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Tag: apiedit
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| Gender = Male
 
| Gender = Male
 
| Date of birth = {{d|25|September|1940}}
 
| Date of birth = {{d|25|September|1940}}
| Place of birth = Norman, Oklahoma
+
| Place of birth = Norman, Oklahoma, USA
 
| Date of death = {{d|4|May|1987}}
 
| Date of death = {{d|4|May|1987}}
| Place of death = Los Angeles, California
+
| Place of death = Los Angeles, California, USA
 
| Awards for Trek =
 
| Awards for Trek =
 
| Roles = [[:Category:Art department|Production Illustrator]], [[:Category:Art directors|Art Director]]
 
| Roles = [[:Category:Art department|Production Illustrator]], [[:Category:Art directors|Art Director]]
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|imagecap2 = With Joe Jennings on the set of ''The Wrath of Khan''
 
|imagecap2 = With Joe Jennings on the set of ''The Wrath of Khan''
 
}}
 
}}
  +
<div style="margin: 0 0 0 1em;">"''It was one of the most soiled and shabby chapters of Hollywood history, in terms of how people were treated. The trouble, as always, was that the wrong people were in charge. We're in a business in which the people at the top, who make the decisions, really don't know a damn thing about making pictures. I think we all knew then that we were associated with a bomb. It's too bad the movie happened at all.''"</div>
'''Michael "Mike" Minor''' {{born|25|September|1940|died|4|May|1987}} was a conceptual and production illustrator on ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'', {{film|1}} and the art director for {{film|2}}.
 
  +
<div style="margin: 0 0 1em 2em;">&ndash;&nbsp;'''Mike Minor''', Production Illustrator, 1982, on his experiences with ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol 12 #5/6, p. 58) )</div>
 
'''Michael "Mike" Minor''' {{born|25|September|1940|died|4|May|1987}} was a conceptual and production illustrator on ''[[Star Trek: Phase II]]'', {{film|1}} and the art director for {{film|2}}.
   
 
Mostly recognized for his contributions to the above-mentioned productions, Minor had actually already contributed to ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''. He had been a [[Trekkie|fan]] of ''The Original Series'' since its original airing and was inspired by it to design and create wardrobes, creatures, watercolors of landscapes, and artifacts in his spare time for the series. He managed to arrange a meeting with [[Gene Roddenberry]], who agreed to take a look at his portfolio. "''Gene liked the artwork, and had me show it to the art director, [[Matt Jefferies]]. Jefferies bought about twenty pieces to use as art objects around the ship. Some of the critters were hanging in [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]'s office and cabin during the [[TOS Season 3|third season]]. A creature head I did in latex became the [[Melkot]] in {{e|Spectre of the Gun}}. I later discovered that in my ignorance, I had stumbled upon the only route by which I could have sold to the show... by bringing art in on spec ''[rem: for free]''. Union regulations prevented the production company from commissioning work from an outside contractor, but they ''could'' buy existing material,''" Minor remembered. (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 59)
Minor, along with [[Joe Jennings]], [[Andrew Probert]], [[Douglas Trumbull]] and [[Harold Michelson]], co-designed the refit {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} for ''Star Trek: Phase II'', based on the preliminary re-design work [[TOS]] series art director [[Matt Jefferies]]' did on his original USS ''Enterprise'' design for the television series, which in turn became the basis for the ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' ''Enterprise''. Minor did not get any legal credit for the design from the US Patent and Trademark Office, however, since Andrew Probert is listed as the sole "inventor" of the look of the refitted ''Enterprise'' on the [[Design patents#Toys|design patent]] issued for it. However, Minor did receive credit as an inventor on the issued design patents for both the {{USS|Reliant}} and the [[photon torpedo]] casing. In both instances he shared the credit with Joe Jennings. The bulk of his work he did on ''Phase II'' and ''The Motion Picture'' projects however, consisted of the interior redesign of the refit ''Enterprise'' before he was superseded by Probert.
 
