To truly understand Doug Drexler, you have to go beyond the obvious. Sure he’s a talented illustrator and graphic designer. But the key to Doug is his eyes. Look at them closely and you’ll discover a Merlin the Magician looniness lurking beneath the surface. I’m convinced Doug knows secrets of the universe that the rest of us can’t even imagine. He’s also a big Sinatra fan, so you know the guy has taste.
Ira Steven Behr
Producer
Deep Space Nine
-
Doug, thank you for having this site which shows some impossible shots of rare Trek models used for filming. Sorry to sound like another gimmee … do you have any shots of the Jem Hadar fighter filming model used extensively in DS9? The one built by Tony Meiningers crew at Brazil Fabriaction. Finding any shots of the actual JH Fighter of Cruiser model(s) is nearly impossible so any help would be appreciated.
thanks
pacal117@yahoo.com
Not at all , Paul! Ask away! I know that I have some, I haven’t come across them yet. When I do, I promise to put together an entry covering them. – Doug
DOug,
How did you make the cylon eye trak on the U-87?
Is it a modified windshield wiper?
Doug,
You never told me you were a Sinatra fan! I LOVE FRANK!! Frank is a great pick me up, and workout partner any time any place.
btw…thanks for sharing all of this stuff with the world, and it was great to catch up with you on my recent trip out to LaLa:)
peace,
-s-
Moody, you madman! It was great to see you too! Yes, Vic Fontaine was Ira’s gift to the two of us. Never forget Scott, “I get a kick out of you”! – Doug
LOVE Frank, but Dino is better…”ain’t THAT a kick in the head!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Vic Fontaine character–one of my faves on DS9!!
Frankie is good, but remember always James Darren AKA Vic Fontaine.
Hi Doug:
Don’t think I’ve ever told you what a good Italian cook Sinatra was. While we were filming “The Devil at 4′oclock in Maui, Mr S cooked for the cast practically every night! His sauce was excellent and the pasta of course was perfect. Even your Kitchen Goddess would have loved it!
Love ‘n hugs,
Luna
This is another reason why this blog rocks. Little great showbiz stories told by people who interest me for totally unrelated reasons.
Hello Mr. Drexler,
As I couldn’t find any contact information, I’ll put a comment here. Because You and Ira Steven Behr connects it to Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
Some time ago in Europe the DS9 dvd’s came available. In those boxes, there was an extra cd-rom. The Virtual Space Station and free screensaver Module 1 through 7.
Well, cool, but when I try to install it today, it doesn’t work anymore, because you’ve to register and that website is gone. Well, I saw your name on the back of the disc, so maybe you know a little more about it, or are able to find more about it.
Looking through google and many other sites, didn’t bring any news. Is there a possibility to access the data without having to register. If you don’t know, maybe you could send information to me from someone, who does know.
Thank you! and keep blogging. it’s very interesting
kind regards,
Sebastiaan
Hi Sebastian, I have no contact with Paramount Home Video. I wish I could help you. Virtual Space Station and screensaver, eh? My name is on the disk, eh? You’d think they would send me one, but in fact they never have sent us copies of DVD’s we’ve appeared on… ever. Check for a Paramount home site, and see if there is contact info there. Sorry my friend. At any rate, glad you are enjoying the blog! – Doug
Ok, so I was already a fan, but now I’m an even bigger one! I love Sinatra! In fact for Christmas this year, my mom gave me a book of Sinatra songs with a CD that I can sing along to.
While I was always a fan of Frankie, it was the smooth sounds of Jimmy Darren’s Vic Fontaine that prompted me to go out and buy my first Sinatra CD. It was that CD that lead to one of the more embarrasing moments in my life as a roommate and I were on our way to play basketball. It was a rather nice night so we had the car windows down and were jamming out to a nice rendition of “Luck Be a Lady Tonight.” Just as we both belted out “Luck be a lady tonight!” while sitting at a stoplight, we looked over to see two very attractive girls watching us. We all made eye contact and then they busted up laughing as they drove off.
The next song that we played was “One for My Baby.”
