In addition to his portrayal of "Spock" on the original "Star Trek" series, Mr. Nimoy is an accomplished film director. He helmed two films featuring his Enterprise crew, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." He is also credited as a writer and executive producer on "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Outside the sci-fi genre, he directed several successful films, including "Three Men and a Baby" and "The Good Mother." His current interests include the unique multi-media production company "Alien Voices" with his partner, John de Lancie.
STARTREK.COM: Welcome, Leonard! We are delighted that you could join us today.
Leonard Nimoy: Hello. Good to be here. And greetings from Vulcan.
Question: Alien Voices, particularly the Lost World, was great. How can I get a copy?
Josie
LN: All of our products are available at alienvoices.com and more to come. Our titles include: Time Machine, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Invisible Man, Lost World, and First Men on the Moon. The three TV specials that we did for the Sci Fi channel last year are available on video and the others are available on audio... fully dramatized with casts of Star Trek actors, full sound effects and original scores for each show.
Q: As I am studying Biochemistry at University it would be interesting to know if you have a keen interest in science and technology through your acting in Star Trek.
Novaq
LN: The answer is yes. I have always been interested in science. I did well in high school physics and flunked chemistry. I used to read science magazines when I was a teenager and still try to keep up with the current science and technology. When I was given the go ahead to make ST4 the first thing I did to develop the story was to visit scientists at some of our top universities. Harvard... MIT... and UC Santa Cruz talking to physicists who were involved in the SETI program... (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) and those conversations led to the story about communication between an alien civilization and the humpbacked whales.
Q: Do you plan to have abridged versions of your Alien Voices, recordings available on the net? What are your plans for Alien Voices?
NFLD
LN: Eventually. For the time being we offer the full production.
Q: In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home were you enjoying doing the scene where you were in the water with the whales?
Ed
LN: The making of the whale footage for ST4 was very complicated... challenging... and yes, very enjoyable. We shot some of it at the Monterey Aquarium. Some was shot at San Rafael near Industrial Light and Magic Studios. Some was shot in a tank on the Paramount Lot on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. And the footage of Spock mind-melding with the whale was filmed in a NASA test tank in Southern California.
Q: What is you favorite out take from Star Trek?
Allison
LN: My favorite ST outtakes always have to do with Bill Shatner making mistakes.
Q: Do you intend to write any more books about Spock and yourself?
Iain
LN: I don't think so. When I wrote "I Am Not Spock" the title was misunderstood by a lot of people. And for years I was asked if I would ever write a sequel. I think I settled the questions about my feelings for ST and Spock in "I Am Spock", so I think the story's finished.
Q: Does Spock have any siblings we don't know about?
Shadow
LN: Yes, but nothing I can reveal in this conversation.
Q: If a Vulcan were presented with the question: What is the meaning of life? What would be the probable response?
Ryan
LN: I find this a very interesting question. And in fact in the very near future the Alien Voices website will be inviting conversation on this subject and subjects like this. We are very interested in hearing from the various aliens amongst you regarding your feelings or thoughts on these matters. It is my assumption that attitudes about life will vary from one civilization or species to another. So we would very much appreciate hearing from you on this subject. And, for example, what do you think of human behavior? What planet do you come from? What kind of clothes, if any, do you wear? What do you use for food? And, why are you functioning? Keep in touch with our website at alienvoices.com for the beginning of these conversations.
Q: Where and when was your favorite Convention? And why.
Fowler
LN: I've just come back from Germany. My first visit there in 14 years. And I had an extraordinary experience there at the convention in Bonn. I have been hearing from my ST colleagues about the ST fans there being so amazingly generous and enthusiastic. It was everything I could have hoped for. Now I'm looking forward to an appearance in Tulsa, OK on June 26 and 27th, where John DeLancie and I will be doing our "Spock meets Q" presentation live on stage. Tickets are available through Starbase 21.
Q: During the anniversary special of startrek you were filming a biblical story of (well I can't remember the name) but I was wondering if there is a way that I could get the video?
