Galactic News May2005

What are "Fillers"?

By Klaus N. Frick

What are "Fillers"?

There is a term, circulating through fan circles and discussions recently, which kind of bears a negative intonation - and is also meant this way. I'm talking about the so-called "fillers".

Today's generation of Rhofans has coined this term for episodes, which apparently don't do much to the series and don't seem to carry it forward. This term is somehow negative and I'm very much aware of it. Worse though, that this term is used incorrectly - I think.

The word "filler" explains exactly what occurred: If suddenly a gap appeared within the exposé planning, a quickly written novel had to fill this gap. This occurred apparently not just once in the 60's or 70's, but more frequently close to the end of a cycle, when Perry Rhodan authors realized that the story line didn't work out or somebody had fallen ill. The cycle concept suffered and gaps developed, which then needed to be bridged with single episodes, not having much to do with the general scheme of things.

A prime example was Harvey Patton's only Perry Rhodan novel »Die Körperlosen von Grosocht« (The bodiless of Grosocht) issue 747, in the 70's. Among others, this novel also featured Gucky (Pucky) who encountered another Ilt, millions of lightyears away from the Milky Way Galaxy. This novel was labeled a filler, at a time when I was still a Rhofan. Taking a closer look at this novel, then the reader would probably agree. Today, we would possibly call it a "Guest Novel"

Today's Perry Rhodan cycles don't have these fillers anymore. Within the cycle planning process at the Exposé-Factory, there are no gaps, which quickly need to be bridged. The general cycle planning is done and completed way before the real work begins, then individual exposés are being developed according to the wishes of the particular author and according to demands and highlights within the cycle. Considering Robert Feldhoff's imagination and ideas, there is no chance, that at the end of a cycle, he would run out of concepts or ideas, thus leaving a gap that would need bridging.

It is correct that new exposés are being developed for guest novels, which tend to have a lose connection to the story line, as in the case of the well written guest novel »Der Gesang der Stille« (Song of silence) PR issue 1935 by Andreas Eschbach, which has been reprinted as part of the PR Gold Edition. This was also the case with guest novel PR 2235 »Todesspiele« (Death games) by Thomas Ziegler. Both novels had been conceived to be loosely connected to the story line beforehand.

They are nevertheless, not considered fillers. This term is unfortunately misused. What the critical reader wants to say is that a particular novel doesn't seem to advance the story fast enough, as they like to see it. If a novel doesn't provide the reader with an overdose of information, then some novels get labeled: "Fillers".

I think it is wrong and not only due to historic reasons. Each novel of the current cycle projects the story line and provides more or less subjects of interest to the readers. Sometimes, cosmic connections are being revealed as in the double issue 2248 »Friedenskämpfer« (Freedom fighters) and issue 2249 »Blutnacht von Barinx« (Blood night of Barinx) by Hubert-Haensel. Some of these novels are meant to "just" introduce the reader to a new extraterrestrial culture, a new weapon system or to further develop a side character of the series. Nevertheless, they are not considered fillers.

To say it clearly - and to my best knowledge - we have so far not written a filler within the current cycle, at least not consciously, because it is not part of the story line concept. The odd novel was possibly disappointing to some readers, but that does not - with all due respect - make it a filler.

