James Cawley
Encyclopedia
James Cawley is an American
executive film producer
and actor
, known for his assumption of the role Captain James T. Kirk
in the fan film series
Star Trek: Phase II.
fan growing up, in 1997 Cawley began collecting props and costumes from the original series and acquired the original Enterprise
blueprints when he interned on Star Trek: The Next Generation
. He went on to spend over $100,000 constructing near-flawless recreations of sets in an abandoned car dealership in Port Henry, New York
. Funding the project through his career as an Elvis impersonator
, Cawley and fellow Star Trek fans gathered together to begin shooting new episodes and by 2003 a pilot “Come What May” was shot as a proof of concept
.
in the 41st Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
episode Vigil, and had a cameo as Captain Kirk along with ‘’New Voyages’’ co-stars Jeff Quinn and John Kelley in the premiere episode of Starship Farragut titled The Captaincy.
The starship Ticonderoga in the Star Trek: Enterprise
episode "The Aenar" was named as a nod to Cawley's hometown. His sets, props and costumes have also been used by Star Trek: Enterprise
in the episode "In a Mirror Darkly" and in the fan film Of Gods and Men
in which Cawley also plays one of Captain Kirk's nephews. In addition to producing more episodes of Phase II, Cawley appeared in the cameo role of a bridge officer in the new Star Trek movie.
In 2009, Cawley and his production company, Retro Film Studios, secured the license to Buck Rogers
, which began filming in late 2009, with plans to offer episodes online in 2010. However, as of late 2011, no episodes have been produced or released.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
executive film producer
Show runner
Showrunner is a term of art originating in the United States and Canadian television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television seriesalthough such persons generally are credited as an executive producer...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, known for his assumption of the role Captain James T. Kirk
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
in the fan film series
Fan film
A fan film is a film or video inspired by a film, television program, comic book or a similar source, created by fans rather than by the source's copyright holders or creators. Fan filmmakers have traditionally been amateurs, but some of the more notable films have actually been produced by...
Star Trek: Phase II.
Star Trek: Phase II
A big Star TrekStar Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
fan growing up, in 1997 Cawley began collecting props and costumes from the original series and acquired the original Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
blueprints when he interned on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
. He went on to spend over $100,000 constructing near-flawless recreations of sets in an abandoned car dealership in Port Henry, New York
Port Henry, New York
Port Henry is a village in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 1,152 at the 2000 census.The Village of Port Henry lies on the east side of the Town of Moriah and is approximately one hour's drive south of Plattsburgh...
. Funding the project through his career as an Elvis impersonator
Elvis impersonator
An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
, Cawley and fellow Star Trek fans gathered together to begin shooting new episodes and by 2003 a pilot “Come What May” was shot as a proof of concept
Proof of concept
A proof of concept or a proof of principle is a realization of a certain method or idea to demonstrate its feasibility, or a demonstration in principle, whose purpose is to verify that some concept or theory that has the potential of being used...
.
Other projects
Cawley’s prominent role in Star Trek: New Voyages gave him the opportunity to play small roles in a few other Star Trek fan episodes. He portrayed Mackenzie CalhounMackenzie Calhoun
Mackenzie Calhoun is a fictional character from the Star Trek universe. Created by Peter David, Calhoun is an extraterrestrial from the planet Xenex, and is captain of the Federation starship USS Excalibur....
in the 41st Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
Star Trek: Hidden Frontier was a Star Trek fan film project. Produced on digital video, the show's sets are almost completely virtual, using a green-screen chroma keyed process to place performers into virtual settings....
episode Vigil, and had a cameo as Captain Kirk along with ‘’New Voyages’’ co-stars Jeff Quinn and John Kelley in the premiere episode of Starship Farragut titled The Captaincy.
The starship Ticonderoga in the Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
episode "The Aenar" was named as a nod to Cawley's hometown. His sets, props and costumes have also been used by Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
in the episode "In a Mirror Darkly" and in the fan film Of Gods and Men
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men
Star Trek: Of Gods and Men is a three-part unofficial Star Trek fan mini-series which contains many cast members from the Star Trek TV series and movies. It is described by its producers as a "40th Anniversary gift" from Star Trek actors to their fans. It was filmed in 2006, but its release was...
in which Cawley also plays one of Captain Kirk's nephews. In addition to producing more episodes of Phase II, Cawley appeared in the cameo role of a bridge officer in the new Star Trek movie.
In 2009, Cawley and his production company, Retro Film Studios, secured the license to Buck Rogers
Buck Rogers
Anthony Rogers is a fictional character that first appeared in Armageddon 2419 A.D. by Philip Francis Nowlan in the August 1928 issue of the pulp magazine Amazing Stories. A sequel, The Airlords of Han, was published in the March 1929 issue....
, which began filming in late 2009, with plans to offer episodes online in 2010. However, as of late 2011, no episodes have been produced or released.
External links
- James Cawley on CBSThe Early ShowThe Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
's The Early Show - James Cawley on of the Show
- Star Trek: Phase II Official website