Principal Photography for Star Trek Phase II's eighth episode, "Kitumba", wrapped in the early morning hours of June 15, 2009 at Retro Film Studios in Port Henry, New York. Based on a story draft for two episodes of the aborted Paramount "Phase II" series written in 1977 by John Meredyth Lucas, "Kitumba" has long been on Star Trek fan's "most wished for to be produced" list. The episodes would have been the first in-depth look at the culture and civilization of the Klingon Empire.

Updated for Star Trek: Phase II to reconcile with Star Trek canon filmed since Lucas first wrote his drafts, the story was thought too monumental an undertaking for any fan film. The ambitious script called for two days of location shooting at the National Historic Site Fort Ticonderoga, in Ticonderoga, New York (www.fort-ticonderoga.org ); and an additional day of location shooting at a local restaurant in Ticonderoga, New York. Thanks to the magnificant teamwork of the entire Phase II production staff, the filming went off without so much as a hitch and the episode came in, complete, only 5 hours over the planned shooting schedule of 13 days.

Directed by Vic Mignogna, "Kitumba" follows the Enterprise on a secret mission to Qo'nos and includes a cast of 36 with 59 extras - sporting ridges as well as TOS Klingon makeup. Introducing Kario Periera Bailey as the Kitumba, special surprise guest stars for the episode include Gil Gerard and Andrew Probert.

06-22-2009