Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 14, 1993 TAG: 9312090074
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"When I started I weighed 200 pounds and now I weigh about 210," Frakes jokes as he relaxes between scenes in his trailer on the Paramount Pictures lot.
"In terms of Riker as a person, we've injected a bit more irony into him. Our writers have written more scenes showing the relationship between Riker and Troi (Marina Sirtis), which I think are essential.
"I think we, as a cast, have settled into our parts over the years. Our clothes fit us better than they did at the beginning."
One outfit that Frakes, 41, wears especially well is the two-hat actor-director combo.
Since moving behind the camera with the acclaimed episode "The Offspring," Frakes has directed such popular episodes as "Reunion," "The Drumhead," "Quality of Life" and "Attached."
"It's really a split focus when you direct a show you're also acting in, especially if your character is heavy in the show," he says, moving a crate of fan mail off the couch so he can sit down.
"That can be demanding, but other people far better than I have done it before. All I can tell you is it's worth the challenge."
When Frakes directs a show, he tries to create an atmosphere in which the actors feel comfortable enough to experiment with a scene.
This approach seems to work well. Several of the episodes Frakes has directed, notably "The Offspring" and "The Drumhead," are considered by fans to be among the series' finest.
"That's very kind and I don't take it for granted," he says. "A lot of it is just the luck of the draw, to be honest.
"But I am proud and honored that episodes I've directed are well regarded. When one goes well, it usually means I get to do another."
Since "Attached," in which Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Crusher (Gates McFadden) reveal their feelings for one another, went so well earlier this season, Frakes was assigned an episode titled "Sub Rosa," which will air early next year.
Once his work on the series is complete, Frakes will head to the set of the "Next Gen" movie.
The Pennsylvania-born actor, who played several villains early in his career, is eagerly anticipating bringing the heroic Cmdr. Riker to the big screen.
"I'm very excited by the prospect," he says. "I've been making a living as an actor since 1976 and never appeared in a feature. So that should be an interesting introduction."
In late February, Frakes' fans will be able to see him in the ABC miniseries "North and South, Book III: Heaven and Hell." He reprises his Stanley Hazard role from the original 1985 production.
"I took off one `Next Generation' episode to shoot it in San Antonio," Frakes says of the miniseries. "It's the third part of John Jakes' Civil War trilogy."
This section focuses on the Reconstruction period.
"I have a very small part, but it was nice to go back, put on period clothes and see some old friends," Frakes says. "I got to work with Genie, which was also fun."
Frakes is referring to his wife, actress Genie Francis, whom he met while filming the telemovie "Bare Essence" (1982). The two fell in love while making "North and South" and married in 1985.
Today they split their time between a house in Los Angeles and an apartment in Manhattan.
Looking to the future, Frakes says he would like to continue juggling acting and directing projects.
"That would be the logical route. I'd be thrilled to continue directing. I'm hoping my work on `Star Trek' opens some doors," he says.
"I'd love to direct some television and I've got some scripts I'd like to do as films. Hopefully, knock on wood, it will all work out."
Trek alert
If you have Trek news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to "Star Trek" - write to Ian Spelling, care of the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB