Do actors ever provide in-depth insights about characters or stories at conventions?

[Navaros]

Well, yes. You have to remember, for the actors, it's just a job. I'm not trying to imply they're lazy or don't give a damn, indeed the opposite is quite the case if they are indeed making convention appearances. But at the same time, a job is just a means of making a living, and they shouldn't be expected to keep picture perfect details in the memories decades after the show endeds

I accept the point that it is just a job for them and that they shouldn't be expected to remember a lot based on having done that job a long time ago.

My counterpoint is:

Since money is changing hands, that seems to complicate the point that you've made. The actors are not appearing at conventions out of the goodness of their hearts, as charitable favors to their fans. Rather, they are appearing at conventions because their fans are paying them good money in order to give them new jobs. Yet the actors don't seem to be doing any new work in exchange for their new pay...other than merely showing up and talking about random things that are mostly irrelevant to Star Trek.

Could one not then argue that the fans are not receiving a good value in exchange for the dollars that they pay in order to hire the actors to show up - and presumably - talk about Star Trek?

Could one not then argue that the actors should do the new work of watching their shows (in order to prepare themselves to discuss those shows at conventions) as a fair exchange for the new pay that their fans are giving to them?

 

[stardream]

You will sometimes get some specific insights from them. But it is more normally either related to a specific scene or moment that stood out to them, or how they approached the auditions for the character. Remember for them the episodes were a grueling week to week slog of memorization, performance of some very silly stuff, learning the next, repeat etc. often in oddly broken up order. They had to finish a new work project every week. Think about your weekly work projects from 10 years ago, they are kind of a blur, aren't they? Patrick Stewart will typically have more to say about the Inner Light than he will about Picard, because it was a distinct and memorable performance for the actor that was outside the norm. And a lot of actors don't really like to watch their own performances. At least not as entertainment. Many don't do it until later in life when they sit down and watch the old shows with their kids. Plus remember these are the people that through their work see whats behind the magic. They are the ones standing there in the silly looking ill fitting clothing, on the brightly painted cardboard and plywood sets speaking nonsensical lines. Once it all gets edited together and polished up it is stunning magic. But they live in the sausage factory of the absurdity it takes to get there. They don't have the leisure of suspension of disbelief when they are performing it. While most of them are fans, and have a love of the franchise and its people few of us can appreciate, they look at it from a different place and a very different experience from ours. If you ask an actor his favorite episode it will often be "the one where my outfit wasn't giving me a wedgy for 12 hours straight."

Where you will get the most character insights is from those actors who played multiple roles. And as such had to keep them seperate in their heads. Jeffrey Combs might offer up a bit in that regard for example.

One of my favorite Voyager episodes is Nothing Human. I found out that was Dawson's least favorite. She said something along the lines of how she knew it had a good message but all she remembers of it is lying on a table with a 'thing' stuck to her the whole time.

 

[TheSubCommander]

If you go to the convention expecting "in depth insights" you are going to be disappointed. For example you are far more likely to hear William Shatner talk about his horses than any in depth conversation about ST.

That is what happened at the convention I went to. I wasn't expecting that much because it was a job that was (at the time) almost 40 years ago for him. But hearing him sit up there talking about horses was disappointing, and felt like a complete waste of time.

I don't know this to be the case for sure, but I get the sense if you wanted insight, go seek out a Trek actor of "lesser renown." I am sure someone like Ethan Phillips, Casey Biggs, or Armin Shimerman would be a lot more fun to talk to, or hear from. Or someone who was part of the production staff, like Doug Drexler would give you good behind the scenes insight.

 

[The Wormhole]

I accept the point that it is just a job for them and that they shouldn't be expected to remember a lot based on having done that job a long time ago.

My counterpoint is:

Since money is changing hands, that seems to complicate the point that you've made. The actors are not appearing at conventions out of the goodness of their hearts, as charitable favors to their fans. Rather, they are appearing at conventions because their fans are paying them good money in order to give them new jobs. Yet the actors don't seem to be doing any new work in exchange for their new pay...other than merely showing up and talking about random things that are mostly irrelevant to Star Trek.

Could one not then argue that the fans are not receiving a good value in exchange for the dollars that they pay in order to hire the actors to show up - and presumably - talk about Star Trek?

Could one not then argue that the actors should do the new work of watching their shows (in order to prepare themselves to discuss those shows at conventions) as a fair exchange for the new pay that their fans are giving to them?

Meh, this is what actors have been doing at conventions ever since they first really became a thing back in the 1970s. It's clearly not an issue for most people who repeatedly go to conventions and hand their money over, even when they know this is what to expect from the actors. If people are paying to see the actors talk about their lives outside of Star Trek and rarely touch upon Trek and continue to pay them to do so, what incentive do they have to do otherwise?

