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| Date of death =
 
| Date of death =
 
| Place of death =
 
| Place of death =
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| Awards for Trek = 4 [[Emmy Award]] nominations<br/>1 [[ADG Excellence in Production Design Award|ADG Award]]
 +
| Awards for Trek = 4 [[Emmy Award]] nominations<br/>2 [[ADG Excellence in Production Design Award|ADG Award]]s
 
| Roles = [[:Category:Production designers|Production Designer]], [[:Category:Star Trek authors|''Star Trek'' author]]
  
| Roles = [[:Category:Production designers|Production Designer]], [[:Category:Star Trek authors|''Star Trek'' author]]
 
| image2 = Zimmerman on bridge.jpg
  
| image2 = Zimmerman on bridge.jpg
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| imagecap2 = ...on the completed {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[bridge]] set
 +
| imagecap2 = ...on the completed USS ''Enterprise''-D bridge set
 
| image3 = Picard ancestor (Zimmerman).jpg
  
| image3 = Picard ancestor (Zimmerman).jpg
 
| imagecap3 = ...with his father (r) as [[Jean-Luc Picard]]'s ancestors
  
| imagecap3 = ...with his father (r) as [[Jean-Luc Picard]]'s ancestors
 
}}
  
}}
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'''Herman Fritz Zimmerman''' {{born|19|April|1935}} is an Art Director and Production Designer who worked between {{y|1987}} and {{y|2005}} on ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', and [[Star Trek films|six ''Star Trek'' films]]. Together with [[Rick Sternbach]] he designed the space station [[Deep Space 9]], with [[John Eaves]] the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}} and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}, and the [[Ten Forward]] set.
 +
'''Herman Fritz Zimmerman''' {{born|19|April|1935}} was an art director and production designer who worked between {{y|1987}} and {{y|2005}} for the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise. Excepting ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', he has in that era worked on all other live-action productions set in the [[prime universe]], the [[TNG Season 1|first season]] of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', the entire runs of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'', as well as six {{Star Trek films}}. Together with [[Rick Sternbach]] he designed the space station [[Deep Space 9]], with [[John Eaves]] the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B|-B}} and the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}}. His most recognizable work though, have been his (co-)designs for nearly all of the standing sets, those of the [[bridge]], [[Main Engineering]] (co-designed with [[Andrew Probert]]) and [[Ten Forward]] for the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} in particular. As head of the Art Department, Zimmerman oversaw his own team of set designers, prop masters, set decorators and production illustrators, whereas [[Michael Okuda]]'s separate Scenic Art Department was subordinated and answerable to his. Zimmerman's role on the modern prime universe ''Star Trek'' productions, was equivalent to that of his illustrious predecessor [[Matt Jefferies]] for ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''.
   
  +
His tenure on the eighteen year run of the modern ''Star Trek'' franchise set in the prime universe was interrupted twice. The first time occurred at the conclusion of the first season of the ''Next Generation'' when [[William Shatner]] asked him to become the production designer on {{film|5}}. Shatner had been so impressed with his work on ''The Next Generation'' as such, that he hired Zimmerman to upgrade the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A|-A}} interiors for the film. Therefore, the upgraded bridge from the movie, for example, resembled the bright atmosphere portrayed in ''The Next Generation''. Decades later Zimmerman later jokingly commented after seeing the film, considered so flawed by so many, "''After the show was over, I was pretty sure I would never do another!''" (''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', p. 249; ''[[Star Trek: 45 Years of Designing the Future]]'') For the ''Next Generation'' Zimmerman asked colleague [[Richard James]] to step in. "''I asked Richard James to sub for me and he was so good at subbing for me that I just walked away from it. I did a number of other things and then came back to do DS9 and Enterprise and another five motion pictures. So that whole experience with TNG was just kind of a kick-start to my involvement with Star Trek in a real and personal way.''", Zimmerman elaborated. [http://www.startrek.com/article/designing-trek-with-herman-zimmerman]. Nevertheless, it was during this first, 1989-1992, hiatus that Zimmerman also worked on {{film|6}}.
−
His work on ''Star Trek'' earned him four [[Emmy Award]] nominations in the category Outstanding Art Direction for a Series, coincidently all for ''Deep Space Nine'' episodes. But his work on that series did win him the 1997 [[Emmy_Award#ADG_Excellence_in_Production_Design_Awards|ADG Excellence in Production Design Award]].
  