I just want to add my words of admiration for all your work here dude, and again say thanks for this site, that will be effectively tractor-beaming a huge chunk of my life going forward, LOL
Live Long and Prosper, deg
Deg! Thanks for all the kind comments you left today! I am thoroughly jazzed that you are enjoying the site. My workmates (read:family) and I are having a great time putting them together. I look forward to hearing more from you as you work your way though! – Doug
Mr Drexler
Can I call you Doug? I feel incomfortable calling people by their first name when I’ve never met them in person.
Anyway, I was wondering… I would very much like to ask you a question that I feel should not be posted here as it may result in an influx. Is there a way I can contact you directly, by webform or e-mail to ask you said question?
It’s not a huge question, just something, as an artist myself, I loathe to post on an open blogg.
G’day Doug,
I found this site by accident and have enjoyed flicking through the pages very much. Now I find you are a Frank Sinatra fan was well. I was lucky enough to get to see Frank twice when he come to Australia including one very memorable night in Melbourne with Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis Jr also on the bill.
I going back to read some more of you blog now.
Regards,
David
Doug; The body of work you have so far produced is amazing but not surprising, you are one of the most talented people I have ever met, I’m sorry you remember me unhappily. Your friend in peace, mike
Hi Mike – Thank you for the kind words! I’m not sure what you mean about remembering you unhappily.
Doug,
Got any images of the Vulcan ships from “Enterprise,” particularly any that show them in scale with the NX-01? Thanks!
Howdy Martin – In the near future I will run some shots of the Vulcan Command ship.
Hi Doug,
I was wondering, do you have any photos of the Enterprise Bridge set from Star Trek IV?
I saw a photo of Gene and Majel on one of your pages with then sitting at the science console from the film, but we never saw that section of the Bridge in the film. I’m curious to know just how much of that set was redesigned and yet never seen on screen. I’d also love to see some close up photos of the consoles themselves. If you have any of this.
I would have love to have seen that Bridge set again in ST V.
Thanks
Martin – I wasn’t there for Trek IV. Mike was, and he was in charge of scenic. When he can catch his breath, perhaps he will say a few words about that bridge.
Thanks for doing this site, Mr. Drexler; I really appreciate getting a look at all of the things you’ve shared.
Nobody does it better than Doug Drexler. He is a true Gentleman and Friend. Without him, I never would have achieved my dream and realized my “New Voyages”…
love and Peace to you my ole Friend.
James Cawley
Hey, Doug, this ought to be up your street.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/196011
Jpearse! LM sent me this, and I think I forgot to thank him. WOWIE!
I was at this convention. The picture with the little Spock? That guy on the far left in the red shirt is Allan Asherman. We worked together on the Star Trek Poster Book. He was one of the first collectors. The first article I ever read about Star Trek was in a magazine called Castle of Frankenstein back in ’66, and he wrote it. He also wrote the Star Trek Compendium. Ou museum in the Federation Trading Post was full of his stuff. What an interestimg time in Famdom it was. The fans were moving the studio.
I’m sure it’s been said before, but I want to thank you for posting this stuff online. It’s always nice to see the people behind the scene feed the hungry fanboys the art, models, sets, etc… You may not recall Doug, but you once complimented by site on the guestbook, sadly the server hosting the guestbook went down and I lost all entries. Still it meant a lot getting that kind of recognition.
Hobbes! I do in fact remember, and I’m glad to see you here!
I looked for familiar faces in the 1975 crowd picture, but my then-buddy and I were probably too far back in the crowd, audience left. I’d have been the one holding up a microphone, trying to get everything down on audio cassette.
I miss speaking with Mr. Asherman. He was very gracious to the folks in my Queens College fan group when we held our mini-conventions in the late 70s.
Frank Rules! Along with Dean, Sammy and Tony.
Hi Doug! =)
I would like to add this page (link) on my website. Would that be OK? Here’s the website:
http://uasdelana.com/
Life for this Trekkie has seen an awful lot of changes! And sadly the past decade or so Star Trek has floundered. The Star Trek Experience closed, Slanted Fedora’s conventions are no more, and we’ve lost so many that are no longer on earth but in the stars now. =( A lot of fan clubs have disbanded and new merchandise has all but disappeared in recent years.
Now with the new movie, and folks like you Doug, and Star Trek: Phase II, etc., the embers are glowing again! I hope in some small way to help with this so I am trying to re-vamp and update links, etc. that will hopefully wake those fans whom have been in hype-rsleep awhile now.
