Society Of Motion Picture And Television Art Directors to Screen ``Star Trek: First Contact'' On October 17, Honoring Work Of Production Designer Herman Zimmerman
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors (SMPTAD) will showcase the work of four-time EmmyÆ nominated Production Designer Herman Zimmerman with a screening of ""Star Trek: First Contact"" on Sunday, October 17 at 5 P.M. at the Directors Guild Theatre, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California For many years Zimmerman has served as Production Designer on numerous ""Star Trek"" projects including features ""Star Trek: Insurrection,"" ""Star Trek: Generations,"" ""Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"" and ""Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."" His ""Trekkie"" television credits include several years designing ""Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"" (for which Zimmerman received four Emmy(R) nominations for Outstanding Production Design) and ""Star Trek: The Next Generation,"" among others. SMPTAD Vice President, Gregory Bolton, suggested ""Star Trek: First Contact"" to Zimmerman for the special screening because it was one of the most widely watched ""Star Trek"" films. The story centers around the earth as opposed to being primarily concerned with outer space and aliens. \ ""This film,"" Zimmerman explained, ""is perfect for those who are not familiar with the premise of `Star Trek' and it offers a virgin audience the opportunity to appreciate the story."" ""Star Trek"" movies, television specials and series are seen over and over again worldwide. The two ""Star Trek"" series have reached an enormous worldwide audience due to their hit status in syndication. The mass appeal of ""Star Trek"" is epic and Zimmerman, a fan himself, believes it's because ""Star Trek"" appeals to our humanistic nature. ""It's basically a philosophy of humanism, tolerance and growth rather than violence, destruction and prejudice,"" Zimmerman said. ""Other sci-fi venues deal with the human race being annihilated, overcome by alien forces and polluting itself into extinction but `Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future is not like that. He said the future is going to be good and audiences respond to that."" While Zimmerman has worked on more than ten ""Star Trek"" projects, he also finds time to venture outside the sci-fi arena. He has contributed his designing talents to both film and television with projects including one of the highest-rated television movies of all-time, Emmy(R) winner ""The Burning Bed."" Other television credits include the 1995 television series ""Legend"" starring Richard Dean Anderson, several movies-of-the-week including ""Through Naked Eyes,"" ""The Initiation of Sarah,"" ""A Cry For Love"" and ""Lawman Without A Gun."" The SMPTAD Film Society pays regular tribute to veteran production designers and art directors by screening films of special significance to film art direction. Film Society screenings are followed by a Q&A with the production designer. SMPTAD Film Society screenings are open to the general public on a space available basis by calling 818/762-9995. Admission is free.