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I know alot of you don't know that I have a play by e-mail game called Battlestar Cruiser Yatleau out there in Yhaoo Groups land. Well I do. Course it has done much in the past year or so and that is mainly due to real life. But is that and issue now you ask? No it isn't however I will say that I can not predict when real life issues won't poke it's nasty head up and force me to have to deal with them it is something we all face.

Battlestar Cruiser Yatleau (http://www,usscommonwealth.org/yatleau) is set right after the cylons have attacked the colonies and is returning from a five year deep space exploration mission. I'd like to revive the Battlestar Cruiser Yatleau with a new crew and restart the story line. If anyone out there is interested give me yell. Oh and if you want to play a cylon even those who don't know they're a cylon that's cool too. Heck I'll even allow Commander Adama and company to be played in the game.

Hello everyone,

It is with great pleasure that we present this little sit down discussion with Rick Worthy...thank you Rick for taking the time to answer the questions I threw at you!

Listen everyone, Rick is a super cool guy and a lot of fun to talk to and on top of that he's a member of this very club...so go say hi!

Anyway without further ado, I present Mr. Rick Worthy...

Shawn: You grew up in Detroit and I also understand your Dad worked in the auto industry...so what turned your mind to acting?

Rick: Yes, I grew up in Detroit, a child of Motown and automobiles.

Almost everyone in my family worked for GM, Ford or Chrysler or in a business that was somehow connected to the Big 3 auto manufactuars.

My Mom and Dad saw the birth of Motown music...The Supremes, The Four Tops, etc...and my Mom once told me, "Honey, there were many,many singing groups from that time that didn't 'make it'."

My Dad knew a couple of the Four Tops.

I knew I didn't want to go into the automobile industry and I knew I couldn't sing either, but I had an itch to be on stage.

My Mom taught me and my brother how to dance and she made brilliant costumes for us and started entering us in school talent shows.

Hey man, we were moonwalking long before Michael Jackson!

It's true!

Ask my Mom!

Anyway, I suppose that's how my career started, as a dancer.

I eventually found my way into the theatre in high school and in college and that's when I really knew that I was an actor.

Shawn:  So you actually started acting in high school then?

Rick: Yes, first in high school, I did a production of "The Wiz" and then I got very involved in theatre and film at the University of Michigan.

During that time I was in a brilliant production of "The Meeting"  by Jeff Stetson.

"The Meeting" is a play about the fictional meeting of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King a week before Malcom X's assassination.

I played Rashad, Malcolm X's bodyguard and my acting professor played Malcolm X.

I learned a grat deal during that time.

It was as great, great experience.

Shawn:  So your first experience was acting on the stage...how did that impact your outlook on the craft?...did it change any pre-conceived notions you might have had about acting in general?

Rick: After "The Meeting" I was asked to be the lead in the play "The Mighty Gents" by Richard Wesley.

"The Mighty Gents" is a great play about gangbangers from New Jersey who are approaching the 30 year old mark...they're not young kids anymore with dreams of a better tomorrow...that tomorrow has arrived and they find that they haven't really grown or gone anywhere better.

I played the leader of the Mighty Gents, "Frankie" and it was one of the best experiences I could have ever had.

A great deal of work was set before me and I happily dove in and soaked up as much as I could of Frankie and his world.

I learned a lot about stage acting, what it takes to carry a play and how to work effectively with a rather large ensemble of actors and crew.

But at this time, I still had a lot to learn about on-camera acting.

I had worked on-camera a couple of  years prior to "The Mighy Gents" and I had no idea what I was doing...I was completely new and had no solid idea of the craft or skills of film acting.

But I was grateful for the opportunity and it defintely got my career started.

Film/TV acting and stage acting are different.

They say that if you can act on stage, you can act on film...I think that's true.

But what is also true is that if you can act on film, that doesn't necessarily mean you can act on stage.

Julia Roberts was in a Broadway play a few years ago and although I didn't see it, I heard her reviews weren't very strong.

