Star Trek Brent Spiner

Brent Spiner

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 7:29 pm

Quote: Tal Adair @ Feb. 13 2011, 7:24 pm

Exactly! That's the message I've taken away. "Take a chance"... what can it hurt? He's right. We are far more adventurous and brave in our dreams, doing things there that we'd never do in real life, but why not? You too, huh? That is very strange indeed.

Just more proof our dreams aren’t just random and unimportant. The subconscious knows something even before our conscious minds even realize it, man, I can’t wait to meet him, I wish I could interview him and talk to him more that just for a few minutes (if I’m lucky).

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

2takesfrakes

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 7:57 pm

I like Brent Spiner, as an actor.
Unfortunately, I don't know too much
about him. Honestly, I've only seen
him in a couple non-STAR TREK shows,
the obvious being INDEPENDENCE DAY.

As far as his character DATA's concerned,
I've always felt that a STAN WINSTON robot
should have represented Data. Maybe if Brent
was the mold and the voice, that would be cool.
As it was, the make-up wasn't realistic. And I
hated how Picard often had to spoon-feed Data
the MORAL of tonight's episode! ... HATED IT!!!

But I never blamed Brent for it. Brent is COOL!

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 8:03 pm

The man is a genius, you should hear his music.

Independence Day, what’s that? Is it that movie they never play on TV anymore? lol

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

Tal Adair

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 8:09 pm

Interesting... those are Stan Winston robots in Terminator and I-Robot? Hmm. I can't imagine that TNG had the budget for those effects, but yes, I can see your point. I was disappointed in the makeup for Data too when I first saw it, but after growing used to it, I realized that it was nothing more than a hook to make the casual audience understand immediately that Data was somehow different. The more simply that was accomplished, the better. Similar to the way Geordi's visor was a bad idea, but they felt it necessary to make him clearly blind. Too bad LeVar had to be blinded along with him. Covering an actor's eyes can never be a good thing.

In a way, the pale makeup seemed to emphasize Brent Spiner's performances, in that his facial expressions and hand movements would "pop" in any scene. If he'd looked like the rest of us, I wonder if his expressiveness would have been as effective?

Brent is definitely different than Data. He's got a much stronger, assertive, charismatic personality... just what I always felt Data lacked. Had you heard that at one point, the producers were considering casting Spiner as Riker? His persona would have brought that edge to Riker that I was talking about... he's definitely a smart *ss. Fortunately, he didn't want that part. (but I'm sure you know about that story.)

Admittedly, I am a barbarian. As such, I do not belong here. -- "It was far easier for you as civilized men to behave like barbarians than it was for them as barbarians to behave like civilized men." ~ Spock

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 8:29 pm

I love the DVD extras about the VISOR, how it was fashioned after a headband/hairc lip thing. And LeVar talking about how it was difficult to act without having the use of his eye. That probably helped to really connected him to his part.

That would have been very interesting to see Brent and Riker....I don’t think he is First Officer material, which is a good thing.

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

Tal Adair

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 8:36 pm

Quote: 267198ed @ Feb. 13 2011, 8:29 pm

>That would have been very interesting to see Brent and Riker....I don’t think he is First Officer material, which is a good thing.

Oh hell yes, he *is* First Officer material, and then some! After watching him work rooms of people during his talks, I've come to see a man who naturally takes charge of situations and handles them with ease. He's a born leader... far more than the character of Data would suggest. He could seriously do major politics in the bat of an eye if he had any taste for it, and I think he'd have the verbal skill to skewer the competition without offending them too much as he pwnz them thoroughly. He has a commanding presence. Very... one I've seldom seen. He's impressive.

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 8:50 pm

Quote: Tal Adair @ Feb. 13 2011, 8:36 pm

Quote: 267198ed @ Feb. 13 2011, 8:29 pm

>That would have been very interesting to see Brent and Riker....I don’t think he is First Officer material, which is a good thing.