   
 
Minor's most notable (un-credited) contribution to the ''Original Series'', however, was the realization of the [[Tholian web]] as it appeared on screen in [[The Tholian Web (episode)|the episode with the same name]]. Minor also worked with [[William Ware Theiss]] by manufacturing the space suit helmets for the episode. Other contributions of Minor to the series' third season were the creation of the [[Beta XII-A entity]] in {{e|Day of the Dove}} and some of the overhead graphics on the bridge of the ''Enterprise''. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'', issue 25, pp. 35, 61)
Mostly recognized for his contributions to the above-mentioned productions, Minor had actually already contributed to ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''. He had been a fan of ''The Original Series'' since its original airing and was inspired by it to design and create wardrobes, creatures, watercolors of landscapes, and artifacts in his spare time for the series. He managed to arrange a meeting with [[Gene Roddenberry]], who agreed to take a look at his portfolio. "''Gene liked the artwork, and had me show it to the art director, Matt Jefferies. Jefferies bought about twenty pieces to use as art objects around the ship. Some of the critters were hanging in [[Leonard McCoy|McCoy]]'s office and cabin during the [[TOS Season 3|third season]]. A creature head I did in latex became the [[Melkot]] in {{e|Spectre of the Gun}}. I later discovered that in my ignorance, I had stumbled upon the only route by which I could have sold to the show...by bringing art in on spec ''[rem: for free]''. Union regulations prevented the production company from commissioning work from an outside contractor, but they ''could'' buy existing material.''", Minor remembered. (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 59)
 
   
  +
Minor was brought into the production of ''Star Trek: Phase II'' by Art Director [[Joe Jennings]] on {{d|9|August|1977}}, who passed over noted space illustrator [[Robert McCall]] in favor of his former protégé. (''[[The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', p. 37) Together with his former mentor, Minor worked among others on the design of the [[refit]]-{{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}, based on preliminary re-design work which ''The Original Series'' Art Director Matt Jefferies did on his own USS ''Enterprise'' design from the original television series. Minor also contributed to designing the [[Earth spacedocks#USS Enterprise spacedock|drydock]] and interior sets. McCall was yet to work on the ''Star Trek'' production.
His most notable (un-credited) contribution to the ''Original Series'' however, was the realization of the [[Tholian web]] as it appeared on screen in the episode with the same name. Minor also worked with [[William Ware Theiss]] by manufacturing the space suit helmets for the episode. Other contributions of Minor to the series' [[TOS Season 3|third season]] were the creation of the [[Beta XII-A entity]] in {{e|Day of the Dove}} and some of the overhead graphics on the bridge of the ''Enterprise''. (''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]]'', issue 25, pp. 35, 61)
 
   
 
After ''Phase II'' was upgraded to the ''Motion Picture'' in {{m|November|1977}}, their work on the ''Enterprise'' in turn became the basis for further re-design work done by [[Richard Taylor]], [[Andrew Probert]] and [[Harold Michelson]]. Minor stayed on for the upgrade production, but concentrated his efforts on the interior set designs. Minor did not get any legal credit for the design from the US Patent and Trademark Office, however, since Andrew Probert is listed as the sole "inventor" of the look of the refitted ''Enterprise'' on the [[Design patents#Toys|design patent]] issued for it. However, Minor did receive credit as an inventor on the issued design patents for both the {{USS|Reliant}} and the [[photon torpedo]] casing. In both instances, he shared the credit with Joe Jennings. The bulk of the work which he did on ''Phase II'' and ''The Motion Picture'' projects, however, consisted of the interior redesign of the refit ''Enterprise'' before he was superseded by Probert in {{m|March|1978}}.
Minor enjoyed a close and enduring working relationship with Joe Jennings, who arranged one of his first jobs on ''{{w|Gunsmoke}}'', and had him brought in on the ''Phase II'' project and its follow-up. "''We worked together like {{w|Rodgers and Hammerstein|Rogers [sic.] and Hammerstein}}.''", Minor further said. (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 58)
 
   
  +
==Career outside ''Star Trek''==
Minor won an Emmy Award nomination for his visual effects work on the acclaimed 1983 mini-series ''The Winds of War''. He also received an Emmy nomination in Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special for the same program. Minor's other credits include visual effects work on ''Flesh Gordon'' (1974, working with [[Greg Jein]]), the 1982 cult fantasy film ''The Beastmaster'' and art direction for the films ''The Man Who Saw Tomorrow'' (1981) and ''Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins'' (1985, starring [[Joel Grey]], [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] and [[Kate Mulgrew]]), as well as model designer and matte painter for ''Fukkatsu no hi'' (1980, again with Jein).
 