Shawn: You left Detroit to pursue your career...where did you go first & what landed you in Los Angeles?

Rick: I went to Chicago...so many actors think that they have to go to New York or L.A., but thank God my brother was living in Chicago at this time of my life and I visited him after spending a couple of weeks in New York and I went to see a couple of plays when I was there.

I quickly realized that there were a lot of actors living and working in Chicago, NOT L.A. or New York.

Chicago seemed more affordable than New York and it seemed less hectic, so I gave it a shot.

It was was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I started working almost immediately after getting to Chicago and I developed a solid working life as an actor and made some great friends.

But at some point the idea of moving to L.A. started bugging me, because I knew that if I wanted a shot at bigger roles on TV and in film, I had to go to L.A.

So after developing a solid theatre resume and a solid on-camera reel, I moved to L.A.

I've been in L.A. for 17 years now.

Shawn: Talk about your first big break on Television..."Star Trek" has played a very big role in your career thus far...

Rick: My first break was a video game called "Kingon Warrior"...I had auditioned for a few different TV shows when I first arrived in L.A., but I didn't book any of them.

My agent told me that there was a video game being produced by the folks at "Star Trek", and that I hsould go audition for it.

I did and I remember walking in to meet Ron Surma, the Casting Director of all the "Star Trek" series and Jonathan Frakes, "Number One", as I'm sure you guys all know :)

Jonathan liked what I was doing and he offered me a job.

I happily took it, even though I had no car at the time.

It was a 2 week shoot and I played a Klingon and I had so much fun and felt like this was a brilliant first job for me to have in L.A.

This job led to a nice role in "Star Trek: Voyager", where I played Automated Personanel Unit 3947, a robot that B'Lanna Torrez finds adrift in space.

She resurrects him and he eventually kidnaps her and forces her to make more copies of his kind.

That experience put me solidly in the Star Trek world, so to speak and I subsequently worked on Star Trek a few more times after that.

Shawn: Speaking of Star Trek...you appeared in "Star Trek: Insurrection"...what was that like?

Rick: Yes, I appeared in "Insurrection"...it was fun, they made me up to look like a half-man/half-salamander...My Grandma called me from Detroit to tell me she had seen "Insurrection" and she saw me in it...I said "Grandma, how'd you know it was me??"

She laughed and said, "I know your eyes"...Awww, Gotta love Grandma's.

Shawn: I have to throw in on this one...you played a Klingon on "Deep Space Nine"...yes, still "Star Trek" related...was that a process to get into character?

Rick: Playing a Klingon was so much freakin' fun...the hair, the face, the Klingon teeth, the way they speak and walk and their wardrobe..I always saw the Klingon's as a combination of Japanese Samurai who haven't had their morning coffee (or tea!) and African Zulu warriors.

Simply put: Bad-Ass Motherfuckers.

Shawn: Ok, I'm going to move into BSG territory here...your character of Simon...how did you construct him?

Rick: Well, for Simon, I wanted to play him with a simpole and direct objective.

Cylon self-determination.

Whether or not you view the Cylon character as evil or good depends on which side your are on.

From Adama's point of view, the Cylon's represent the unltimate evil (ironically created by Man)...From Cavil's and the other 11 models, the humans represent the greatest obstacle to Cylon existance and freedom.

Yes, Simon has a function, being that of a scientist and doctor, but "The Plan" is his super-objective.

But ahhhh...as we discover in "The Plan", the Cylon plan didn't frakking work!

Why?

They fell in love.

Shawn: In "The Plan" you had to create a dichotomy between the Simon on the Galactica & the Simon on Caprica..did

this create a conflict in your acting method?

Rick: Fun and challenging to play two different versions of "the same guy".

I don't think I've had to do that until "The Plan".

I loved the "softer" Simon, having a wife and daughter...maybe it resonated with something deep inside myself, a longing to have that kind of love in my life..I was very touched when I read the script for "The Plan", brilliantly written by my friend, Jane Espensen.

