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"Gabriel C. Köerner: The Guy Who Welcomes Visitors Where No One Has Gone Before"
By Gabriel C. Köerner
Trekkies. Or, Trekkers. Take your pick. For decades, they've been poked fun at, stereotyped, and endured countless other derogatory barbs inflicted upon them by the mundane, faceless members of the supposed "in-crowd". I am Gabriel C. Köerner, one of the "stars", if you will, of "Trekkies". I'm fifteen years of age, and an aspiring filmmaker. In this article, I will discuss Star Trek fandom in general, and the film which so beautifully represents it.
Trekkies have been the focal point of ridicule for the news media as well. It seems as though enjoying an optimistic and intelligent program such as Star Trek also means sacrificing your "cool" or ability to be taken seriously. It has been this way for a very long time.
But it is not too late to undo some of the damage that has been done. "Trekkies", a documentary film which I feel very privileged to be a part of, is the first step in the rectification of the negative label attached to being a fan of the thirty-one year phenomenon.
The first utter misconception that the film endeavors to repair is the one that all fans are misguided saps who wear their uniforms and pointy ears everywhere, have no lives, couldn't get a date to save humanity, etc. In fact, when weighed against the majority, very few of these actually exist, perhaps 1 in 50 fans. The only reason the nutballs are considered the stereotype fan is that they're the ones who are the most prominent. They're the ones who stick out like a sore thumb amongst the public eye. It has nothing to do with quantity.
What makes Star Trek fans unique, contrary to how the public and media view them, is their diversity. You see, there is no one single paradigm Trekkie that we can look at and say, "This is the definitive model for a Star Trek fan," as so many have done. Star Trek fans come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, ethnic backgrounds, families, creeds, incomes, and, most importantly, levels of devotion. This ranges from people who simply enjoy the show to a fan who has devoted his/her life to it. Paraphrased, there is no such thing as a stereotype Trekkie. Look at the many fans portrayed in "Trekkies", and you'll see that is the case.
The second major misconception fixed by "Trekkies" is that Star Trek fans are so different from the average person that they are almost a sub species. This is not at all the case. The activities of congregated Star Trek fans are perceived as being "weird" or "out there" by the public. These activities, such as wearing costumes and make-up to Star Trek conventions or Trek club functions, are in fact comparable to the activities of sports fans who wear uniforms to games, or people who go to rock concerts looking like KISS gone horribly wrong. The difference is that when Trek fans do it, it is frowned upon or laughed at. But when the followers of the latter two do it, it is dismissed as a normal activity. The fact of the matter is, basically all types of fandom consist of the same types of people, the same varying degrees of devotion, and the same activities. There is absolutely no reason that Star Trek fans should be singled out, just because their aesthetic varies slightly from other types of fandom.
Another interesting comparison to which the film at times subtly hints is the comparison between Star Trek fandom and religion. As I ponder it, I realize that there are incredible connections. Star Trek fans devote themselves to their show because they have faith that in the end their support of the program will lead to the establishment of the Trektopian Future.
Likewise, people of any religious denomination devote themselves to their religion because they have faith that in the end their worship and faith will manifest itself in the form of eternal life. Both rely on faith alone, with little to no empirical indications or evidence influencing them. This is not to discourage the hopes and dreams of either, certainly not religion. The fact of the matter is that many billions of people need some structured ideology to hold them together. Many choose religion. Some choose Star Trek.
"Trekkies" is hosted by my friend (thanks to the opportunity I had to meet her due to the documentary) and Star Trek star Denise Crosby. Denise gets the ball rolling, and then steps back to let the wildly entertaining footage speak for itself. The main stars of the film, in addition to Denise, are former Whitewater juror Barbara Adams, the Bourguignons (dentists with a Trek themed office), myself, and many others. The film also features insightful interviews with cast members of all incarnations of Star Trek. It is the first genuine look into the life-blood of the Star Trek franchise, and it is a completely satisfying one.
It must be understood, though, that the documentary represents a look at the extreme levels of Trek fandom. At first, this was a subject of controversy in my mind. Why not show the world the balanced fans? Well, because a film consisting of normally dressed people who say, "I have Star Trek balanced with the rest of my life and I generally keep my appreciation of Star Trek repressed in my daily activities," would really have little to no entertainment value. "Trekkies" delivers a massively entertaining wallop of humor, but not without its heart-warming moments. It strikes a perfect balance between the two, and while at times it skates on thin ice, very few fans should be offended by its portrayal of Star Trek fandom.
In a way, quite a bit rested on my shoulders in my role in the film. Most likely, I was brought into the project to be the representation of both the adolescent and less obsessive denominations of fans, as well as being exactly at the right place at exactly the right time, when Bob Justman just happened to fondly remember me before a huge audience at just the right moment when Denise just happened to be shooting. The odds were millions and millions to one, but I beat them. I just wish that some of the many other talented teenagers such as myself had been given the same opportunities.
The film has helped me a great deal personally. As a result of my involvement with it, I have met and befriended several prominent people in the entertainment industry, as well as being presented with many rare opportunities. I learned more about myself and who I am in my quarter hour on-screen than I ever did from looking in the mirror or listening to myself. I was quite surprised in many ways by what I saw. Sadly, neither this project or my own film endeavor has improved my luck with the opposite sex, but having successfully survived a three year crush which was probably the worst crush in the entire documented history of bad crushes, I'll survive.
So, will I be remembered all my life as "that kid from 'Trekkies'"? Perhaps, but, as Jonathan Frakes once put it, "It is better to be typecast than not cast at all." But who cares. Go see "Trekkies" when it comes out. You won't regret it.
Live long and prosper...
Gabriel C. Köerner