Not everyone who appeared on Star Trek got a line, a screen credit, or even their name on the call sheet. Nearly sixty years later, that can turn a face clearly visible on screen into a genuine archival mystery.
This week, The Trek Files welcomes veteran Deep Space Nine assistant director B.C. Cameron for a look at the working life of Hollywood’s background performers. The starting point is a mystery explored in the latest Inside the Roddenberry Archive: identifying Al Jones, an uncredited performer prominently seen as one of the thralls in “The Gamesters of Triskelion.” The episode’s production call sheets tell us which principal actors were required, which sets were in use, and simply how many “atmosphere” players and stand-ins were needed but not necessarily who those background performers were. Separate Extra Talent Call Sheets from Independent Casting provide the missing names, allowing the surviving paperwork to be pieced together and Jones finally identified.
B.C. brings useful perspective to that paperwork. Before spending all seven seasons working as an assistant director on Deep Space Nine, she began her own career as a background performer and stand-in, including an early job standing in for Jane Fonda on Comes a Horseman. B.C. and Larry explore the hierarchy between credited actors, featured performers, union and non-union extras; why call sheets generally listed background by type or number rather than name; and what life was like when tomorrow’s paycheck could depend on a call from Central Casting. They also look at how Deep Space Nine developed its own reliable stable of recurring background players and how “Trials and Tribble-ations” required the production to cast performers who could actually match the extras seen in footage shot three decades earlier.
Documents and additional resources
From unlikely beginnings – a character created to introduce music videos to UK audiences – sprang a trailblazing, underappreciated #cyberpunk chapter in American genre TV. Sci-Fi 5 reloads Max Headroom into your memory.
Follow Sci-Fi 5 for your daily dose of science-fiction history.
Written by Shane Vaughn
Hosted by Ryan Myers
Music by Devin Curry
As we bring this Mission Log: The Orville journey to a close, we’re excited to welcome back André Bormanis—author of The Guide to The Orville, science consultant for Star Trek, and a key creative force behind The Orville since its inception. André shares insights from working on all three seasons, reflects on the evolution of the show, and discusses his approach to blending science with storytelling.
🌟 And we’re thrilled to announce the winners of our Master Replicas giveaway!
🎉 Congratulations to all the winners! If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry—more exciting content and giveaways are coming your way.
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Credits: Technical Director: Earl Green Producer: John Champion Executive Producer: Eugene Roddenberry
Produced by Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved
Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry.
To fans, they were the Great Bird of the Galaxy and the First Lady of Star Trek. To their friends and co-workers, Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett Roddenberry were, perhaps, slightly less mythic figures with their own very human quirks, but still beloved and admired. In this panel from the TrekTalks 5 telethon in support of the Hollywood Food Coalition, Gene and Majel are remembered by those who knew them.
Podcast hosted by Earl Green & Ashley Thomas TrekTalks panel hosted by John Champion Panel guests: Fred Bronson, Denise Crosby, Ernie Over, Rod Roddenberry
About Gene-ology
Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry’s early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene’s creative genius.
In This Episode
Memories of Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett Roddenberry from those who knew and worked with them
Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at missionlog@roddenberry.com
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Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation
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Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry’s early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene’s television legacy.
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Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.
The 44th edition of popular science fiction convention Shore Leave is coming up, and there are some changes afoot. Michael Schilling joined me to talk about them, plus the convention’s history and the celebrity guests you can expect to see if you attend. I’m T. Rick Jones and this is your Daily Star Trek News.
Shore Leave website: https://www.shore-leave.com/
Shore Leave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoreLeaveCon
Shore Leave on X: https://twitter.com/ShoreLeaveCon
She’s the voice of the computer on Star Trek Prodigy but when Bonnie Gordon isn’t acting or singing she’s hanging with some ghosts. That’s right chanteuse Bonnie Gordon loves ghosts! She tells host Clare Kramer and guest co-host Jake Marin all about how she first got into spirits, her most memorable paranormal encounters, and even how her an her mom have been written about in ghost hunting books. Only on Fanaddicts!
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In this supplemental episode of Mission Log: Prodigy, Char and Marina welcome writer Jennifer Muro to the show. Muro has worked with several well-known franchises, such as DC, Marvel, and Star Wars, but as a lifelong Star Trek fan, working on Star Trek has been one of her favorite experiences in her career. Char and Marina learn details about working on Prodigy’s second season, the contributions Jen’s most proud of, and tidbits about scenes cut from the four episodes she wrote for the show.
🌟 About Prodigy: Star Trek: Prodigy follows a group of young aliens who stumble upon an abandoned Starfleet ship, igniting an adventure to seek a better future. Packed with thrilling adventures, moral lessons, and the iconic Star Trek values, this series captivates audiences with its compelling storytelling and dynamic characters.
🔍 In This Episode:
Our hosts break down the Messages, Morals, and Meanings woven into this episode.
Explore how the events of this episode fit into the bigger picture of the season’s storyline.
We’ll discuss pivotal moments, major character developments, and what this episode reveals about the characters’ journeys.
Uncover connections to previous Star Trek lore and explore how this episode ties into the larger Star Trek universe.
💬 Join the Conversation: We want to hear your thoughts! What messages stood out to you? How do you think this episode shapes the season’s narrative? Share your theories and reactions with us by leaving a comment!
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Marina Kravchuk: Twitter | Instagram Marina’s Trek Events Database: Trek Calendar
Mission Log: Prodigy is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive Producer: Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry. For more great content, visit Roddenberry Podcasts.
Produced and edited by Earl Green.
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Thank you for listening, and let’s keep exploring the stars together!
You asked, Holly answers! Before Mission Log sets a course for Star Trek: Enterprise, we put our new co-host through a listener-supplied Trek interrogation. Holly talks about growing up with Star Trek, the characters and episodes closest to her heart, her work as an archivist, and even makes a case for some of Trek’s less-loved corners.
Plus, we look ahead to what Holly and John are most excited to explore when Mission Log tackles Enterprise. We’ll be back with one more Q&A (this time, Anything But Star Trek) before Enterprise officially goes into the Mission Log in just a few weeks.
Hosted by John Champion and Holly Amos
Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show’s most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In every episode of Mission Log we…
Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog
SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week’s show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media:
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Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1
Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here:
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THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you – Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord!
Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director – Earl Green Producer – John Champion Associate Producer – Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer – Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved
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