I love you Jane!

Shawn: Talk to me about what you have got going now...what projects are you working on post-Galactica?

Rick: Right now I'm playing the Alpha Vampire on the show "Supernatural", a wonderful character to play and I must say I love the cast and crew of this show.

They are all great and I think they appreciate being on a super-succesful show.

There are no ego-maniacs on "Supernatural", I can't say that that about 95% of the other shows I've worked on.

Shawn: Hey, if the offered you a part in "Blood & Chrome"...silly question, would you go for it?

Rick: Hell Yes I would take it!!!!!!!

Hahahaha!!!!

You're funny Shawn!!!! ;)

Shawn: I always ask this of actors...but really, what advice do you have for those aspiring to be one?

Rick: Get on stage.

Learn your craft.

Go see theatre, go see films, go see international films, especially with sub-titles, see actors acting.

A long time ago when I was studying theatre in college, I was an extra on a commerical in Michigan.

Someone handed me a book: "How To Be A Working Actor" by Marly Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers.

That book pointed the way for me and a lot of others.

Buy it.

Read it.

It will help you tremendously.

God Bless Everyone and of course, So Say We ALL!!!!

-Rick

Battlestar Fan Club

The Bear Mc Creary Interview

By Herbert Brunner

Cliff Gardner

Shawn O’Donnell

The video that's coming soon

Hello fans, Herb Brunner here. I wanted to share some more about the interview before I get the video out soon.  One thing you’ll notice when we post the video, is that we didn’t do a formal introduction of ourselves at the beginning.  Why?  Well, this is how it went down.

The set up

Cliff and I had arrived early.  It was a casual setting and we began setting up the cameras while waiting for Shawn and Chris. Chris Loomis is the photographer that did Richard Hatch’s photo shoot later that afternoon right before our R. Hatch interview. In the mean time Bear Cliff and I had begun a casual conversation about BSG, the music, and the concert in 2009 at the house of Blues. That night the crowd went wild when the BSG Orchestra performed the track ‘Apocalypse’ that's featured on the stand alone DVD episode called ‘Battlestar Galactica THE – PLAN’. Of course I mentioned Tina Guo - Classical & Electric Cellist. You'll see her do a solo during the 'Apocalypse' performance in the video below. Bear propped his feet up for a moment in response to my joking to Cliff about not getting our socks on film. So bear was  having a little fun too.

If you haven’t finished all season’s one through four of the BSG series on DVD yet, I urge you to not watch THE PLAN until you do.  It will ruin the series, well maybe not ruin it; however there are things that you should not know, and if you do, you won’t have the same fascinating experience of the series. When seen in the it's intended order  - after all seasons have been viewed - THE PLAN is an absolutely incredible addition, the true icing on the cake; yes it’s that good. That’s how important it is to let it rest until the end of season four after the last episode. Trust me don’t do it, or you’ll suffer at the hands - or steel claws rather - of a group of Cylon Centurions.

BEAR'S BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ORCHESTRA AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES SAN DIEGO, CA

BACK TO HERB AND THE BEAR

The interview

The interview with Bear Mc Creary was great. We began filming after a short conversation about the Battlestar Galactica Orchestra performance at House of Blues. Eventually, it suddenly dawned on me - We should be filming! It was off the record but our conversation may as well be part of the interview.  Shawn and Chris were close to the location anyway, I suggested to Cliff that he go ahead and start shooting. This is why the video just cuts into the middle of a conversation. That’s one long explanation Uh? Well I’ve been known to be complicated. Of all the questions I asked Bear, one was about his vividness of BSG scenes and their corresponding scores. Many moons have passed the work has been done, the series is long over, other projects have been on the table and more on the rise.I was curious if even to this day when he performs BSG music if he's has a strong vividness of every detail of a scene while performing it's corresponding score. 

For example, while casually performing a simple piano version of ‘Prelude to War’, but perhaps in the comfort of his own home or studio. Is it only the music or both?

