tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post1316390822134118627..comments2024-03-07T20:15:45.996-08:00Comments on The Bitter Script Reader: Happy Birthday William Shatner!The Bitter Script Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-24697703910460192512011-03-22T15:03:11.140-07:002011-03-22T15:03:11.140-07:00For great insight into how Nick Meyer got that per...For great insight into how Nick Meyer got that performance out of Shatner, one MUST read Meyer's book "View from the Bridge." He talks about how in one scene, Shatner kept overplaying a line. It's a moment where Khan - in his stolen Starfleet ship - has Kirk and the Enterprise at his mercy and he gives Kirk 60 seconds to surrender all the material they have on the Genesis Project.<br /><br />What Khan doesn't know is that Kirk has access to security codes that could be used to force down Khan's deflector shields. When the time expires, Kirk says, "Here it comes," which to Khan means "here comes the data," but to Kirk and his crew, it means "Take THIS!"<br /><br />The problem was that Shatner kept playing it with a sing-song "here it co-omes!" Meyer kept reminding him, "Khan's a supergenius, Bill. He'll figure out what you're up to if you play it like that." But Shatner kept telegraphing it in his delivery - until Meyer shot so many takes that Bill got bored, just said the line, and THAT is the take that's in the film.<br /><br />You can see it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtvQUYXbQk" rel="nofollow">HERE.</a><br /><br />Meyer's book is full of directing insight like that, and has some interesting notes about directing Ricardo Montelban. Shatner's a good actor, but he just needs a director who knows how to mold that raw ability.<br /><br />I'd also point to the scene in Trek III when Kirk learns of the murder of his son as another of Shatner's better acting moments.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-59255862042661146332011-03-22T14:18:57.233-07:002011-03-22T14:18:57.233-07:00I challenge anyone who questions Shatner's act...I challenge anyone who questions Shatner's acting ability to watch Spock's funeral scene in ST2. There's so much going on there.<br /><br />I just finished speccing Shit My Dad Says. I never expected to have such a great time writing lines for Shatner, even knowing that he would never say them. The man is the total package.Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04648209918061251065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-82048258314747212932011-03-22T12:22:38.916-07:002011-03-22T12:22:38.916-07:00But - but - I LIKE TJ Hooker! I've only recent...But - but - I LIKE TJ Hooker! I've only recently started rewatching it and realized I couldn't appreciate it as a child the way I do now as an adult. It's a bit hokey and there's some things in it I'm sure aren't at all realistic - but then again, neither is L&O:SVU. And I realized that even for now it's rather edgy. Things that L&O:SVU don't even cover. They're perfectly willing to show Catholic priests raping little boys - but TJ Hooker had an atheist raping an Episcopal (woman) priest. Something you'd never see on L&O. <br /><br />And I've always preferred Nick Of Time over Nightmare myself.JamiSingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12756726189949304645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-1950787671315390002011-03-22T12:01:13.174-07:002011-03-22T12:01:13.174-07:00I didn't forget T.J. Hooker. I just don't ...I didn't forget T.J. Hooker. I just don't think it's one of his iconic roles. The show was successful in its time, but you don't often see it brought up.<br /><br />Controversial opinion about Shatner's acting: I think he acts circles around Patrick Stewart in their shared scenes together in Generations.<br /><br />Also, if you get a chance, read his book on Star Trek conventions, entitled "Get a Life!" It's full of funny anecdotes.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-24271552965195164462011-03-22T10:18:44.112-07:002011-03-22T10:18:44.112-07:00I've always liked him best as Don Carter and B...I've always liked him best as Don Carter and Bob Wilson in "Nick of Time" and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," respectively, from the Twilight Zone.<br /><br />I think his acting was brilliant and though he was known for taking on too many roles early in his career, I'm sure he was also offered those roles because he was a good actor.Carlos Matthews Hernandezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04844149114686947104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-80472640153113541432011-03-22T06:16:22.439-07:002011-03-22T06:16:22.439-07:00You forgot TJ Hooker.You forgot TJ Hooker.JamiSingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12756726189949304645noreply@blogger.com