Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 8, 1994 TAG: 9403080033
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: IAN SPELLING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"The Los Angeles earthquake hit right in the middle of production," McFadden explains. "I was getting ready for work when it happened.
"I was fortunate, but many people on the crew weren't. There was a tremendous amount of loss for some people."
Though the quake caused a two-day production delay, "Genesis" will air as scheduled, the week of March 21.
The complex episode begins with an encounter between Dr. Crusher (McFadden) and Barclay (Dwight Schultz), every Trekker's favorite hypochondriac.
Crusher makes a mistake that causes a dormant gene in Barclay to activate. Strange things happen as a result.
"People de-evolve, which means they start mutating," McFadden says by phone from her Los Angeles home. "Each person goes back to an earlier form of themselves, which can be a primate or, sometimes, an amphibian."
It's up to Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Data (Brent Spiner), who have been away on a missile-recovery mission, to save their comrades.
After six years of working on "Next Gen," the 40-year-old McFadden knew the cast, characters and sets inside and out. She felt she was well-prepared for her maiden directing voyage.
"It was really exciting," she says. "I had a terrific time. What was great was the story allowed me the freedom to create an atmosphere we'd never seen on the ship before.
"We're not just on red alert. There's no one on the ship capable of running it. The computers are out. There are things all over the floor, which you never see.
"We're usually so pristine on the ship. So I had as much fun as I was allowed in changing the ship's look. I've used Sick Bay in a way nobody has ever used Sick Bay."
McFadden was involved in every aspect of making "Genesis," from discussing the makeup with Michael Westmore to coordinating the actions of the Steadicam moving camera and sitting in on editing sessions.
She says she is pleased with the results and considers "Genesis" the perfect way to wrap up her television "Treks."
"I hope the episode is successful and that people respond to it. It's absolutely the culmination of my `Star Trek' experience. This year has been my best, without any doubt.
"I've had two episodes, `Attached' and `Sub Rosa,' which I loved as an actress. And I loved directing `Genesis."'
Just weeks from now principal photography on the first "Next Gen" feature film will begin. McFadden says she is ready to let the series go but has mixed feelings about the forthcoming movies.
"I'm intrigued by the films but must say I think the first one is a little fast. I was hoping there'd be more time before it happened. For me, personally, the process is a bit rushed.
"Still, I think it's terrific there will be `Next Generation' movies. The `Voyager' series should be intriguing. They really know how to parlay this franchise."
As for life after "Trek," the universe is hers to explore.
McFadden would like to land more directing projects, both in episodic television and the theater.
She is also hoping to spend more time with the men in her life: her 3-year-old son Jack and his father John Talbot.
Thanks to "Trek," McFadden may be able to fulfill those dreams and more.
"It's been a wonderful period in my life," she says. "I didn't have a family when I started the show, and now I do. I've also made very close friends.
"My life has been much enriched by the entire experience, and now I'm excited about the future."
Con calendar March 18-20
Creation at the Pasadena Center in Pasadena, Calif., featuring Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Nana Visitor, Siddig El Fadil, Jimmy Doohan and others. (Call 818-409-0960.)
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 features department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB