Hi! I'm Chris Myers. I played Gamble in Season 3. AMA!

[uwschris]

Hi everyone! I did one of these on Reddit and one of the users said I should come over here to say hi, too! Promised I would after 310 aired. Thank you all for watching! I admit I combed through the 305 ep thread and was so cool seeing all the fan theories, some of which got quite close to nailing it!

But anyway, feel free to ask me any questions! I'll also say you can follow me on Instagram where I occasionally post SNW stuff and more from my general acting career --> @chrismyersinc

 

[1001001]

So everyone is aware, I have verified that this is Chris Myers.

Welcome!

I’m sure everyone wants to know about the eyes!

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

How heavy was your Vezda costume that you wore in the temple?

That looked so narly on you, you looked so deliciously evil in that getup.

 

[Noname Given]

Did they film the Alien Prison scenes for episode 10 right after they were done filming the Alien Prison scenes for episode 5?

 

[Farscape One]

Hi everyone! I did one of these on Reddit and one of the users said I should come over here to say hi, too! Promised I would after 310 aired. Thank you all for watching! I admit I combed through the 305 ep thread and was so cool seeing all the fan theories, some of which got quite close to nailing it!

But anyway, feel free to ask me any questions! I'll also say you can follow me on Instagram where I occasionally post SNW stuff and more from my general acting career --> @chrismyersinc

Greetings, and welcome aboard!


Were there any movies or characters you drew inspiration from for your portrayal of the Vezda version of Gamble?

 

[uwschris]

How heavy was your Vezda costume that you wore in the temple?

That looked so narly on you, you looked so deliciously evil in that getup.

Honestly not that heavy! Lots of foam-y parts that were painted to look heavier. But I remember the dimensions being wide. And the staff was actually really heavy. So all together, with the obstructed vision, the most difficult part was walking down the stairs out of the portal (before I make everyone stab their eyes out).

Did they film the Alien Prison scenes for episode 10 right after they were done filming the Alien Prison scenes for episode 5?

Actually no! In fact, when I left for episode 5 I didn't even have the contract to come back for 310. Even though folks were hinting at it on set. But if I recall, there's actually a rule that prevents them from shooting in such a way that mixes episode content because it would be a great way for them to essentially reduce rates for laborers (like actors) who are paid by episode.

Greetings, and welcome aboard!


Were there any movies or characters you drew inspiration from for your portrayal of the Vezda version of Gamble?

Ya know, Event Horizon comes up a lot in online discussions and it was def a reference for the writers, so I gave it a rewatch. But actually, a lot of what I did drew upon my theater training background, specifically the extensive voice and physical training we did at Juilliard. Normally, you don't actually need to use that stuff as much for TV, but creating this wide arc and transformation, plus the genre of it all, made it feel necessary to activate acting technique, instead just like "in the moment" realness.

 

[V'Lias]

Welcome to the BBS!

I would be curious to know if you were doing any of the stunts in the sickbay fight scene in episode 3x05, or if they had a stunt double for some of it!

Also, did you get a chance to see your episodes at any point before they were officially released, or did you have to wait that whole time like the rest of us?

 

[uwschris]

Welcome to the BBS!

I would be curious to know if you were doing any of the stunts in the sickbay fight scene in episode 3x05, or if they had a stunt double for some of it!

Also, did you get a chance to see your episodes at any point before they were officially released, or did you have to wait that whole time like the rest of us?

It's interesting. I did multiple takes of the fight. Then my stunt double did the same. In the end, what you see is a mix of us.

I had to wait, yes. But that's because I was a guest star. I know folks like Anson and Rebecca are seeing them at multiple points of completion throughout the process. So seeing 310 was pretty cool -- as you can imagine, outside of the ADR wall and some wind machines, there wasn't a whole lot of energy magic IRL lol

 

[fireproof78]

Welcome to the board!

What did you like and/or dislike about working with the virtual wall?

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Chris, would you ever want to come back as a "Series Regular / Main Character" in a future Trek show?

