Avery Brooks in Valley Forge, PA

Written by Sashi Alexandra German on December 13, 1996

At the Creation convention on Sunday, December 8, 1996 Avery Brooks came to the Philadelphia area for a convention for the second time in two years, having previously appeared at a convention in Fort Washington, PA in 1994. I saw Brooks back then and was able to see him again at this convention and he was just as moving, just as energetic and fantastic as he was two years ago. Sporting glasses and wearing a brown overcoat and brown pants with a black T-shirt, he otherwise looked just like the Sisko we all know and love on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9." He was originally scheduled on stage for about 40 minutes, but actually went for 50 (much to the annoyance of the Creation organizers. Oh well.)

Overall Brooks was a joy to see, especially since he had an obvious impact on the black members of the audience. There were a large number of black men, women and whole families that had obviously come to see him and it was obvious he had a great impact on them. Brooks spoke about priorities, focus and some really inspirational things. I think those attending did not leave disappointed.

Thank you to the fans

Brooks began his talk by saying, "I, on behalf of all those who work and have been a part of the huge part of Star Trek -- for which I am a little piece -- I thank you." He was very gracious from the get-go.

30th anniversary TV Guide

He then launched into an explanation about the recent 30th Anniversary Star Trek TV Guide issue where he felt he was written up very poorly by TV Guide's Michael Logan. Brooks said he has learned that one must be very careful what you say, especially when you are talking to TV Guide. He explained that when Logan called him, the writer said the "Star Trek Legacy" was bigger than anything -- even bigger than Brooks. He asked Brooks what his legacy would be to Star Trek, and he answered, "I don't know... I'm still working on it (legacy)." Well, apparently Logan just didn't like the answer and wrote the odd comments he did (check your anniversary issue for details). Brooks said he has never been ungrateful for anything in his life and was annoyed that Logan made him out to look that way. He said he is very grateful for "the weekly communion with fans I have every week... but that Michael Logan... should he be angry again, should not use TV Guide to carry on his personal agenda." Because of the article, people came up to him and asked him what his problem was... and Brooks said he had to say it was Michael Logan's fault in the way he wrote the answers to questions.

Star Trek

Brooks said he enjoyed doing the DS9 "Tribbles" episode, "but I could do without the uniform."

On any plans for a DS9 movie? Brooks said he has no specifics about any DS9 movie and that he rarely knows what is happening with upcoming scripts and episodes of the series, let alone a movie. He said we should speak with Paramount about that.

He was complimented by one fan on how he looked as a Klingon. Brooks's immediate remark was, "That's the first and last time! There won't be any more of those!" and he laughed quite a bit.

When asked about laughter on the set -- are there times when he laughs more than others, he said he laughs during so many episodes, it's hard to pick one where he's laughed more than another. He said he was recently filming an episode in the Ward Room and had all this dialogue while the rest of the cast had only one line. He described how he was going on and on in this speech and the cast was just staring at him blankly, not really listening and he kept breaking up and laughing. The fourth time they shot the scene, I just walked out of the room laughing because I couldn't take it any more."

Relationship with Cirroc Lofton (Jake)

He was asked about his relationship with actor Cirroc Lofton who plays Sisko's son, Jake. Brooks said he feels like Cirroc is his own son and "I hope that genuine affection comes across the screen." Much of the crowd responded "yes."

How long would he like to work in Star Trek? "Until they fire me. Who knows."

One fan talked about Brook's comedic timing on DS9. Was comedy in his blood? Brooks replied, "Oh... Daily!" and laughed (referring back to the constant laughter on the set).

Getting the part of Sisko

On getting the part of Sisko, he said he did a screen test when he flew out to Los Angeles, and then "laughed and went home" (to New jersey). Then he got the part. He said he took the Star Trek role because he was compelled by the stories. "Sooner or later Humans will have to meet aliens and the like." He was compelled by the idea of a brown man who was doing internal searching... that it's also necessary to instruct children. He said race will still exist 300 years from now and that there will still be black people. 300 years from now Humanity will still be around and the equation of Humanity will still be there, and questions will be asked.

Brooks was asked about the character of Cassidy Yates and will she return? He replied, "Yates is a very busy lady." When asked if Sisko was in for another confrontation with Picard, "I don't know. I doubt if Patrick will come back to the small screen" (after doing the last two Star Trek movies).

Brooks at one point said, "Never give Sisko a ship! He always tears it up!" He said he was at the "Star Trek: First Contact" premiere and was sitting next to Terry Farrell & Michael Dorn. He wanted to ask Dorn (through Terry) what happened with the Defiant in ST:FC but cornered Dorn later and asked him, "What's going on?? Man, what were you doing? WHO gave you permission??"

As a Human Being, what has he brought to the Sisko character? He said he has brought his parents, Samuel and Eva Brooks to Deep Space 9. "Everything that I am, the best that I am" is what he brings forward. "Humanity is what I'm mostly interested in. The journey is still here on Earth no matter what, even though we look to the stars." Brooks feels 300 years from now the search will still be here (pointing to his heart), in the soul.

What is the hardest part of the job? Concentration. After about 14 hours, "I'm like, what am *I* doing?" This is especially the case after wearing the Starfleet uniform for hours on end. He says shooting for every season begins in the Summer, and there he is wearing the uniform in July and people come up to him and ask him if he's working that day. Of course he is! But it's as if he wears nothing else. But over all.... concentration is the hardest part because there so much detail to pay attention to.

What was the hardest episode of DS9 to film? He said probably the pilot episode "Emissary" "Because it was all so new." On the other hand, it was kind of hard to take anything seriously in "The Wadi" when the cast was hopping around and singing "Alamoran."

