Mike Mistovich is typing for Hans tonight.
Hans, on behalf of STAR TREK: CONTINUUM, I'd like to welcome you to our chat tonight.
Hans Beimler:
Marc Wade:
Hans Beimler:
My background is: I was born and raised in Mexico. When I was 18, I came up here to college knowing that I wanted to be in the movie business. I didn't expect to be in television. But I was always a fan of the original series. My partner at the time, Richard Manning, had a strong science fiction background and we got offered the job after working with Ira Steven Behr on "Fame". We loved the TNG and were looking forward to the job.
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The Borg is really something we're going to leave for Voyager and the movies. My personal feeling (and it is personal) is they need it more than we do. I think we've created very interesting nemesis with the Dominion mixing it up with the Cardassians. One of the things we love to write are scenes with Damar, Dukat and Weyoun. Those characters not only have distinct and interesting personalities, but they also represent their respective peoples.
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The fact that I think of Worf as a DS9 character speaks volumes --
I think that the big difference is Ira Behr. Ira constantly forces us to dig deeper, to make the moments more real, to know our characters better, to explore something we didn't understand about them. In fact, he likes to joke that on DS9, we're really writing a comedy of manners. I think that when you see a show like "His Way" you'll know exactly what I mean.
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Although I like the actors that play the characters very much, a part of me is always disappointed when I see them out of makeup. Jeffrey Combs, who plays Weyoun, will sometimes talk to me as Weyoun off camera. And I always look forward to our "interesting" conversation.
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I've wanted to, but I'm always reluctant to take the work away from an actor.
Maybe some day...
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what happens and why...
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one of us has an idea or an idea from a freelance writer...
If Ira thinks it's a show, we run it passed Rick Berman to make sure he's okay with it. Once that's done, the writing staff sits in a room and puts the story, beat by beat, onto a big white board. That process can take one to five days. Everyone has an opinion, and we try to make sure that the structure of the story is solid. Once that's done, one of the writers will "run with it"... meaning write a first draft. The number of scripts in development varies on the time of years. Obviously, early in the year, we have more in the pipeline than later. We try to keep the pipeline flowing with three or four ideas at any given time. But sometimes the cupboard gets mighty bare.
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In which, yes, Jadzia dies...
... or does she???
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Trust me...
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Thank you all very much for participating in tonight's Special Event.
Copyright (c) 1998 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
It's very nice to be here. I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. I'm very interested in hearing the kind of questions that everyone will pose. I expect them to be different from question from other interviews.
I am wondering, Hans, what school did you go to and how did you get your start writing for Star Trek?
I actually went to USC Film School.
MadHatter asks: In the TNG episode "Who watches the Watcher?" you described a case where the federation was studying another race without their knowledge. Do you feel that even now aliens could be watching us as well?
I certainly hope so.
SilverSurfer asks: Some of the episodes you've written involve battles, weapons and just violence in general. Do you think that this is what Gene's vision of Star Trek would be?
I think Gene's vision was big enough to encompass visions that didn't agree with everything he said. One of the differences of opinion I have with Gene was his opinion that people were getting better... that 400 years from now, people would somehow be an "improved" species. I think one of the reasons Shakespeare works today, is that 300 years ago, we weren't that different. It was a friendly argument that a lot of us had. Gene's vision of Star Trek allowed us to explore ideas like that all the time.
Larry Davis asks: Will this be the last season for Deep Space Nine?
There will definitely, absolutely, positively, no doubt about it be a 7th season. But that 7th season WILL be our final season. We are planning and designing it that way. That's a very exciting prospect. We've never done a season of Star Trek the way we're going to do the 7th season. We're going to plan all 26 episodes so that we'll have a complete arc before we even start the season. That's something we've never done before.
Jason Meyers asks: OK, Hans, you can admit it. Do you sometimes write open- ended storylines that obviously need a conclusion and have no idea what the conclusion will be? Sometimes I see a loose end get tied up years later and I wonder if it was planned or if you were just trying to make something up.
