WJCTNews.org's "Hidden Gems" is a new web-only series checking out some of the great places on the First Coast you may not know exist.
Unlike other hidden gems, the people behind Farragut Films would just as soon the actual physical location of their studio in Kingsland, Georgia remain a mystery.
The sound stage, in a non-descript, 9,600 square foot warehouse in the bend of a dirt road near downtown Kingsland, is home to three Star Trek fan film series:
1. Starship Farragut follows the crew of the Constitution-class USS Farragut (NCC-1647). The action takes place during the time of the legendary James T. Kirk, captain of the starship Enterprise (NCC-1701).
2. Starship Farragut—The Animated Episodes
3. Star Trek Continues picks up where the original television series left off. The series’ first episode, Pilgrim of Eternity, debuted at this year’s Phoenix ComiCom, to rave reviews.
In the words of Farragut Films founder John Broughton, the Kingsland sound stage is “the largest facility of free-standing Star Trek sets on the planet earth.”
There’s the bridge of the Starship Farragut/Enterprise. There’s a 90 foot curving corridor that branches off into the captain’s quarters, the transporter room and the sick bay. Plus, there’s a briefing room, a Romulan bridge and a door that slides open and closed, just like the ones on the tv series.
Florida Times-Union reporter Dan Scanlan is one of the scores of volunteers from around the U.S. who have spent their own time and money over the past two and a half years helping to build the sets.
“What makes it a hidden gem is that we, as Star Trek aficionados have taken the care to build an exact replica of the original 1960’s Star Trek set of the William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy days and we’ve done it as exacting to scale as we can: the right colors, the right shapes, the right button design, the right carpet color.”
Farragut Films is always looking for construction volunteers who are good with a hammer and a drill. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait until the studio’s annual open house to get a look at its many wonders.
The next open house is Saturday, 7 December 2013.
Listen to the NPR story about Farragut Films Studio that aired May 16th on All Things Considered.