   
  +
The second hiatus from the franchise occurred in the period 1999-2001, after ''Deep Space Nine'' concluded and before ''Enterprise'' went into production, and no position was available to him on the only ''Star Trek'' live-action show in production at that time, ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', simply "because it wasn't offered to me." [http://www.startrek.com/article/designing-trek-with-herman-zimmerman] ''Voyager''{{'}}s Art Department was by that time already headed by Richard James. His work on ''Star Trek'' earned him four [[Emmy Award]] nominations in the category Outstanding Art Direction for a Series, coincidently all for ''Deep Space Nine'' episodes. But his work on that series did win him the 1997 [[ADG Excellence in Production Design Award]].
⚫
Zimmerman is the father of ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Enterprise'' set designer [[Fritz Zimmerman III]], conceptualized and oversaw the design of ''Star Trek''-themed attractions, respectively, the ''[[Star Trek: The Exhibition]]'' (1995), and ''[[Star Trek: The Experience]]'' in Las Vegas as part of the [[Special Entertainment Events]] crew (1998), interviewed for the 1995 documentary ''[[The Science of Star Trek]]'', wrote an introduction for the 1995 reference book ''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', and co-wrote the 1998 reference book ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]''.
  
  +
  ⚫
Zimmerman is the father of ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Enterprise'' set designer [[Fritz Zimmerman III]]. Starting with the 1993 ''[[Star Trek Earth Tour]]'' and setting the template for these, Zimmerman conceptualized the look and oversaw the design of ''Star Trek''-themed attractions, intended to immerse visitors in the ''Star Trek'' universe and which included the 1995 ''[[Star Trek: The Exhibition]]'', as well as the 1998 ''[[Star Trek World Tour]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: The Experience]]'' in Las Vegas as part of the [[Special Entertainment Events]] crew. He has been interviewed for several [[Star Trek documentaries|''Star Trek'' documentaries]] and home media special features, wrote an introduction for the 1995 reference book ''[[The Art of Star Trek]]'', and co-authored the 1998 reference book ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]]''.
   
 
During the run of ''Star Trek'', Zimmerman was often referenced on screen, including
  
During the run of ''Star Trek'', Zimmerman was often referenced on screen, including
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* [[Ermat Zimm]] (''Deep Space Nine'')
  
* [[Ermat Zimm]] (''Deep Space Nine'')
 
* Zimmerman provided a personal image of his father and himself to the [[Picard family album]] in {{film|7}}, standing in as ancestors of Jean-Luc Picard
  
* Zimmerman provided a personal image of his father and himself to the [[Picard family album]] in {{film|7}}, standing in as ancestors of Jean-Luc Picard
−
* During the pre-production of ''Voyager'', [[The Doctor]] was named "Doc Zimmerman" after him (''[[VOY Season 2 DVD]] trivia text version of {{e|The 37's}}'')
 +
* During the pre-production of ''Voyager'', [[The Doctor]] was named "Doc Zimmerman" after him ([[VOY Season 2 DVD]], "[[Text commentary]] {{e|The 37's}}")
  +
  +
Zimmerman was a huge admirer of his predecessor, ''Original Series'' Art Director Matt Jefferies, and it was through Zimmerman's efforts that much of his influences was observed in modern prime universe ''Star Trek'' live-action productions, which included the elevation into [[canon]] of the designation "[[Jefferies tube]]" (even though he had to leave the actual canonization to his successor James). ([[TOS Season 2 DVD]]-special feature, "Designing the Final Frontier")
   
−
On 27 September 2009, Herman Zimmerman, together with fellow designers [[John Jefferies]], [[Joe Jennings]] and [[Scott Chambliss]], were honored for their ''Star Trek'' contributions in a media event called the "Star Trek Designers Talk Trek History At Art Directors Guild Event" at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, and in which all designers discussed indepth their work on the franchise. The event was moderated by another ''Star Trek'' alumnus, [[Daren Dochterman]], and attended by ''Star Trek'' set designer [[Fritz Zimmerman III]], his son. [http://trekmovie.com/2009/09/28/report-star-trek-designers-talk-trek-history-at-art-directors-guild-event/]
 +
On 27 September 2009, Herman Zimmerman, together with fellow designers [[John Jefferies]], [[Joe Jennings]] and [[Scott Chambliss]], were honored for their ''Star Trek'' contributions in a media event called the "Star Trek Designers Talk Trek History At Art Directors Guild Event" at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, and in which all designers discussed in-depth their work on the franchise. The event was moderated by another ''Star Trek'' alumnus, [[Daren Dochterman]] with his set designer son Fritz Zimmerman in attendance. {{TrekMovie.com|2009/09/28/report-star-trek-designers-talk-trek-history-at-art-directors-guild-event}} Three years later, in 2012, Zimmerman was again honored by the Art Directors Guild, when they awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award. [http://www.awardscircuit.com/2012/10/11/art-directors-guild-to-honor-herman-zimmerman/] Due to illness, the award was accepted on his behalf by former ''Star Trek'' colleagues Mike Okuda and [[Doug Drexler]] on 2 February 2013. [http://vimeopro.com/user17177508/the-art-directors-guild-excellence-in-production-design-awards/video/64919097]
   