The truth of the matter is, I'd say half the times we have something in mind -- though not necessarily something very specific. We know more or less how we'll tie up that loose end. But the other half of the time, or should I say most of the time, we simply have a "feeling" as to what will pay off. Or a "feeling" about what we would like to have pay off in the future. It's the kind of things that we'll spend months discussing among the six of us that make up the writing staff.
Pat Fordyce asks: Do you have any aspirations of directing an episode?
Absolutely. I think most writers would like to control their material. I directed an episode of "TekWar" episodes while I was Executive Producer on that show. It was a terrific experience.
Swift asks: Where are you going with the war between the Federation and the Dominion?
I was hoping someone would ask me this, because I can only answer it by telling you to expect the unexpected.
HADLEY MANN asks: Exactly how many star trek episodes have you written
You can look that up in STAR TREK: CONTINUUM, and it's 24.
al asks: Any thoughts about the Dominion and the Borg mixing it up?
Here's a little inside scoop, guys...
john asks: What are the major differences you see between TNG and DS9?
I think the biggest difference is the characters. I spent the better part of three years on TNG, and I can't tell you too much about Geordi, Troi or Dr. Crusher... I could tell you a few things about Picard and Data, but I can tell you a lot about Capt. Sisko, Dax, Worf --
Eric Bowler asks: What is your favorite episode? Why?
That's a very difficult question because my usual answer is that the latest episode is the greatest because it's what I've been spending all my energies on. It takes time to realize which ones are really the good ones. "His Way" holds the status as my current favorite. At the risk of sounding a little self-serving, I'll say that I think it's a very successful episode. What I mean by that is that it delivers on what it promises. And I can't always say that. Many times our ambition has outreached our grasp. For three years, we've been intimating about an Odo/Kira relationship. It was time to fish or cut bait.
Susan Stratton asks: Not a question but comment. I agree with Mr. Beimler on the Weyoun and Cardassian mix. The Vorta is extremely popular among fans I believe and it is a play on the mind just listening to him talk. Indeed, it makes for a great conversation afterwards :)
I couldn't agree more. And as proof, I offer you the following:
Jon Prine asks: Is it tough writing for DS9 because it is a stationary place? Is that why the Defiant was added? Did that make the show more dynamic?
It's not tough writing for DS9 because the station doesn't move. It's tough writing for DS9 because of the standards that Ira holds us to. We want to explore the characters, not repeat what we've already done... and that usually takes thinking. Besides, there's a very high standard that Star Trek, itself, holds us to. There's been a lot of good Trek before us, and we want to keep adding to the legend.
Emissary asks: Any ambitions to write a (hopefully) Deep Space Nine feature film?
I'm convinced, and it's just a personal belief, that there WILL be a feature. But let me add, that I'm lonely in this opinion.
Emissary asks: Have you ever thought about, for one episode, writing "the other show", VOYAGER, and letting the "other guys" tackle you show?
It's tempting to answer this with a quip or a joke, but for a change I'll answer it seriously. It really would be very difficult to do that because they are very different shows, with very different parameters and very different ambitions. Writing good television requires and intimate knowledge with the show you're writing. It would take me a long time to get familiar enough with Voyager to be comfortable writing it.
MadHatter asks: Do you feel that the surgery that saved Sisko's life in "Rapture" has forever removed his psychic powers or will they return again someday?
They were definitely NOT removed. And the proof will come sooner than you think.
Jason asks: Who do you feel is the best developed and deepest character?
I'd have to say that it's Sisko. He's the Captain and the Emissary, and both of those roles run deep with him. He's also a father who's lost a wife and has abilities he doesn't understand. He's also a man of destiny, and a man of great compassion. Star Trek is about captains. It has been since the original series, and I think DS9 is no exception.
