Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512164
Dan Caplan: One of the best things about this business—and worst—is that you never know what's coming next. It's usually a surprise, and sometimes, a dream job falls in your lap. That was the case when I was working with producer/director Doug Aarniokoski on a police drama, and he invited me to beam aboard Star Trek: Picard for both seasons two and three, shooting back to back. Having grown up seeking out the original series reruns wherever possible, then enjoying The Next Generation and its companion spin-offs, I was excited to engage, and boldly draw where so many talented artists and designers had drawn before. Season two continued to build new storylines with the previous season's new characters while connecting them with familiar foes and themes from TNG, and the rest of the Star Trek universe. In a plot twist reminiscent of several original series episodes, Picard and the crew awaken to find themselves in a time-travel conundrum that ties their fate to the Borg Queen, and requires a trip back to 21st century Earth. Many of the sequences I storyboarded involved the growing power of the Borg Queen. Show runner Terry Matalas and actor/ director Jonathan Frakes (Captain Will Riker) felt a taste of the horror genre would be fun for this progression. I pushed the lighting and angles, working with the limitations of the set, prosthetics, and VFX budget. After season two brought back some favorite Next Generation crew members, season three followed suit, gradually expanding until reaching the full-blown reunion that fans hoped for. Beginning with a bang, Dr. Beverly Crusher is introduced, defending herself from a pair of space invaders on board her medical supply ship. The set was an odd and narrow configuration, with challenging sight lines for a shootout, and storyboarding STORYBOARDS BY DAN CAPLAN A. SEASON TWO STORYBOARDS OF PICARD AND THE BORG QUEEN ON STAGE. B. JURATI IN SEARCH OF LECLERC. C. SEASON THREE STORYBOARDS WORF IN THE ALIEN MARKETPLACE IN DISTRICT 6. A D B C