 
== Career outside ''Star Trek'' ==
  
== Career outside ''Star Trek'' ==
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Between 1971 and 1989 he worked as art director on the television series ''Sigmund and the Sea Monsters'' (1973-1975), ''The Lost Saucer'' (1975), ''Far Out Space Nuts'' (1975-1977), ''Land of the Lost'' (1974-1976), ''Tales of the Unexpected'' (1977), ''The New Odd Couple'' (1982-1983), ''Cheers'' (1984-1986, starring [[Kirstie Alley]]), and ''Brothers'' (1984-1986, starring [[Hallie Todd]]). Feature film credits include the mystery thriller ''The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler'' (1971), the television drama ''The Girl Called Hatter Fox'' (1977, starring [[Ronny Cox]]), the drama ''Deadman's Curve'' (1978, with [[Bruce Davison]]), the horror film ''Death Moon'' (1978, starring [[Robert Foxworth]]), the war drama ''A Rumor of War'' (1980), the drama ''Twirl'' (1981), the television special ''The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair'' (1983), the thriller ''Through Naked Eyes'' (1983, with [[David Soul]]), the television drama ''Silence of the Heart'' (1984, with [[Mariette Hartley]]), and {{w|Ridley Scott}}'s thriller ''Black Rain'' (1989).
  
Between 1971 and 1989 he worked as art director on the television series ''Sigmund and the Sea Monsters'' (1973-1975), ''The Lost Saucer'' (1975), ''Far Out Space Nuts'' (1975-1977), ''Land of the Lost'' (1974-1976), ''Tales of the Unexpected'' (1977), ''The New Odd Couple'' (1982-1983), ''Cheers'' (1984-1986, starring [[Kirstie Alley]]), and ''Brothers'' (1984-1986, starring [[Hallie Todd]]). Feature film credits include the mystery thriller ''The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler'' (1971), the television drama ''The Girl Called Hatter Fox'' (1977, starring [[Ronny Cox]]), the drama ''Deadman's Curve'' (1978, with [[Bruce Davison]]), the horror film ''Death Moon'' (1978, starring [[Robert Foxworth]]), the war drama ''A Rumor of War'' (1980), the drama ''Twirl'' (1981), the television special ''The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair'' (1983), the thriller ''Through Naked Eyes'' (1983, with [[David Soul]]), the television drama ''Silence of the Heart'' (1984, with [[Mariette Hartley]]), and {{w|Ridley Scott}}'s thriller ''Black Rain'' (1989).
   
−
Prior to his involvement with ''Star Trek'', Zimmerman worked as production designer on the television drama ''The Burning Bed'' (1984), the comedy ''Better Off Dead...'' (1985, with [[David Ogden Stiers]] and [[Kim Darby]]), the comedy ''One Crazy Summer'' (1986), and the comedy series ''The Ellen Burstyn Show'' (1986-1987). During his time on ''Star Trek'' he also worked on the family comedy ''All I Want for Christmas'' (1991) and the western television series ''Legend'' (1995, with [[John de Lancie]]). The 2002 production, {{film|10}} appeared to have been Zimmerman's swan-song in the motion picture industry as no later credits are known.
 +
Prior to his involvement with ''Star Trek'', Zimmerman worked as production designer on the television drama ''The Burning Bed'' (1984), the comedy ''Better Off Dead...'' (1985, with [[David Ogden Stiers]] and [[Kim Darby]]), the comedy ''One Crazy Summer'' (1986), and the comedy series ''The Ellen Burstyn Show'' (1986-1987). During his time on ''Star Trek'' he also worked on the family comedy ''All I Want for Christmas'' (1991) and the western television series ''Legend'' (1995, with [[John de Lancie]]). Upon the conclusion of ''Enterprise'' in 2005, Zimmerman went into retirement. [http://www.startrek.com/article/designing-trek-with-herman-zimmerman]
   