Susan Stratton asks: And what of the Founders? I must ask. When they first came onto the show I was intrigued by their calm manner...their religious nature...or what appeared to be a very *good* nature. Can you relate if they will be completely destroyed or better yet....given a second chance? Clearly they are blind to their own xenophobias and I would hope that they would be able to see their own evil actions in the end?
This is a tough and complicated question. I think that there are other people on the staff who might answer it better, but I'll take a stab at it. The Founders are aliens. What I mean by that, is that they have a perspective that is radically different from ours. And that means we don't understand everything about them. We get glimpses of what they are, we know a little bit about what they want, a little bit about what they fear. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Ira has always insisted that the Founders are complicated creatures and that there's much more to learn about them than we've ever explored.
Bobbie Jo asks: Have you ever had a cameo in any episode?
No.
Lee asks: Do you ever read the comic books or novels?
I don't read them because I had nothing to do with them. It just makes me angry or puzzled when they do things I don't understand. I am a big fan of comics, however. And the writing staff of DS9 makes at least one run to the comic store every few weeks.
Gene asks: Would you like to be given the opportunity to create a new ST spin off from scratch? Any desires on this? Any hints on a new spin off when DS9 ends?
Yes, I'd love to do that, but I don't think it's ever going to happen -- or not for a very long time. I think the perception with the powers that be is that there's too much Star Trek on television as is. I think Voyager will be the lone new series on the air for quite a while.
Jason asks: Do you feel that Star Trek is overlooked when it comes to Emmy's because of its Sci-Fi nature?
Definitely. Sci-fi has always been the bastard child. It's like People Magazine... nobody admits that they read it, but I see it in everyone's bathroom.
Jerry asks: What do you find is the hardest part of writing for Star Trek? Is it the technical aspect?
The technical aspect is not the hardest... there's a lot of support for that. We have Andre Bormanis on staff who is an astrophysicist, who is a pretty damn smart guy. There's always Mike Okuda, Rick Sternbach and a host of technical people that can answer any technical question or problem that comes up. The hard part of writing a DS9 episode is the hard part of telling any story...
dav asks: How long does it typically take to write an episode? Also, how many scripts are under development at any time?
It can take anywhere from a week to two weeks for a first draft to be written once the story has been "broken". "Breaking a story" is a complicated process that I will try to explain briefly. The way it works is this:
MortonQ asks: Hans, is it possible for someone to "break into" the Trek writing crew these days and add his or her talents to the mix?
It's always possible, but highly unlikely. Good ideas come from everywhere. Nobody knows that more than we do. But because the nature of the next year, in which we are planning the entire season, I don't think there will be as many outside ideas. DS9 is no longer accepting outside ideas, which also makes it difficult for someone to break in. But none of us have forgotten that Ron Moore and Rene Echevarria broke in by sending scripts to Star Trek over the transom.
Flash asks: I am normally not a fan of time travel stories in star trek. But the episode "Yesterday's Enterprise" was one of my favorites. I was wondering if the universe that we were seeing was actually an alternate universe that still exist like in the TOS episode "Mirror, Mirror"? Because if it isn't than the Tasha Yar that we see is really created from nowhere (time paradox of the man with no past)
I think so, but I couldn't prove it.
Desmond asks: Is it true that Terry Farrell will not be coming back next season?
Yes, it's true.
Alma asks: How are they going to get Worf into the new movie this time?
By putting him on film.
Jon asks: Speaking of Emmy's, what do you think of the episode "Far Beyond the Stars"? Do you think it would be an injustice if this did not win one?
Since I'm one of the co-authors of that episode, I feel very strongly that it deserves attention. Whether it'll get it or not, I don't know. I'm very proud of my contribution to that show, and of the working relationship we had with Avery Brooks on it. He did not only a superb job acting in it, but also directed it masterfully. At the risk of tooting my own horn, I think it's in the finest tradition of Star Trek.
Jeff and Bianca asks: when will the spice girls come on ds9? :o)
Not soon enough.
KayceeV asks: What advice can you give to an aspiring writer? I'm doing reviews and such now, but would like to get something published in a magazine.
