"Building Star Trek" Out on DVD November 1 from PBS

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing the Smithsonian Channel original special “BUILDING STAR TREK” on DVD. When Star Trek debuted on September 8, 1966, the world was introduced to a number of alien concepts, such as hand-held communication devices, desktop computers, space shuttles, touch screens, and more. Star Trek’s visionary creator Gene Roddenberry conceived of a world so unique that the series would go on to have a profound legacy in television history.

“BUILDING STAR TREK” follows the conservation team from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, led by Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, as they attempt to restore and conserve the original 11-foot, 250-pound model of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the original series. The program also tracks the progress of Brooks Peck, the charismatic curator of Seattle’s EMP Museum, as he attempts to rebuild a model of the original U.S.S. Enterprise’s bridge by using authentic set pieces and props.

 “BUILDING STAR TREK” will be available on DVD November 1, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 92 minutes, and the SRP is $19.99.


 The program also profiles a new generation of engineers and scientists who are making Star Trek’s visionary technology real, pushing the boundaries of physics with inventions first conceived on the iconic series: warp drives, medical tricorders, cloaking devices and tractor beams. Proving that one TV show has truly gone where no man has gone before, the program showcases clips from the original series that highlight each scientific innovation as well as recent technologies inspired by the series, such as flip phones and touch screens.

 “BUILDING STAR TREK” is produced by yap Films for Smithsonian Channel and Discovery Canada. Executive producers for yap Films are Elliott Halpern and Elizabeth Trojian. The writer and director is Mick Grogan. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle, Charles Poe and Tim Evans. 

BUILDING STAR TREK

Street Date: November 1, 2016
 Genre: Documentary
 Run Time: Approximately 92 minutes
 SRP: DVD $19.99
 Format: DVD