 
== ''Star Trek'' credits ==
  
== ''Star Trek'' credits ==
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* {{y|1999}} Emmy Award nomination for the episode {{DS9|Prodigal Daughter}}, shared with Randall McIlvain, and Laura Richarz
  
* {{y|1999}} Emmy Award nomination for the episode {{DS9|Prodigal Daughter}}, shared with Randall McIlvain, and Laura Richarz
   
−
=== ADG Excellence in Production Design Award ===
 +
=== ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards ===
  +
Herman Zimmerman received the following ADG Award as "Production Designer" in the category Television
−
* {{y|1997}} ADG Award win for ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', shared with Randall McIlvain
 +
* {{y|1997}} for ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', shared with Randall McIlvain
  +
Herman Zimmerman received the following ADG Award as "Production Designer" in the category Lifetime Achievement
  +
* {{y|2012}} for ''[[Star Trek]]'', ''et al.''
   
 
==Bibliography==
  
==Bibliography==
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(''This list is currently incomplete.'')
  
(''This list is currently incomplete.'')
 
<div class="appear">
  
<div class="appear">
−
* [[DVD|''Star Trek'' DVD special features]]
 +
* ''Star Trek'' [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] special features
−
** ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (Special Edition)]]'' special feature "Herman Zimmerman: A Tribute"
 +
** ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (Special Edition)]]''-special feature, "Herman Zimmerman: A Tribute"
−
** [[TNG Season 1 DVD]] special feature "The Beginning"
 +
** [[TNG Season 1 DVD]]-special feature, "The Beginning"
−
** TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "The Making of a Legend" ("Artistic Design" and "[[VISOR]]")
 +
** TNG Season 1 DVD-special feature, "The Making of a Legend" ("Artistic Design" and "[[VISOR]]")
−
** TNG Season 1 DVD special feature "Memorable Missions"
 +
** TNG Season 1 DVD-special feature, "Memorable Missions"
−
** [[TNG Season 5 DVD]] special feature "A Tribute to [[Gene Roddenberry]]" ("Gene Roddenberry Building Dedicated to ''Star Trek's'' Creator", "Gene's Final Voyage"), interviewed on {{d|14|March|2002}}
 +
** [[TNG Season 5 DVD]]-special feature, "A Tribute to [[Gene Roddenberry]]" ("Gene Roddenberry Building Dedicated to ''Star Trek's'' Creator", "Gene's Final Voyage") (interviewed on {{d|14|March|2002}})
−
** [[TNG Season 7 DVD]] special feature "Starfleet Moments & Memories Year Seven" ("A Unique Family"), interviewed on {{d|7|June|2002}}
 +
** [[TNG Season 7 DVD]]-special feature, "Starfleet Moments & Memories Year Seven" ("A Unique Family") (interviewed on {{d|7|June|2002}})
  +
** [[DS9 Season 1 DVD]]-special feature, "Deep Space Nine: A Bold Beginning"/ "Designing Deep Space Nine" (interviewed on {{d|7|June|2002}})
⚫
** ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes]]''
  
−
** [[DS9 Season 1 DVD]] special feature "Deep Space Nine: A Bold Beginning"/ "Designing Deep Space Nine" (interview from {{d|7|June|2002}})
 +
** DS9 Season 1 DVD-special feature, "Deep Space Nine Scrapbook Year One"/ "Building the Station" (interviewed on {{d|1|October|1992}})
−
** DS9 Season 1 DVD special feature "Deep Space Nine Scrapbook Year One"/ "Building the Station" (interview from {{d|1|October|1992}})
 +
** [[DS9 Season 3 DVD]]-special feature, "Sailing Through the Stars: A Special Look at {{e|Explorers}}"
−
** [[DS9 Season 3 DVD]] special feature "Sailing Through the Stars: A Special Look at "Explorers"
 +
** [[TNG Season 1 Blu-ray]]-special feature, "Stardate Revisited: The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation" (2012)
  +
** [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]]-special feature, "In Conversation: The Star Trek Art Department" (2013)
−
* [[Magazines|''Star Trek'' magazines]]
  