I don't know anything about magazine publishing. But I will tell you that it took me eight years to sell my first script. So the one word I would tell you is -- perseverance. But if you are capable and would be happy doing something else, then you should. But if writing is the only thing that is going to make you happy, then be happy writing whether you're selling or not.
Jenny asks: What do you think about the star trek web site?
I think it's an important element in the Star Trek "franchise". I'll tell you one thing, every writer on the staff checks it regularly. We do gauge the responses to the various episodes. It's always interesting to see what the feedback from the fans are. Because, frankly, I think we have some of the smartest fans in the world.
Lee asks: Do the writers ever consult with the actors on where their characters are headed?
It's really the other way around. Some of the actors do want to know what's coming up -- it helps them with their "work". We get calls periodically from Nana Visitor and Armin Shimmerman, just to name a few. Ira usually talks to them about the general arc of their characters or where we think their paths are leading. But the creative process is too immediate to always know for sure where a character is going. Characters tend to take surprising turns all the time.
Htes asks: You just mentioned that Terry will not be coming back. I think that's the first time I've heard official word on this rumor. So, will Jadzia Dax be back? Or Dax in another host? And will Worf be married to him/her/it?
Stay tuned... all your questions will be answered.
fred asks: On Tek Wars did you deal with William Shatner much?
"TekWar" was a creation of William Shatner's, so yes of course I did. My ex-partner and I were brought on to oversee the series at USA Network. So, the four two-hour movies had already been done. William Shatner is a very, very interesting and amusing man.
ErvNupe asks: Hans, how do the DS9 writers grapple with the balance between stories which depend a lot on the DS9 mythology and those which are more standalone and which may have a wider (read: higher rated) appeal?
Every story, whether it's a stand-alone or dependant on the mythology, still has to be a good story. A story worth telling. The same rules apply. Do we learn something new about the character? Do we learn something knew about Starfleet? Do we learn something new about the Dominion? We ask ourselves the same set of questions regardless of the type of episode. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing.
Cainus asks: What is the next episode you are working on?
Ira and I have just finished writing the season-ender, "Tears of the Prophets".
Jason asks: Is there much research involved for you when writing an episode? How do you keep the continuity going?
There are a lot of people looking over our shoulders to make sure we keep things consistent. We all know the show pretty well, but then there's Andre Bormanis, Mike Okuda, Joan Pearce Research, and even my own assistant Mike Mistovich that try to make sure we stay within what we've set up in the past.
Morpheus asks: Do you feel that you've back yourselves into a corner by making the Dominion so invincible?
No, I don't. It's been said that you can only be judged by your enemies. Making Sisko's enemies powerful, overwhelmingly powerful in fact, gives us high marks to shoot for.
donald asks: Will Morn ever speak? How much was he based on Norm from cheers?
Well, Morn and Norm rhyme, sort of. That's all I'll say.
Fred asks: Do you feel that Cirroc has grown up well with the show?
Very much so. Both as an actor and as a character, Cirroc has brought some very lovely moments to the show. I point out, most recently, "Far Beyond the Stars" and last year's "In the Cards" as two examples of how far he's come.
Jimmy21 asks: Can you explain the reappearance of the character of Weyoun? Seeing as he was killed off in fourth season episode "To The Death"!. Has this been a deliberate mistake for some reason or is this a HUGE continuity error on the part of the writing staff?
It's not a mistake. The Vorta are cloned.
Cord asks: One aspect of Star Trek I immensely enjoyed is how the writers of the shows would insert into the story line themes and other nuances from early civilization mythology (Greek, Roman, etc.), but it seems that as of late, this hasn't been the case. Is there any explanation for this, or am I just missing these little nuances? Will the viewers be able to see more of this in the future?
I'm well aware that TOS used a lot of very direct Greek mythology in its references. We've tried to include other mythologies, including Irish, Aztec and Chinese mythologies. After all, we didn't want it to be Eurocentric.
