Mike Matessino on Robert Wise and the Director's Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

The Goldsmith Odyssey

In the summer of 2022, your humble hosts David and Yavar had a conversation with Mike Matessino about his work on the Director’s Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (both the original DVD presentation and the dazzling new 4K restoration). While some of the revelations Mike offered prevented us from releasing this show until now, we are pleased to finally share this extraordinary interview. Over the course of this bountiful conversation, Mike talks about the years he spent working alongside director Robert Wise, the circumstances that led to the creation of the Director’s Edition, the challenging aspects of the restoration process, the ways in which the many changes enhance the film’s storytelling, his discussions with Jerry Goldsmith about the project, and so much more. This is our longest show to date, but one we feel is well worth the time. It’s an essential supplement to The Director’s Edition, loaded with insights from a man who knows the film as well as anyone. It will startle your senses, challenge your intellect, and alter your perception of the future… or at the very least, provide an absorbing listen. Enjoy!
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Chapters

1. How did you get started in the business? (00:05:32)

2. Mike connects with Robert Wise (00:12:03)

3. Issues with the 1979 Star Trek (00:22:27)

4. The era of Special Editions (00:25:00)

5. First crack at a Director’s Edition (00:46:01)

6. Fixing the meandering and ‘coldness’ of The Motion Picture (01:07:37)

7. The effects of an accumulation of micro-changes (01:17:57)

8. Touring the film’s improvements (01:21:01)

9. The Hollywood Bowl presentation after 9/11 (02:35:42)

10. Mike’s early soundtrack projects (02:42:19)

11. TMP work between Director’s Editions (02:54:37)

12. TMP music work between DEs (02:59:40)

13. Working on the 2022 DE (03:03:01)

14. The Special Longer Version 4K upgrade (03:25:45)

15. ALIEN vs. TMP and Jerry’s interest in romantic music for space (03:40:03)