Besides which, time is finite. For all we know, the actors might have multiple things being juggled at once, other convention appearances, other acting jobs, maybe they're writing a book, running a charity, pursuing other professional interests, not to mention anything that could be going on in their personal lives. Maybe they just don't have the time to sit down and re-watch any episodes of a show they did over a decade ago.

Also, TOS, TNG, DS9, and most of Voyager were done in the days when shows didn't have behind the scenes anecdotes for every single episode immortalised by DVD interviews and audio commentaries. Chances are, no one ever thought to keep permanent records of their insights into their roles because they weren't expecting it to be particularly relevant once the show was done.

And finally, did you do all your homework when you were in school? Hell, all your work in general? Do you even put 100% into your job now? I can answer no for all these questions? If you answer no to any of them, you're holding the actors to a standard you don't even meet yourself.

 

[at Quark's]

It all comes down to the point whether fans accept and expect they pay money to see some actors IRL that don't recall too many specifics. If they do, then it's OK, since it's just a fair trade to both parties involved.

Personally, I wouldn't accept such a deal, though. I would expect them to come with some insights. If that isn't happening, I simply won't pay the money and hence I won't be visiting such conventions.

 

[Paradise City]

Well, I think fans who go "in episode 67...." to point out some obscure scene should defintely be jailed. But it's not unreasonable for the actor concerned, to scan through a 'behind-the-scenes' book before he attends, to jog a few memories of his time on the show . Actors who's limit of their recollection is "that it's all a blur" are performing below reasonable expectations.

 

[Greg Cox]

I still remember the time Nimoy spoke at my college campus back in the eighties. He was hosting "In Search Of . . . " at the time and, understandably, wanted to talk about the exciting new show he was working on right then, but, of course, every single question from the audience was about STAR TREK.

It got kinda comical. He'd talk about ISO for ten minutes, then take a question from the audience, which was always about STAR TREK. He'd politely answer the question, then try to steer the discussion back towards ISO, only to be hit with a question about ponn farr, and so on throughout the evening.

It must have been frustrating to him, but I have to say he didn't show it.

 

[tim0122]

How's Wil Wheaton at conventions? He had some pretty entertaining behind-the-scenes anecdotes about TNG episodes in a blog that I used to read years ago.

I've never seen him. I imagine he'd be a good guest.

About four years ago, I filmed a Wil Wheaton Q/A at the last Polaris Comic Con in Toronto. He starts telling a few amusing stories and reading a couple pretty funny excerpts from his book Memories of the Future - Volume 1, which talks about the first half of season one from his perspective and often points out the absurdity of that first season. Anyway, it's a nice, fun talk. I would recommend watching it if you have a spare hour or so.

P.S. Please forgive me if any of the camera work is bad. I had to hold that darn camera up for an hour and my arm got tired.

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[The Old Mixer]

That's interesting...sounds like the book is a version of the material that was in the blog I mentioned...I should look it up.

Now I never realized that the rainbow pattern on Wesley's "acting ensign" uniform was supposed to represent all of the department colors--Somebody needed to explain this shit like 28 years ago!

 

[USS Triumphant]

I accept the point that it is just a job for them and that they shouldn't be expected to remember a lot based on having done that job a long time ago.

My counterpoint is:

Since money is changing hands, that seems to complicate the point that you've made. The actors are not appearing at conventions out of the goodness of their hearts, as charitable favors to their fans. Rather, they are appearing at conventions because their fans are paying them good money in order to give them new jobs. Yet the actors don't seem to be doing any new work in exchange for their new pay...other than merely showing up and talking about random things that are mostly irrelevant to Star Trek.

Could one not then argue that the fans are not receiving a good value in exchange for the dollars that they pay in order to hire the actors to show up - and presumably - talk about Star Trek?

Could one not then argue that the actors should do the new work of watching their shows (in order to prepare themselves to discuss those shows at conventions) as a fair exchange for the new pay that their fans are giving to them?

This is the point I was going to make, and you've stated it beautifully, so thank you for saving me the time to type it all out. That said, I'm not certain whether or not you and I *believe* this point to the same degree - I believe it, but I also know that The Wormhole has a point, too, and I think that the compromise position laid out by Paradise City actually expresses my conclusion about the issue best: the actors shouldn't have to be fanatical experts about the shows they've been in - that's our job - but they shouldn't *completely* phone in con appearances, either.

That is what happened at the convention I went to. I wasn't expecting that much because it was a job that was (at the time) almost 40 years ago for him. But hearing him sit up there talking about horses was disappointing, and felt like a complete waste of time.

