"Living in truth is absolutely the way to go. That way... within the bounds of taste, if you're honest and truthful and forthright you won't make any mistakes because that's you. If it's not palatable... sorry." William Shatner (actor, writer, director)
It was cold and windy with slight sprinkles of rain, but that didn't deter the fans that had lined up since early morning to meet two icons of the STAR TREK universe, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. On March 17th the two actors were at the Century City Shopping Center in Southern California to celebrate the national launch of their new DVD/VHS project MIND MELD: SECRETS BEHIND THE VOYAGE OF A LIFETIME.
MIND MELD is an extremely open, sometimes emotional discussion between the two actors exploring their part in the STAR TREK phenomena and their amazing friendship over the last three decades. Originally, the DVD was available only through the Internet at williamshatner.com, but it was such a success that they decided to release it nationally and there is already talk of a series of MIND MELD projects.
Several hundred people stood outside waiting patiently, clutching photos, posters, books and the covers of their recently purchased MIND MELD trophy. It was only one autograph per person from each actor, but that gave the fans enough time to ask questions to Shatner and Nimoy or simply say "thank you" as many people did.
Shatner and Nimoy at the MIND MELD signing
© Sue Schneider
Leonard Nimoy arrived exactly at the appointed time of 2 p.m. to meet and greet the fans, but declined to talk to the media. A spokesperson for the event explained that Nimoy was only there for the fans, not the press.
Thankfully, Shatner, who had arrived earlier, answered questions and poised for pictures for the horde of photographers and press people crowded into the FYE: Movies & Music store.
"The format [of MIND MELD] is an interview," Shatner explained. "Leonard's interviewing me and I'm interviewing him. The thought was to be as considerate and honest as possible without any defense mechanisms that celebrities always have when interviewed. Where are you [the journalist] going to hit me next? How will this be used? How will it be edited so I don't look as good as I could look? Leonard knew that the fact was not to hurt him and not to hurt me. So we were as honest as we could be."
Occasionally the actors were concerned that they could go to far with their honesty. "That's always possible," Shatner admitted, "and in this instance we both had the ability to edit it out. To call it back if you want. And neither of us did. In some interviews in an effort to be open and give you [the press] something new you can go too far and make a mistake in taste, but not here.
Nimoy listens to Shatner at a MIND MELD promotion gig
© Sue Schneider
"I think they [the fans] will see two people who, regardless that they are celebrities are not, are opening up in a manor that I think rarely happens. For some reason, and I'm not sure why, and I don't know if I could repeat it in another MIND MELD, there was a flow. We're great buddies and that was part of the reason, but there was a flow of truth that is rarely seen and that's what people will get out of it."
When asked the inevitable question of how STAR TREK has changed his life, Shatner still paused thoughtfully before answering. "In every which way. We're here this afternoon because of STAR TREK. Who would have thought when we were toiling away on some sound stage at Paramount 34 years ago that there would be hundreds of people looking to get an autograph and a DVD called MIND MELD. That would have been a laugh then. But here you are."
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