Today was spent living it up in Hollywood. After some rest and good eats at the “Griddle” we headed into the conference room with a renewed energy. The Hero’s were gone and we were left to categorize the background pieces. Today was also spent really getting to know the staff at Paramount. The most amazing thing was that they are just as much enthusiasts about the product as we are. Admittedly and expectedly they had their hesitations when we first met much like momma bear protecting her cubs (cubs being Trek) but as time went on, we both realized a common ground : a love and respect for Star Trek and its meaning to everyone. The day was more relaxed filled with a bit more laughter and fun. I had to break away from the group for a lunch appointment with our public relations representative and rounded the end of the day with pulling patterns from screen used items. Today, the Paramount/CBS team also discovered one of Dana’s hidden talents : his ability and tricks to pull a near perfect pattern from the screen used pieces. Even the costumers from their side were impressed with what Dana could do with some tape and scissors!  The day came to an end with a very unique surprise : A tour of the lot. We were very much appreciative to the folks who gave us a wonderful tour of this lot. I would like to think we got the “special” tour with all the background stories of the 50′s and 60′s landmarks on the lot. Most important though was the feeling of family as pulled out of the lot’s drive way. Its a real paradigm shift when for close to ten years you’ve thought about licensing groups as the “enemy of the state” in our hobby. Now, just like our future customers, we feel just as compelled to “wow” them with something they have never seen before.

The sight was classical, inspiring, and frightening all together. As we pulled into Paramount Studios for the first time, the classical large arched gates that have become symbolic for movie making, also became the symbol of a new beginning for all of us at Anovos. I wish I would have taped that moment because I leaned over to Dana and simply said “This is it; Here we go.”

We were greeted by Paramount on our head of product development at the door, but as we entered the conference room to begin our project, an immediate rush reverberated through the crew as we laid our eyes on the screen used Star Trek XI (2009) costumes / uniforms used on set. It was a mix of “hero” outfits both for men and women, both post-processed items and for production pieces. As I stepped closer to these items, I was in awe of how much detail and fine craftsmanship went into even the background actors. I can say without hesitation, these are items no one has ever seen before, nor has any retail costume, doll or toy even come close to replicating the richness and top notch quality these screen used items had. I loved what I saw – this was going to be challenging on our side, but this is something the public will never have seen . You will be wow-ed.

The day was spent mostly on photography. Art set up his professional studio with light boxes and white balancing. The overall reference taken was fantastic – something you’ve come to expect from this professional photographer if you’ve ever had the opportunity to work with him. We also had access to notes, measurements and test samples. In many ways, I reveled in all this feeling like an investigator trying to put together a story of how all these items were produced from the binder’s of notes over a long period of time. How neat if this was actually documented…hmmm.

The wrapped up with us saying good-bye to the Hero men’s and women’s pieces and resting up for another day. That night we met with EFX and had some great conversation pieces about potentially working together. I cannot let out much but can say that we at Anovos have the utmost respect EFX and her leaders. I ended the night just in reflection.

How far all this has come from humble beginnings as a collector and prop enthusiast. One day working on a proton pack to then somehow ending up in the offices of NBC, CBS and Marvel. Every now and then, I kick myself and wonder how I should act as a co-founder of Anovos but then realize the answer quickly : the same way. I am the same person who posted alongside my fellow propmakers on the RPF, TDH, 300DC, ASAP and TCF (if you  don’t know those acronyms, look them up if you’re a budding collector). Just like all of us then and now, I wanted something that was better than commercially available and always questioned if these companies even had true enthusiasts behind the helm. With a few phone calls and some good talking, I can tell you with Anovos…that’s all that we have at the helm !