Published Jan 21, 2013

Catching Up With Trek D.P. And Director, Marvin Rush, Part 2

By StarTrek.com Staff

Marvin Rush’s ride through the Star Trek universe cut across parts of three decades, as, from 1989 to 2005, he served as the director of photographer for The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyagerand Enterprise. Rush also directed five episodes of Trek, spanning three series. He helmed “The Host” for TNG, “The Thaw” and “Favorite Son” for Voyager and “In a Mirror Darkly, Part II” and “Terra Prime” for Enterprise. Since the demise of Enterprise in 2005, Rush has worked as a cinematographer on the series E-Ring, Close to Home, Moonlight, Glee and the current Hell on Wheels, as well as the indie features S. Darko, Cherry and Meeting Evil. StarTrek.com caught up with Rush recently for an extensive interview in which he discussed his work as a D.P. and director on Trek, and chatted about his latest projects. Below is part two of our conversation; click HERE to read part one if you’ve not read it yet.

A lot of people assume you were asked to direct “The Thaw” and “Favorite Son” because of your expertise with visuals. But that’s not the case, right?

Rush:

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OK, but your first TNG experience turned you off to directing to the point that you declined invitations to direct more TNG and you didn’t do DS9, either. So, why say yes to directing Voyager?

Rush:

“The Thaw” is well regarded by fans, especially the performance you elicited from Michael McKean. “Favorite Son” is not as well regarded. Take us through your thoughts on both…

8 ½

And… “Favorite Son”?

Rush:

Let’s move on to Enterprise. How did you enjoy that show?

Rush:

Enterprise

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How was shooting in HD?

Rush:

Season four was great, but it was too little, too late. What was the mood like on set during season four, especially at the end, when the writing was on the wall?

Rush:

Ironically, you directed two of the best episodes of Enterprise. What do you remember of “In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II” and “Terra Prime”?

Rush:

Enterprise

And how about “Terra Prime”?

Rush:

One last question about directing for Trek. Given your technical background, how easily did working with actors and finding emotional beats come to you?

Rush:

You’ve worked steadily since Enterprise. Wh

at have been a couple of the jobs you’ve liked most since then, leading up to Hell on Wheels?

Rush:

E-Ring

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Trek

Moonlight

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E-Ring

Moonlight

Glee

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Your latest project is Hell on Wheels, much of which is shot outdoors…

Rush:

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Hell on Wheels

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You’ve got at least two Trek alums on Hell on Wheels: Colm Meaney and Virginia Madsen, who’s on board as his wife. Did you work on her episode of Voyager? And have you chatted about the old days with either of them?

Rush:

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TNG

DS9

Hell on Wheels

HERE

Catching Up With Trek D.P. And Director, Marvin Rush, Part 2

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