IamA Robert Beltran, aka Commander Chakotay from Star Trek: Voyager, and now all yours. AMA!

Hi Robert! I grew up watching Voyager and I started rewatching it last year when I was going through a rough time. Chakotay was so comforting to me! That kind smile and the occasional jokes made me feel a million times better. I just wanted to say thank you for bringing such an amazing character to life. :)

P.S. Chakotay has now replaced my childhood crush on Tom Paris

You're welcome and your choice of Chakotay over Tom Paris shows great discernment.

Hey, I'd just like to say I've been a big fan of Voyager for ages now and found your critisms to be very accurate as to where the show went wrong. But were there any episodes that you found did Chakotay justice, such as that one (can't remember the name) where you were temporarily abandoned on that planet with Janeway and had a chance to work on a romance together?

There were many scenes that I enjoyed working on and generally they out numbered the bad ones. My discontent on the show has been greatly exaggerated, partly because some people take my flippant comments too much to heart. My Voyager experience was wonderful.

Hi, Robert, thanks for doing this! :) Having recently rewatched Voyager, my friend and I were struck by what an obvious racial stereotype Chakotay is. Did it ever bother you/did you ever say anything when going over the script and seeing the 400th "In the ancient legends of my people"?

What bothered me most was trying to find the location of that damned flute that was playing every time I had a private moment. I kept waiting for the pow-wow to start and it never did! Yes, annoying!

Was a kiss scene between Chakotay and Janeway ever filmed, but not screened?

Only at Kate's house with our own private camera. We have had private screenings since. You'll never see it.

Did you wear your Starfleet uniforms? ;-)

Thank you for your willingness to join the spirit of this AMA session and not take things literally or too seriously. Yes, of course we did wear our Starfleet uniforms.

I hope there were special lingerie uniforms. Pips on the pouch, and all that.

The Combadge does present certain problems but a little creativity can solve anything.

Oh come on .... please let us see it .... I'm sure all the Janeway/Chakotay fans could pool some money together to give to Resilient 3D if you would let us see it!!! LOL

Let me get Kate's okay, in anticipation of her positive response go ahead and make your pledge to Kickstarter for RESILIENT 3D, time is running out.

What is your most interesting story of interacting with Trekkies/Trekkers?

One day I was met by a delegation of Trekkies at my front door and when I asked them what they were doing here, they reminded me I had said to them "I hope to see you again someday soon". They only understood what I meant after I ran to get my shotgun.

It's not every day one gets a chance to shoot a delegation of Trekkies.

True. Unfortunately, they were gone by the time I locked and loaded. There is always a chance this could happen again.

I'd recommend not ending your AMA with: "I hope to see you again someday soon"

Thank you for watching my back! Your BFF (at conventions or Twitter) only.

Voyager Final Episode SPOILER WARNING

Thank you for doing this AMA. I just finished watching Voyager a couple days ago and I really enjoyed it. However, I was a bit confused by something in the final episode. SPOILER The romance between Chakotay and Seven of Nine. It just seemed to come out of nowhere. Was that planned ahead of time or was just thrown into the last episode?

Edit: How do I do spoilers? I don't want to ruin the last episode for anyone.

Jeri Ryan insisted on a kissing scene with me. It would've happened earlier but Brannon Braga only caved in after she threatened to break up with him. She's a great kisser by the way.

Now that you're doing sci-fi again, are you looking forward to learning your technobabble lines?

Actually, the technobabble on Voyager is not even comparable to the string theory equations my character is dealing with in RESILIENT. Michio Kaku is the inspiration for my character.

Who's the worst person you have ever met? why is that person so bad?

I met a Wall Street investor and when I left the meeting I had no shoes and my underwear was gone...

Male or Female Wall Street investor? :P

I couldn't tell because the fangs and claws were very distracting.

I've read a lot about how the set of The Next Generation was light and lively, while also having read that the set of Voyager was more of a dour and dark place. Can you speak to the truth of the claim that Voyager's set was not an enjoyable place to work?

Actually most of the crew that worked on TNG worked on Voyager as well. Their observation was that our set was much more lighter and more fun, and generally we were pretty crazy. "Dour and dark" isn't an accurate description.

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Getting fired from a job has never made me fear to be truthful. The fact that I have been working since Voyager left the air tells me no one took my outspokenness too seriously.

If you were to be in other Star Trek series apart from Star Trek: Voyager, which one would you choose?

Well, I personally like Deep Space Nine. Many of the actors on the show I admire, it would have been a privilege to work with them but difficult from the Delta Quadrant.

Bob, can I call you Bob? Listen, its about time we had a talk. You deserve the captain's chair. When will you pilot your own starship? As a fan of all things Trek, I would love to see you in the "new" universe in a commanding role.

Sincerely, Chris.

In RESILIENT 3D I do just that. But don't forget I was Captain of the Maquis ship, before I was betrayed!

I felt that when the writers Ron Moore and Jeri Taylor left Voyager the character development (especially Chakotay) suffered, do you know why they left the show?

I don't know the reasons they left the show, Ron Moore was very critical after they left. I would have to agree that the writing suffered without them.

Hai there!

Do you still keep in touch with anybody from the Voyager days?