  +
** [[TNG Season 5 Blu-ray]]-special feature, "Requiem: A Remembrance of Star Trek: The Next Generation" (2013)
  +
** [[ENT Season 1 Blu-ray]]-special feature, "To Boldly Go: Launching Enterprise" (2012)
  +
* Print publications
 
** ''[[Star Trek: The Official Fan Club Magazine issue 89]]'' (1993)
  
** ''[[Star Trek: The Official Fan Club Magazine issue 89]]'' (1993)
−
** ''[[The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine|The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine issue 3]]'' - article "Production Designer: Herman Zimmerman" by Bill Warren (1993)
 +
** "Production Designer: Herman Zimmerman", Bill Warren, ''[[The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine|The Official Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Magazine issue 3]]'', 1993
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 3]]'' (1995)
 +
** {{STM|3}} (1995)
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 8]]'' - article "Designing Deep Space 9" (1995)
 +
** "Designing Deep Space 9", {{STM|8}}, 1995
−
** ''[[Star Trek: First Contact - Official Movie Souvenir Magazine]]'' - article "The Man with the Plan" by [[Larry Nemecek]] (1996)
 +
** "The Man with the Plan", [[Larry Nemecek]], ''[[Star Trek: First Contact - Official Movie Souvenir Magazine]]'', 1996
−
** ''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog issue 235]]'' - article "Ship Builder" by Ian Spelling (1997)
 +
** "Ship Builder", [[Ian Spelling]], ''[[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]]'', issue 235, 1997
−
** ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection - Official Movie Souvenir Magazine]]'' - article "Paradise Found" by Larry Nemecek (1998)
 +
** "Paradise Found", Larry Nemecek, ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection - Official Movie Souvenir Magazine]]'', 1998
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 41]]'' - article "Viva Las Vegas! Setting the Scene" (1998)
 +
** "Viva Las Vegas! Setting the Scene", {{STM|41}}, 1998
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 50]]'' (1999)
 +
** {{STM|50}}, 1999
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 61]]'' (1999)
 +
** {{STM|61}}, 1999
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 1]]'' - article "Herman Zimmerman's Production Diary on ''Star Trek: Insurrection'' Part 1" (1999)
 +
** "Herman Zimmerman's Production Diary on ''Star Trek: Insurrection'' Part 1", {{STTM|1|1}}, 1999
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 2]]'' - article "Herman Zimmerman's Production Diary on ''Star Trek: Insurrection'' Part 2" (1999)
 +
** "Herman Zimmerman's Production Diary on ''Star Trek: Insurrection'' Part 2", {{STTM|1|2}}, 1999
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 8]]'' - article "Designing the Stellar Cartography set for ''Star Trek: Generations''" (1999)
 +
** "Designing the Stellar Cartography set for ''Star Trek: Generations''", {{STTM|1|8}}, 1999
  ⚫
** "Designing the interiors of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}", {{STTM|1|22}}, February 2001, pp. 18-22, 24-27
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 22]]'' (2001)
  
  +
** {{STM|71}}, 2001
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 79]]'' (2001)
  
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 93]]'' (2002)
 +
** {{STM|93}}, 2002
−
** ''[[Star Trek 35th Anniversary Tribute]]'' - article "Designing Space" (2002)
 +
** "Designing Space", ''[[Star Trek 35th Anniversary Tribute]]'', 2002
−
** ''[[Star Trek Monthly issue 103]]'' - article "The Good Sets Guide" by [[Ian Spelling]] (2003)
 +
** "The Good Sets Guide", Ian Spelling, {{STM|103}}, 2003
  +
** {{STTM|3|10}}, 2003
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 3, Issue 10]]'' (2003)
  
  +
** {{STTM|3|12}}, 2003
−
** ''[[Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 3, Issue 12]]'' (2003)
  
−
** ''Starburst Special issue 64'' - article "An Enterprising Gentleman" by Steven Eramo" (2004)
 +
** "An Enterprising Gentleman", Steven Eramo, ''Starburst Special'', issue 64, 2004
−
* [[Star Trek documentaries]]
 +
* [[Star Trek documentaries|''Star Trek'' documentaries]]
−
** ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes]]'', 1993
 +
** ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes]]'' (1993)
−
** ''[[The Making of Star Trek Deep Space Nine Trials And Tribble-ations]]'', 1996
 +
** ''[[Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' (1994)
−
** ''[[Star Trek: 45 Years of Designing the Future]]'', 2009
 +
** ''[[The Science of Star Trek]]'' (1995)
  +
** ''[[The Making of Star Trek Deep Space Nine Trials And Tribble-ations]]'' (1996)
  ⚫
** ''[[Star Trek: 45 Years of Designing the Future]]'' (2009)
 
