SiddigEvent

Siddig El Fadil Day – Sunday 19^th May 2002

Report by Iain Baillie

"Question & Answer Session at Page's Bar, London."

iainbaillie@hotmail.com

Siddig El Fadil is of course the real name for Alexander Siddig, the actor who plays Star Trek Deep Space Nine's "Dr. Julian Bashir".

Louise and I turned up at 11:45 for this one day, fan club run event. After we grabbed a perfectly strategic table, and a few drinks at a Star Trek themed pub in London - Siddig turned up. A professional photographer on hand, took a group photo, which after developing on the day - Siddig would autograph later. We were also pleased he recognised us from the London Expo event, which happened on the day before.

He then showed us a video of "Profit & Lance", which was the last DS9 episode that he directed. This episode allowed us to see Siddig's vision, and he explained why some scenes that were cut, or changed.

He was delighted, that after a year of training, every actor on DS9 could go on to direct an episode - and that the best part was you were paid a minimum of $22,000 - and he'd of course be paid a lot more. (Along with a 50% cut for the 1^st time the episode was repeated), so it was easy money for an actor to make.

The deleted scenes from "Profit & Lance":-

The opening scene had Quark basically exerting his influence over a Dabo girl to get sex - by saying that he was the boss - and that she was essentially his property - the Dabo girl agrees, and just as Quark lays his head on her chest, and begins to get his ears rubbed - is interrupted.
A scene with Moogie and Quark arguing was also cut - this was supposed to be the real reason why Moogie turns sick, and Quark needs to replace her as a woman. Quark tormented his mother by saying things such as "You're the worst thing that's ever happened to Ferenginar", which after all the arguing - gives Moogie a heart attack. The Powers That Be, however, didn't like that, and felt that no son would talk to their mother like that (yeah - no-one's ever argued with their mother before) - and as a result, the scene had to be reshot.

In Quarks' quarters, where the Ferengi owner of "Slug-o-Cola", Nilva, is trying to make a pass at the female Quark - Quark jumps up, and holds onto a rail, in an effort to escape the affections of Nilva - however Nilva jumps up, and grabs hold of him/her. At this moment, Brunt walks in to reveal that him/her is a male!

Q I liked your original idea of explaining why Quark was acting hyper-emotional after having his sex change operation into a woman.

A Yes. The scene where Quark explains that he's taking hormone pills is a lot less offensive, for what some female fans hated - that because Quark was a woman, she over-reacted.

Siddig also said that "I didn't have an overly enjoyable experience directing" - and that he wouldn't go back to directing Star Trek again - especially one that involved a lot of prosthetics. "I must admit that I was very angry at some of the cuts, but it was all so silly - and I'm not bothered about it at all now." "I never asked to direct again".

"Rick Bermans' favourite director came in to shoot some scenes but this happened all the time on the series, and I wasn't offended by it."

"My favourite scene was the Maralyn Monroe (From 'Some Like It Hot') - which started off at Quarks' feet - with a slow pan to show the breasts, and then up to the earrings. I loved that shot."

"However - getting the cinematographer to shoot that scene was horrendous - he quit, and stormed out. I went to get him, and brought him back, and asked him to apologise to everyone on the set - he refused and walked back out again. At this point I had had enough - and walked out myself - someone got me from the car park, which is as far away from the sets as possible, and we went back to shooting."

Q You said it was difficult directing the prosthetic heads?

A Yes - but Armin Shimmerman is fantastic. He's a directors' dream and always comes up with great ways to express himself through the makeup, and gives advice on the scene should actually be shot. However - I'd never want to do another Ferengi episode again (although, by sheer coincidence - both my directing skits on Deep Space Nine were Ferengi episodes).

Siddig then went on to explain that Star Trek is a producers medium and not a directors one. That basically the director makes his first cut, with the junior editor - then Ira Steven Behr, the Executive Producer edited it with the senior editor - before being submitted for the final Rick Berman cut.

Siddig also pointed out the Ira Steven Behr and Rick Berman didn't get on at all well. Siddig felt that Ira Steven Behr turned the series around by introducing the Defiant starship, and Worf - which he admitted were nothing more than desperate ratings points. The Defiant was introduced because fans didn't like the fact that it was station based (he wondered where on Earth they got the idea of a space station sci-fi series!), and that fans wanted a starship to explore things. He also commented on the fact that "Seven of Eleven" was also introduced as a ratings ploy.

However - Siddig was very grateful to Rick Berman as Berman saved the Bashir character from being axed at the end of season one as "I wasn't the most popular character on the show. But Rick fought for my survival - and for that I'm grateful."

"Now let's talk money, the 007 episode was the most expensive to make with regard to all the crew costs. Basically we ran into terrible problems with the overtime. The ideal thing, if you're an actor is to work more than 12hrs a day. After 12hrs (including the time taken to get into makeup), you get paid double time. More than 14hrs and you get triple time. For an early role call, and you don't get the industry union minimum number of hours off - you get $1000 - regardless if you're an actor or crew member. Even people like Armin Shimmerman, who got in at 05:00 in the morning wanted to stay on for the overtime. They wanted to stay on late, and not finish a scene - unless it was completed. For 'Distant Voices', I cleared well over $7000 on those early morning role calls. All the main actors on the series were paid the same amount per episode - even if they delivered a single line."
Q A Deep Space Nine movie?

