STAR TREK: TNG “INTERPHASIC ORGANISM” FROM “PHANTASMS”

A special effects item featured in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Phantasms”. When the crew of the “USS Enterprise-D” becomes infected with creatures that do not exist in the same reality, “Data” (Brent Spiner) begins to detect them in his android dreams. The item is a special effects ‘creature’ made from multiple elements of multi colored of foam rubber with embedded balloons and affixed tubing. When air is forced into the tubes an expansion occurs that generate a throbbing, pulsating effect as viewed on screen, but due to computer generated effects, on a much smaller scale. The item is mounted onto a metal rod painted blue for blue-screen use and the tubes are visible on the outside of the creature, but run through, or around the outside of the tube. Costly physical special effects like this are becoming a rarity in television production. The creatures measures approx. 12 X 3.5 X 3 inches and the rod extends away from it 10.25 inches.