Thanks so much! For all your wonderful contributions over the years! Not only in this world but others. And thank you for sharing a small piece of your universe with us here !!
*hugs*
Cali
Hi Cali! Thanks so much for the kind words! Of course you may link here! Keep up the good work!
Thanks much Doug! You too!
Cheers! And Happy Trekking!
Cali
Doug
I just stumbled across this website and found half the star trek art department. I was just wondering how everyone was doing. Give me a shout back I’d love to hear from you
wendel
Wendel you old space dog! How in hell are you! I’ll drop you an E-mail!
doug
still barking, still making toys (literally)
I know who Doug Drexler is, but who the hell is Sinatra?
Doug you are one of a handfull of true fans who have made it big! I love your blog and have scoured each and every page. I have been a big fan since you gave all the help you did to max Rem on new Voyages. Erik Korngold and i have talked about that at length. Thank you for being the fan and proffesional that you are. My love and gratitude to you and your work my friend!
Jeff
I can see now why this website was referred to in conversations at least 1000x during the latest New Voyages/Phase II shoot. Eye Candy Overdose. To your planet, welcome!
Emory! That is most gratifying… and welcome to the files!
Mr. Drexler,
I found this blog and John Eaves blog a few days ago… and I’ve lost so much sleep reading months of back logged blogs I began speaking in Klingon… again… just kidding. I love it all though. It is… fascinating…(insert joke here)… everything you guys have put down on these blogs. I check your blog daily, keep up the incredible work.
Ryan Brutt
Hail Ryan! Welcome to the drex files! I’m glad you are enjoying the nonsensical ramblings of John and myself! It’s really true that John is one of the funniest men alive! Tell him you want to see the pictures of me with an entire box of Entenmanns chocolate donuts in my mouth at one time.
And remember… ask your doctor if drex files is right for you!
Drexfiles is well tolorated, but has a few common side effects including:
– Moderate to severe love of all things Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
– A better appreciation of the dedication and talent hidden in the Star Trek art departments all these years.
– The urge to check John and Doug’s blogs every few hours.
– The need to go and rent cult classic movies thanks to their production, makeup, art and/or special effects staff.
Another thing, scientists have created transparent alumin(i)um:
“Oxford scientists have created a transparent form of aluminium by bombarding the metal with the world’s most powerful soft X-ray laser. ‘Transparent aluminium’ previously only existed in science fiction, featuring in the movie Star Trek IV, but the real material is an exotic new state of matter with implications for planetary science and nuclear fusion.”
http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2009/090727_2.html
Cool! Now if they can tell us how to make a warp drive……
Hi Doug,
You and the art department involved with Trek are second to none, and I only wish the writing of and acting on Enterprise could have possibly even come close to the amazing talent and creativity in the art department.
You guys truly had the synergy and talent to recreate lightning in a bottle, and when coupled with the DS9 and TNG writers, you made the series unforgettable, and propped Voyager and Enterprise up through its best and worst episodes (I swear the effects made up for any slow plot!)
You guys have truly been an inspiration!
The ONLY reason I watched a few Enterprise episodes was for the design and special effects that you guys authored!
Doug,
Thank you
One of these days, I will buy you beers.
Dear Doug,
Back in 11/09/04, you sent me an illustrated letter. Thank you very much.
It read in part: “Hopefully one of the model or toy companies will make a kit of it one of these days. Write them and tell them that you are interested in seeing such a thing!”
I have. Yesterday.
We’ll have to hear what they say.
Pardon me, now. I have to go see what my email says.
May you have many more huge successes. Thoroughly enjoyed “Ships of the Line” book.
Bye-Bye, now.
Sincerely
Todd McDaniel.
Hi Todd! Nice to hear from you again! – Doug
Hi Doug,
You and Rick Sternback are my favourite illustrators. Your attention is amazing. This site is sooooo cool! I love the titbits of info you give along with your amazing illustrations. I’d be honoured if you took a look at one of my Starfleet ships designs here http://section31.webnode.com/photogallery/
Thanks for such a fun site,
Caithlin xxxx
Hi Caithlin! Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad you are having fun here at the files! Keep up the good work! I enjoyed checking out your stuff! Very nice indeed! – Doug
I, uh…I just found myself in here hoping to find Dick Tracy and Steve Canyon. I think they got lost on the way to the blog this week. Maybe they carpooled….