 
Minor enjoyed a close and enduring working relationship with Joe Jennings, who arranged one of his first jobs on {{wt|Gunsmoke}}, and had him brought in on the ''Phase II'' project and its follow-up. "''We worked together like {{w|Rodgers and Hammerstein|Rogers [sic.] and Hammerstein}}.''", Minor further said. (''[[Cinefantastique]]'', issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 58)
  +
 
Minor won an [[Emmy Award]] nomination for his visual effects work on the acclaimed {{y|1983}} mini-series ''The Winds of War''. He also received an Emmy nomination in Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special, for the same program. Minor's other credits include visual effects work on ''Flesh Gordon'' ({{y|1974}}, working with [[Greg Jein]]), the {{y|1982}} cult fantasy film ''The Beastmaster'' and art direction for the films ''The Man Who Saw Tomorrow'' ({{y|1981}}) and ''Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins'' ({{y|1985}}, starring [[Joel Grey]], [[Patrick Kilpatrick]] and [[Kate Mulgrew]]), as well as model designer and [[matte painting|matte painter]] for ''Fukkatsu no hi'' ({{y|1980}}, again with Jein, who by then had also worked on ''The Motion Picture'').
   
 
Minor [[Star Trek deaths#May|died]] due to complications from AIDS in Los Angeles, California.
 
Minor [[Star Trek deaths#May|died]] due to complications from AIDS in Los Angeles, California.
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*{{TOS}}
 
*{{TOS}}
 
**[[TOS Season 3|Season 3]] - Designer, Effects Artist (un-credited)
 
**[[TOS Season 3|Season 3]] - Designer, Effects Artist (un-credited)
*[[Star Trek films|''Star Trek'' films]]:
+
*{{Star Trek films}}:
 
**{{film|1}} - Production Illustrator
 
**{{film|1}} - Production Illustrator
 
**{{film|2}} - Art Director
 
**{{film|2}} - Art Director
 
</div>
 
</div>
  +
  +
==''Star Trek'' interviews==
  +
*"Mike Minor: Illustrating the Future", David Hutchison, ''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'', issue 25, {{m|August|1979}}, pp. 32-35, 61
 
*"Mike Minor: Star Trek through the Years", [[James Van Hise]], ''[[Enterprise Incidents]]'', issue 14, {{m|February|1984}}, pp. 43-52
  +
*''[[Return to Tomorrow - The Filming of Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', December 2014
   
 
==Further reading==
 
==Further reading==
*"Mike Minor: Illustrating the Future", David Hutchison, ''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]]'', issue 25, August 1979, pp. 32-35, 61
+
*"Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan", Kay Anderson, ''[[Cinefantastique]]'', Vol. 12, No. 5/6, 1982, pp. 50-55, 57-61, 63-68, 70-74
  +
*''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', {{y|1995}}
*"Interview: Mike Minor - From The Cage to Wrath of Khan", [[James Van Hise]], ''Enterprise Incidents'', issue 14, February 1984
 
  +
*''[[Star Trek Phase II: The Lost Series]]'', {{y|1997}}
   
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
*{{wikipedia}}
 
*{{wikipedia}}
 
*{{IMDb-link|page=nm0591579}}
 
*{{IMDb-link|page=nm0591579}}
*{{DrexFiles|2009/11/29/mike-minor-as-long-as-we-remember/|Michael Minor hommage|external}}
+
*{{DrexFiles|2009/11/29/mike-minor-as-long-as-we-remember/|Michael Minor homage|external}}
   
 
[[es:Michael Minor]]
 
[[es:Michael Minor]]

