RETCON /ret'kon/ - portmanteau of the phrase "retroactive continuity".
The purposeful changing of previously established elements of a work or narrative where in which the modified elements shed understanding upon the original... preserving linearity between old and new while also enhancing their collective interpretation.
Retconning is introduced to further derivative works based upon original material, allow for the continuation of popular elements beyond an original work, or to make an original work more accessible to a new audience.
RETCON STUDIOS embodies this temporal quantum leap... we fix what is wrong... we shine light upon shadow... we embrace the possibilities that time has forgotten.
In our effort to reintroduce classic motion pictures and television programming to todays modern audiences, Retcon Studios has gathered expertise from different locations around the world all talented individuals that share our common goal.
Throughout the late 1960s to early 1990s, many exceptional works created during this time period now suffer when compared to modern programming, mostly due to areas outside of their productions control. Bugetary constraints, limitations of visual effects, outmoded musical styles, dated clothing or props, and the change in audience tastes and complexities have all led to brilliant works of storytelling to be pushed aside by content providers.
With the utmost respect for original content, our team is intent on renewing these classic works with a contemporary feel and look by correcting inconsistencies within the story narratives, by re-editing works for appropriate pacing, and by replacing or enhancing visual effects and other elements. This resulting hybrid of old and new will entice a previous audience to watch the work again, while also giving a modern audience the ability to appreciate the same work.
The advent of high-definition television and content portalling has put media providers and copyright holders of older content in a difficult situation with these parties seeking to develop innovative and cost-effective methods to redevelop their back catalogues for continued revenue, the value of our services to them becomes clear.
Developed by Canadian television director-editor Eric Bernard, Retcon Studios has grown to include members of every field within movie and television production. Aside from being hard-working professionals in their craft, each of our team members share the same passion for the results we wish to achieve. Each of them, in turn, holds a deep-felt regard and respect for these materials that they feel privileged to work on in our common effort to breathe new life into them.
David Boutin
Public Relations, Canada
A long time B2B salesman, David is also a real multitask individual. Involved in sponsorship selling for golf tournaments, MC, history of sports writer, technical seminar speaker and more; his previous professional experiences led him to travel extensively and meet people from many different cultures.
David brings to Retcon its enthusiasm, persistance, work ethic and most importantly, his desire to make dreams become successfull projects.
Rich Gedney
Public Relations, USA
Rich's love for Science Fiction began when he attended his first convention in Los Angeles at the Bonaventure Hotel in 1977. He has worked over the past four years helping to promote Space: 2099 at conventions throughout the Southeastern United States.
Rich is currently working on a new production company to help promote travel and retirement in Asia. He is known for his hard work and dedication to whatever project he takes part.
Daniel Lavoie
Project Manager
Daniel has studied television from 1989 to 1992 at the same school that Eric Bernard studied at. After graduation, he became a manager for Softimage, one of the most recognizable software companies involved in 3-D graphic development for film, gaming, and advertising.
In 2001, he co-founded SkuadStudios, a computer graphics firm that services television and broadcasting. With over 850 projects to its name, SkuadStudios expertise in visual effects and broadcast design has garnered contracts with high-profile sponsors such as General Motors, McDonalds, Air Canada, Cirque du Soleil (for the Beatles show LOVE), and magician Criss Angel. SkuadStudios has also worked promoting Megabrand's Neoshifters and Magnetix products, and has done rendering and compositing for Ubisoft's game Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones.
Eric Bernard
Owner/Director/Editor
Eric has studied in television media from 1989 to 1992. Since that time, he has worked at a film production company in Montreal, having gone from editor to post-production director, where he also supervises content and other technical aspects of production. Although he has worked mostly on comedy series for Canadian television, Eric's passion has always been science fiction television and motion pictures.
In 1995, Eric began working in the non-linear Avid motion picture editing system. At that time, he already possessed the desire to enhance the series Space: 1999 into a more contemporary look. Some of his experimental improvements to selected episodes were presented at the New York Main Mission:2000 convention to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. The audience inspired him to take his work to a higher level, and thus began the genesis of Retcon Studios.
Steve Warnek
Writer & Creative Consultant
Steve has come to us after a ten year odyssey as freelance writer for the Star Trek television series. With no formal training, his speculative script caught the interest of producer Ronald D. Moore which earned him the privilege of pitching stories to Star Trek: The Next Generation during its final season. He later worked with Moore and producer Ira Steven Behr on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s third season “Dominion” story arc. Since then, he continued his work pitching story concepts to both Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise.
Steve has also spoken at the OMSI Star Trek: Federation Science exhibit about his experiences and writing for the show. He continues to be active in his own projects, including a pilot science-fantasy series called ThingsMAGIC that he is currently developing.
David Kerin
Visual Effects Engineering & Design
David has worked on some very interesting side projects, including a pilot science fiction series for actor Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica) and a film project for comedian Harland Williams. He has also had the honor of winning the Telly Award for both 2008 and 2009 for his promotional work.
David started at a small multimedia company called Western World Visions, where he first stepped into graphics and animation. He then worked for Pittsburgh FOX and My Network TV (previously the WB) affiliates over the next decade where he has worn many hats including those of Art Director, Set Designer, and Events and Promotions Consultant. These eventually led him to his present position as On-Air Promotions Manager, where he is now directly responsible for all aspects of promotion from conception to eventual broadcast.
Richard Bendell
Conceptual Consultant
Richard has been an integral part in developing the Space 2099 concept with Eric Bernard from its inception. His involvement began after viewing Eric’s reworked Space: 1999 episodes at “Main Mission: 2000 in New York City” where he and Eric became fast friends. Their love of Space: 1999 propelled their common desire to see it revitalized for today’s audience.
Over the past ten years, their friendship and teamwork has moved their initial concept ever forward, while also welcoming other talented and enthusiastic people into what is now Retcon Studios. Richard officially presented the Space 2099 concept at the 2008 Calgary Space: 1999 convention. The feedback was extremely positive and encouraging.
Our concept is to take the terrific, classic, cult tv series Space: 1999, which is now in the past, and move it into a brand, new future by enhancing the original with new effects, re-edit with an emphasis on the inherent, underlying chronology that exists in 1999 and bridge differences between Year One and Year Two by way of a new multi-seasons concept and retcon or "retroactive continuity". Space 2099 represents the culmination of effort over the past few years by many talented individuals to present an "enhanced" version of the show to old and new audiences alike.
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On September 14th, 2099, Earth's moon was ripped out of its orbit by an unknown force that propelled it into an uncharted area of interstellar space. The three-hundred eleven inhabitants of what was known as Moonbase Alpha were left to fight for their existence... until six years later they found a new home.. the planet Terra Nova. The Moons trajectory carried it away from this world, only to return thirty years later... finding a thriving colony of over a thousand inhabitants. But the Moon's return was also the portent of doom of this fledgling civilization, as it's second passing would tear this fragile world apart. Now.. these thousand human beings must decide who must live, who must die, who returns to their origins.. and what the destiny of humanity in space awaits them...
Early Visual effects test for The Martian Chronicles: The enhanced edition
Company and project information
Story Consultant
Public Relations (Canada)
Public Relations (USA)