Russ
LN: I was working in Morocco doing the TV production called, "David" in which I played the prophet Samuel. I don't know if there's a video available. Check by the "David" title.
Q: I heard you were given a chance to be in Star Trek: Generations, but that you refused. Why?
Derek
LN: I was actually asked to direct the picture as well as appear in it. Sadly, I had a difference of opinion regarding the story, and there really wasn't a specific Spock role for me to play, so I had to forego both.
Q: Will we ever get to see you play Spock again or are your days as the pointy eared Vulcan over?
Jason
LN: Paramount has my phone number and I'm waiting for the phone to ring.
Q: I really admire your role. Have you found that as in depth as your part is that you sometimes catch yourself acting the part in your everyday life?
Kyle
LN: I had a lot of that happen during the making of the series. Think about it... I was wearing the make-up and costume and in the Spock character 12-14 hours a day, five days a week for three years. Most of my waking time was spent functioning as Spock. And occasionally, on the weekends, I would find it difficult to drop the character. Sometimes I would find myself thinking and functioning as Spock all through Saturday and part of Sunday. It was particularly tough on my kids who wondered "Where is Dad?".
Q: I heard that it was you personally who came up with the Vulcan neck pinch, for an episode i can't remember the name of. Are there any other things like this you've invented or come up with through out the years portraiting Spock?
Andre
LN: The episode was "The Enemy Within". Kirk was split into two personalities and his evil side was attempting to kill his good side. Spock was supposed to sneak up behind the bad guy and hit him on the back of the head with a phaser... Not very Vulcan. So I invented the nerve pinch. The mind meld was a Gene Roddenberry creation, and I added the Vulcan hand salute from my own background.
Q: Was the viewscreen on the Enterprise real or was it plastic and the images were just special effects?
HyperLink
LN: For the most part, the images were special effects.
Q: Will you be doing any new episodes of Ancient Mysteries?
Karen
LN: No. The Ancient Mysteries series is finished.
Q: Is Spock more logical than Data and/or Seven of Nine? How about smarter?
Shadow
LN: I think they're both very interesting characters. But I'm partial to my friend Spock.
Q: When is your birthday? Mine is March 26.
Nick
LN: Me too.
Q: Are you the Host of the Star Trek: Special Edition on the Scifi Channel?
Kris
LN: I did host one run of the series.
Q: How do you feel, when somebody calls you "Mr. Spock", on the street?
Heike
LN: It doesn't bother me. I'm proud of the character. I think the character has had a positive effect on a lot of people... and I understand why people would relate to me as Spock. I'm totally comfortable with it. More than comfortable, I'm proud of it.
Q: In the Outer Limits episode "I, Robot" you worked together with your son Adam, who directed the episode. What was it like to have your son as a director?
Danah
LN: Adam is a very talented director. His directing training began when he apprenticed on ST:6 The Undiscovered Country. Then he spent some time apprenticing on The Next Generation set and finally started directing there. The Outer Limits story we did, "I, Robot", was one I appeared in in the original series in the early 60's. At that time I played a secondary role but always enjoyed the story of a robot accused of murdering his creator. This time around I got to play the lawyer who defends the robot and Adam and I had a great time working together in Vancouver.
Q: We are Canadians and live in Germany, we are big Star Trek fans...what do you think was your greatest achievement in Star Trek?
Lissa and Mikhail
LN: I have great memories of the three years on the series, but the one frustration was that Bill Shatner and I wanted to direct episodes and were not given the opportunity. When I finally had the chance to do that, (direct) I felt I was bringing the best of what I had to offer to the ST body of work. And I had a full measure of satisfaction by the time I'd finished ST4. Think about this... Who dies in ST2? Spock, Khan and Scottie's nephew and others.
Who dies in ST6? Kirk and others...
In addition to his portrayal of "Spock" on the original "Star Trek" series, Mr. Nimoy is an accomplished film director. He helmed two films featuring his Enterprise crew, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." He is also credited as a writer and executive producer on "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Outside the sci-fi genre, he directed several successful films, including "Three Men and a Baby" and "The Good Mother." His current interests include the unique multi-media production company "Alien Voices" with his partner, John de Lancie.