</div>
  
</div>
   
 
== Further reading ==
  
== Further reading ==
  ⚫
* ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]]'', 1997
⚫
* "Designing the interiors of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}", {{STTM|1|22}}, February 2001, pp. 18-22, 24-27
  
⚫
* [[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]], 1997
  
   
 
== External links ==
  
== External links ==
−
* {{IMDb-link|page=nm0956717}}
 +
* {{IMDb-link|page=nm0956717|name=Herman F. Zimmerman}}
 
* {{wikipedia|Herman F. Zimmerman}}
  
* {{wikipedia|Herman F. Zimmerman}}
 
* {{startrek.com|zimmerman-herman}}
  
* {{startrek.com|zimmerman-herman}}
−
* {{brokenlink|http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/community/chat/archive/transcript/1436.html|Interview}} at [[StarTrek.com]]
 +
* {{brokenlink|http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/community/chat/archive/transcript/1436.html|1997 Herman Zimmerman interview}} at [[StarTrek.com]]
  ⚫
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/st/interviews/zimmerman/printpage.html 2001 Herman Zimmerman interview] at [http://www.bbc.co.uk BBC.co.uk]
  +
* {{startrek.com|designing-trek-with-herman-zimmerman|2014 Herman Zimmerman interview|article}}
 
* [http://www.filmreference.com/film/87/Herman-F-Zimmerman.html Herman F. Zimmerman Biography] at [http://www.filmreference.com/ FilmReference.com]
  
* [http://www.filmreference.com/film/87/Herman-F-Zimmerman.html Herman F. Zimmerman Biography] at [http://www.filmreference.com/ FilmReference.com]
⚫
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/st/interviews/zimmerman/printpage.html Interview] at [http://www.bbc.co.uk BBC.co.uk]
  
   
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zimmerman, Herman}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zimmerman, Herman}}

Revision as of 09:21, 2 July 2015

Template:Realworld

Herman Fritz Zimmerman (born 19 April 1935; age 89) was an art director and production designer who worked between 1987 and 2005 for the Star Trek franchise. Excepting Star Trek: Voyager, he has in that era worked on all other live-action productions set in the prime universe, the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the entire runs of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as six Star Trek films. Together with Rick Sternbach he designed the space station Deep Space 9, with John Eaves the USS Enterprise-B and the USS Enterprise-E. His most recognizable work though, have been his (co-)designs for nearly all of the standing sets, those of the bridge, Main Engineering (co-designed with Andrew Probert) and Ten Forward for the USS Enterprise-D in particular. As head of the Art Department, Zimmerman oversaw his own team of set designers, prop masters, set decorators and production illustrators, whereas Michael Okuda's separate Scenic Art Department was subordinated and answerable to his. Zimmerman's role on the modern prime universe Star Trek productions, was equivalent to that of his illustrious predecessor Matt Jefferies for Star Trek: The Original Series.

His tenure on the eighteen year run of the modern Star Trek franchise set in the prime universe was interrupted twice. The first time occurred at the conclusion of the first season of the Next Generation when William Shatner asked him to become the production designer on Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. Shatner had been so impressed with his work on The Next Generation as such, that he hired Zimmerman to upgrade the USS Enterprise-A interiors for the film. Therefore, the upgraded bridge from the movie, for example, resembled the bright atmosphere portrayed in The Next Generation. Decades later Zimmerman later jokingly commented after seeing the film, considered so flawed by so many, "After the show was over, I was pretty sure I would never do another!" (The Art of Star Trek, p. 249; Star Trek: 45 Years of Designing the Future) For the Next Generation Zimmerman asked colleague Richard James to step in. "I asked Richard James to sub for me and he was so good at subbing for me that I just walked away from it. I did a number of other things and then came back to do DS9 and Enterprise and another five motion pictures. So that whole experience with TNG was just kind of a kick-start to my involvement with Star Trek in a real and personal way.", Zimmerman elaborated. [1]. Nevertheless, it was during this first, 1989-1992, hiatus that Zimmerman also worked on Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

The second hiatus from the franchise occurred in the period 1999-2001, after Deep Space Nine concluded and before Enterprise went into production, and no position was available to him on the only Star Trek live-action show in production at that time, Star Trek: Voyager, simply "because it wasn't offered to me." [2] Voyager's Art Department was by that time already headed by Richard James. His work on Star Trek earned him four Emmy Award nominations in the category Outstanding Art Direction for a Series, coincidently all for Deep Space Nine episodes. But his work on that series did win him the 1997 ADG Excellence in Production Design Award.

