HI!
Hi it’s me John Cosentino the person that made Paragon’s Paragon a one hour super-8mm sound/color movie. I am not a ghost I really exist and live in Michigan. It is humbling to realize that there is interest in something that I did a long time ago. Star Trek was and is an all-time favorite movie/television experience for me.
Paragons’ Paragon was originally to be a fun project and it was just that. However it grew and grew and grew to spark a lot of interest and opened other doors for me. I wrote articles for Cinemagic, and Starlog Cinemagic on film making. That led to making new friends which led to making an actual motion picture with other working partners. The movie was called The Alien Factor.
I apologize once again for being a shape-shifter. Some say that I actually look just like the shape shifter actor on the Next Generation Star Trek. The blog that I have created is to try and make up for staying in the shadows. Hopefully it will show and tell things never before seen or read about in the magazine articles that I wrote. I intend to keep it down to earth and friendly. Little by little whatever pops into my mind will be shared. Eventually movie clips of scenes that are not on the demo.
I currently make my living the same way that I did when filming Paragon, and Alien Factor. I am a carpet repair and installation expert and my company’s web name is www.cosentinocarpet.com . Feel free to learn more about my skills and browse at least a couple of pages. I will occasionally mention in my Paragon Blog how skills and materials in the carpet repair business were applied. I hope it will inform, entertain, and keep you interested.
Thank you for your interest,
Your Star Trek friend forever,
John
ParagonsParagon 
May 8, 2012 at 9:08 am
Hi John. I suppose the big FAQ is are you going to put Paragon online somewhere or make it available in some way? It certianly is one of the big pioneering fanfilms and it would be nice for we enthusiasts to see it
July 8, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Are there any plans to release this on the web? I know I’m currently waiting for “Yorktown” with George Takei to be released after remastering is done.
July 9, 2012 at 12:30 am
The answer is I do not know Paragons fate. It depends on what possibilities are presented over time. The blog following is still in its infancy. It seems to appeal to “old school” FILM, film makers. New school green screen digital and computer film making is what people are more used to.
To do the re-master of the super-8mm is risky and expensive. Even if I use the newly re-mastered beta copy it still needs editing and sound work. The desires of the many have to justify the work and expense of the one, or something like that. It is a wait and see project. Feedback on posts is critical to determining Paragons fate.
Your friend
John
July 16, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Unlikely because it would require a lot of sound work. However there are other ways to make it available. It depends on the amount of blog traffic I get.
July 17, 2012 at 12:31 am
I think it should come out, even if only as is. It’s an important fanfilm milestone and has a legendary reputation. I think it should appear at a noted & sympathetically minded con, then on You tube
July 19, 2012 at 1:46 am
Thank you for understanding Paragon and its limitations. It is not u-tube acceptable.
August 3, 2012 at 1:49 am
I too hope you make it available to view on the internet.
November 5, 2012 at 3:39 pm
john i think that your film deserves to be preserved as its a milestone in fan made productions to think that this was done in the 70’s !!
please release this !!
November 8, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Im amazed at your accomplishment….how much did PARAGON’S PARAGON cost to make way back when?
November 12, 2012 at 12:21 am
According to my old Cinemagic article $ 1,888 which included sets, costumes, film/processing, light bulbs, make-up supplies, and food to feed the actors.
November 8, 2012 at 1:20 pm
You should really release it in some form regardless of technical problems…the amount of love and work you guys put ito it deserves somea kind of exposure ans screw todays spoiled cgi loving kids…!
November 12, 2012 at 12:23 am
Thank you for appreciating it. So far people have been very kind.
November 12, 2012 at 7:32 pm
John,
I wrote you before not sure you got my message. I remember many years back you would help me with trying to figure out how to make a movie in 16mm. I was going to use your CP16R to shoot the piece.
I was the young kid who would hang out with you and the group of Star Trek fans in the late 80s.
Its great to see you still working on your films.
June 29, 2013 at 4:40 am
John,
I found your blog after searching for info for your PP film. I am a huge fan of ST fan films, and am one of many who would love to see the finished project. I think it’s historical value as the first major ST fan film is considerable, even with its dated effects. Coincidentally, a friend of mine and I watched “The Alien Factor” about a month ago, from the “Sci Fi Invasion” collection. I saw the end coming. Great entertainment.