PMV 2005

Cover PR 747, Materiequelle

Adaptation MK 2005

TRAJAN SOL traveling at hyper-tact speed	Introduction to 3-D Graphic and Rendering Artist Michael Fey By Michael Koeckritz I had planned to bring a profile article about Michael Fey, but he is recently very busy so that we have to postpone the article. Michael Fey's work is however, of such caliber that I still want to introduce the reader to his web site. As soon as you visit it, you will go: "Wow!" Michael is not just creating spaceship and planet scenes, he is also strongly involved with 3-D cut through schematic drawings of older and current Perry Rhodan spaceship technologies. As per agreement with Michael, we can only show a glorified thumbnail of his schematics due to copyright reasons, but that should not keep the reader from visiting his web site where these creations are available for viewing. Although, in German, his web site is relatively easy to navigate. There is, in addition, another section with graphic art for fans of the ORION series, a German space TV series from the 60's " Space Patrol". Some of his other art work can also be viewed on the TRI graphic pages. http://www.mfey.de/ MK
Frank Borsch PR # 2206 "Songs of hope" Traversan # 9 The price of freedom	The Perry Rhodan Team Author Profile Frank Borsch Frank Borsch takes a special position among the circle of people who are writing for the Perry Rhodan series. Frank began to write for the Perry Rhodan sister series Atlan in 1998 and worked as editor since 2001 for the Perry Rhodan Team in Rastatt. Then in March 2004 he became a member of the Perry Rhodan authors team. Frank, had been exposed to Perry Rhodan series since his childhood when he discovered an episode at his mother's acquaintance's place. He subscribed to the 4th edition in 1977 and got carried away by the vastness of the Perry Rhodan Universe. He especially liked novels written by William Voltz due to the many different characters Willi Voltz introduced to the series. It didn't take too long and Frank's enthusiasm for other Sci Fi genres developed. Still today, he appreciates authors like Alfred Bester, Philip K. Dick and Ursula LeGuin. Frank was born in 1966 in Pforzheim, Germany and traveled for 10 months through the Middle East and Asia after he had completed his Civil Service in Germany. (see also last month's Author's profile for an explanation, MK) In 1996, he studied English in Freiburg, where he's still living today. During his time as a student in Freiburg, he worked on different jobs such as: Driver for a laundry company, packer at the conveyor belt and as male nurse assistant. Frank, also helped establishing an environmental handbook about Eastern Europe and became a web master at the University Freiburg. A highlight of his life was Belfast in Northern Ireland where he taught German to Irish children. In December 1996, he participated in one of the Science Fiction Seminars, conducted by Perry Rhodan Editor in Chief Klaus N. Frick at the Federal Academy of Cultural Education in Wolfenbüttel - with unexpected consequences - Wolfgang Jeschke, chief lector of Heyne's Science Fiction branch, hired Frank right from the spot. This was the moment of truth for Frank and the beginning of the adventure "self employment". He translated about a dozen novels for Heyne, then more Comics, he can shake a stick at, for Marvel, Germany and still managed to write short stories and novels, as well as working as journalist with special interest "Internet". His first Perry Rhodan Novel was # 2206 "Songs of hope" and so far Perry Rhodan Novel # 2253 "Kybb Hunters" Frank Borsch has worked on many other Perry Rhodan and Atlan projects see also: http://www.perry-rhodan.net/information/team/verlag/werk_borsch.html Frank Borsch is a member of the TRI Forum. Sources: PMV 2005 Adaptation: MK 2005
	TRI-Giveaway June '05 Welcome to the TRI-Giveaway This month we will give away Perry Rhodan issue 322"Ein Gigant erwacht" (A giant awakes), (German) 2nd edition from April 1979! The living spaceship takes off - and is hunting the time criminals. An adventure with Perry Rhodan a "Dual-Conditioned" being by the name of Tro Khon and its living spaceship, a Dolan ... Interested readers may submit an e-mail with their postal address. TRI-Giveaway Please, enter "TRI-Giveaway" on the subject line of your e-mail. Deadline: 20 June 2005, 24:00 hours EST The winner will be drawn from the pool of received e-mails. Previous winners may again participate, but have to re-submit their addresses, as they will be deleted after each draw to protect the privacy of the participants. Point of shipping will be Kitchener, Ontario, Canada The winner of May's draw for Perry Rhodan Issue # 321 "Incident in the Tiger Sector" is: Paul Niedernhofer (agaiiiiin? There is always a good chance to hit it twice if there is low participation) Springfield, Illinois, USA Congratulations! Statistics: There were 3 participants in the draw.
	TRI AUCTION This month we have something really special: We are auctioning off Perry Rhodan Issue # 2200 "Star Bastard" in English on CD, which includes extra pictures and cover trials. This will be issue # 0013 of only 15 issues permitted. The pdf e-book will contain the seriel number as well as the name of the recipient encrypted inside the document (Not viewable in Acrobat Reader) Perry Rhodan issue 2200 was written by Robert Feldhoff. The title page artist was Dirk Schulz The proceeds will be used for TRI web site maintenance and a donation will go to the Perry Rhodan Fan Zentrale. The auction will start with the release of this Galactic News issue and end on 28 June 2005, 24:00 hours EST Please submit your bids under: 2200 Auction Enter on the subject line: "My 2200 bid" A special web page will be established and updated to reflect the bidding progress and who is in the lead ... TRI members are not permitted to take part in the auction! Good luck! Auction page MK
	Galactic News Preview June 2005 Author profile: Robert Feldhoff. (if possible) Intro to Graphic Artist Swen Papenbrock. (if possible)
	TRI-Used Bookstore Perry Rhodan, Atlan, Utopia, Sci Fi, hard-to-come-by items. Out of print stuff ... Please follow the link for detailed information. It's worth it! TRI-Bookstore