I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of time for me to see Shatner - he's one of the very few actors whose work I respect enough and that has enough personal meaning for me that just to have him come into the same room with me and eat lunch and talk about how he feels about the food for an hour without ever mentioning the work would be an honor. But from my personal experience and from anecdotes I've read from others, he works like this: If he has an hour to present, then he takes exactly two questions from the crowd - each of which he answers only as long as possible as needed to segue into one of his prepared 30 minute speeches about what he really wants to talk about. I don't think this is the very best way to deal with a con appearance - I tend to think it is second best, as the appearances I really get a kick out of are the ones from actors who *are* actual fans of their own work or of sci-fi and fantasy in general, and want to talk about it. But I know it is work to prepare those 30 minute speeches and make them entertaining - and they are. So while we might prefer that he brush up on Trek and give us his insights on the command structure of Starfleet, his opinion of the Prime Directive, etc, he turns in work for a passing grade, in my opinion. Same with Spiner and McFadden's amusing banter about their stage performances. Heck, really I'm okay if they just kind of show up and do their best to dialog with fans like real people who don't hate all of us. The real disappointments are the ones that show up drunk or high or with an attitude like they hate us or they're doing us a favor by being there. Or that they're just dead inside (like the appearance I saw Tim Russ at - although in that case I'm more worried about him than mad about his performance).

I don't know this to be the case for sure, but I get the sense if you wanted insight, go seek out a Trek actor of "lesser renown." I am sure someone like Ethan Phillips, Casey Biggs, or Armin Shimerman would be a lot more fun to talk to, or hear from. Or someone who was part of the production staff, like Doug Drexler would give you good behind the scenes insight.

Emphasis mine. One of the best conversations I had at any convention was with a panel of special effects folks from TNG, after the panel was technically over. A friend of mine and I can't prove it, but we really believe based on timing that our conversation may have influenced the effects for the premiere of DS9 and in the rest of the show from there. (The point we brought to their attention was how ships always seemed to approach each other with the same "up", and why we didn't think that was realistic, and we all hung out around the panel table casually talking about it for more than an hour. )

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I have never had the benefit of going to a convention or anything like that, so have no frame of reference, but my question to the OP would be: exactly what sort of "in-depth analysis" are you looking for?

If its something about the production of the show or a specific episode, then that information can be found though various websites. If its about a character they played 10+ years ago then they might be hard-pushed to remember what their specific motivation was in an episode/scene. They may have a general feeling or impression of the character, but what would you really want to know?

There are a few cast members I would love to meet, though I suspect that I'd just end up standing and gawping at them rather than say anything, which would probably get uncomfortable for everyone involved. If I did manage to speak, it probably would be to ask them anything but just say how much I enjoyed their work and portrayal of my favourite characters in my favourite franchise.

 

[USS Triumphant]

If I did manage to speak, it probably would be to ask them anything but just say how much I enjoyed their work and portrayal of my favourite characters in my favourite franchise.

Please never do this. Everyone pretty much take this as a given, and people who do this waste time that could have been filled with an interesting question and answer for the rest of us. :P

(To be fair, this is still FAR less annoying than the people who ask questions that center on something about themselves. I've seen con-goers at the mike ramble on irrelevantly about their own lives, and worse, ask the panelists whether they've ever heard of their blog or podcast or some such as a way to try to advertise at everyone in the room. So if you REALLY feel the need to tell the panelists you appreciate them and you hear that collective sigh of, oh, this again... at least know that we agree with you and you aren't HATED like those people are. )

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Please never do this. Everyone pretty much take this as a given, and people who do this waste time that could have been filled with an interesting question and answer for the rest of us. :P

(To be fair, this is still FAR less annoying than the people who ask questions that center on something about themselves. I've seen con-goers at the mike ramble on irrelevantly about their own lives, and worse, ask the panelists whether they've ever heard of their blog or podcast or some such as a way to try to advertise at everyone in the room. So if you REALLY feel the need to tell the panelists you appreciate them and you hear that collective sigh of, oh, this again... at least know that we agree with you and you aren't HATED like those people are. )

So try and think of an interesting and unique question to ask...hmm...if you could only have one breakfast food for the rest of your days, what would it be?

 

[stardream]

I think if I went to a convention it would be to meet other fans, not the celebrities. That would be fun but as someone else said I care more about the 'characters' than the actors playing them if that makes any sense.

 

[Greg Cox]

I think if I went to a convention it would be to meet other fans, not the celebrities. That would be fun but as someone else said I care more about the 'characters' than the actors playing them if that makes any sense.

That's pretty much where I'm at these days. I always tell myself that I'm going to try to hit one of the celebrity Q&A sessions, but I usually end up in a bar or the dealer's room, socializing with new and old friends.