STARTREK.COM: Welcome, Leonard! We are delighted that you could join us today.
Leonard Nimoy: Hello. Good to be here. And greetings from Vulcan.
Question: Alien Voices, particularly the Lost World, was great. How can I get a copy?
Josie
LN: All of our products are available at alienvoices.com and more to come. Our titles include: Time Machine, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Invisible Man, Lost World, and First Men on the Moon. The three TV specials that we did for the Sci Fi channel last year are available on video and the others are available on audio... fully dramatized with casts of Star Trek actors, full sound effects and original scores for each show.
Q: As I am studying Biochemistry at University it would be interesting to know if you have a keen interest in science and technology through your acting in Star Trek.
Novaq
LN: The answer is yes. I have always been interested in science. I did well in high school physics and flunked chemistry. I used to read science magazines when I was a teenager and still try to keep up with the current science and technology. When I was given the go ahead to make ST4 the first thing I did to develop the story was to visit scientists at some of our top universities. Harvard... MIT... and UC Santa Cruz talking to physicists who were involved in the SETI program... (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) and those conversations led to the story about communication between an alien civilization and the humpbacked whales.
Q: Do you plan to have abridged versions of your Alien Voices, recordings available on the net? What are your plans for Alien Voices?
NFLD
LN: Eventually. For the time being we offer the full production.
Q: In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home were you enjoying doing the scene where you were in the water with the whales?
Ed
LN: The making of the whale footage for ST4 was very complicated... challenging... and yes, very enjoyable. We shot some of it at the Monterey Aquarium. Some was shot at San Rafael near Industrial Light and Magic Studios. Some was shot in a tank on the Paramount Lot on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. And the footage of Spock mind-melding with the whale was filmed in a NASA test tank in Southern California.
Q: What is you favorite out take from Star Trek?
Allison
LN: My favorite ST outtakes always have to do with Bill Shatner making mistakes.
Q: Do you intend to write any more books about Spock and yourself?
Iain
LN: I don't think so. When I wrote "I Am Not Spock" the title was misunderstood by a lot of people. And for years I was asked if I would ever write a sequel. I think I settled the questions about my feelings for ST and Spock in "I Am Spock", so I think the story's finished.
Q: Does Spock have any siblings we don't know about?
Shadow
LN: Yes, but nothing I can reveal in this conversation.
Q: If a Vulcan were presented with the question: What is the meaning of life? What would be the probable response?
Ryan
LN: I find this a very interesting question. And in fact in the very near future the Alien Voices website will be inviting conversation on this subject and subjects like this. We are very interested in hearing from the various aliens amongst you regarding your feelings or thoughts on these matters. It is my assumption that attitudes about life will vary from one civilization or species to another. So we would very much appreciate hearing from you on this subject. And, for example, what do you think of human behavior? What planet do you come from? What kind of clothes, if any, do you wear? What do you use for food? And, why are you functioning? Keep in touch with our website at alienvoices.com for the beginning of these conversations.
Q: Where and when was your favorite Convention? And why.
Fowler
LN: I've just come back from Germany. My first visit there in 14 years. And I had an extraordinary experience there at the convention in Bonn. I have been hearing from my ST colleagues about the ST fans there being so amazingly generous and enthusiastic. It was everything I could have hoped for. Now I'm looking forward to an appearance in Tulsa, OK on June 26 and 27th, where John DeLancie and I will be doing our "Spock meets Q" presentation live on stage. Tickets are available through Starbase 21.
Q: During the anniversary special of startrek you were filming a biblical story of (well I can't remember the name) but I was wondering if there is a way that I could get the video?
Russ
LN: I was working in Morocco doing the TV production called, "David" in which I played the prophet Samuel. I don't know if there's a video available. Check by the "David" title.
Q: I heard you were given a chance to be in Star Trek: Generations, but that you refused. Why?
