LEONARD NIMOY AND WILLIAM SHATNER BEAM ON STAGE AT 2007 STAR TREK CONVENTION

From Thursday August 9, through Sunday August 12 thousands of “trekkies” from all over the world beamed down, I mean, converged in Las Vegas for the 2007 edition of the Star Trek Convention that took place at the Las Vegas Hilton, which also happens to be the home of the Star Trek Experience. For four full days there was non-stop entertainment for attendees that included an amazing array of events such as celebrity appearances, autographing, photo ops, auctions, contests, a market place of vendors selling all sorts of Star Trek memorabilia, costumes, jewelry and more. I showed up on Sunday, the final day to check out the showcase of all things related to Star Trek and its subsequent TV spin-offs and major motion pictures. Throughout the hotel/casino as well as inside the convention, people of all ages could be seen wandering about in costume and/or makeup as their favorite Star Trek character.

At 2:30 p.m. I managed to get a seat on the floor (literally) in the standing room only packed ballroom alongside obsessed fans who paid a pretty penny to see and hear their beloved Mr. Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy and Captain Kirk, William Shatner first alone and then together on stage. The result was a very informative and entertaining discussion and interaction with the audience where everyone received some insight into the stars’ on screen and personal life.

Nimoy started his informal talk by saying “I can’t imagine what you want to hear me talk about”, of which the crowd responded with laughter. Nimoy was referring to the new Star Trek movie in the works where he returns to his role as an older Spock, but which an up and coming actor will be playing Spock as a young man. In hoping his fans will embrace the upcoming film, Nimoy said, “We have hired a very talented director and people to make the next film. Give these people a chance. It will be a great addition to the franchise.”

When it came to addressing questions from the audiences there were a few surprises that epitomized the true character of Nimoy as a human being. I found him to be an intelligent, spiritual man with integrity, a sense of humor and strong moral values. His generosity and kind nature was apparent when nine year old James Trowbridge (I hope I got his name right) said that he came to the convention from Hawaii as a 10th birthday gift from his father John, who was also present. Young James told Nimoy that he saw all the Star Trek shows except Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Nimoy was so impressed by this young mans devotion to Star Trek that he asked the boy to join him on the stage and extended a personal invitation to James and his immediate family, including siblings, to come to the movie premiere next year at Nimoy’s expense. James father, also a big Star Trek fan, stated that he met Nimoy back in 1985 at the convention in New York. Nimoy’s reaction to seeing generations of Star Trek fans was “That’s the future of Star Trek”. Another audience member from Toronto approached the mic and instead of asking a question took the opportunity to thank Nimoy for sending her a personal letter and signed photo.

Asked about the Vulcan mythology from another fan, Nimoy responded, “The concept came from Roddenberry (Star Trek’s creator). The Vulcans were warring and troubled. To end that, emotion was ruled out of the society. Spock, being half human and half Vulcan had aspects of both. I added the Spock salute.”

When it was time for Shatner to take over the stage the actor, who now stars on TV’s Boston Legal, spent most of his lone stage time telling anecdotes. One story entailed a recent experience on the road in which he was followed by car and didn’t realize that he could have gotten beaten up by the other driver when they both got out of the car. When meeting face to face, the big muscular fellow recognized Shatner, said he was a stunt man and gave him a big hug. Shatner then said he loves stuntmen, but did most of his own stunts on TV and in the movies. He went on to talk about the time he was taken on a gurney to the hospital after a horse he was riding fell on his leg. The medics were fans who recognized him as the star of TV’s Rescue 911.

The topping on the cake was when Nimoy joined Shatner on stage. It was obvious they have affection towards each other, are good friends but love to engage in witty, sometimes teasing, banter. Shatner told the audience about his upcoming TV talk show called Raw Nerve in which he will interview guests and “get inside their head where no other interviewer had been”. He used this as an opportunity to practice with his fellow actor. When Shatner asked Nimoy about his role in the film, Nimoy said that his appearance as Spock will be “more than a cameo, but less than a leading man”. Not being in front of the camera for a while, he added “I am excited, concerned and curious. I don’t expect to have memory problems. I am not sure where we will plug into his (Spock’s) character arc. I have to examine where he is (now) and his thought processes. Being older, he might have become more mellow or more crusty. The writers have done a great deal of homework in structure and elements. I want it to work and be successful. I am concerned about getting it right and not having fear. After the first take on the first day of shooting I will know.” Of course, a running joke throughout their conversation was Shatner wining about not being asked to appear in the upcoming, new Star Trek film.

As far as favorite projects in their personal life, Shatner said he has written a book called “The Shiva Club” based on the relationship between grief and laughter. He spoke about what caused him to laugh in the midst of sorrow during his father’s funeral. Shatner is also involved in a project in the Middle East that aids all children in that region. I am sure this was something his fans didn’t know about and showed another admirable side to the talented actor.

Nimoy, on the other hand, has been fascinated by photography for decades and in 1971 went to UCLA to study the art form where he learned the difference between commercial photography and fine art. He considered the possibility of changing careers. Finally, thirteen to fourteen years ago he decided to take it seriously. He has since published a book of photographs called “Shekinah” that conveys the feminine presence of God in the world. A more recent project of his is named “The Full Bodied Project” and features a collection of photographs of women who do not conform to others’ idea of beauty. “These are women who are proud of their body and their lives”, he stated which drew applause from admiring women who appreciate his view as a man.

Although I didn’t get a chance to cover all that the entire Star Trek Convention had to offer fans, I did come away learning a lot about these stars who gave life to the most famous of Star Trek characters. Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner proved to be smart, funny and “real” people; good “role” models in more ways than one. For all the entertainment value they have given and continue to give to their fans may they live long and prosper.