Welcome to our Special Event with Gary Holland.

Q: What writing for TV have you done besides the work you've done for Star Trek?

Gary Holland: For NBC I wrote a dramatic film entitled, "Drawing the Line". It was my first writing credit for television and received many awards as well as a great review in TV Guide.

It also brought me an Emmy nomination for producing.

Q: Are episodes of Viper still being made? I liked that show!

GH: Viper has been produced as a syndicated show since September of 1996 and it has been renewed for fall 1997. The original version of the show was on NBC in 1994 for 13 episodes and was brought back for syndication with a new cast but the same car. If you check your local listings, it probably airs in your market sometime on a weekend.

Q: How long do you think it will be before commercial space travel becomes available?

GH: How many years do you plan on living? That might be your answer right there.

Q: If there was a colony on the moon would you want to live there?

GH: Only if I had a satellite dish because I doubt cable will reach that far and then how could I get the Sci-Fi Channel.

Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?

GH: For my executive position here at Paramount, I find myself traveling often. In fact, I'll be spending the week in Chicago next week.

Q: What destiny do you think the future holds for humanity?

GH: As the global village becomes smaller with technology hopefully we will learn to set aside our differences and work as one unit or else we don't have much of a future.

Q: Do you feel restricted as a writer in any way by the Star Trek environment? and if so, can you give an example?

GH: Restrictions are only set on a writer if they choose to look at them as restrictions.

As Mr. Spock would say, there are always possibilities. And a good writer learns to adapt and take advantage of those possibilities. Star Trek in many ways lends itself into exploring areas of drama that you cannot explore on more conventional television shows.

Q: What hobbies do you have?

GH: I love to read. Especially the works of Harlan Ellison and Octavia Butler. For other activities, anything that keeps me active, like tennis and jogging and seeing at least one movie a week.

Q: Do you enjoy Directing?

GH: If you read my bio you probably think that the title 'director' implies what normally happens in film. Director, in my case, is a corporate title, indicating that I supervise the promotional efforts for the dramaticseries in syndication for Paramount Television. Most notably, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Before I began working here, I directed commercials for different shows for NBC. I certainly had gotten my fill of directing by then.
I enjoy writing much more.

Q: Do you surf the net often?

GH: Believe it or not, I am probably still one of the most computer illiterate people I know. The first time I used a computer, was to write my first Star Trek script, and that was only to make the deadline. I believe that technology can tend to dehumanize people and distance people if we are not careful.

Q: Who were some of your role models when you were growing up?

GH: My parents, first and foremost. Followed very closely by Harlen Ellison. Which is not to say that he was stalking my parents. I'm sure he was too busy writing for that.

In all seriousness, reading his works is what inspired me to become a writer. As I grew older, I discovered the works of Octavia Butler, whose writing I believe has brought Science Fiction to a new level.

Q: What are the plans for Star Trek: Voyager next year?

GH: I'd love to tell you, but then I'd be assimilated.

Q: When is Part 2 of Star Trek: Voyager coming out?

GH: If you mean "Scorpion Pt. II" I believe it is currently scheduled to air on Wednesday, September 3rd. But of course, all that could be subject to change, due to UPN's scheduling needs.

Q: How long will Species 8472 be part of Star Trek: Voyager?

GH: I assume until the producers decide to eliminate them. "The weak will parish."

"The weak will perish" ( typist)

Q: Is Starfleet going to get the Dominions?

GH: In the Utopian society of the 24th century, all disease has been cured... including the dreaded Dominions.

Q: How long do you think Star Trek will retain its popularity enough to keep new series and movies airing ?

GH: As long as the stellar quality which the producers bring to the product is maintained, the staffs of all the current Star Trek shows certainly respect and uphold that quality and the turnover in those staffs inevitably happens then I am certain that they will recruit worthy successors.

Of course I would say this as a free-lance writer.

Q: Do you think this planet has been visited by extraterrestrials?