Dea, I’ll post them tomorrow morning!
If you have time, my friend! I’m just showing withdrawal symptoms, that’s all.
what a great informitave blog with some of the best illistrations evver! will be adding to blog roll iff that’s ok
dear doug
hello
im george im a big fan of yours
i also love the movie manhunter
i love the makeup you did on tom noonan
and i have a request do you have any extra photos of tom noonan in his tooth fairy makeup?
if so would you please send them to me by email? the purpose for this is so i can print them out and send them to tom to autograph i have his address letter and all
so i really hope you can consider my request.
thanks alot man
sincerely
your big fan
george
Hi George!
Thanks for the note about “Manhunter”. Sometime in the near future I’ll be getting an article together for my blog. Keep your eyes open (or I’ll staple them to your forehead
!.
Best,
Doug
dear Doug
i would like to have a go at building a model of the enterprise d’s warp coils and have been searching the the web. i thought the picture of the warp coil model was great and was wondering if there were other photos ,plans , diagrams, or blueprints available?
i think the Drex files is a briliant site and hope you can help with my search.
regards
alex
Hi Alex! Thanks for the note! I may have the template for the coil around here somewhere, but unfortunately that’s about it. The model was mostly winged.
Doug,
Just wanted to say thanks for the photos on your site of the Chaffee shuttlecraft. I’ve been working on a model of the Chaffee in paper, and had no clue what the back end of the shuttle looked like until I found your site. Thanks for sharing.
Paul M.
Good day Mr. Drexler!
I’ve been a Star Trek fan since I was little squirt and though I’m not as much as a’trekkie’ as I once was, my love for it still runs deep. Yours as well as your colleague blog sites are something I’ve come across recently and find it fantastic that you give us constant ‘trek treats’ for us.
I would like to send some images of some Lego starships that I’ve built. I use to make a whole lot more when I was younger but sadly they’ve been ‘destroyed’ Is any way I could show them to you?
Once again your blogging is truly a wonderful insight of a creative imagination!
M.
Doug
Hi, I was wondering if maybe I can get opion on something, I am currently starting to play with line art for Star trek and I like to get someone that has been doing the art and such for awhile to look at it and see what you think. Is there a way that I might be able to get you to look at it and get your comment?
Thanks
Angus.
Fascinating hour-long interview with Douglas Trumbull on the World’s Fair, 2001, BTTF ride, Close Encounters, patents and how to fix the oil spill.
http://www.blip.tv/file/3806899
Doug, your website is remarkable. I have been with “One With The Trek” since I was 5 and I watched TOS reruns with my grandfather. Since then I have made each and every part of Trek a part of my life (Including VOY and ENT).
Now my son who is one year old enjoys it with me.
I love the breakdown of Mark’s XVC 330 Enterprise. Beautiful ship!
Big fan of your work, Mr. Drexler. You’ve got a keen imagination, and are truely the blood coursing through the perverbial veins of the Star Trek Universe. I’ve always been fascinated with sci-fi tech. Your brilliant concepts, and Michael Okuda’s intricacies and attention small details, sure made a lot of Star Trek tech very realistic and almost believable.
That’s the beauty of Star Trek, is that we’ve already seen many things envisioned by Gene Roddenberry in the 60s come to fruitation. Cell phones (like communicators), PADDs, sliding doors (although only common with stores), computers (eg, laptops/notebooks), etc.
Eitherway, I liked the work you did on ST:ENT and DS9. Enterprise was the first ST series to finally show more of your (and the other graphic/design teams) talent, and although I’m saddened by it’s adrupt (and abash) cancellation, I am still glad that you’re keeping it alive with revealing and even creating more aspects (and different angles) of Enterprise that the fans of the series never got a chance to see.
Cheers!
Hi Doug
Just a quick request , would you be able to help me ? . I am just trying to scratch build a NX-01 Refit in 1/350 and would love some clearer shots or orthos so I can get the details right . I am not a kit maker and am only building for my own collection , anything you can do would be great , Love your work.
best regards Jay
Doug, I’m the editor of a TV/Entertainment mag in the UK and we’d really like to run images of your amazing designs for Caprica – would this be possible?
Regards
Mark
Dear Doug,
I really really appriciate your work. I’ve found you page by accident but now you got me.
