Ms. Neuss oversees second-unit photography, dubbing of actor's dialog (looping), and coordination of special effects photography. Her contributions to the show begin after the story is written and the principal photography is done, and the result of her efforts is the high-quality production that we've come to expect on Star Trek: Voyager.

Wendy Neuss: I'm delighted to be here.

Question: How do you choose the amazing sound FX used on Star Trek?
Spasm8

WN: We have a sound effects and dialogue spotting session with the editors from Modern Sound, where we view the on-line cut of the show and discuss the particular sound needs for each episode.

(Wendy has just been handed an ice blended mocha...)

WN: This is worth the long walk from the Cooper building to the Marathon building in heels. (Accepting the blended mocha) back to the question... Our sound effects editor, James Wolvington, creates strange and wonderful sounds, which are available on the dubbing stage when I mix the show. Then I make him redo half of them, and we end up with the perfect product.

Q: Are you the same "stunna" that was with Mr. Stewart over here for the premiere of Star Trek: First Contact?
Nigel

WN: I am the person who accompanied Patrick Stewart to the Star Trek: First Contact premiere in England. Does that answer your question?

Q: Hello, what is Looping? Do you do that on Star Trek?
Jaqui

WN: Looping is dialogue replacement due to excess noise on the set during the original recording, or to add dialogue off camera, correct pronunciations, do Captain's Log (voice-overs) or change performances. We do a lot of looping on our show, as often the sets are noisy and many of the effects, like doors opening, etc., must be replaced with more futuristic sounds. Also, Rick Berman loves adding dialogue wherever he can.

Q: What musical projects have you worked on?
Mendell

WN: I was associate producer for WNET for a series of Leonard Bernstein/Beethoven programs. I produced three programs for Motown (Records) featuring Michael Jackson, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Marvin Gaye. And I have had the privilege to supervise numerous scores for Star Trek, which is one of the few shows that utilizes a full orchestra. One of my fondest musical endeavors was producing Ol' Yellow Eyes with Brent Spiner, star of stage, screen and television.

Q: Do you actually coach the actors in how they read their dialogue? I think you have done a great job, btw...
Mookie

WN: I'll answer any question that includes a compliment. Yes, when those are my instructions. Most of our actors can recognize what the problem is when they hear a line, and can correct it themselves anyway... actually, Patrick Stewart has a Brooklyn accent, but thanks to me, no one knows. (Laughs)

Q: Who's Jackie?
Mr.E

WN: Jackie is Patrick Stewart's right hand, and a wonderful typist and a good friend. (Sniffle, sniffle).

Q: What's your favorite sound effect? I like the transporter.
WWDove

WN: I always enjoy space-time continuums, temporal anomalies, wormholes, subspace rifts or any other Brannon Braga concepts of that sort. Borg effects are among the most fun.

Q: Wendy: to what extent can you put your "signature" on a show via post production processes? Are there certain "Neussisms" we can look for on Star Trek: Voyager?
triedandfailed

WN: I'm always conscious of trying to make the transitions interesting, including a background change when you're cutting from one location to another, to make it more identifiable. I have often been accused of tending to go for a lot of dynamics in the mix. In other words, Peter Lauritson often tells me to lower things.

Q: Do producers get to wear Star Trek uniforms?
Robert

WN: You probably wouldn't want to see some of our producers in Star Trek uniforms. Besides, what does that have to do with post production?

Q: At conventions, most people say that working there is really a full time job, do you find it so, or just have so much fun it flies by?
ConSing

WN: I've worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager for almost ten years (since I was 12) and it is a very full time job, with long hours and a lot of difficult work. But in retrospect, ten years has flown by and it has been one of the best experiences of my entire life. I am leaving after next week to run Patrick Stewart's development/production company with Paramount. Although this is a great opportunity that I am very much looking forward to, I will miss Star Trek tremendously. Since I will still be on the Paramount lot, I'm planning to keep in touch with my Star Trek family, and drop by to irritate people frequently.

Q: What exactly are the responsibilities of a producer?
Connie

WN: It's the hardest position to define. Some producers are show-runners like Rick Berman or Jeri Taylor, some are line-producers who handle the day-to-day logistics of shooting the material. I (obviously) am a post-production producer. I deal with all the aspects of the show, most of which begin after principle photography is finished. And then there are all the undeserving writers who get to be called producers. Just kidding--but who cares, I'm leaving in a week anyway! (Laughs)

Q: Are you a millionaire from your work on Star Trek?
Wondaful

WN: (Much Laughter)
I consider myself rich in friends and experience.
(More Laughter)

Q: Have you met all of the stars of Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Glinda

WN: Met, looped and am still on good terms with.

