The “Star Trek” TV series and “Nanna’s Cottage” – a children’s television show filmed in Eugene – might have more in common than TV viewers might think.
“You can take any genre and the key to success is that a show should touch on the human condition in some way,” said Eric Stillwell, head writer and associate producer for “Nanna’s Cottage.”
The show features a rocket ship and time machine. Viewers can thank co-creator Davey Porter and head writer Stillwell, both self-described “Star Trek” geeks.
Stillwell, who graduated from the University in 1985 with a degree in political science, worked in guest relations for Paramount Studios and on a Hallmark movie shoot in Oregon before getting his foot in the door. He eventually wrote for Star Trek’s “Deep Space Nine,” “The Next Generation” and “Voyager” for decades.
While working in Hollywood, Stillwell and Porter didn’t work together despite being in the same circle of people. In the early ’90s, they worked in buildings next to each other on the Paramount Studios lot. Stillwell later learned his boss, Michael Piller and co-creator of various “Star Trek” shows, financed one of Porter’s projects.
“I’m sure we crossed paths and didn’t even know it,” Porter said.
Stillwell and Porter said fate brought them together last year after they both coincidentally moved to Eugene. Porter and his wife moved to Oregon to produce a new children’s show, while Stillwell wanted a change of pace after Piller was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“Who would have thought we separately moved to Eugene? It’s not exactly the ‘Television Capital of the World,’” Stillwell said.
When the University alumnus sent his resume to Porter to apply for work on the set of “Nanna’s Cottage,” Porter thought it was a joke.
“I wonder if this is the same Eric Stillwell from ‘Star Trek?’” he jokingly asked his wife. After he found that indeed it was, he immediately hired Stillwell.
“For me, it was like a rock star writing to me,” Porter said. “When you’re a fan of ‘Star Trek,’ you’re a fan of the writing and the technical values.”
“Nanna’s Cottage” features 75-year-old grandmother “Abigale ‘Nanna’ Macaroon,” a world traveler and archeologist, dispensing knowledge to her grandchildren and their friends. The show is shot at Chambers Media Center on Chad Drive in Eugene. “Nanna’s Cottage” airs worldwide on Trinity Broadcasting Network, but Porter said the show’s main goal is to “teach good character” and is similar to shows like “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
“It’s a throw-back to those types of shows. We’re having fun, but we’re not there to beat moral lessons into (children),” Porter said. “Some people might think we have a right-wing religious agenda, but that’d be the wrong idea.”
TBN’s policy doesn’t allow commercials, so Porter and Stillwell developed “Monster School Sunday,” a six-minute show that runs in three two-minute segments between “Nanna’s Cottage.” They will shoot their first 30-minute segment in December.
Producers don’t have to worry about cancellation because of the show’s popularity. TBN signed a three-year contract with producers, Porter said. He added that the show was so popular that sometimes only a week separated production from airtime.
Porter, who co-owns Polara Productions with his wife, worries about funding. TBN financed “Nanna’s Cottage” with its highest licensing fee, but it doesn’t cover production costs, Porter said.
“People say they want better TV, but they’re nowhere to be found when it’s time to make it happen,” Stillwell said.
Porter said that investors are needed before revenue is generated from spin-off toys for the show and DVDs.
“I’d love to go in fully-funded and keep this going,” Porter said. He and Stillwell will start shooting a second season in January if they find funding.
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