Ungrateful Actors

[ShatnersToupee]

I read somewhere that at any given moment, 90% of actors aren't working. Most actors, especially ones starting out, would kill for a series gig. Steady paycheck, little to no travel, greater industry exposure, the chance to direct, etc. Compare that to most actors who go to countless auditions and struggle just to get bit parts and pay rent. So to see people like Garrett Wang and Robert Beltran, who aren't very good actors to begin with, badmouth Voyager is pretty disappointing.

On the one hand, I'm glad they're speaking out. Much of what they've said is what I and a lot of other fans think, that the writing was formulaic, that Seven of Nine got too much attention, that Rick Berman and Brannon Braga were incompetent. But you'd think they'd be more appreciative of the opportunity they were given.

Take Wang. Had barely any acting experience when he auditioned for Voyager, was hired over 100 other people, and in the early seasons he had a reputation for tardiness. If it hadn't been for People Magazine naming him to their 50 Most Beautiful Persons list, I'm sure he would've been let go instead of Jennifer Lien. But instead of being grateful that he didn't get the ax, instead of being grateful that he gets paid a lot of money to just stand there, he whines about not being allowed to direct. Give me a break. I'm no fan of Rick Berman. I think he's made some really bad decisions. But not letting Wang direct was one of the best things he ever did. From the sound of it, he didn't earn that privilege.

And then there's Beltran who complained about not having enough to do. Well maybe if you showed more interest in your job, your bosses would've listened. Kate Mulgrew, Robert Picardo, and Roxann Dawson all went to the writers and offered ideas to help shape their characters. But Beltran couldn't even bother reading entire scripts. Why would anyone want to write material for an actor with his attitude?

I think Kate Mulgrew had the right mindset. I'm sure she didn't always care for the way the writers wrote her character. And I know it had to be difficult to see them bring in Borg Barbie and give her all the good material. But she also seemed to appreciate what she had. A steady job on a hit show, a loyal fan base, and a cast who, for the most part, was fun to be around.

People like Wang and Beltran are just overprivileged, ungrateful children who don't deserve any sympathy. But I look forward to hearing them spill more dirt about Voyager.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

On the one hand, if I were offered a steady gig as a regular extra in the background, I'd have been damned pleased. I don't have much acting experience either, and I'm about Wang's age when he was cast. It would be an absolute honor.

On the other, I can sort of see how it would be frustrating over time to be given this role that tends to indicate you'll be showcased (this helps tremendously with future projects) and instead being given extra-quality dialogue half the time.

End of the day? I'd be happy with the paycheck.

 

[el Chalupacabra]

I couldn't have said it any better than you, ShatnersToupee, nor could I agree more. It annoys me when any actor badmouths a series I happen to like, especially when they are a minor role, and are not all that good an actor to begin with.

I can understand if there are concerns about character development, writing, etc, but that is something an actor needs to discuss with the producer, director or writer. Airing your dirty laundry in public is in poor taste, and shows they have no class. Any Star Trek actor from any of the series are now set for a very long time, between the salary they were paid while on the show(which they should have invested to ensure future income), residuals, exposure for potentual future acting roles either in movies, TV or on stage, and even doing conventions, if things really got bad for them. I suspect Wang and Beltran are just upset that they are typecast, and can't find work, so they are blaming Star Trek Voyager. But that is not Voyager's fault.

 

[SD70ACe]

I usually have no problem when actors speak out against past productions they were a part of; it's certainly their right to air legitimate grievances. I draw the line when they make personal attacks on other production staff, or worse yet, the fanbase.

 

[Joker]

Oh give us a break.

Acting is a job. They did their job, they got paid. They went home, they didn't like the final product. They said as much. They're people, they have opinions.

Some people didn't like Voyager, including those who performed in it. Get over it.

 

[exodus]

Oh give us a break.

Acting is a job. They did their job, they got paid. They went home, they didn't like the final product. They said as much. They're people, they have opinions.