Brooks was asked what he hated most about filming? "The Ward Room," because he usually has to talk a lot and give long speeches.

Personal

He was asked about teaching at Rutgers University. He said he plans to teach there more, especially since he is tenured there until "they no longer want me." He said he loves the freedom of the classroom where "you get to speak the truth, with no producers and no directors."

Does he plan on doing more directing? If not on Star Trek, somewhere else? He said of course he would. He said directing is something he has done for years, and something that is "not a new world for me, but it is for some of the other actors."

Brooks was asked about any upcoming interviews? He responded there was nothing he was prepared to talk about, "but others with much more talent than I have plenty to say." He said he's very flattered by all the adoration, but is often struck by how little he knows -- his kids remind him of that! He said he reserves the right to be quiet. With the 30th Anniversary celebration, he felt he could not speak any more eloquently than his work. He said people affronted by this kind of response (Logan). "To be in the public eyes is the opportunity to exercise your right in a forum. I have the forum, but that doesn't give me the right to say what I want."

When asked how he got into acting, Brooks replied that he's an actor because he has a union card. Other than that, he considers himself an artist, being in a situation where he can be articulate about the world.

What does he like most about acting in TV vs. stage? "They are so different... there is no substitute for the human touch" (stage). He couldn't say what was rewarding about working in television... he said he wasn't being ungrateful, just that "TV is often not that rewarding." He said there are so many people involved in the production of a TV show... "you hope you reach someone."

Brooks said he has recently spoken with "Spencer" actor Robert Urich, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Brooks said Urich was doing well "and is fighting."

If an offer to do a Broadway play came along, he said he would do it.

Brooks was asked by a child what his advice was for young people: "Go to school." He asked the child to come up on stage (which he did) and he gave the kid a hug and put his arm around him. He told the kid that making a record or a hit song just isn't going to work in life.... but if you go to school that will work for you.

Hawk

When asked about the differences between the characters of Hawk in "Spencer: For Hire" and Sisko in DS9, Brooks replied that there was the Hawk character in the novels... and then there is the Hawk that he created on television -- an incarnation that was his.

He went on to describe the very first episode of "Spencer" that he filmed where they were at a live game at Madison Square Garden in New York. There's this huge crowd and they have to hide cameras and whatnot, as well as a fake sniper with a fake gun. They start to shoot this scene in the middle of crowd where his dialogue is, "Yeah, I do." So he leans over and says the line... and then he sees the producer walking down all the way from the opposite end of the arena to where he is... says, "Avery, that's just fine... but you're character wouldn't say that." So Brooks re-films the line, "Yeah, I do, King," with a hard expression and attitude that was the Hawk we saw in the series -- it was at that moment Hawk was created.

Miscellaneous

He was asked by a child why he wasn't going to sign autographs for everyone. Brooks replied that he had literally gotten off a train into a car to get here (to the convention center) and had to return home immediately after this convention. There would be no way he could cover everyone. He said he would *love* to sign but just didn't have the time -- perhaps later when he gets older and retires.

He was asked what it was like to be a breakfast cereal? At this point, someone in the front row showed him a Canadian cereal box with his picture on the front. He laughed quite heartily and remarked how little he knows... that nothing has changed. He said he couldn't answer the person's question to save his life.. or save his breakfast (lots of laughter). He remarked that the cereal was Raisin Bran, "at least the box is full of something useful." (more laughter).

He ended his appearance by saying to the crowd, "May God bless you all. May the long time sun shine warmly. May all love surround you. May the bow (?) of life guide you." He left to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

On a final note, for this convention, Creation charged $20 at the door and an additional $55 for those wanting to sit in "Gold Circle Seating" which included front-area seating, as well as a guaranteed autograph (Brooks signed only for those who purchased the gold package). A friend of mine earlier in the week had guessed that perhaps Brooks had no idea that extra money was being charged for the signing package. My friend was right. He stood up in line and told Brooks that he was unemployed and could not afford the extra $55 for an autograph (and asked for a posed photo instead). Brooks responded by saying that he was not aware of the fact that Creation was charging extra for his autographs and was wondering where that extra money was going to because it certainly wasn't going to him. "What are you going to do with that money?" he asked aloud. He then asked Creation to donate that extra $55 (per ticket) to the United Negro College Fund instead of keeping it for themselves. I assure you no one I was seated next to was going to hold their breath thinking Creation management was going to do anything like that. But it was interesting nonetheless to learn that Brooks was not told about (and not given a cut of) the extra charge above the $20 entrance fee.

More Star Trek Con Reports



*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,.
SASHI ALEXANDRA GERMAN
Fleet Captain, USS Thagard, Philadelphia, PA (USA) Star Trek Club
Starfleet Region-7 Deputy Chief of Staff
Member of "Now Voyager" - that fantastic Kate Mulgrew fan club!
sashi@feith.com
-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,._.,-*~'`^`'~*-,.

(C) Copyright 1996 Sashi Alexandra German, , All Rights Reserved. Permission to duplicate electronically, for nonprofit posting on an electronic fora or for other reading enjoyment, is especially granted, AS LONG AS THIS COPYRIGHT NOTICE IS PRESERVED AND NO CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE MATERIAL. No other reproduction in any form is authorized without prior permission from this copyright holder (and that's not hard to get! All you do is ASK!).

Comments or Suggestions

[Main] [Con Reports] [Star Bios] [Star Pic Index] [Klingons] [Aliens]
[Costumes] [Federation] [Autographs] [Makeup] [Sites] [E-mail]

Hits as of December 31, 1997