PRELUDE TO WAR

We certainly think you’ll enjoy the video. It will be available soon, and you'll hear first hand Bear's personal experience, and input about it, and he did actually have much  to say about that question; including the musicians that perform his scores and the emotional aspect. Bear Mc Creary graciously went on to answer  and discuss more of my questions. He was very open expressive, and flowed though every detail. I’m sure Shawn, Cliff and Chris would all agree that it was a great experience!

What about you fan club members? When you hear the music by itself, long after having completed an episode or the entire series of BSG; do you remember, visualize specific details vividly?  I know I do.

How ironic that through Bear's music of Battlestar Galactica, I've learned to appreciate a new genre, and that would be classical.  I've always listened to the genre of soundtracks for years. Not all of the music throughout the Battlestar Galactica series is is what I would expect to hear in a typical classical concert setting, it is what it is for a purpose.

Some Battlestar Galactica scores I assume do fit right into the classical genre right? In any case, when it comes to the classical genre, I now see beyond my personal likes or dislikes of a piece of music in itself, I have a greater appreciation for the talent, skills, true art, and passions of the musicians behind the language of the piece of music. 

I'll be attending a classical music concert April 10th 2011. The Concert by Pantoum Trio includes Cecilia Tsan - Cellist, and friend of many years. Cecillia Tsan has recorded several times with Bear Mc Creary throughout this year.

BSG music in the real life of fans

According to Bear, there have been many testimonies from fans that have used the BSG music in their weddings and other personal events. Apparently people have also related to their parent(s)when hearing the Wonder My Friends theme or Adama Family theme. Personally, I can relate to that, it reminds me of my own life interaction with my father as well.

BSG as a SciFi Drama

In the end Battlestar Galactica set a new standard for SciFi and is considered a SciFi Drama and rightly so. I have no doubt that BSG would have made it into the drama category, but without Bears music behind the feel of every moment, that "drama" category would have been more difficult to reach.

Ending

Bear says hello to a couple of friends of mine, and that was really cool for him to do.  We greatly appreciate Bear Mc Creary for giving us the opportunity to for this interview for our fan club.  We appreciate his talents, his art in music, the talented musicians in his BSG Orchestra, and all who record with him on other projects as well.

Thank you Bear Mc Creary for all that you do.

BSG Orchestra HOB Concerts – Highlights

'The Shape of Things to Come'

Links

My Personal Favorites

'Roslyn and Adama'

'Passacaglia'

'The Shape of Things to Come'

'Prelude to War'

'Worthy of Survival'- (music and fan made video)

'Dark Unions'

'Someone to Trust'

'All Along the Watch Tower' - (Music and fan made video)

'Kara's Last Moments' - (Music and fan made video)

'Pegasus'

'A Promise to Return'

'The Line'

'Admiral and Commander'

'Allegro'

'Storming New Caprica' - (Music and fan made video)

'Colonial Anthem' - Bear's remake of Stu Phillips original BSG theme.

Ah Yes.. I am not what most would call a "typical" Syfi fanboy, but after an acquaintance of mine talked me into watching the three hour pilot of BSG i was forever a changed man. I've now watched the entire series 3 full times. (each time inviting a new atypical viewer to watch it with me.) The only negative i have found in this brilliantly put together goldmine of artistic beauty, is that i become so immersed in it, that i find myself deeply depressed with the inadequacy of every day life. I have been blessed with a more than fantastic family. My childhood was completely fulfilling and trauma-free. But in retrospect, i feel i missed a tons of life lessons in said growin' up years. I've seen Battlestar reach a crowd of folks so diverse in nature. Reach them into the core of who they really are. from questions about their god or gods, to how far someone would go for those they love. Battlestar galactica showed me a different way to look at many of lifes journeys, lessons imperative that we face, sooner or later. I am here to show my appreciation to all involved, including you all, my kind of FRAKIN' people!! Thank you making this an actual working flowing avenue for fans all over the world.

So say we all..