Derek
LN: I was actually asked to direct the picture as well as appear in it. Sadly, I had a difference of opinion regarding the story, and there really wasn't a specific Spock role for me to play, so I had to forego both.
Q: Will we ever get to see you play Spock again or are your days as the pointy eared Vulcan over?
Jason
LN: Paramount has my phone number and I'm waiting for the phone to ring.
Q: I really admire your role. Have you found that as in depth as your part is that you sometimes catch yourself acting the part in your everyday life?
Kyle
LN: I had a lot of that happen during the making of the series. Think about it... I was wearing the make-up and costume and in the Spock character 12-14 hours a day, five days a week for three years. Most of my waking time was spent functioning as Spock. And occasionally, on the weekends, I would find it difficult to drop the character. Sometimes I would find myself thinking and functioning as Spock all through Saturday and part of Sunday. It was particularly tough on my kids who wondered "Where is Dad?".
Q: I heard that it was you personally who came up with the Vulcan neck pinch, for an episode i can't remember the name of. Are there any other things like this you've invented or come up with through out the years portraiting Spock?
Andre
LN: The episode was "The Enemy Within". Kirk was split into two personalities and his evil side was attempting to kill his good side. Spock was supposed to sneak up behind the bad guy and hit him on the back of the head with a phaser... Not very Vulcan. So I invented the nerve pinch. The mind meld was a Gene Roddenberry creation, and I added the Vulcan hand salute from my own background.
Q: Was the viewscreen on the Enterprise real or was it plastic and the images were just special effects?
HyperLink
LN: For the most part, the images were special effects.
Q: Will you be doing any new episodes of Ancient Mysteries?
Karen
LN: No. The Ancient Mysteries series is finished.
Q: Is Spock more logical than Data and/or Seven of Nine? How about smarter?
Shadow
LN: I think they're both very interesting characters. But I'm partial to my friend Spock.
Q: When is your birthday? Mine is March 26.
Nick
LN: Me too.
Q: Are you the Host of the Star Trek: Special Edition on the Scifi Channel?
Kris
LN: I did host one run of the series.
Q: How do you feel, when somebody calls you "Mr. Spock", on the street?
Heike
LN: It doesn't bother me. I'm proud of the character. I think the character has had a positive effect on a lot of people... and I understand why people would relate to me as Spock. I'm totally comfortable with it. More than comfortable, I'm proud of it.
Q: In the Outer Limits episode "I, Robot" you worked together with your son Adam, who directed the episode. What was it like to have your son as a director?
Danah
LN: Adam is a very talented director. His directing training began when he apprenticed on ST:6 The Undiscovered Country. Then he spent some time apprenticing on The Next Generation set and finally started directing there. The Outer Limits story we did, "I, Robot", was one I appeared in in the original series in the early 60's. At that time I played a secondary role but always enjoyed the story of a robot accused of murdering his creator. This time around I got to play the lawyer who defends the robot and Adam and I had a great time working together in Vancouver.
Q: We are Canadians and live in Germany, we are big Star Trek fans...what do you think was your greatest achievement in Star Trek?
Lissa and Mikhail
LN: I have great memories of the three years on the series, but the one frustration was that Bill Shatner and I wanted to direct episodes and were not given the opportunity. When I finally had the chance to do that, (direct) I felt I was bringing the best of what I had to offer to the ST body of work. And I had a full measure of satisfaction by the time I'd finished ST4. Think about this... Who dies in ST2? Spock, Khan and Scottie's nephew and others.
Who dies in ST6? Kirk and others...
Who dies in ST3? Kirk's son... Kruge and others.
Who dies in ST5? Sybok and others.
Who dies in ST 4? Nobody. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody.
And yet, ST4 is considered by many to be the most successful of the films. So you don't have to kill people to make a hit movie.
Q: One of my favorite shows growing up was "In search of..." which you hosted. How involved were you in that show and would you ever consider hosting another show like that one?