Emissary asks: Whose idea was it to kill off Ziyal?
I don't remember exactly whose idea it was, but it was a good one. It gave us a deepening of the Sisko/Dukat rivalry. How did it do that? It did that because it launched Dukat on a path that we will pay off in the last episode of DS9.
Emissary asks: Do you writers ever look back upon an episode and think "What were we thinking when we wrote that?"
Yes, but I don't want to tell you which ones.
Trekkie17 asks: Having read the synopsis for 'His Way' I'm curious how you explain how the Vic holosuite character has the intelligence/conscience to help Odo. Is a character of this depth possible in the holosuite?
He's programmed to be that smart.
Emissary asks: Can/will you give us some hints as to upcoming (recurring) characters you are creating?
I'll tell you one thing: we LOVED, and I do mean loved, writing Vic Fontaine. I would expect to see him a lot.
Mot asks: Are the wormhole- constructing aliens ever going to be heard from again?
Possibly.
Rom asks: IN "Tears of the Prophets" Does this suggest that the prophets lose something extremely special to them like the orbs?
I won't answer specific details of the episode because, after all, it is our season-ender. But I will say to you, your instincts serve you well.
Jon asks: Were you involved in writing the story for Star Trek: The Experience?
No, I was not. Rene Echevarria and Ken Biller were responsible... all blame should go to them.
Odo of Alaska asks: I was wondering, Hans, how much do you get paid, because I have finished today a script conforming to your 1995-1996 rules for script submissions and my friends are wondering how much I will get paid if my script is accepted?
Star Trek pays Writers' Guild of America minimums. I write for free.
JACEN asks: After DS9 finishes its 7th season, what direction do you see your writing and directing talents taking you? Is there a specific project or show that you would like to work on?
Like all writers, I have several things "in development". My interests are eclectic and, if you ask me this question a week from now, you'll get a different answer. I would love to do something about Mexico, and I would also love to do a comedy. Both of which I'm currently working on.
Jenny asks: What character are you most proud of?
I'm proud of a lot of characters, but the process of creating a character is a much more collaborative one than you might expect. For example, Damar first appears in a script I wrote. But his character has been developed by the entire writing staff... everybody contributing to the whole. I would not like to take credit when so many others gave so much to his development.
Jon asks: In regards to section 31, are they based on anything in real life?
Yes, they are. I'm convinced that every great democracy has had something like a Section 31. One of my favorite television series was "The Prisoner". It postulated something very similar. My father, who was a refugee from Nazi Germany, suffered under both the Nazi government as well as the Soviet government that claimed to protect him. In fact, I'm convinced ALL large institutions are suspect.
Jammer asks: I (along with half the galaxy) loved Yesterday's Enterprise. How did this story fall into place?
That's something that Ron Moore remembers better than I do. I defer all "Yesterday's Enterprise" questions to him. Although, I'll admit that I'm proud of the episode.
Harry asks: Did you watch Hogan's Hero's when you were growing up? Is DS9 based at all on this?
Yes... in every detail. You're the first person that noticed that.
stp asks: Will we ever see Dulmar and Lucsly again? (The investigators from temperal investigations)
Absolutely. There's a story in development already.
Steve Anthony asks: Did you write the episode Little Green Men? If so do you believe?
I didn't write the episode, but I do believe. Ira and Robert Hewitt Wolfe wrote it.
Chronon asks: I am a fan of the TNG episode "Alligence". I was wondering if you had any training in psychology that dealt with the "prisoner's dilema"?
I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. Whatever psychological insight we had came from my mother who is a trained psychoanalyst. We consulted her freely... meaning she didn't charge us.
Rom asks: Well I just want to say thanks for this chat line... It is absolutely fabulous! And thank you Mr. Beimler, it makes me feel like I am tapped right into the real stuff!
You're welcome. You have Marc Wade and Andrew Harbert to thank for this forum.
Thank you very much! It was really a pleasure having you here.
Hans, thank you very much for joining us here tonight.