Q: While it must be very exciting to work on Star Trek, does it ever get tedious to do the same type of work week in and week out, or is there always room for variety and creativity? I.e., is it fun?
greblach

WN: I always found the nature of the show lends itself to a great amount of creativity and variety. Although, some aspects can be tedious, over-all, each show is a unique challenge. The hard ones to work on are the dogs... we all know which ones those are.

Q: My boyfriend has a crush on you. Can you say "Hi, Kevin" to him?
2Flirty

WN: I said I would answer anything with a compliment in it... Hi Kevin!

Q: What will you be doing for Patrick Stewart's production company? Or should I say what type of productions?
benzlv

WN: Blockbuster feature films that are intelligent, yet pander to the lowest common denominator.

Q: Which episode are you most proud of your post-production work on?
1110001101

WN: I was very proud of the final Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "All Good Things..." and really feel great about "Future's End" (both parts) from Star Trek: Voyager.

Q: What is the last episode that you will have worked on? So I can make sure I watch it. :D
Artoo

WN: The last episode I'm seeing to completion is "Nemesis," a show featuring Chakotay. Thanks for the sentiment.

Q: What type of budget is typical per Star Trek: Voyager individual episode?
Bruce

WN: All of the Star Trek shows have fairly generous optical budgets compared to most other Sci-Fi shows on the air -- and I believe it shows.

Q: Have you ever done any post production involving animals. If so...what was it like?
Bruce

WN: We've done many animals, real and alien. We've done them through all kinds of combinations of animal sound and people from our looping group. The creature from "Parturition" for example, was voiced by Frank Welker, a well known voice-over artist. Sometimes I can't believe the kinds of non-human sounds that come out of his mouth. Spot was difficult to loop because he insisted on his own hours and insisted on more money than usual.

Q: Wendy, what other TV shows have production values you consider stellar, particularly on the sound/looping/music side of the house?
alexa

WN: ER and NYPD Blue always sound good to me. I don't watch that much other television.

Q: What is it like working with Rick Berman?
Ed

WN: I've learned a tremendous amount from working with Rick. He's a very intelligent producer. Very demanding, but generous with positive feedback. I have a great amount of respect for him. I also think Peter Lauritson, who runs all the post for Rick, is a terrific asset to the show, although he's not too well known and doesn't get a lot of the accolades. -- I think that insures me of getting more Star Trek work in the future, don't you?

Q: Do you have any pets?
RikkiTavi

WN: Yes, I have three wonderful cats: George, Julius and Samantha. My cat Julius is madly in love with Patrick's cat Bella... but it's unrequited.

Q: Do you speak Klingon?
Klargon

WN: None of your business, you Pahtk!

Q: Do you work with the people who do scoring for the shows? The music is wonderful!
Jingles

WN: I have worked closely with Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, and David Bell over the years. They are all tremendously talented and it's been a great pleasure collaborating with them. Besides, my parents are glad that all my piano lessons didn't go to waste.

Q: How long does a looping session last? Any memorable ones?
Quizman

WN: We usually allow 20 lines per hour. But it varies, depending on the particular actor or the difficulty of the material. There've been many memorable sessions. One was when Jeremy Kemp, who was being looped long distance from England, went crazy and kicked over some chairs, and left without doing the looping. We ended up hiring a sound-alike who did a great job filling in. One other time Jonathan Frakes was jumping up and down on the back of my chair when the head of Modern Sound was giving a tour to a group of potential Japanese investors. I don't think they invested.

Q: How did you get involved in working on Star Trek?
Riledup

WN: I knew Rick Berman from working in New York. I ran into him on the Paramount lot during the first season of the show, and expressed interest (in working on the show).

(Patrick Stewart just arrived to pick up Wendy)

Q: Whats it like being on a internet chat controlled by Microsoft?
tom

WN: I want to know why I haven't gotten any questions from Bill Gates.

Q: Are you Patrick Stewart's girlfriend?
Byron

Q: I hope this not an out of line question but here goes. Did I read somewhere that you are Patrick Stewart were seeing each other?
benzlv

WN: Yes, I am fortunate enough to be Patrick's girlfriend. But since Patrick can't stand sharing the limelight, I think I should sign off now.

[--Patrick's comment regarding the chat was that he'd "just" done one (for ET Online) to promote Masterminds, so he left this one to Wendy.]