How to Contribute Ideas to Star Trek: PICARD and Other Shows

Are you a fan of Star Trek and have been thinking about submitting ideas for the new Star Trek series, PICARD? It’s understandable to want your ideas to be considered, especially given the popularity of the franchise. However, it's important to know the current policies and procedures for submitting ideas to Star Trek productions.

Current Policies and Procedures

It's a well-known fact that TV shows, especially popular franchises like Star Trek, typically have strict guidelines for submissions. For the new PICARD series, as with any other Star Trek production, it’s important to understand that the show’s producers do not actively seek unsolicited submissions. They have their specific writers who are in place for a reason, and the scriptwriting process is highly structured and confidential.

Conventional and Unconventional Routes
While Star Trek: Enterprise did have an open submissions policy in the past, allowing fans to submit ideas and scripts, this is no longer the case. For the newer series, including the current PICARD, any submitted ideas or scripts would likely be disposed of without being read. If you are an established screenwriter, you might still have a higher chance of getting your work considered through established networks and agents. However, for casual fan submissions, the likelihood of your ideas being used or even read is very slim.

Historical Context

The Concept of Open Submission
In the past, there were some unique opportunities for fans to contribute to the Star Trek universe. Recipients of these open submission policies have included writers like Naren Shankar and Mike Sussman, who were originally hired based on their spec scripts. These writers sent in original scripts as a speculative submission, knowing that if their ideas were good, they might be given an opportunity to write for the show.

For example, during the production of TNG, writers would submit "spec scripts" which were evaluated by the writing team. Establishing writers from other franchises or TV shows sometimes found their way into the Star Trek writing staff this way. The process involved a combination of talent, creativity, and a bit of luck.

Current Approach to Talent Acquisition

Established Writers and The 'Ten-Hour Movie' Concept
The current approach to writing for Star Trek is more stringent. The writing staff is composed of established Trek writers, some of whom have a background in licensed merchandise or other TV and movie productions. For instance, Kirsten Beyer, a staff writer on PICARD and DISCO, got her start writing Voyager tie-in novels. The new series, including PICARD, operates under the 'ten-hour movie' concept, with all episodes fitting tightly into a single, overarching narrative arc. This makes it even more challenging to submit ideas that can be seamlessly integrated into the show.

Even with a contract with CBS Studios or Paramount Studios, aspiring writers who want their work considered for these shows must work through agents and established writers. Agents understand the process and can help navigate the submission and writing for these high-profile productions.

Conclusion

While the door for fan submissions for PICARD and other Star Trek series is effectively closed, there are still ways for fan writers to engage with the franchise and potentially contribute. By understanding the current submission policies and working through established networks, aspiring writers can increase their chances of success. Whether it's through writing spec scripts or collaborating with established writers, the journey to get ideas into the Star Trek canon is an exciting one, if somewhat challenging.