Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Karim Diané's Klingon hero transformation adds another gem to the hit sci-fi franchise - here's a BTS look

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a project in development, and not so long ago, the discussions were about the series’ treatment of one of the most favored alien races from the Star Trek universe. According to a very recent scoop from Screenrant, it is believed that a new actor has made his entrance, and his name is Karim Diané, a player cast as a Klingon cadet, and moreover, that the shooting is done with real prosthetic makeup and not CGI to create the character.

Consequently, it is now a point in time where, instead of focusing on the details of the story, it is all about the processes involved. As indicated by reports by Screenrant and CBR, it appears that the process involved in alien design in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy continues based on where the series left off in terms of designing Klingon aliens.

The present state of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is the series that will be produced for Paramount+ and will have as its story the very end of the 32nd century era, plus some events that occurred in Star Trek: Discovery. The planned series will be about the young Starfleet officers of the next generation in the already closed Starfleet Academy on Earth, which has been shut down for one hundred years.

This series is currently being produced by the likes of Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau. In fact, the names listed above can hardly go unmentioned within the modern era of the Star Trek Television series. Even if the series finally premieres on Paramount+, there hasn’t been a final date set.

The involvement of Karim Diané's Klingon in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Karim Diané has been confirmed as being involved in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy as a cast member. Diané has been cast as a Klingon cadet, which includes a Klingon as an integral character of Star Trek’s Starfleet Academy itself.

The best explanation of Diané’s character is that of a Klingon cadet whose background has yet to be fully confirmed.

What is known about the Klingon makeup and transformation process?

Diané's Klingon look is being accomplished with a practical application of prosthetic makeup, a Star Trek tradition going back a very long time. According to Thepopverse, Diané said,

"I had no idea what to expect, but going into it I quickly realized that it is a bit of a challenge. It’s a lot going on. You’re getting all this stuff glued to your face, the wig, the hair, the makeup, the suit. There’s a lot going on there. But I have a world of people who have come and helped to make this experience seamless.”

Behind-the-scenes discussion and promotional preview materials include the design incorporation of classic Klingon design concepts, showing continuity from the past Star Trek series and not an overhaul. While there has been scattered footage and images, the components, format, and full distribution of the BTS material are not well established.

Practical effects and the Star Trek Tradition

Applying prosthetics to the Klingon actors is a component of how Star Trek has traditionally presented the Klingons in television and movies. Ever since The Next Generation series, the Klingons have mainly been effectively brought out using physical makeup, such that the actors could act on location without depending on visual effects.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy seems to be following suit on this tradition, at least from what has been reported on thus far. The producers do not appear to be making a specific statement regarding this as a production ideology, but seemingly as a continuation thereof.

Recommendations of Star Trek veterans in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Karim Diané has discussed taking lessons from those with more experience in Star Trek acting with prosthetics from veterans such as Michael Dorn and Doug Jones. As per Thepopverse, Karim Diané also said,

"I also talked to Doug Jones on the phone halfway through the season, because I was just like, ‘Man, this is hard. I need help.’ So, I got on the phone with him, and he gave so much great advice about being a prosthetics actor, how to really successfully get through the day, and manage everything. So, I take his words with me to work every single day.”

What is important to clarify at this point is the fact that there is no record or detailed evidence pointing to a confirmation that either Dorn or Jones did indeed recommend meeting with this character for this particular purpose, directly with Diané.

In other words, any input these individuals should or can provide should simply be looked at within a discussion context.

Klingons and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in canon

From the viewpoint of canon, a Klingon rookie at the Starfleet Academy is already a character that has been portrayed in the Star Trek universe. The TNG series illustrated the Klingon alliance with the Federation and the introduction of other characters from different episodes belonging to Starfleet.

So far, there has been no indication of a change in the relations between the Klingons and the Federation in the future of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. However, the cadet's educational goals, moral character, or future should still be considered as unverified since the character analysis has not been revealed yet.

What might safely be concluded about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Based on the latest news emerging on the issue, the following points are clear:

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the late 32nd century and the training of Academy cadets at the newly opened Academy on Earth.

Karim Diané is part of the cast. He acts as a Klingon cadet.

Klingon Make-up is done using prosthetic make-up. This is in line with Star Trek make-up styles.

The series is being written by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.

Aside from these, restraint must be exercised pending further confirmatory information being released.

Therefore, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is still in the development stage, where information on the production process comes out piecemeal. The transformation of Karim Diané into a Klingon character has made the headlines, although not due to the development information they supplied. It simply indicated that the development process of the series follows the Star Trek norm.

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Despite the continued public interest in the character, the best way to speak of the role would be with respect to casting and makeup methods. As more information comes out, there will be a better understanding of the character and the show.

Also read: Star Trek’s Robert Picardo reveals which Doctor he will play in Starfleet Academy

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