Zimmerman is the father of Deep Space Nine and Enterprise set designer Fritz Zimmerman III. Starting with the 1993 Star Trek Earth Tour and setting the template for these, Zimmerman conceptualized the look and oversaw the design of Star Trek-themed attractions, intended to immerse visitors in the Star Trek universe and which included the 1995 Star Trek: The Exhibition, as well as the 1998 Star Trek World Tour and Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas as part of the Special Entertainment Events crew. He has been interviewed for several Star Trek documentaries and home media special features, wrote an introduction for the 1995 reference book The Art of Star Trek, and co-authored the 1998 reference book Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual.

During the run of Star Trek, Zimmerman was often referenced on screen, including

Zimmerman was a huge admirer of his predecessor, Original Series Art Director Matt Jefferies, and it was through Zimmerman's efforts that much of his influences was observed in modern prime universe Star Trek live-action productions, which included the elevation into canon of the designation "Jefferies tube" (even though he had to leave the actual canonization to his successor James). (TOS Season 2 DVD-special feature, "Designing the Final Frontier")

On 27 September 2009, Herman Zimmerman, together with fellow designers John Jefferies, Joe Jennings and Scott Chambliss, were honored for their Star Trek contributions in a media event called the "Star Trek Designers Talk Trek History At Art Directors Guild Event" at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, and in which all designers discussed in-depth their work on the franchise. The event was moderated by another Star Trek alumnus, Daren Dochterman with his set designer son Fritz Zimmerman in attendance. [3] Three years later, in 2012, Zimmerman was again honored by the Art Directors Guild, when they awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award. [4] Due to illness, the award was accepted on his behalf by former Star Trek colleagues Mike Okuda and Doug Drexler on 2 February 2013. [5]

Career outside Star Trek

Herman Zimmerman studied acting and directing at the Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois but changed his major to Theatre Production. He worked as associate professor of drama, technical director, and scene designer at the Northwestern University prior to his move to Los Angeles. In 1965 he started to work as assistant art director for the daily soap Days of Our Lives, followed by occupations as set decorator on the talk show Della in 1969.

Between 1971 and 1989 he worked as art director on the television series Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-1975), The Lost Saucer (1975), Far Out Space Nuts (1975-1977), Land of the Lost (1974-1976), Tales of the Unexpected (1977), The New Odd Couple (1982-1983), Cheers (1984-1986, starring Kirstie Alley), and Brothers (1984-1986, starring Hallie Todd). Feature film credits include the mystery thriller The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler (1971), the television drama The Girl Called Hatter Fox (1977, starring Ronny Cox), the drama Deadman's Curve (1978, with Bruce Davison), the horror film Death Moon (1978, starring Robert Foxworth), the war drama A Rumor of War (1980), the drama Twirl (1981), the television special The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983), the thriller Through Naked Eyes (1983, with David Soul), the television drama Silence of the Heart (1984, with Mariette Hartley), and Ridley Scott's thriller Black Rain (1989).

Prior to his involvement with Star Trek, Zimmerman worked as production designer on the television drama The Burning Bed (1984), the comedy Better Off Dead... (1985, with David Ogden Stiers and Kim Darby), the comedy One Crazy Summer (1986), and the comedy series The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986-1987). During his time on Star Trek he also worked on the family comedy All I Want for Christmas (1991) and the western television series Legend (1995, with John de Lancie). Upon the conclusion of Enterprise in 2005, Zimmerman went into retirement. [6]

Star Trek credits

(This list is currently incomplete.)

As Production Designer

Star Trek awards

Herman Zimmerman received the following award and nominations for his work on Star Trek:

Emmy Award Nominations

Herman Zimmerman received the following Emmy Award nominations as "Production Designer", all in the category Outstanding (Individual Achievement in) Art Direction for a Series

ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards

Herman Zimmerman received the following ADG Award as "Production Designer" in the category Television

Herman Zimmerman received the following ADG Award as "Production Designer" in the category Lifetime Achievement

Bibliography

Star Trek interviews

(This list is currently incomplete.)

Further reading

External links

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