I think you would fit right in, obviously you would want to disassociate with the Dana Gamble Guest Character and look differrent & unique for your new character.

The look you had as Dana Gamble is too widely associated with that character / Vezda at the moment.

But if you change your hair style and general looks for the new character, I think you would be a shoo-in as a series regular one day.

 

[1001001]

I had to wait, yes. But that's because I was a guest star. I know folks like Anson and Rebecca are seeing them at multiple points of completion throughout the process. So seeing 310 was pretty cool -- as you can imagine, outside of the ADR wall and some wind machines, there wasn't a whole lot of energy magic IRL lol

When you’re acting with things that aren’t there, what kind of direction do you get for your reactions? Are they really specific?

 

[cooleddie74]

Welcome to the board, Chris! I loved your youthful enthusiasm in your Sickbay appearances with M'Benga and how genuinely earnest and excited you seemed when you learned you were being assigned to the landing party. Babs and you had such terrific onscreen chemistry and I loved watching you together, even in your final meetings!

 

[Firebird]

Welcome aboard, Chris! You were a great addition to the cast right from the jump. Just a shame Gamble was a redshirt at heart and fate just wasn't on his side.

When you got the part, was it already in the cards he would meet his end before the season was over, or was it an episode-by-episode discovery?

 

[TrickyDickie]

You have the honor of having worked with two Pikes....Anson Mount and Bruce Greenwood!

What happened to Gamble is easily explained....it was The Resident: Evil.

Heartfelt condolences about Malcolm. Man, that was just terrible....

 

[Michael]

Welcome to the Trek BBS, Chris! So exciting to have you here. I’m very happy you got to be part of Strange New Worlds, a show many fans consider to be the best of this current era of Trek shows. And in a part that’s as memorable as this one! Genuinely, I hope this’ll open up even more exciting opportunities for you as an actor. I loved your performance as Gamble and I hope to see your face again in future productions, Trek or no Trek. Also, would love to meet you at a convention at some point, so fingers crossed you make FedCon in Germany some day.

I think upon your first appearances at the start of the season many guessed that something untoward was going to happen to your character down the road. But I have to say, both the writing and your jovial, wide-eyed performance made it quite the heartbreaking experience seeing Gamble turned into the mutilated vessel of evil he became. The switch from warm, youthful and friendly Dana Gamble to devious and cruel angel of death couldn’t have been more stark, which really made me mourn the loss of Gamble. There’s a big part of me that wishes they would have just kept you as part of the extended ensemble for longer.

In terms of questions I wonder what part was more fun / challenging / exciting for you to play as a performer: youthful sidekick or over-the-top villain?

Viewers online noticed that some of the on-set screen info had your character down as being from Wales. Did the writers give you any of this background info or is that news to you?

And finally, who of the actors was the most fun to work with? I reckon they’re all pretty interesting and fantastic people, but I was wondering who you personally enjoyed most working or spending time with.

 

[Pauln6]

Congratulations and commiserations! You made Gamble so affable and likeable that it elevated the episodes dealing with his ultimate fate.

A lot of actors relish playing bad guys. Was it fun to play the same character at different ends of the spectrum? Did you have a mental process to help you switch between goody and baddy in the same scene?

I think the stillness and deliberate movements of possessed Gamble did add to our sense of subconscious unease. Very effective along with the whole no eyes thing...

 

[Mage]

Welcome to the forum! I still need to see episode 10 because we're a bit behind in the Netherlands, but I got spoiled for your return, which actually makes me quite happy because I a bit annoyed when I felt your character was only created to be killed off, and we got to know Gamble only to feel more about his loss.

What is an average day of filming SNW like?

 

[Therin of Andor]

Welcome aboard and congratulations. After we lost Hemmer, the Aenar chief engineer, in Season One, a lot of fans were ready to complain bitterly about Nurse Gamble's supposed death, but I had an inkling you would reappear in the season finale. I was thrilled that I had guessed correctly.

You did a wonderful job with both aspects of your character and I look forward to seeing more of your work. Well done, Chris!