A Never. Perhaps in 6 years or so - but I doubt it very much. Patrick Stewart's the man who basically makes a Star Trek movie. If he agrees to do Star Trek XI, there'll be another Next Generation movie. There was talk a while back about an IMAX film - but that's on the backburners - so the only hope is for an ensemble film, with a load of all the cheaper actors in it - like me! The "No Deep Space Nine movies" comes from above Rick Berman's head - well into the upper hierarchy of Paramount, as Deep Space Nine was never a ratings success. It was confusing to have two Star Trek series running at the same time, and often aired in the USA at the same time of day, but on different channels - splitting the audience. Paramount always tried to compare Deep Space Nine with The Next Generation, but they're completely different.

Q So was Deep Space Nine a victim of The Next Generations success?

A Yeas and no. If The Next Generation wasn't successful - they wouldn't have demanded that Rick Berman create another series mid-way through the Next Generation's run. It was Paramount that pushed the series, and made Rick do another one.

Q What about the film you’re doing now? 'Reign of Fire'?

A It looks a bit shit. I was annoyed that I was having a few months in the USA, and had to get all the way back to the UK to do some voice over stuff - I wanted to do it in the States, or Canada - but they wanted the UK. But I get toasted by a dragon anyway!

Siddig then went on to explain the filming of 'Reign of Fire.'

"I was starring with 2 big stars - Matthew McConaughey & Christian Bale, but all the kids on the set - which we filmed in Ireland, kept coming up to me, pointing and saying 'Look! - It's Dr. Bashir - can I have your autograph?' - much to the annoyance of my supposed more famous co-stars. They even said 'You can get your friends in it too, if you want'! However McConaughey passed the word round to us that he wanted to be called ' Van Zan', the character in the movie. This was even outside the set - you know if we were having dinner or something. I suppose when you earn all the millions he did that you need something."

Q What are you doing now?

A "Night Witches" - I'm supposed to be directing it - but now the budget's spiralled out of control, I think they're bringing in a bigger director - and that I'll be lucky to be 2^nd directors chair.

I then asked:

Q Why did Terry Farrell leave - was she fired?

A No. She asked for a bigger pay rise. It's like poker - you reach a certain stage in negotiations, and you don't back down. She lost though. Still, Paramount hired her back for 'Becker', 2 months later, for double her old salary.

I followed up with:

Q So - why was she excluded from the flashback scenes in the last ever Deep Space Nine episode 'What You Leave Behind'?

A Sour grapes from the producers I think. If they wanted to use the footage - they could have. When you do a role in Star Trek, especially as a main actor, you sign your life away in a 26 page document, which means your likeness. If they pay you for an episode - they can use the footage as often as they want to.

Q Are you living in the UK now?

A Yes. I prefer living here. I live with my dad and sometimes my brother on his farm. I hated LA - it was a poisonous environment. I loved New York, but I just wanted to go home.

Q What do you watch on TV?

A Documentaries. When I was in the States, I only liked things like the Discovery Channel. I like things like small fluffy animals on TV. Especially when a larger fluffy animal comes along and eats them. But, I really hate fish! I love Seinfeld and Ally McBeal, but I really hate Friends with a passion. When I was 19 and pissed, I enjoyed watching Prisoner Cell Block H.

Next, Siddig lit a cigarette before saying "I'm sorry - I know it damages your health - but I'm not a real Doctor!"

Q What do you want to do next?

A Something with Malcolm. (Later it was revealed that Malcolm McDowell who was in 'Star Trek Generations as Dr. Soran' was in fact Siddig's Uncle).

I'd like to do a remake of 'Khartoum' with him.
"When Malcolm got the role for Star Trek Generations, he phoned me to say he was 'working for your lot', and that the script was shit. He only wanted to do it to kill of Captain Kirk.
Q Yeah. That's why I hate Brannon Bragna!

A Brannon got some really bad e-mails and hate mail about that - FBI worthy!

Q What do you think of Voyager?

A It's designed for people who eat at McDonalds when they're in Russia. It's back to basics - a starship etc, however The Powers That Be lost a lot of fan respect for that series. I hear Enterprise is better? (An eerie silence from the audience!).

Q Heard anything about Nemesis?

A Yes. Levar Burton was on the phone to me a few weeks back, and he said it was excellent. Mind you, he said that Insurrection was excellent. So, I'm kind of doubtful.

Q Would you do something like Moulin Rouge?

A I'd love to - but I can't sing.

The next part of the event was the best. Siddig circulated amongst the small crowd (about 12 tables) - and sat at each one for a good 25 minutes each, signing the autographs that were on sale. This was a fantastic opportunity - to be up close and personal with a Star Trek star.

(The above photo has a great note on the back for Terry Farrel, who I'm meeting at the Las Vegas Convention in August 2002)

I was delighted that he took time out for such a personal and intimate experience. I complimented him on his work, and asked him about his love of Seinfeld - and he indicated that Jason Alexander (who guest starred in Voyager) was asked to do Deep Space Nine, but his filming commitments were too prohibitive.

Next, there was an auction of genuine, authentic, real Star Trek props.

First up was an autographed script from "Treachery, Faith & The Great River", which went for £185, mainly because it lacked a lot of the major casts' signatures.

An autographed script for Voyager's episode "Pathfinder" went for £265 - something I did seriously bid on up to around £250 until I backed down. Damn my good mental skills of restraint. It was signed by the entire cast except from Jeri Ryan.

Small script scribe notes, used by Rene Auberjonis (it had Odo makeup smudged all over it) - went for £80 each, for 2 different sets.

Press Packs were also sold for £45 each.

Sadly this was the end of a brilliant day - as I had to leave for my 20:00 train back up home to Middlesborough - but a truly excellent day - Siddig El Fadil was a pleasure to see live, in action - an event like no other I've ever experienced - and something I'd like to do again!