Catching up with Vance Major Owen

Vance and his son Royce as Batman and Robin

A couple of days ago, I was talking to my friend and Fan Film Legend, Vance Major Owen(mostly known for the character of Erick Minard). He had posted online that he had completed script to the 2nd Constar movie, while also announcing that he wasn’t going to be filming it, as his goals in life had changed, but he wanted to let people read the end of the Minard Saga, so I of course asked for him to send it to me, and after reading it, i thought it would make a great time to catch up with him and his life. Below is the Q&A that I sent him, with typographical corrections. Any mistakes are mine, and NOT Vance’s.

#1 – Introduce yourself to the audience

I am Vance Major. I’m a dad that happens to make fan films with his kid. Ive been involved with Star Trek fan films since December 2013, and have done a few other films when the time allows.

#2 – What made you think of the character of Erik Minard?

Well, the character of Erick Minard was created by Michael L King, who is the producer of STARSHIP VALIANT, and he asked me to be his engineer on his program. I go to name the character, so I did after my 2 friends from middle school. He and I came up with a lot of the back story and elements of what the character would do and how he would be, but eventually when I went on to make my own films, it kind evolved more into my life story and characteristics. Some more exaggerated than others lol, but it started out the brain child of Michael L King, both the character, and my introduction to Star Trek fan films, I have said many times I wouldn’t be here in the community if it wasn’t for him seeing something in me.

#3 – who inspired you to start making fan films?

Jeremy Minard was one of my childhood friends and he became a director. We connected again years later and we began talking about things. I’m not sure exactly how it came up, but we began discussing the idea for what would eventually become MELBOURNE, and that was my first real taste at making fan films. It was a lot of fun to collaborate with others and I was hooked. After seeing how Michael L King did things and doing them with Jeremy, it became a very fun hobby.

#4 – Why have you stepped away from Star Trek Fan Films?

There comes a point in your life where you look at something and realize that it no longer makes you happy. That you no longer recognize some of the ppl who you used to rely on, and it makes you stop….makes you almost numb, until you go on to something else. Putting things on a back burner. And suddenly its been on the back burner so long, because you simply cant go forward. So, its time to move on. Not get angry. But give it the proper time, the proper space, and move on. Find the things in life that brings you peace and joy, and leave behind the things that don’t. I’ll always love the Constar Universe, nothing will ever change that….but looking forward. I have nothing left to say. I’ll help my friends who ask me to help them in their projects, because I know that they know what I’ve gone thru, and they wont over extend my peace of mind, but for the rest, I have to bow out. I simply have no interest any more. Plus, I get to make other films with my son, who I have been having a blast showing him the ropes since he could crawl, so its fun to watch him come up with ideas for films, and then go make it, so I haven’t lost anything. But my time has passed. I want him to succeed now. With 170 plus Star Trek fan films made, me stepping back for good is no loss.

#5 – what is your “real life” day like?

I get up, stumble thru my house until I’ve had my coffee lol, I get thru my week as best I can, working 55 to 60 hours a week or so. And on the weekends, I have “guys night” with my son, where we watch cartoons and eat pizza, you know, the things us “guys” do lol. I’m a big kid and I get to hang out with a really fun kid who I get to show the world to, how cool is that? My wife and I have been together for 27 years, just celebrated our anniversary recently and I tell ya, there’s nothing better than going thru life with your best friend, someone who knows you better than you know yourself….for better or for worse lol, we do traveling when the time allows, I’m not a big traveler, but she loves it. I personally enjoy when we just sit there on the back porch and listen to youtube “true stories” genre and drink our soda, just “being.” To me, that’s just as close to heaven as you can get.

#6 – Are you still doing other Fan films?

Well, I’m open to a script if its good. I have to read it, but I’m pretty choosy these days. I don’t have a lot of time and I am making films with Royce, like we just finished the Batman & Robin fan film. And we have plans for some others. But he’s really got the itch to do some of his own ideas, and I’m fully behind that. Not that I think he’ll get famous off of it, but I think film making is a great way to get out whats on your mind, and make some good friends. Plus his friends enjoy being in the films, and I want to encourage that for as long as he wants to do them. When he’s done, we’ll stop. The thing is, I’m a dad first, not a film maker. So, whatever feels right, will be. There will never be pressure to put a film over happiness. I did that for the longest time, and never again. Certainly not where my son is concerned. He will learn the right lessons.

#7 – Favorite fan film that you have done?

Constar:The Motion Picture, hands down. Everything about that film was just right. The cast, the story, the moment. I loved everything about it, and everyone seemed to come together for that, and I was so honored to have it come together the way it did. It had no business being that good. Keep in mind, Royce had been on camera since he was 4 months old, been on the bridge the first time at 4 months old. And to see him at the conn, firing phasers, made me a proud papa lol. The last 20 min of the film, I would put it against any fan film out there, in terms of love, passion, visual effects, tone, you name it, its exactly how it should be. To me, that sums up everything my career was. And I got to share it with the ppl I loved, and most importantly, my son. He learned so much on set that day, and he got to see the end result. That is my favorite film I’ve done.

#8 – Favorite real life moment?

Outside of becoming a father? Stepping on the bridge for the first time. LOL. I’m such a big geek. There’s nothing quite like seeing the sets in real life that make you feel like a kid watching the tv show. I was never a fan of the 60’s show, I was more of a next gen fan myself, but even I had to take a step back at the 60’s bridge and take in it’s beauty. So I’d say that moment was one of my favorite moments.

#9 – favorite food to eat?

Pizza. There’s nothing quite like a pepperoni, onion and bacon pizza. I love to cook, even though I’m not that good at it. I have gotten better, because I’m teaching Royce how to cook and be self sufficient, so I’ve had to learn how to get better lol but for me, it’s always pizza. That’s my “go-to”

#10 – Where can people watch your fan films?

https://www.youtube.com/@vanceamania

No Budget Productions-FilkFerret Productions on YouTube is where you can watch any of the fan films I’ve done, and independent films I’ve done.

#11 – Favorite movie or series?

Well, if were talking film, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is my favorite film. You can watch that film no matter the mood your in, and simply enjoy it. It was the first Kevin Smith Film I had ever watched and I think his mentality rubbed off on me, he was a film maker who just wanted to make films with his friends and he says “f*ck” a lot too lol If were talking about tv shows, I’d have to say my all time favorite show is Smallville. There are better shows, but to me, I related to it in a lot of ways, I think a lot of ppl can. Plus I grew up on a ranch as a kid and I wore red and blue a lot so I really related to it lol. I also enjoy The Office and Malcolm in the Middle, as sometimes you just need to tune the world off and have a laugh, and I can watch those anytime and just enjoy them.

#12 – How can people find you on social Media?

I’m on facebook as Vance Major Owen, (don’t ask) and that’s about it. Once fb goes the way of the dinosaur, I’m kinda done with social media. I don’t really feel at this point in my life that I need to do the whole Instagram thing, and could you imagine me with and Onlyfans? No thank you lol (I threw up in my own mouth on that one lol) But, yea, just on fb. Or, just leave a comment on a video on youtube, I usually respond back if I get the time.