Brent Spiner Spills the Beans About Star Trek!
11 September 2006
0Comments | Comment on this Article
In 1966, it promised to ‘boldly go where no man has gone before.’This year marks the 40th anniversary of Star Trek –without question the most important milestone to date in sci fi history. Viewers have been gripped watching various crews of space explorers going on courageous and amazing assignments in far off parts of the universe to seek new worlds and civilisations, making it the most popular and significant phenomenon of all time.The original groundbreaking series has generated several additional TV series and feature films and inspired the production of endless novels, comic books, merchandise and fan clubs over four decades. The first and most triumphant of the spin–offs, that followed on from where Captain Kirk’s crew left off, debuted on our screens in 1987 and lasted for seven years. Entitled “Star Trek, The Next Generation” it won an army of dedicated fans and featured guest appearances from the likes of Stephen Hawking, Teri Hatcher and Mick Fleetwood. The series even won critical praise, winning 18 Emmy awards and receiving an academy nomination for best drama in 1994. One of the most memorable characters to grace the TNG show was Lieutenant Commander Data, the endearing android whose ultimate quest was to be human-like.The robot helped make the name of the actor who portrayed him, Brent Spiner. Brent divulged that he tapped into his “inner child” to play the part.After saying goodbye to his trips around the galaxy, he’s performed on stage in several Broadway shows and has starred in The Aviator, Material Girls, Fraiser, Law and Order – Criminal Intent and Friends. The 57-year-old iconic TV star was chosen to represent the franchise to celebrate this landmark event with loyal fans in London.FemaleFirst managed to have a chat with Brent, who was only too delighted to talk about Star Trek and his memories of being on board the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D.
What made you decide to get into acting?
It stems from a troubled childhood. Like most actors it’s the need to get recognition and be embraced.
How do you feel about being part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebrations?
I’m loving it. I’m glad to be given the opportunity to come here to London to talk about it.
It’s been announced that an 11th Star Trek film is being developed with Lost creator JJ Abrams looking to produce and direct it for 2008. What do you think about that?
Yeah, so I hear. I’m excited about that. I hope it continues to spawn more films and TV series in the next forty years.
How did you feel when you first got offered the part of Data?
I was a little dubious at first and accepted the part really to pay my bills. But I ended up being very surprised.
Did you ever worry about being typecast in the role - Leonard Nimoy allegedly is supposed to have suffered from it with Dr Spock. Was it a concern for you at any point?
You know I never thought about it until I was interviewed by journalists and they would mention it. Then I thought maybe I should be. But with everything I’ve done, I’ve found Star Trek has actually opened doors for me rather than shut them.
Data was one of the most popular characters in Star Trek Next Generation. Why do you think the audience identified with him so much and he’s had such a lasting impact?
I’m afraid you’d have to ask the audience that.
What was it like working with Patrick Stewart, Gates McFadden, Whoopi Goldberg and the rest of the cast of the TNG TV series?
Working with everyone was wonderful. You seemed to have a great dynamic? We did. We’re still close now even thought the series has finished and are in contact all the time.
Do you have a particular favourite episode out of any of the Star Trek episodes that you starred in?
No, not really. The whole seven years were like one big episode!
You did a guest experience on Star Trek Enterprise in 2005 didn’t you? Did you find yourself making comparisons to what it had been like in Next Generation at all?
No. We were working with all the same production crew who had worked on our series. La Var was directing it (La Var Burton who played Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in Next Generation.) It just felt like home really.
What were the pros and cons about doing the TV series vs. the movies?
Time was the major thing really. Spending a shorter amount of it in character with the make up on.
I would have been in the make up chair for a couple of hours when Patrick Stewart walked in.
How long would it take you to get back into character of Data after a break?
It was easy. Within seconds I would slip back into it.
How did you feel when they killed Data off in Star Trek Nemesis in 2002?
Fine! Yeah, I was fine with it.
Did you ever get into the science of Science Trek at all?
No, I never did. I did my job as an actor and concentrated on the interpretation of the character.
What was it like playing Lore, Data’s evil twin brother?
Well everyone loves playing the bad guy don’t they? The bad guy was much easier than playing Data.
Do you have any regrets?
No not really, the whole thing was pretty much a big positive experience. I was very pleased with how Data had developed as a character.
Was being in Star Trek everything you imagined?
Much more than I ever thought it would be.
Who would play you in the film story of your life?
What like the Brent Spiner Show? Erm, a younger, digitally computerised version of me.
Is there anybody that you’d still like to work with if the opportunity arose?
I was thinking about this the other day. I’d like to work with Peter O’Toole. But there are very few- most of them are dead actually.
What’s the best showbiz party that you’ve ever attended?
It was a dinner held for the Tony awards. It was amazing. I was dating one of the awards presenters at the time. There were ten tables, with people like Lillian Gish and Ginger Rogers there. I was sat next to Cher and her boyfriend, who was an unknown actor at the time by the name of Val Kilmer!
What’s next for you?
Well I’m retired. No I ‘m not really, I’m just joking.
So you’d be open to any other Star Trek related projects?
Yes, of course.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise, Paramount has released a new collection of DVDs entitled the “Q and Klingon Fan Collectives” featuring the best episodes as voted for by fans on startrek.com. The Star Trek: Q Fan Collective is available to buy from 4th September 2006 and the Star Trek: Klingon Fan Collective is available to buy from 6th November 2006.
0Comments | Be the first to comment!