Mike
LN: I was involved to varying degrees. In some cases, I was given a script and performed it. In other cases, I actually wrote and occasionally directed some of the shows. I have a stronger feeling for some of the subject matter and lesser for others. I doubt that I will do another series like it. We lasted for 7 seasons, which I thought was a surprising and satisfying success.
Q: Do you remember doing an episode of Man from U.N.C.L.E. with Bill Shatner (I think that was the show)? Was this made before Star Trek started?
Janice
LN: The answer is yes it was. Bill and I hardly met on that job. As I recall, there was one scene in which we appeared together, but very briefly, and did not get to know each other. Obviously, we did much better in getting acquainted on Star Trek and we continue to be very close friends.
Q: When Mr. spock was killed in STII, were plans already in the works for Search For Spock? In other words, did you already know that Spock would be back?
Dazed
LN: Definitely not. We really believed that it was the end of Spock. Fortunately, fan reaction to even the idea of the death of Spock caused the creative people to rethink the matter and some footage was added at the end of ST 2 which suggested that Spock might come back. When the film was shot, however, there was no intention or plan to bring Spock back.
Q: Have you ever considered visiting one of the Star Trek chat rooms? I think it would be interesting to have some of the TOS cast around for the trivia sessions in the Academy Lounge.
LN: I visited one of the chats some years ago and found it frustrating because nobody believed I was really there.
Q: When will Alien Voices videos be released?
Lake
LN: Alien Voices videos are available now. Check them out on alienvoices.com
Q: Do you find it surprising that women find Spock attractive?
Marie
LN: No.
Q: To what degree do you rely on pure logic in your every-day life?
D
LN: We are all dealing with the balance between logic and emotion, even Spock, for that matter, since he's half human. And I think that perhaps that's one of the things that makes him so easy to identify with and so fascinating to watch. We are all going through the same process. And in my case the pendulum swings. Sometimes I have to be on guard that I'm becoming too logical and not allowing myself to feel enough in a given situation, and sometimes the opposite. Letting my emotions run away with me. And I remind myself to apply some logic. A very human condition.
Q: How do you keep in shape? By the way I had a crush on Spock 30 years ago.
Janeway
LN: I work out regularly. I have a gym in my home. And I use a treadmill and free weights.
Q: You own the company Alien Voices with John de Lancie to create audio books and I must say there excelently made. My question is do you find it harder or easier to create an audio book then it is to be in a film/TV show and state why?
Nina
LN: We have a lot of fun making these productions and, in fact, we get a steady stream of calls from other ST people, asking if they can join in. One of the great pleasures is in working together with other ST people in playing different characters, and of course audio work relieves us of having to sit sometimes for hours in a make-up chair. All of the characterization is in the voice. It is a challenge that actors enjoy and don't get to deal with very often.
Q: Have you seen the DS9 tribble episode? What do you think of it?
Cooter
LN: I thought it was a wonderful use of current technology. Something that was not available to us when we made the original series.
Q: Hello Mr. Nimoy, great to talk to you! My Question is: I am a phyically challenged confined to a wheelchair. Do you think total equality for people will ever happen as it has done in the Trek universe?
Danwheels
LN: The most compelling ST episode dealing with this issue was the one in which Spock hijacks the Enterprise to take the injured Capt. Pike to the forbidden Thalos IV planet where he can live a full mental existance. The Menagerie. I had this conversation with Stephen Hawking. The issue and question is, when will science catch up with science fiction? Perhaps one day all of the wonderful concepts which have been developed by imaginative writers will be fulfilled by equally talented scientists. After all, the idea of space travel and moon landings came from the writers first and the science followed.
Thanks everybody for making this such an enjoyable visit. It has been a great pleasure creating entertainment for you for so many years. I look forward to doing the same for some time to come and hope that you'll check in on John de Lancie and myself and the rest of the Alien Voices company and keep an eye on our future product. All of our scripts will be published this summer by Dramatic Publishing Company who will be offering the scripts for production in schools and theatres throughout the country. Watch our website for more info about that, and particularly for those aliens amongst you to check in with us and our growing alien community. See you at alienvoices.com
Live long and prosper.
