2024 are ongoing, the awards will likely be simpler, but they will be held.

MTM is independent and will always be independent.

Until next time, be good to each other.