We chat with director drvalerieweiss about her acclaimed StarTrek StrangeNewWorlds episode 'Ad Astra Per Aspera' and her environmental work with Panda Paddle, the World Wildlife Fund:
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 2 - "Ad Astra Per Aspera"Dr. Valerie Weiss directed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2, "Ad Astra Per Aspera," which fans are hailing as one of the best Star Trek courtroom episodes ever. Weiss has directed episodes of Outer Banks on Netflix, Scandal, Suits, The Librarians, and How To Get Away With Murder. "Ad Astra Per Aspera" is her debut in the Star Trek franchise.
Getting to do that, work with this phenomenal crew, work with Benji Bakshi, who's a collaborator, the DP. [He and] I did two shows before this, and he's the one who recommended me for the job. It was just a blast to make it and then have it come out and get that kind of response. Because you're always nervous. Like, you know, you're going to be compared to the other [courtroom] episodes, which are phenomenal, some of the best Trek work out there.
Well, you did. You knocked it out of the park. I would love to know what challenges you faced directing this episode. You have an amazing cast, you have a great script by Dana Horgan, as you said, Take me through a little bit of the process of putting the episode together. What did you find challenging?
These were all very intentional ideas. And she was just so game to try them and make them hers and speak up about what worked for her and what didn't. We were so fortunate to get that theater rehearsal before we ever shot. And then, of course, Benji and I [were] really determined.
Valerie Weiss: I mean, I love so many of them. I love Yetide's closing arguments where she comes around and confronts the judges. I just loved that. I really love the scene between Neera and La'an in Una's quarters because, gosh, La'an is such a strong character and has to be strong all the time. She's head of security. That's what she does. She protects other people. But we all need protection of our own hearts.
I tweeted about that hug. That hug moved me so much. And you're right. It is kind of an anomaly. That's why it's so striking to see Pike drop the Captain, hug his friend, and then snap back [to] the Captain with a little punch at the end. Anyway, that bubbles up repeatedly in the episode, and it does in the trial. And I remember, when Una's on the stand towards the end of her monologue, I think my direction to them was,"It's like you're at a sleepover party, and it's the middle of the night, and you're telling each other these things." Just constantly trying to reconnect them to that inner child that was hurt, that had a broken heart a long time ago. And they're so wonderful.
Great performances are all about arcs. Where do you start and where do you end and so on. Celia and I spent a lot of time talking about her relationship with La'an, and what does she think about Una? And I think we talked about... I hope I'm getting this right... that she felt a bit betrayed that Una had done this. And so, she was dealing with her own feelings about this, and how the Eugenics Wars affected her parents.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kate Mulgrew & Strange New Worlds Star Comment On Star Trek: Prodigy CancellationKate Mulgrew, who plays Admiral Janeway on Star Trek: Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds' Bruce Horak, comment on the animated show's cancellation.
Read more »
Hemmer Strange New Worlds Fan Art Shared By Star Trek ActorStar Trek: Strange New Worlds actor Bruce Horak shares his own whimsical fan art of his character Lt. Hemmer, who was killed by the Gorn.
Read more »
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E03: La’An & Kirk Do The Time WarpLa’An & Kirk get caught up in timey-wimey stuff (and run into Pelia) in these preview images for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E03. / JamesTKirk LaanNoonienSingh StarTrek StrangeNewWorlds ParamountPlus
Read more »
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Augments, Illyrians and the Eugenics WarsWhy first officer Una Chin-Riley was on trial, and how it links all the way back to Khan Noonien Singh.
Read more »
'Save Star Trek Prodigy': Fan Campaign & Season 2 Hopes Confirmed By EPOn the heels of Star Trek: Prodigy's cancelation by Paramount+, a fan petition to save the show gains steam, as does hope for season 2.
Read more »