Revision as of 14:54, 18 October 2015

Template:Realworld

"It was one of the most soiled and shabby chapters of Hollywood history, in terms of how people were treated. The trouble, as always, was that the wrong people were in charge. We're in a business in which the people at the top, who make the decisions, really don't know a damn thing about making pictures. I think we all knew then that we were associated with a bomb. It's too bad the movie happened at all."
– Mike Minor, Production Illustrator, 1982, on his experiences with Star Trek: The Motion Picture (Cinefantastique, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 58) )

Michael "Mike" Minor (25 September 19404 May 1987; age 46) was a conceptual and production illustrator on Star Trek: Phase II, Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the art director for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Mostly recognized for his contributions to the above-mentioned productions, Minor had actually already contributed to Star Trek: The Original Series. He had been a fan of The Original Series since its original airing and was inspired by it to design and create wardrobes, creatures, watercolors of landscapes, and artifacts in his spare time for the series. He managed to arrange a meeting with Gene Roddenberry, who agreed to take a look at his portfolio. "Gene liked the artwork, and had me show it to the art director, Matt Jefferies. Jefferies bought about twenty pieces to use as art objects around the ship. Some of the critters were hanging in McCoy's office and cabin during the third season. A creature head I did in latex became the Melkot in "Spectre of the Gun". I later discovered that in my ignorance, I had stumbled upon the only route by which I could have sold to the show... by bringing art in on spec [rem: for free]. Union regulations prevented the production company from commissioning work from an outside contractor, but they could buy existing material," Minor remembered. (Cinefantastique, issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 59)

Minor's most notable (un-credited) contribution to the Original Series, however, was the realization of the Tholian web as it appeared on screen in the episode with the same name. Minor also worked with William Ware Theiss by manufacturing the space suit helmets for the episode. Other contributions of Minor to the series' third season were the creation of the Beta XII-A entity in "Day of the Dove" and some of the overhead graphics on the bridge of the Enterprise. (Starlog, issue 25, pp. 35, 61)

Minor was brought into the production of Star Trek: Phase II by Art Director Joe Jennings on 9 August 1977, who passed over noted space illustrator Robert McCall in favor of his former protégé. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 37) Together with his former mentor, Minor worked among others on the design of the refit-USS Enterprise, based on preliminary re-design work which The Original Series Art Director Matt Jefferies did on his own USS Enterprise design from the original television series. Minor also contributed to designing the drydock and interior sets. McCall was yet to work on the Star Trek production.

After Phase II was upgraded to the Motion Picture in November 1977, their work on the Enterprise in turn became the basis for further re-design work done by Richard Taylor, Andrew Probert and Harold Michelson. Minor stayed on for the upgrade production, but concentrated his efforts on the interior set designs. Minor did not get any legal credit for the design from the US Patent and Trademark Office, however, since Andrew Probert is listed as the sole "inventor" of the look of the refitted Enterprise on the design patent issued for it. However, Minor did receive credit as an inventor on the issued design patents for both the USS Reliant and the photon torpedo casing. In both instances, he shared the credit with Joe Jennings. The bulk of the work which he did on Phase II and The Motion Picture projects, however, consisted of the interior redesign of the refit Enterprise before he was superseded by Probert in March 1978.

Career outside Star Trek

Minor enjoyed a close and enduring working relationship with Joe Jennings, who arranged one of his first jobs on Gunsmoke, and had him brought in on the Phase II project and its follow-up. "We worked together like Rogers [sic. and Hammerstein].", Minor further said. (Cinefantastique, issue 44, Vol 12 #5/6, p. 58)

Minor won an Emmy Award nomination for his visual effects work on the acclaimed 1983 mini-series The Winds of War. He also received an Emmy nomination in Outstanding Art Direction for a Limited Series or a Special, for the same program. Minor's other credits include visual effects work on Flesh Gordon (1974, working with Greg Jein), the 1982 cult fantasy film The Beastmaster and art direction for the films The Man Who Saw Tomorrow (1981) and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985, starring Joel Grey, Patrick Kilpatrick and Kate Mulgrew), as well as model designer and matte painter for Fukkatsu no hi (1980, again with Jein, who by then had also worked on The Motion Picture).

Minor died due to complications from AIDS in Los Angeles, California.

Star Trek credits

Star Trek interviews

Further reading

External links