William Shatner talks ‘Star Trek,’ sci-fi and fans
He’ll appear at Wizard World Raleigh Comic Con Friday and Saturday
william Shatner is famous for a lot of roles – T.J. Hooker, Denny
Crane (“Boston Legal”), his various commercial pitchmen personae – but
for science fiction fans, he’ll always be Captain James T. Kirk of the
USS Enterprise.
For more than 40 years, Shatner has been at
ground zero of the “Star Trek” phenomenon, one of the most popular and
durable franchises in all of pop culture. In addition to his role as
Kirk in the original TV series, which ran from 1966-1969, he’s starred
in seven “Star Trek” feature films, co-written several tie-in novels,
and even authored a book on his experiences with “Star Trek” fandom.
Shatner
is one of the headlining celebrities at this weekend’s inaugural Wizard
World Raleigh Comic Con, making appearances Friday and Saturday night.
For ticket information, visit the Wizard World website at
wizardworld.com.
Speaking from his home in Los Angeles, Shatner said he still enjoys
attending conventions, meeting fans and talking science fiction.
Fan conventions are these giant celebrations of pop culture, and they
generate real passion and loyalty from people. You’ve been part of this
world for a long time – why do you think these gatherings continue to be
so popular?
You have to ask, what is pop culture? It’s culture that’s been
popularized and that most people can assimilate. That has to do with
gossip and celebrity to some degree, but the stuff that remains popular
is something that touches a nerve – whether the audience knows it or
not. You know, “Star Trek” is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary
next year. What is the explanation?
I wrote a book called “Get a
Life” years ago, where I felt I’d done my due diligence and figured out
why it is that people come to these conventions. And it’s to see each
other. That was my final conclusion. Then I did a film documentary and
some deeper research. And it was therein that I discovered that this pop
culture goes deeper than we’d imagined.
There is a mythological
component, especially with science fiction. It’s people looking for
answers – and science fiction offers to explain the inexplicable, the
same as religion tends to do. Although 99 percent of the people that
come to these conventions don’t realize it, they’re going through the
rituals that religion and mythology provide.
Why do you think the “Star Trek” story in particular has had such sustained resonance?
If we accept the premise that it has a mythological element, then all
the stuff about going out into space and meeting new life – trying to
explain it and put a human element to it – it’s a hopeful vision. All
these things offer hope and imaginative solutions for the future.
Are you hopeful for the future?
Well, it’s changing. In the next four or five years, it’s possible that
there won’t be anyone left – anyone responsible, anyway – who will
claim that global warming isn’t happening. And it’s interesting to think
that science fiction stories, the dark and dystopian ones, may have
frightened people into doing something about these issues.
You’ve been attending these conventions for decades. How have you seen things change?
It’s metastasized, I guess is the word. It’s become a huge, huge
business. There used to be one or two conventions a year. Now I have to
be careful and pick and choose where I go. Wizard World has really
become a giant force out of nowhere. They’re opening up conventions in
midsized markets like Raleigh, and really all over the country.
It
has really blossomed, and I think it’s because the epic movies of today
are science fiction movies. You know, epic films in the past used to be
historical or biblical – Cecil B. DeMille and 10,000 extras. But our
epic images today are computer-generated images. We can create almost
anything on the screen.
I’d like to ask you about the passing of your friend and “Star Trek”
colleague Leonard Nimoy, but I understand if you’d rather keep that
private.
Well, it is
private, but you know – I loved him. He was a wonderful man. And we’re
all so much the less with his passing. Two other people connected to
“Star Trek” have also passed away recently: Maurice Hurley, who produced
and wrote the first two seasons of “Next Generation,” and Harve
Bennett, who produced four or five of the “Star Trek” movies I was in.
We’ve lost a lot of wonderful people of late. It makes you consider your
own mortality.
A lot of casual fans might not know that you’re a classically trained Shakespearean actor. Do you still read Shakespeare?
Oh, yes. There’s an annual event here, put on by Tom Hanks and his
wife, to benefit schools in the Los Angeles area. Those two gather
together a group of their friends – I like to think of myself as one –
to put together a public reading of Shakespeare every year.
Kenneth
Branagh was part of it a couple of years ago, and I performed onstage
with him. I always look forward to it when they call me. So at least
once every year, I’m onstage in front of 700 or 800 people, performing
Shakespeare. To speak that language out loud, it’s just good for you.
You have to ask, what is pop culture? It’s culture that’s been
popularized and that most people can assimilate. That has to do with
gossip and celebrity to some degree, but the stuff that remains popular
is something that touches a nerve – whether the audience knows it or
not. You know, “Star Trek” is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary
next year. What is the explanation? I wrote a book called “Get a
Life” years ago, where I felt I’d done my due diligence and figured out
why it is that people come to these conventions. And it’s to see each
other. That was my final conclusion. Then I did a film documentary and
some deeper research. And it was therein that I discovered that this pop
culture goes deeper than we’d imagined.