Some people didn't like Voyager, including those who performed in it. Get over it.

Word up, yo!

Especially when you consider there probably isn't one person on God's green Earth that hasn't bad mouthed their job or boss at least once in their life time. These actors have the right to say what they wish more than we do because they actually worked in the series and know the truth behind all that went on & into it. If we can sit here as say nasty things about these actors publically, then isn't it fair that they have the right to publically rebuttal to the fanbase?

 

[ShatnersToupee]

I can understand why Wang and Beltran were frustrated. The scripts, for the most part, were terrible and almost all of the attention went to characters like Janeway, Seven of Nine, and The Doctor. Kim and Chakotay just stood around saying things like "shields down to 30%!" or "aye sir." But if Wang and Beltran were so miserable, why didn't they just quit? That's what Denise Crosby did. No one put a gun to their heads and forced them to stay. They could've left when their contracts were up, but they didn't.

I think we've all had jobs we didn't care for or bosses who didn't put us to good use. But we probably stayed because we needed the money. As for airing your grievances, there's a time and place for that. Doing it in private is one thing, but doing it in public shows a lack of professionalism. And in a town as small as Hollywood, what you say can easily come back to haunt you. Just ask Katherine Heigl or Mel Gibson.

What gets me is when actors can't appreciate how lucky they are. Wang gave that famous interview where he talked about all the film roles he had to pass up in order to take the Voyager gig. Give me a break. He had one recurring guest role and a couple of commercials on his resume. His acting career wasn't exactly red-hot. Kate Mulgrew, on the other hand, is very humble about getting cast in Voyager. She admits that she needed the job and that she was very grateful to get it. Humility is something sorely lacking in a lot of actors.

 

[exodus]

^^You've gotta keep the events in context.
Everyone on Voyager originally signed a 3 year contract.
During the first 3 years, Beltran & Wang were getting a fair share of scripts equal to their peers. So when they re-signed for 5 more years, they weren't disgruntled about anything. It wasn't until after the resigning that their roles got drastically cut back.

They couldn't quit. In order to quit and be let out of a contract all parties involved have to agree. So while Beltran & his agent might have wanted out, Paramount said "no". Therefore, he's locked into doing the show. This is why he became disgruntled. You're not using him, yet they won't let him go to persue another acting job. Resentment is understandable at that point.

So if Garrett Wang was offered a continued role on a show like "Law & Order: SVU" and picked "Voyager" to do instead, is he still lucky? I would say picking Voyager instead ended his career. What impressive resumes did Lucy Lawless or Tom Welling have before they were cast in leading roles of Smallville or Xena? The resume means nothing, Wang tried out for the part and beat out thousands of others competing for the same job.

 

[HoneyBLilly]

If they had quit what would have happened?

Who would have replaced them?

Sure Tuvok could have possibly been promoted to XO, but there also had to be that balance between Starfleet and Maquis, even though the Maquis were kind of washed out.

Maybe Tarik Ergin as Ayala might have replaced Harry, but the XO is the real issue.

 

[Cyke101]

Oh give us a break.

Acting is a job. They did their job, they got paid. They went home, they didn't like the final product. They said as much. They're people, they have opinions.

Some people didn't like Voyager, including those who performed in it. Get over it.

Word up, yo!

Especially when you consider there probably isn't one person on God's green Earth that hasn't bad mouthed their job or boss at least once in their life time. These actors have the right to say what they wish more than we do because they actually worked in the series and know the truth behind all that went on & into it. If we can sit here as say nasty things about these actors publically, then isn't it fair that they have the right to publically rebuttal to the fanbase?

Agreed. Just because we like something doesn't mean there isn't burnout, and it doesn't mean people aren't human can can't complain about a job. Sometimes we have difficulty separating the product from the people who make that product.

As well, working on a show in any aspect, whether it be in front or behind the camera, is really taxing anyway. If, on top of all that, you're feeling shortchanged and morale is low, you have the right to complain.

