Casper Kelly Offers a Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Star Trek: Very Short Treks'

Images: Paramount.

OCTOBER 11, 2023 - Creative Consultant Casper Kelly, opened up about the imaginative journey of reinventing the iconic Star Trek universe through the animated series Very Short Treks in a new YouTube video on the Star Trek channel. 

The project, dubbed the “Star Trek Animated Celebration," holds a special place in Kelly's heart, recounting how the original cartoon series ignited his youthful imagination. The mystery of its disappearance from the TV screen left a lasting impression on him, a void that perhaps inspired him to breathe new life into the cherished narrative.

“It really just excited my imagination,” Kelly said. “Then, when it stopped showing, I didn't understand.”

The endeavor to rejuvenate The Animated Series was less of a conscious effort and more of a labor of love. The team, driven by their shared admiration for the show, dove headfirst into the realm of humor. The inherent stiffness and solemnity of the animated style ironically lent itself to comedy, making misadventures on screen all the more amusing.

“The more serious someone is, and things are going wrong, it's just funnier,” Kelly said.

The transition from live-action to animation opened up a realm of creative flexibility. Unlike the rigidity of live-action, animation allowed for last-minute tweaks to encapsulate the desired emotional intensity, enhancing the comedic essence of the narrative. The animated medium also permitted a playful approach to slapstick, gross, violent, and outright bizarre scenarios, making them hilariously engaging.

Engaging with the Star Trek stakeholders was an enlightening experience for Kelly and his team. The mandate was clear - to represent a spectrum of shows within this universe, albeit with a fresh stylistic approach. Initially, ten scripts saw the light of day, but only five were destined for animation. The remaining five scripts held a special place in Kelly’s heart, hinting at a potential sequel in the near future.

The project's ambition didn't stop at animation. The idea of a comic book adaptation of the remaining five scripts was floated, but Kelly had a different vision. He advocated for original content, an endeavor that proved to be a challenging yet rewarding experience. The comic book narrative demanded a meticulous approach to visual storytelling, a stark contrast to the animated and live-action mediums.

A remarkable highlight of this journey was roping in George Takei for casting. Despite Takei’s initial reservations, Kelly was able to convince him with the script.

“It really is a fan letter, and it was every bit of it is sincere,” he said. “It won him over.

So I'm excited about that.”

This genuine gesture underscored the collective passion driving this project, making it a heartfelt tribute and a comedic expedition into a beloved Sci-Fi cosmos.