There is a mythological
component, especially with science fiction. It’s people looking for
answers – and science fiction offers to explain the inexplicable, the
same as religion tends to do. Although 99 percent of the people that
come to these conventions don’t realize it, they’re going through the
rituals that religion and mythology provide.
Why do you think the “Star Trek” story in particular has had such sustained resonance?
If we accept the premise that it has a mythological element, then all
the stuff about going out into space and meeting new life – trying to
explain it and put a human element to it – it’s a hopeful vision. All
these things offer hope and imaginative solutions for the future.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpy
Are you hopeful for the future?
Well, it’s changing. In the next four or five years, it’s possible that
there won’t be anyone left – anyone responsible, anyway – who will claim
that global warming isn’t happening. And it’s interesting to think that
science fiction stories, the dark and dystopian ones, may have
frightened people into doing something about these issues.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpy
A:
You have to ask, what is pop culture? It’s culture that’s been
popularized and that most people can assimilate. That has to do with
gossip and celebrity to some degree, but the stuff that remains popular
is something that touches a nerve – whether the audience knows it or
not. You know, “Star Trek” is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary
next year. What is the explanation?
I wrote a book called “Get a
Life” years ago, where I felt I’d done my due diligence and figured out
why it is that people come to these conventions. And it’s to see each
other. That was my final conclusion. Then I did a film documentary and
some deeper research. And it was therein that I discovered that this pop
culture goes deeper than we’d imagined.
There is a mythological
component, especially with science fiction. It’s people looking for
answers – and science fiction offers to explain the inexplicable, the
same as religion tends to do. Although 99 percent of the people that
come to these conventions don’t realize it, they’re going through the
rituals that religion and mythology provide.
Q: Why do you think the “Star Trek” story in particular has had such sustained resonance?
A:
If we accept the premise that it has a mythological element, then all
the stuff about going out into space and meeting new life – trying to
explain it and put a human element to it – it’s a hopeful vision. All
these things offer hope and imaginative solutions for the future.
Q: Are you hopeful for the future?
A:
Well, it’s changing. In the next four or five years, it’s possible that
there won’t be anyone left – anyone responsible, anyway – who will
claim that global warming isn’t happening. And it’s interesting to think
that science fiction stories, the dark and dystopian ones, may have
frightened people into doing something about these issues.
Q: You’ve been attending these conventions for decades. How have you seen things change?
A:
It’s metastasized, I guess is the word. It’s become a huge, huge
business. There used to be one or two conventions a year. Now I have to
be careful and pick and choose where I go. Wizard World has really
become a giant force out of nowhere. They’re opening up conventions in
midsized markets like Raleigh, and really all over the country.
It
has really blossomed, and I think it’s because the epic movies of today
are science fiction movies. You know, epic films in the past used to be
historical or biblical – Cecil B. DeMille and 10,000 extras. But our
epic images today are computer-generated images. We can create almost
anything on the screen.
Q:
I’d like to ask you about the passing of your friend and “Star Trek”
colleague Leonard Nimoy, but I understand if you’d rather keep that
private.
A: Well, it is
private, but you know – I loved him. He was a wonderful man. And we’re
all so much the less with his passing. Two other people connected to
“Star Trek” have also passed away recently: Maurice Hurley, who produced
and wrote the first two seasons of “Next Generation,” and Harve
Bennett, who produced four or five of the “Star Trek” movies I was in.
We’ve lost a lot of wonderful people of late. It makes you consider your
own mortality.
Q: A lot of casual fans might not know that you’re a classically trained Shakespearean actor. Do you still read Shakespeare?
A:
Oh, yes. There’s an annual event here, put on by Tom Hanks and his
wife, to benefit schools in the Los Angeles area. Those two gather
together a group of their friends – I like to think of myself as one –
to put together a public reading of Shakespeare every year.
Kenneth
Branagh was part of it a couple of years ago, and I performed onstage
with him. I always look forward to it when they call me. So at least
once every year, I’m onstage in front of 700 or 800 people, performing
Shakespeare. To speak that language out loud, it’s just good for you.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpyilliam Shatner is famous for a lot of roles – T.J. Hooker, Denny
Crane (“Boston Legal”), his various commercial pitchmen personae – but
for science fiction fans, he’ll always be Captain James T. Kirk of the
USS Enterprise. For more than 40 years, Shatner has been at
ground zero of the “Star Trek” phenomenon, one of the most popular and
durable franchises in all of pop culture. In addition to his role as
Kirk in the original TV series, which ran from 1966-1969, he’s starred
in seven “Star Trek” feature films, co-written several tie-in novels,
and even authored a book on his experiences with “Star Trek” fandom.