I myself just left a highly regarded organization a couple weeks ago. I have to remember that the org's mission and influence and services are far greater than me -- but that it was also my time to leave for personal reasons. I couldn't work with their management anymore, but I've no ill feelings against the organization itself. Note that Wang and Beltran aren't bashing all of Trek, or else they wouldn't be talking to fans every time they're seen on the street -- they're unhappy with the way the production was run. The big difference is the power of the contract, and the promise of better material but rarely getting it. And we fans have problems separating the overall product from reality sometimes. People have different priorities, and if they don't align, well that's life.

 

[exodus]

Oh give us a break.

Acting is a job. They did their job, they got paid. They went home, they didn't like the final product. They said as much. They're people, they have opinions.

Some people didn't like Voyager, including those who performed in it. Get over it.

Word up, yo!

Especially when you consider there probably isn't one person on God's green Earth that hasn't bad mouthed their job or boss at least once in their life time. These actors have the right to say what they wish more than we do because they actually worked in the series and know the truth behind all that went on & into it. If we can sit here as say nasty things about these actors publically, then isn't it fair that they have the right to publically rebuttal to the fanbase?

Agreed. Just because we like something doesn't mean there isn't burnout, and it doesn't mean people aren't human can can't complain about a job. Sometimes we have difficulty separating the product from the people who make that product.

As well, working on a show in any aspect, whether it be in front or behind the camera, is really taxing anyway. If, on top of all that, you're feeling shortchanged and morale is low, you have the right to complain.

I myself just left a highly regarded organization a couple weeks ago. I have to remember that the org's mission and influence and services are far greater than me -- but that it was also my time to leave for personal reasons. I couldn't work with their management anymore, but I've no ill feelings against the organization itself. Note that Wang and Beltran aren't bashing all of Trek, or else they wouldn't be talking to fans every time they're seen on the street -- they're unhappy with the way the production was run. The big difference is the power of the contract, and the promise of better material but rarely getting it. And we fans have problems separating the overall product from reality sometimes. People have different priorities, and if they don't align, well that's life.

Well said.

 

[froot]

Sorry. I don't feel any empathy for folks who do not do their jobs.

I don't care if they were upset. We've all been pissed off at our jobs and at people we work with. Beltran, in particular, was not doing his work. He wasn't reading his scripts. He was literally reading his lines out of the bottom of the stainless steel coffee cups. His delivery was often poor, even early on. This was before all this business about his character being "shortchanged."

It's also not very classy to air dirty laundry just to get the fans riled up, IMO. It's telling that fans aren't interested so much in those two actors for themselves, but simply because they have good gossip. I dimly recall RB implying he was too good for sci-fi. Really? Is that why he ended up on another show on Sy-Fy a few years later, acting as poorly as ever?

If I was in a well-paying job and opted to surf Facebook all day right in front of my bosses, wouldn't I deserve to be fired? Would all my whining about my bosses hold any water to you if you found out I wasn't actually working?

Trekkies love RB because he's sooo brave for speaking out. Give me a break. He just wanted people to recognize him for something.

 

[2 of 10]

I suppose that I have been out of the loop, however, if I had the chance to become part of Trek Lore, I would be eternally grateful that for that one part fate smiled
upon me and got me the part. They get to travel the world, go to conventions, meet
fans who you have made an impact on. Oh, and lets not forget the royalties aka mailbox money that get every month. I can't tell you what did not happen, however, I can tell that Both Garrett and Robert are far better off for being on Voyager, than waiting for some other part that may or may not have come to their rescue.

I really like both of their Characters, and Voyager would not be the same without them, however a little bit of gratitude would go a long way, for one second fate smiled on them, and secured their place for all time in Trek Lore and they don't ever realize it...

Resistance is Futile...

 

[sonak]

Yeah, it's immature and not very classy to publically bad-mouth a show that you're happy to take a paycheck from.


behind-the-scenes constructive criticism is a different story.