Now I want to ask a fevor of you. Maybe you now about the varying “excesses” of Star Trek-fandom all over the world (and also in Germany). We are one of them and for our forum-based RPG (with included Wiki with nearly 2000 articles) I want to use your picture of the starbase Copernicus (strictly non-commercial).
The question is: Are we allowed to? Of course there will be a detailled indication of source.
I’m looking forward to your answer.
If you want, you can get more information of course.
My compliments,
Jihan
Hi Jihan! Be my guest!
Thanks a lot!
Dear Doug,
It has come to my attention that Richard C. Datin Jr. has passed away last January 24th. Him being the very first model maker of “Star Trek” (3-foot model, K-7 Station, Shuttlebay of the original Connie as well as supervising the build of the 11-footer and performing the subsequent modifications) warrants him a special mention I think…Another sad loss…
http://colin.org/RichardDatin/
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20110202/OBITUARIES/110209968
http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Richard_C._Datin,_Jr.
Kind regards,
Doug Nic work on the NX Enterprise. Have you ever thought of makeing the classic 1701 Enterpris in your NX style? if you have could you post the pics? thxs
Dear Doug,
I know that you were the Scenic Artist in Star Trek.
So for that reason I hope so much that you can help me. I like LCARS consoles, displays and terminals. This displays are my hobby. I especial work on the construction of authentic LCARS room decoration panels. You could have a look of my different projects in my special LCARS PROP forum:
http://www.spacepropshop.com/phpbb
Could you give me exact specifications or informations about the LCARS panel assembly? Do you know persons from the set who does have these exactly informations? I looked all around the internet but it is not possible to get any special informations about this panels.
It would be very nice if you could send me an answer. Thanks a lot for now!
could you please write me an eMail: mail@spacepropshop.com
best wishes Chris
hey Doug i love the starships you have done there are some I would like to see you do
Like the Excelsior NCC-2000, Galaxy Class, Galaxy Class Dreadnought, and the USS Venture
Can wait to see more ships.
Hello, i m a hobby artist and i found something in the Web.
I m not sure if i m right here?
There is a guy with a website, he is posting stolen pictures in his gallery.
He cut of the credits (more then that he overpaint the credits on some pictures) and i believe some of the works are from drex files,
like this one
http://digitalcitizen.ca/2010/08/26/over-100-star-trek-1024%C3%97768-widescreen-wallpapers-tos-tng-ds9-voyager-movies/voyager-1024×768/
Some friends and my person try to talk to this guy but he don´t want too, he deleted our comments.
I just want to inform you.
bye
sven1310
The Universal Studios tour but with a difference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btViXvIDsi0&feature=player_embedded
Hello Doug,
is there anything going on about a new ST series? Is Star Trek 2009 all that is left at the moment? I probably wont get an answer but it doestn matter. with all the great renders and concepts there ought ot be more…
I would love to see more art work of T’Pol’s Vulcan home featured in the Enterprise episode “Home”.. Or if anyone knows where to find it, that would be great. I’m looking for renderings, section views, floor plans, etc.. Thank you! It was a great set!
Amazing work!
Doug McLeod~ I still say a church steeple with a lightening rod on top shows a lack of confidence.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already
Cheers!
Ever since I found your site, it has been on my top list of blog site to read. I love what you do… and what you and Pierre Drolet did with the NX-01 Enterprise refit, it was just the next logical progression. Thank You from a star trek fan.
I have a question. I’ve been trying for last 5+ years to fine single images of all Enterprise vesicles that are in the same angle to place on my wall. (HMS Enterprise, Nuclear Vessel CVN-65, space shuttle OV-101, XCV-330, NX-01, NX-01 Refit, 1701,1701 refit, 1701A, 1701B, 1701C, 1701D, 1701E, 1701F(Star Trek Online commissioned by CBS) and 1701J) . To quote Scotty (in part) in Star Trek 6. “I’d give really money….” for images like these (within reason). You would think there would be a mark for something like this. I don’t expect you to respond but If you know of anyone who has produced something like this just point me in that direction.
Thank You again.
Thank you for the grand models,and drawings on the Trek shows and other works. Its amazing how these are works of art that are rarely seen up close. It does them an injustice I think. Thank you for showing a close up of these wonderful creations.
\\// live long and prosper.