GH: If they are the ones who are responsible for the current state of television, then the answer is yes. There is far more average television available than superior, but that's what happens when so much product is generated. Needless to say, those extraterrestrials are probably getting rich from television.

Q: What is your favorite play?

GH: We have to go back a few years for that. Particularly to "Hamlet" "Romeo and Juliet" and "Oedipus". The classics made for great training for trying to write good dramatic television.

Q: Do you have any interesting projects coming up that you can tell us about?

GH: Lots of corporate projects, but then I'd probably bore everyone to death talking about those. It has not left me much time for writing pursuits at this moment.

Q: Who is your favorite playwright?

GH: Shakespeare, Sam Sheppard and August Wilson.
Not to mention Tennessee Williams.

Q:What series (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or Star Trek: Voyager) have you enjoyed working with the most?

GH: All three series had their own unique pleasures. But I do miss Star Trek: The Next Generation very much. Particularly because they broke me in here at the studio... in more ways than one.

Q: Gary I hear that getting an agent is really difficult, do you like your agency?

GH: Gee, when they heard I was nominated for an Emmy they really liked me.
But seriously, folks, of course I love my agency, especially Sue.
By the way, how's Harlen.

Q: What advice would you give to a budding Star Trek writer ? (not that I am one !)

GH: First, make certain you understand script writing and have written a lot of spec, otherwise known as practice, scripts. Star Trek is the only TV series that will look at unsolicited scripts from writers. But you only get one or two shots at it, so make certain you have become the best you can be at writing before you show it to any professional. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Q: In what direction do you think the Digital Frontier will move in the next five years?

GH: The Digital Frontier as opposed to the Final Frontier? Is this really a five year mission?

Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

GH: What is it you guys out there know about 'five years' that I don't?
Seriously, I hope to be have contributed quite a few more scripts for dramatic television as well as some original work.

Q: Do you speak any other languages?

GH: I speak a lot of rusty French, however, Klingonese is not in my vocabulary.

Q: What was your "dream" career when you were growing-up?

GH: Writing... I guess I made it.

But I still have a long, long way to go. I feel very privileged to be able to live any part of my dream from growing up.

Q: Do you write with specific characters in mind, specific actors in mind.....or do you just write the story and fit them in afterwards ?

GH: For the three Star Trek episodes I've written so far I did think first about specific dramatic situations regarding the characters around which the stories were written. Then I created an appropriate science fiction framework into which the dramatic situation could be explored. Most recently, the "Children of Time" DS9 episode, was my way of trying to explore the romantic possibilities and twists between Kira and Odo and to try and take that situation into a new direction.

Q: Are they going to make a new series with the enterprise crew again?

GH: Which Enterprise crew? Six ships and still counting. If you don't count the air craft carrier in the 20th century.

Q: Do you believe the theory that time is perceptual rather than constant? In other words; if one is able to change their perception of time, theoretically time itself would speed-up or slow-down.

GH: If only I were Einstein or Hawking. I am just a humble Paramount executive/freelance writer. But I can make up something if you want.

Q: Do you think the writing on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager is as strong as the writing on Star Trek: The Next Generation?

GH: I believe each show takes a while to find its voice, especially with such large ensemble casts. Deep Space Nine certainly rivals the best in all television drama with its challenging scripts, especially such classics as; "The Visitor". But they'd better watch out because "Voyager" is right on their heels.

Q: Gary, Do you plan on directing an episode? If so which series would you rather do?

GH: The question is, do the producers plan on being so generous (or insane) as to want to hand directing reins over to some writing hack like me?
In all honesty, I feel my strength lies behind the keyboard and not behind the camera.

Q: Gary If you were stuck on a desert island and you could only take one Star Trek episode or Movie with, which would it be?

GH: Do I get a choice between either the first draft or the final draft of "City on the Edge of Forever"?

Q: Is your house adorned with Star Trek merchandise? Do you have ST pajamas and mugs etc. ?

GH: Not at all. Only scripts.

Q: Gary, If your strength lies behind the keyboard then how come you are not typing for your self?

