Do franchise actors have an edge directing today's series?
Many Star Trek actors have stepped behind the camera, from Leonard Nimoy to LeVar Burton, and Frakes is no stranger to this process. He directed two Next Generation films and helmed episodes from virtually every series in the franchise.
However, Starfleet Academy is a series that's viewed through the eyes of the young. For the most part, these are untested actors playing untried cadets, so letting them lean on and support each other instead of leading with any arrogance that might come with his identity as a legacy actor can set a strong foundation for a fledgling series or improve a franchise film — if you know, you know.
For example, Frakes's suggestion that George Hawkins fall through the doorway rather than lean on it gave the young actor permission to find his playful side. This often helps teach young actors comedic timing and humor, which is a vital element to any Star Trek series. (Continued on page 3...)