Mind you, if I see Brent Spiner and John DeLancie hanging out at a booth or autograph table, and there's not too long a line, I'm not going to be able resist going over, saying hello, and maybe springing for an autographed photo for my office.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

4. Would Trek fans be expecting too much if they wanted actors at conventions actually to watch their own shows on a regular basis, in order to keep the episodes fresh in their minds?

Yes, that absolutely would be expecting too much. Watching themselves in a Star Trek episode from umpteen years ago would take time away from either their personal lives or from the acting job they're doing now, and more likely than not it wouldn't jog too many memories for them.

Since money is changing hands, that seems to complicate the point that you've made. The actors are not appearing at conventions out of the goodness of their hearts, as charitable favors to their fans. Rather, they are appearing at conventions because their fans are paying them good money in order to give them new jobs. Yet the actors don't seem to be doing any new work in exchange for their new pay...other than merely showing up and talking about random things that are mostly irrelevant to Star Trek.

Appearing at conventions is not an actor's job. Their job is acting. Appearing at a convention is an extra that they are under absolutely no obligation to do. For some actors it becomes a mini-career, especially when they're having trouble getting acting work because of typecasting.

And believe me, pressing flesh and engaging people in conversation all day is work. Especially if you're an introverted person by nature. No, it's not digging ditches, but it's emotionally and physically draining. If they're going to do it, they're entitled to talk about things they're interested in and give the fans a peek into the real person underneath the character.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Appearing at conventions is not an actor's job. Their job is acting. Appearing at a convention is an extra that they are under absolutely no obligation to do. For some actors it becomes a mini-career, especially when they're having trouble getting acting work because of typecasting.

And believe me, pressing flesh and engaging people in conversation all day is work. Especially if you're an introverted person by nature. No, it's not digging ditches, but it's emotionally and physically draining. If they're going to do it, they're entitled to talk about things they're interested in and give the fans a peek into the real person underneath the character.

I hope you realize you've contradicted yourself, here. If they have been hired to make an appearance, or they are there as part of their own moneymaking business to sell autographs and such, then it absolutely IS *one* of their jobs. Just not the only one, and in many cases, probably not the most important one. (Although expensive workshops some of them, like Erin Gray and Virginia Hey, put on at cons might very well BE their main job these days. And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that.)

As such, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect them to do a little prep work. Preferably related to the things that they know people love them for and want to hear about, but if not, at least to make the time they share with fans enjoyable. We might not be there to hear Shatner talk about his horses (although his appearance on SNL has, ironically, made doing so part of the fandom, at least for me, on a meta level ) but that doesn't mean that he doesn't do the work to prepare what he's going to talk about. He has prepared for the job.

Being friendly, polite, and preferably not condescending are parts of the job, too, just like they are with almost any other job. And most of them do fine in this regard most of the time - which is why the ones that don't become a bit infamous. Anyone will have a bad day, though, and I think most people realize that.

The REAL problem some fans have is that they want these people to LOVE what we love, especially the parts they were a part of making. And that, we can't demand of anyone, nor should we. We should instead cherish the ones that do, anyway - Richard Hatch, George Takei, Wil Wheaton, etc - as something really special - rather than holding it against the ones that don't.

 

[inflatabledalek]

It's also worth remembering actors are first and foremost performers, not historians. The annecdotes they tell are usually well honed to get the best reaction out of a crowd. So stories tend to be funny and exagerated rather than necessarily 100% accurate or insightful. I can see it being frustrating if you're seriously interested in behind the scenes stuff (and separating fact from fluff must be hard for actual historians) but equally you can see why they'd place keeping everyone having a fun evening over that.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

I hope you realize you've contradicted yourself, here. If they have been hired to make an appearance, or they are there as part of their own moneymaking business to sell autographs and such, then it absolutely IS *one* of their jobs.

I should have said "not their primary job" in that Trek actors are not and have never been required to appear at conventions. That's what I meant when I said that they are under no obligation to do so.

The REAL problem some fans have is that they want these people to LOVE what we love, especially the parts they were a part of making. And that, we can't demand of anyone, nor should we. We should instead cherish the ones that do, anyway - Richard Hatch, George Takei, Wil Wheaton, etc - as something really special - rather than holding it against the ones that don't.

I agree with this totally. Many instances of actors being "jerks" at cons come from fans coming in with unreasonable expectations.

 

[TheSeeker]

Somebody should tie Stewart and Spiner into chairs and make them watch "Masks"!

This is the one TNG episode I have only seen once, and that was when it first aired. I remember disliking it so much that I never wanted to watch it again. Now that I have all of TNG on Blu-Ray I will probably watch it again when I get to season 7 just to see if it's as bad as I remember.