GH: Because spell check can't work fast enough for me here.

Q: Have you written or are you writing any scripts for Star Trek: Voyager this year?

GH: I haven't pitched any story ideas to Jeri Taylor and the gang since 1995. Unfortunately, I have been quite busy with my corporate duties and didn't want to give them less than my best. However, "Children of Time" for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a quick and wonderful diversion. I hope it worked for the fans and anyone else who happened to catch the episode.

Q: Was the original "Dreadnought" called something else ?

GH: When I wrote the story and the script, the title was, "Original Sin", referring to the dilemma facing Torres and how her past came back to haunt her. In the guise of the Cardassian missile.

Q: Would it be possible for Wesley Crusher to aid in Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant as he is now with the Traveler?

GH: I'm certain anything is possible. But wouldn't that end the series?

Q: Who would you say is your favorite television writer?

GH: I have no one favorite television writer, but the works coming out of the camps of "Law and Order", "Homicide" and "NYPD Blue" certainly are among the best in the business. Isn't it something that these are all police shows? By the way, "Murder One" certainly ranks in that category. Sorry to see it go.
Can someone tell me how it ends tonight?

Q: Gary, how long does it take to produce a viable script?

GH: Each episode allows for two weeks of writing to produce a first draft script. This usually allows for approximately ten days of prep time for the crew, in order to get the sets built guest stars cast and the script polished to a final draft.

Getting back to the character development on "Voyager", I've always felt that Torres was my favorite character and I would love to see Paris get more of the limelight. Who knows? He could be a Kirk in the making.

Q: Were you a fan of the previous Star Trek series?

GH: Like a lot of people, I cut my teeth on Capt. Kirk. That is not to say that I am a Klingon in disguise. Some people say that the original Trek was kind of hokey at times but no one can deny that it still set everything in motion. Without it, there would be no Next Generation, Deep Space Nine or Voyager. Not to mention an animated series.

Q: Are you rich from writing Star Trek scripts?

GH: No, but enough of them and I'll certainly have a great pension fund coming.

Q: Is the first draft the work of one person, typically, or a group of people bouncing ideas off of each other?

(follow up from a previous question...)

GH: The nature of episodic television facilitates collaboration in a room with the writing staff, however, the actual writing is the work of one person. Or a team.

It begins with the writer and ends with the writer. I still find it fascinating that my first Star Trek script was entitled, "The Collaborator."

Q: Are there any plans for Voyager to do a story similar to "Trials and Tribbulations?"

GH: I wish I knew. No one's telling me. Anyone want to see "Spock's Brain" revisited on "Voyager"?

Q: Which show do you prefer to write for, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or Star Trek: Voyager?

GH: I really have no preference. I just like to go whichever way the muse is guiding me.

Q: When did you find it most exciting, when the script was written, sold, filmed, or watching it on the television?

GH: Seeing everything come to life on the screen is the ultimate thrill. But when someone says, "The script is sold", the bank loves you.

Q: I know that Voyager has not had strong Neilson ratings due to its showing on a small network. Is Paramount concerned?

GH: Absolutely not. It has helped to launch an entire network which, in the long run, allows for many more shows to survive and thrive. By the way, Voyager's season finale last week had a higher rating than 20 shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX combined. That certainly helps to put a network on the map.

Q: Gary, what are your long term goals? Do you want to go on to write movies, TV or plays?

GH: I would love to write a bit of everything, including, books.

Q: How would you recommend new writers get started?

GH: Go to either your local book store or library and find books on screen writing. Read them all. Practice your craft until other people, who are not related to you, say your work is good. Then get it out into a professional avenue. Good screen writing books will give you the tips on how to do that. I learned everything I know about writing from books like those. I cannot say enough; the best way to learn writing is to write.

To write and to write.

No substitutes. No short-cuts. Good luck to you.

We'd like to thank our special guest, Gary Holland, for sharing his insights with us tonight.

GH: You're very, very welcome. It's been a pleasure.
Hope to do it again soon.