However, let's be realistic here.


big-time(or at least somewhat big time) actors and actresses, along with pro sports stars, are some of the most spoiled, out-of-touch folk on the planet. Lots of Money and fame can do that to folks. Many avoid this fate, while others don't. So let's not be all surprised that there are spoiled, whiny, hypocritical actors out there.

 

[Cyke101]

I suppose that I have been out of the loop, however, if I had the chance to become part of Trek Lore, I would be eternally grateful that for that one part fate smiled
upon me and got me the part. They get to travel the world, go to conventions, meet
fans who you have made an impact on. Oh, and lets not forget the royalties aka mailbox money that get every month. I can't tell you what did not happen, however, I can tell that Both Garrett and Robert are far better off for being on Voyager, than waiting for some other part that may or may not have come to their rescue.

I really like both of their Characters, and Voyager would not be the same without them, however a little bit of gratitude would go a long way, for one second fate smiled on them, and secured their place for all time in Trek Lore and they don't ever realize it...

Resistance is Futile...

You're speaking from the viewpoint of a fan, and not the viewpoint of part of the cast & crew of a show -- newsflash, most of the main actors of any incarnation of Trek weren't Trek fans before they got their roles -- in fact, many of them had to do their Trek research before securing their roles. Obviously almost all Trekkies would kill to be on a show, but not all people on a show are die-hard Trekkies. There's a separation then between fan culture and the professional culture, and both of them can enable different behaviors. While Beltran and Wang are legendary for their complaints about Trek management, I haven't heard a peep of them ever being jerks to the fanbase at all. The show promotes them sure, but it's the fans that give the actors and characters a real commodity value. In that sense, I think they have gratitude for the fans. The show, the actors, and the fans are three very different entities, and we as fans tend to confuse the them.

Sorry. I don't feel any empathy for folks who do not do their jobs.

I don't care if they were upset. We've all been pissed off at our jobs and at people we work with. Beltran, in particular, was not doing his work. He wasn't reading his scripts. He was literally reading his lines out of the bottom of the stainless steel coffee cups. His delivery was often poor, even early on. This was before all this business about his character being "shortchanged."

It's also not very classy to air dirty laundry just to get the fans riled up, IMO. It's telling that fans aren't interested so much in those two actors for themselves, but simply because they have good gossip. I dimly recall RB implying he was too good for sci-fi. Really? Is that why he ended up on another show on Sy-Fy a few years later, acting as poorly as ever?

If I was in a well-paying job and opted to surf Facebook all day right in front of my bosses, wouldn't I deserve to be fired? Would all my whining about my bosses hold any water to you if you found out I wasn't actually working?

Trekkies love RB because he's sooo brave for speaking out. Give me a break. He just wanted people to recognize him for something.

However, that all implies that Beltran had the option of leaving whenever he wanted to, half-assing his way and coasting to an easy paycheck. Beltran was contract-locked and couldn't leave, and contracts are often ironclad in Hollywood. If Beltran had the option of leaving, he would have in mid-run, but he was trapped. The same thing happened with Pierce Brosnan and James Bond in the 80s -- he really wanted to take over the role, but he was forbidden because of his contract on Remington Steele. Timothy Dalton was hired instead, and Brosnan swore never to do regular network TV again.

Think about it this way: If you hate your job so much and you have the option to leave, it's probably best to leave (that's what I did). If you hate your job but you're contractually obligated to stay, you're not going to be a happy camper and you're going to try to do many things, short of getting blacklisted, to get out of that contract. It's that tricky balance of getting out of a high-profile gig while trying to stay on good terms with the acting community in general.

Terry Ferrell got to leave her show show early. Beltran didn't. Guess who's (arguably) more favorable to Trek overall post-departure?

 

[LeadHead]

Terry Ferrell got to leave her show show early. Beltran didn't. Guess who's (arguably) more favorable to Trek overall post-departure?

