GoAnimate brings Star Trek characters to fan animations

With J.J. Abrams' Star Trek topping the box office charts, fans can now shape their Trekker energies into fresh, free cartoons with new characters added to the GoAnimate.com line-up.

The do-it-yourself cartoon site wrapped a licensing agreement with Paramount and CBS early in 2009, allowing fans to use stylized versions of classic Trek characters, sets and props in original short animations. Setting up an account is free - unless you count the time you're going to burn making your cartoon.

In addition to Kirk, Spock and other familar faces, the site just upped the supporting player factor with usable avatars of the Gorn, alien female Mara, Klingons and Nurse Chapel.

To celebrate the arrival of the newest cast members, GoAnimate is running a giveaway to tell the histories of the latest boldly going additions. The Star Trek Backstory contest calls for fans to invent tales documenting the origins of any freshly added face. Amateur animators are welcome to use any of the preexisting players to aid in their new episodes.

The most entertaining entries win various prizes, including versions of Star Trek Uno and Scrabble (two nerdy games made geekier with that Trek twist). The deadline for all backstory cartoons is June 17.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/07/goanimate-brings-star-trek-characters-to-fan-animations/