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(The role he's playing and how he got it)
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The [[Earth Starfleet]] [[freighter]] ''[[Ticonderoga]]'' referenced in the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode {{e|The Aenar}} was a subtle nod to Cawley's hometown of Ticonderoga, New York. [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.12/startrek.html?pg=2&topic=startrek&topic_set=]
 
The [[Earth Starfleet]] [[freighter]] ''[[Ticonderoga]]'' referenced in the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode {{e|The Aenar}} was a subtle nod to Cawley's hometown of Ticonderoga, New York. [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.12/startrek.html?pg=2&topic=startrek&topic_set=]
   
Cawley was given a role in the new ''Star Trek'' movie following a chance encounter with director J.J. Abrams on the [[Paramount]] lot. Abrams invited Cawley to visit the set of the [[bridge]] of the movie's ''Enterprise'', which he describes as "spectacular" and "absolutely stunning." After the visit, Cawley was given a part in the film as an officer working aboard the ''Enterprise'', which he begins filming {{23|January|2008}}. Although he was initially skeptical of the new film, he is now supporting it after talking with Abrams and after seeing the sets, the costumes and the performers in action. [http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/23/james-cawley-to-appear-in-new-star-trek-movie/]
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Cawley was given a role in the new ''Star Trek'' movie following a chance encounter with director J.J. Abrams on the [[Paramount]] lot. Abrams invited Cawley to visit the set of the [[bridge]] of the movie's ''Enterprise'', which he describes as "spectacular" and "absolutely stunning." After the visit, Cawley was given a part in the film as an officer working aboard the ''Enterprise'', which he begins filming {{d|23|January|2008}}. Although he was initially skeptical of the new film, he is now supporting it after talking with Abrams and after seeing the sets, the costumes and the performers in action. [http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/23/james-cawley-to-appear-in-new-star-trek-movie/]
   
 
Cawley continues to produce episodes for ''New Voyages'' and is currently in pre-production on a spin-off series entitled ''Star Trek: First Voyages''. He is also working on a continuation of the 1960s TV series ''The Wild Wild West'', which featured [[Michael Dunn]].
 
Cawley continues to produce episodes for ''New Voyages'' and is currently in pre-production on a spin-off series entitled ''Star Trek: First Voyages''. He is also working on a continuation of the 1960s TV series ''The Wild Wild West'', which featured [[Michael Dunn]].

Revision as of 18:13, 23 January 2008

Template:Realworld James Cawley (born 23 June 1967; age 56) is a former production crewmember of Star Trek: The Next Generation currently best known as the senior executive producer and star of the fan-made internet series Star Trek: New Voyages, in which he plays Captain James T. Kirk. In 2008, it was announced he would have a role as a Starfleet officer aboard the USS Enterprise in the upcoming Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams.

An Elvis Presley impersonator from Ticonderoga, New York, Cawley is a huge Trekkie who has been collecting props and costumes from the original Star Trek series since 1997. While working as an intern on TNG in the early 1990s, Cawley acquired the blueprints for the original Starship Enterprise. He used these blueprints to construct near-flawless recreations of the original series sets in an abandoned car dealership in Port Henry, New York. Constructing these sets cost him $1,000.

The news sets were soon put to good use. Cawley and other Star Trek fans came together to begin filming Star Trek: New Voyages, a non-profit internet series taking place during the fourth year of the USS Enterprise's five-year mission under Captain Kirk. The first pilot, "Come What May," was filmed by 2003 and released in January 2004.

Cawley produces New Voyages under The Cawley Entertainment Company, funding the project using money he earns from his successful career as an Elvis impersonator. CBS Studios, which currently owns the rights to Star Trek, allows the show's production (and that of other fan-created material) so long as the series does not make a profit.

The popularity and quality of New Voyages have led alumni from official Star Trek productions to contribute their talents to the series. TOS actors Walter Koenig, George Takei and Grace Lee Whitney have appeared on the series, reprising their roles as Pavel Chekov, Hikaru Sulu and Janice Rand, respectively. TNG performer Denise Crosby will also be guest-starring in an episode as an ancestor of Tasha Yar. In addition, TOS writers D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold have each written an episode of the series. Fontana and Gerrold are also consulting producers on the series, as is Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, Jr., son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Because the series cannot make a profit, these talents are not paid for their work.

As a testament to the project's success, its third episode, "World Enough and Time" (guest-starring Takei and Whitney), won TV Guide's 2007 Best Sci-Fi Webisode Award. [1]

In addition to his work on New Voyages, Cawley appeared as Captain Mackenzie Calhoun in the "Vigil" episode of the Star Trek: Hidden Frontier fan series. He also played Peter Kirk opposite Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and Alan Ruck in the long-awaited internet mini-series Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, directed by Tim Russ.

The Earth Starfleet freighter Ticonderoga referenced in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "The Aenar" was a subtle nod to Cawley's hometown of Ticonderoga, New York. [2]

Cawley was given a role in the new Star Trek movie following a chance encounter with director J.J. Abrams on the Paramount lot. Abrams invited Cawley to visit the set of the bridge of the movie's Enterprise, which he describes as "spectacular" and "absolutely stunning." After the visit, Cawley was given a part in the film as an officer working aboard the Enterprise, which he begins filming 23 January 2008. Although he was initially skeptical of the new film, he is now supporting it after talking with Abrams and after seeing the sets, the costumes and the performers in action. [3]

Cawley continues to produce episodes for New Voyages and is currently in pre-production on a spin-off series entitled Star Trek: First Voyages. He is also working on a continuation of the 1960s TV series The Wild Wild West, which featured Michael Dunn.

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