Terry Farrell is a different case, she wasn't released from her contract, she chose not to sign on for Season 7, The contracts ended with Season 6 and they had a single season contract for season 7. I remember the old email info that came through the pipeline at that point, there was a good portion of time where Avery Brooks and Michael Dorn were questionable too.

As for the main point of the thread, it's natural for people to want more, nothing is ever enough, the grass is always greener, so I don't mind them not being ecstatic about the lot they got on Voyager. Beltran was thrown from the forefront into the background, Wang never got out of the background much at all and he wanted to get to direct episodes, given that Robert Duncan McNeil, Roxann Dawson, Tim Russ and Robert Picardo all got to, it's easy to feel like you were mistreated.

They have their opinions and they're welcome to have them.

 

[Purdy Bear]

Yes acting is a job and as such you need to work when you get there. The best actors come prepared by learning their lines and positions so they get the job done quickly. The great actresses such as Elizabeth Taylor, and Bette Davis could even cry out of one eye on command. Theres nothing more annoying for an actor then another who doesnt know their lines, or messes around so you spend days shooting one scene repeatedly because of their lack of preparation.

Wang turned up late repeatedly and was in line to be sacked before the beauty pole. Personally I think his character type was needed but it could have easily been replaced with someone else. Its a shame they didnt show more of the lower ranks other then the odd episode.

Beltram wasnt the best either from what I have heard.

Yes all actors have the right to complain, but when you get a very high amount compared to the average in a wage, its a good idea not to bad mouth fellow actors or directors etc because you never know when you will need to work for them again.

The actors who are proffesional, get the job done are those that get the work. From what I see here in the Uk, Mulgrew doesnt have to worry about work, but we have very little to show for Wang or Beltram.

 

[Lynx]

I don't see Beltran and Wang as "ungrateful" in any way. I think they did the right thing to speak out about certain stupidities from those in charge. I mean, lokk how they treated them and their characters. Can it be fun to work in a show when you got less and less to do for each episode? When your character is constantly neglected and overlooked? Where the premise for the show, the characters and the actors themselves are changing to something different that it was decided from the start.

Mulgrew's and Beltran's characters were supposed to be the main characters of the show, not Ryan's and Picardo's characters.

If I had been an actor for a certain show and my character was supposed to be a main character, I would be very annoyed if a newcomer's character and another actor's character who was supposed to be just one of the other main characters of the show all of a sudden become favored by those in charge while my character was shoved in the background.

And look at Kim. In the books he's actually doing something, in the series he was made a very weak character.

Not to mention Jennifer Lien and her character who were dumped for no reason at all.

I admire Bletran and Wang for their courage to speak out against the clowns in charge.

As for Beltran, he's not against Star Trek or Voyager, he's against what the show was turned into.

 

[JarodRussell]

But not letting Wang direct was one of the best things he ever did.

How can you be the judge of that?


Your post is extremely arrogant, and a couple of more words of which I currently don't know the English terms.

 

[ShatnersToupee]

If you hate your job so much and you have the option to leave, it's probably best to leave (that's what I did). If you hate your job but you're contractually obligated to stay, you're not going to be a happy camper and you're going to try to do many things, short of getting blacklisted, to get out of that contract. It's that tricky balance of getting out of a high-profile gig while trying to stay on good terms with the acting community in general.

People act like Beltran and Wang were mislead, that they somehow thought that if renewed their contracts, their roles would be expanded. Give me a break. If these guys really thought their roles would improve, they're morons who deserve what they got. They had to know the ratings were bad and that if any changes were going to be made to the show, it wouldn't favor them. So all this talk about how they were stuck because of their contracts means little. Yes, they may have been stuck. But they need to take responsibility for their actions. If I accept a job knowing the company has a bad reputation and then it turns out the job is awful, then who's at fault? These guys weren't duped. They just don't want to admit that they signed up for the paycheck. And they soon realized that by badmouthing the series, they'd win over the fans who agreed with them. Sorry, but no matter how much Beltran says stuff I agree with, it still won't cause me to respect him.