Shatner
is one of the headlining celebrities at this weekend’s inaugural Wizard
World Raleigh Comic Con, making appearances Friday and Saturday night.
For ticket information, visit the Wizard World website at
wizardworld.com.
Speaking from his home in Los Angeles, Shatner said he still enjoys
attending conventions, meeting fans and talking science fiction.
Q:
Fan conventions are these giant celebrations of pop culture, and they
generate real passion and loyalty from people. You’ve been part of this
world for a long time – why do you think these gatherings continue to be
so popular?
A:
You have to ask, what is pop culture? It’s culture that’s been
popularized and that most people can assimilate. That has to do with
gossip and celebrity to some degree, but the stuff that remains popular
is something that touches a nerve – whether the audience knows it or
not. You know, “Star Trek” is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary
next year. What is the explanation?
I wrote a book called “Get a
Life” years ago, where I felt I’d done my due diligence and figured out
why it is that people come to these conventions. And it’s to see each
other. That was my final conclusion. Then I did a film documentary and
some deeper research. And it was therein that I discovered that this pop
culture goes deeper than we’d imagined.
There is a mythological
component, especially with science fiction. It’s people looking for
answers – and science fiction offers to explain the inexplicable, the
same as religion tends to do. Although 99 percent of the people that
come to these conventions don’t realize it, they’re going through the
rituals that religion and mythology provide.
Q: Why do you think the “Star Trek” story in particular has had such sustained resonance?
A:
If we accept the premise that it has a mythological element, then all
the stuff about going out into space and meeting new life – trying to
explain it and put a human element to it – it’s a hopeful vision. All
these things offer hope and imaginative solutions for the future.
Q: Are you hopeful for the future?
A:
Well, it’s changing. In the next four or five years, it’s possible that
there won’t be anyone left – anyone responsible, anyway – who will
claim that global warming isn’t happening. And it’s interesting to think
that science fiction stories, the dark and dystopian ones, may have
frightened people into doing something about these issues.
Q: You’ve been attending these conventions for decades. How have you seen things change?
A:
It’s metastasized, I guess is the word. It’s become a huge, huge
business. There used to be one or two conventions a year. Now I have to
be careful and pick and choose where I go. Wizard World has really
become a giant force out of nowhere. They’re opening up conventions in
midsized markets like Raleigh, and really all over the country.
It
has really blossomed, and I think it’s because the epic movies of today
are science fiction movies. You know, epic films in the past used to be
historical or biblical – Cecil B. DeMille and 10,000 extras. But our
epic images today are computer-generated images. We can create almost
anything on the screen.
Q:
I’d like to ask you about the passing of your friend and “Star Trek”
colleague Leonard Nimoy, but I understand if you’d rather keep that
private.
A: Well, it is
private, but you know – I loved him. He was a wonderful man. And we’re
all so much the less with his passing. Two other people connected to
“Star Trek” have also passed away recently: Maurice Hurley, who produced
and wrote the first two seasons of “Next Generation,” and Harve
Bennett, who produced four or five of the “Star Trek” movies I was in.
We’ve lost a lot of wonderful people of late. It makes you consider your
own mortality.
Q: A lot of casual fans might not know that you’re a classically trained Shakespearean actor. Do you still read Shakespeare?
A:
Oh, yes. There’s an annual event here, put on by Tom Hanks and his
wife, to benefit schools in the Los Angeles area. Those two gather
together a group of their friends – I like to think of myself as one –
to put together a public reading of Shakespeare every year.
Kenneth
Branagh was part of it a couple of years ago, and I performed onstage
with him. I always look forward to it when they call me. So at least
once every year, I’m onstage in front of 700 or 800 people, performing
Shakespeare. To speak that language out loud, it’s just good for you.
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpyilliam Shatner is famous for a lot of roles – T.J. Hooker, Denny
Crane (“Boston Legal”), his various commercial pitchmen personae – but
for science fiction fans, he’ll always be Captain James T. Kirk of the
USS Enterprise. For more than 40 years, Shatner has been at
ground zero of the “Star Trek” phenomenon, one of the most popular and
durable franchises in all of pop culture. In addition to his role as
Kirk in the original TV series, which ran from 1966-1969, he’s starred
in seven “Star Trek” feature films, co-written several tie-in novels,
and even authored a book on his experiences with “Star Trek” fandom.
Shatner
is one of the headlining celebrities at this weekend’s inaugural Wizard
World Raleigh Comic Con, making appearances Friday and Saturday night.
For ticket information, visit the Wizard World website at
wizardworld.com.
Speaking from his home in Los Angeles, Shatner said he still enjoys
attending conventions, meeting fans and talking science fiction.
Q:
Fan conventions are these giant celebrations of pop culture, and they
generate real passion and loyalty from people. You’ve been part of this
world for a long time – why do you think these gatherings continue to be
so popular?
Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article13446413.html#storylink=cpy
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario