“Star Trek: Section 31’s Mind-Blowing VFX Secrets – How Jason Zimmerman Brought the 23rd Century to Life!”
Sci-fi lovers rejoice! Star Trek: Section 31 has beamed us back into the 23rd century with stunning visuals, thrilling action, and jaw-dropping special effects. Featuring Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Empress Philippa Georgiou, the Paramount+ feature delivers a gripping narrative filled with treachery, intergalactic intrigue, and a mind-blowing cosmic explosion. But behind all the warp-speed excitement lies an intricate web of visual effects wizardry, overseen by none other than Jason Zimmerman, the franchise’s go-to VFX mastermind.
Building the Future: Ships, Space Stations, and Trash Fields
When it comes to Star Trek, spaceships aren’t just a means of transport—they’re characters in their own right. Zimmerman, Section 31’s supervising producer and lead VFX supervisor, ensured every ship had its own unique presence. One standout design? The Garbage Scow—a vessel unlike anything seen before in Star Trek.
“The shape was something completely new to the Star Trek universe,” Zimmerman explains. “We had to tweak textures, lighting, and framing to make sure it carried the right weight and scale.”
Another challenge was designing the Baraam Lounge, a bustling space station hub. To make it feel alive, Zimmerman’s team populated it with a variety of ships and detailed textures, ensuring it felt like a thriving intergalactic hotspot rather than just another backdrop.
The Garbage Scow’s trash field also played a critical narrative role. The VFX team meticulously designed multiple tractor beams pulling debris into the field, surrounding the ship with a chaotic but controlled bubble of space junk—a visual spectacle that played right into the heart of the story.
Explosive Visuals: The Godsend Detonation
No sci-fi epic is complete without an earth-shattering explosion, and Section 31 delivers in spades. The film’s climactic moment features the Godsend device detonating, an event that blends the energy of an ion storm with the force of a collapsing portal.
“This wasn’t your standard explosion,” says Zimmerman. “It had to feel unique—a merging of two portals while still maintaining the raw destructive power. Speed, scale, and intricate detailing were key.”
The result? A spectacularly immersive cosmic detonation that not only wows audiences but also fits seamlessly into the Star Trek legacy of iconic space battles.
Phaser Fighting and the Art of Phase Pods
One of the most visually exciting elements in Section 31 is its unique take on combat. Enter Phaser Fighting, a technique enhanced by phase pods, allowing characters to shift out of phase with reality—dodging attacks and even passing through walls.
Creating this effect required careful experimentation. Zimmerman’s team first tested the visuals using plates from Star Trek: Discovery, playing with transparency, edge vibrations, and speed. The result? A fluid, high-energy combat style that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Nanokins and Shape-Shifters: Playing with Scale
Not all effects in Section 31 were about grandeur—some were about microscopic precision. A key addition to the Trek universe is the Nanokins, tiny beings who play a pivotal role in the story. One such Nanokin even pilots a robotic Vulcan named Fuzz, introducing a fascinating dynamic of small-scale life controlling large-scale action.
“We usually work with massive starships and nebulae, but the Nanokin was the opposite,” Zimmerman notes. “To emphasize its scale, we took inspiration from microscopic photography, adding blur and vignettes to sell the tiny proportions.”
At the other end of the spectrum is Quasi, a shape-shifting Chameloid. Unlike typical transformations, the VFX team ensured Quasi’s morphing felt visceral and organic, making each shift appear as if his entire internal form was breaking down and reconstructing itself—a truly unsettling yet mesmerizing visual.
Virtual Production: Bringing the Baraam Lounge to Life
Over 700 visual effects shots were created by a powerhouse team including Ghost VFX, Cause and FX, Crafty Apes, AB VFX, Pixomondo, FX3X, and an in-house crew. One of the most impressive achievements? The Baraam Lounge—a fully realized virtual production environment.
“The main floor and bar were practical, but all the levels of tables, people, and windows were done virtually,” Zimmerman reveals. “It blended so seamlessly that most viewers would never know.”
Another standout sequence involved the Grav Lift, where dynamic interactive lighting helped actors engage with the scene, making the sci-fi tech feel as real as the USS Enterprise itself.
Honoring the Legacy of Star Trek
With a history spanning nearly six decades, Star Trek comes with huge expectations. Fortunately, Zimmerman had a secret weapon—Brian Tatosky, a fellow VFX supervisor and a walking Star Trek encyclopedia.
“Brian is a phenomenal supervisor and a Star Trek historian. He kept us honest, ensuring we stayed true to the franchise’s visual legacy while still pushing the boundaries.”
Final Frontier: What’s Next?
With Star Trek: Section 31 successfully expanding the universe with groundbreaking visuals and thrilling storytelling, the bar has been set even higher for future Trek adventures. Whether it’s exploring uncharted star systems or introducing mind-bending new technology, one thing’s for sure—the final frontier has never looked this good.
So, Trekkies, fasten your seatbelts—because the future of Star Trek’s visual effects is only getting started!
