Star Trek’s Most Serious Director Humbles a Cast Member in His First Scene
By Chris Snellgrove | Published
One of the most important directors in Star Trek history is someone you’ve probably never heard of: James L. Conway. He made his mark by directing major TNG episodes like “The Neutral Zone” and “Frame of Mind,” and later became one of DS9 producer Ira Steven Behr’s favorite directors for killer episodes like “Duet,” “Way of the Warrior,” and “Apocalypse Now.” In fact, he was so important to the franchise that he almost directed it First Contactand he only lost that gig because Patrick Stewart himself pushed to have Jonathan Frakes in the director’s chair.
Although Conway did not direct the big picture Star Trek, he was able to create a following by directing “Broken Bow,” the first feature-length film. Business. He did an excellent job, and many (including beloved franchise writer Brannon Braga) consider him the best pilot of the Golden Age of Star Trek. However, another Enterprise actor had a less-than-stellar time making this episode: John Billingsley, who was humiliated by Conway during his first scene!
The Galaxy’s Most Intricate Doctor
Opened BusinessJohn Billingsley plays Dr. However, the doctor has some quirks, including a creepy, CGI-enhanced smile that has plagued Star Trek fans for years. But it turns out that the actor wanted his character to be far away, away quirkier than anyone would have thought. While playing at his place, Billingsley started to peck like a bird. Malcolm Reed actor Dominic Keating happened to be on-set, and later reported how the squawking sounds sent director James L. Conway into a furious tailspin.
In a special feature on Business Season 1 Blu-Ray, Keating says that Conway, when he heard the screaming sounds, started repeatedly and immediately shouted “Cut!” The director had been inside the video control room, but allegedly stormed out and stood in front of Billingsley. Keating says the director looked the actor straight in the eye and asked a brutal question: “Is sh*tting me?!” All Billingsley could do was mutter, “Listen, I’m single.” They finished the scene as written, and Billingsly never sang again when he played Dr. Plox.
Humiliation: Star Trek Style
It’s amazing to think of the revered director of Star Trek embarrassing an actor on set like this. Still, you might be on Conway’s side: sarcasm feels really good, and it would make the whole scene with Dr. Plox has been strangely strange. But here’s the thing: John Billingsley made those bird-like sounds throughout his audition process, which included singing them in front of Conway. The director seems to have decided at that point that squawking doesn’t work in this game. Again, this was the right call, but he made it in such a way that Billingsley was left heartbroken.
This strange story is a reminder of the mystery at the heart of the entire Star Trek series. The plays are about “the search for a new life and a new civilization,” but audiences have trouble relating to anything less. again a stranger. That’s why Trek is filled with so many non-exotic creatures that look so human: it’s easy for us viewers to relate to them. In the case of Dr. Phlox, James L. Conway decided that Business the audience was ready for weird head bumps and even the odd smile coming out of the creepypasta. But a doctor who squawks like a really noisy bird? That, sir, is a very distant star bridge!