Oh hell yes, he is First Officer material. After watching him work some of those rooms of people during his talks, I've come to see someone who naturally takes charge of situations and handles them with ease. He's a born leader... far more than the character of Data would suggest. He could seriously do major politics in the bat of an eye if he had any taste for it, and I think he'd have the verbal skill to skewer the competition without offending them much at all. He has a very commanding presence. Very... one I've seldom seen. He's impressive.

All true, I guess I should’ve completed the thought, in saying that he would more likely be Captain, if not a higher ranking officer. He is someone you would have no trouble respecting and risking your life with in the face of danger. His crew would have the have no problem with being user of who they are serving under or second guessing his decisions.

Remember the episode where those aliens kidnapped Picard and replaced him with a fake Picard? I think He would have the more personable aspect that Picard had, without all the risk taking just to see how far they would trust him not to destroy them all. A perfect balance.

Janeway comes to mind, her good aspects anyways. Actually, maybe if you took all the good aspects of all the Star Trek Captains and combined them, you would get Brent Spiner. Ha, just made myself laugh at the thought.

I am trying to find a negative aspect he would bring to being a Captain, but none come to mind.

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

Tal Adair

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:10 pm

I hadn't thought of that! You know, I think you're right... put the Captains in a blender and you get Brent Spiner. Only thing is, he's probably a bit more abrasive than any of them. He seems to have a heart of gold, though. He doesn't give a flying flip if people see it or not, though. I like it.

friendlygirlval

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:18 pm

I my self like the way they made data to look in the show. Yes the makeup was a bit fake, but that was part of who data was, to change any little thing about him would change who he was... ( even if it is something as small as his color ) He was such a great asset to the show,

Tal Adair

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:25 pm

Quote: friendlygirlval @ Feb. 13 2011, 9:18 pm

I agree with you. After long anticipation, I remember watching the very first broadcast of The Next Generation. Of course, one of the things I was looking at most closely was the makeup for the new characters. Data's was the biggest surprise, of course. It did seem fake, and kind of weird looking, but I don't think it took more than the rest of "Encounter at Farpoint" to grow accustomed to his look. I'm sure many of us thought he was pretty darn cute by then, maybe even handsome.

friendlygirlval

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:33 pm

Oh brent is one incredibly hansome man, no question about it. ( with or with out the makeup on )

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:41 pm

Quote: friendlygirlval @ Feb. 13 2011, 9:33 pm

Oh brent is one incredibly hansome man, no question about it. ( with or with out the makeup on )

No doubt about it, he still looks good for his age too. And the eyes..... well I should go on or I’ll get lost.

Tal, whenever I am watching am interview or Con panel video my mind just gets lost in that voice, I still have no explanation for it.

Exactly, he doesn’t hide anything, if you ask him something, he’ll answer honestly (unless you ask questions everyone knows the answer too, there’s a video from 09 on youtube with this awful interviewer that is a great example of this, if I find it again I’ll post a link. The interviewer guy is such a ditz, but he knows Brent is being snarky and calls him ‘catty’ at the end, Brent reaction is classic. Ok, I’ve convinced myself, I have to go find it!

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:42 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UpUUXUqCN4

“THWACK” ROFL! Love it. This interviewer is just...just no, should quit his day job.

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.

Tal Adair

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:43 pm

Always a shock to see him without it, actually. There was always a strange sort of disconnect there. I'm an artist, specializing in photographic realism even, and my mind refuses to see the same man... so effective was the illusion brought about by that simple gold powder.

It's the same thing with the voice. Data sounds different than Brent and I can never hear Data in his voice... (except for a couple seconds here and there). Guess I've been bamboozled. ha!

267198ed

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Report this Feb. 13 2011, 9:50 pm

BAMBOOZLED! Ha, yeah, that is a pretty accurate description! He does say he is most like Lore than Data, and when you hear Lore speak, you do hear more Brent than you do in Data.

Jolan Tru, may your day be filled with peace.