^{If so, who?}

yes, we all stay in touch but mostly the guys stay in touch and we make a point of having dinner at least 3-4 times a year at a private location in the Azores.

Do you still speak with John De Lancie?

Yes, we see each other often at various conventions

Mr Beltran,

Based on the Kickstarter description, it sounds like Mars has been colonized already, and that the colony doesn't want to be overrun by a massive influx from Earth. Instead it is your job to figure out how to get the populous to Europa. Is that accurate?

How much focus will be on making sure that the science makes sense? I realize that 2052 will have technology not available today, but will the technology be based on current theories?

Thank you for your work on Voyager, you balanced out Kate Mulgrew very well.

We have been very conscientious of the present day technology and projecting 40 years from now with the help of real scientists who happen to be working on a similar concept ...space colonization.

Are you generally a positive person?

meh...

How would you describe, from your experience, your perception of the Star Trek fanbase? Like, are they welcoming, accepting, brutal, whiny?

This description is true of the older generation of Trekkers, though much more accepting and welcoming. The newer generation of fans carry less baggage and just have fun and enjoy the show.

Hello Mr. Beltran and thanks for doing this AMA.

One question: Have you made it through Star Wars without falling asleep yet? Thanks again.

Star Wars afforded me nearly as much sleep as the Hobbit movies.

Garrett Wang told the most hilarious story I've ever heard at a convention a few years ago, regarding a VERY late night on-set that ended up with Tim Russ violating Ethan Phillips.

No particular question, I just wanted to see if you remembered.

I'm permanently scarred psychologically from having witnessed that violation. I hope I never have another such experience.

Robert... just linked over to your Kickstarter and you are at only 5%. Aside from donating directly, how can we help spread the word? How many days has this been going on and why are we just hearing about it now? What will happen if you cannot get enough crowd-funding by the end of the next 10 days?

We are still in the process and people are learning about it everyday, we are still very hopeful we will get it and that is what we are concentrating on. So if you will do your part in spreading the word that is how it will be successful. And thank you!

I have shared it. I do that a lot with projects I believe in. I helped Kent Boyd (So You Think You Can Dance) with his dance short film and Alexis Cruz (Stargate) with his graphic novel. I have a couple of friends that do Podcasts and I am sure they would love to have you on if you would allow me to do the introductions. One in out of Rochester / Twin Cities, MN... another is out of Altanta, GA... but both are nationwide... and I am in contact with a BIG one out of the UK.

It sounds like a fine idea. You can reach my publicist www.ProdigyPublicRelations.com .... Thanks for the support with the Kickstarter campaign!

Thanks for doing this AMA! How annoying was it when shooting Voyager that half of the male cast had the same first name?

We were distinguished not by our first names but by the amount of hair we had on our heads. So there was Robert, Balding Robert, Bald Robert. Of course, I was Robert.

If I asked this question to the other Roberts, would I get the same answer? :)

Bob Picardo I'm sure is preparing a reply even as we speak. McNeil is applying Rogaine as we speak. They would definately have a different response!

Is your daughter growing up bilingual? Hope it's not a too personal question. greetings from Germany

Yes, for a three year old she is very fluent in German and English and her Spanish is rapidly improving. Plus she has her own language that I'm not sure I want to know. Hahaha!

Robert, Thanks for doing the AMA. While I am sure you get known most for Voyager, how big is your "Night of the Comet" fanbase? Better than a date night in the barrio?

It's amazing how many people have seen and are continuing to enjoy the movie and now, the second or even third generation viewers are making it a cult classic.

Hey Robert, thanks for doing this. Any interesting stories or experiences working on 'Nixon'? How was Oliver Stone as a director?

Oliver Stone called me directly to play the role. It was a great film and I was happy to be a part of it and, obviously, he is a great director.

Tim Russ and Ethan said at a convention, that you were the one the forgot their lines the most! Was that more in the last few years of Voyager when you didn't like Chakotay's development or the scripts, or was that right from the beginning, because you weren't a fan of science fiction?

It is hard to memorize lines that make you nauseous, but Pepto-Bismo really helped.

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My favorite episode was the one with Virginia Madsen. Not only was it an intimate story, but Virginia was great to work with and I am happy we will be working together again on RESILIENT 3D! With a successful Kickstarter campaign (hint, hint) we will begin shooting April 1st.

Hey, thanks for the AMA.

I'm curious, how did you and the rest of the cast react to the ending of Voyager?

I think most of us were surprised at the quick resolution that didn't seem to be prepared correctly but there was nothing we could do about it.

Loved you on Voyager! I used to park myself in front of UPN to catch every new episode as a teenager.

Any good stories you want to share about working on the show? I've heard the story about Jeri Ryan coming in covered in post-its ("not an elbow") and the bloopers make it look like Tim Russ had the time of his life.

Checking out your KickStarter and sending it out to all my Trek nerd friends! There's never enough sci-fi out there, especially smart sci-fi.

Thank you for supporting the Kickstarter campaign, and hopefully your friends will do the same! The truth is we had so much fun on the set that actually getting down to work required the producers to send SWAT teams to the set occasionally. So, one story is hard to pick out from so many I remember.

Hi, Robert! Thanks for doing an AMA. One thing I loved most on Voyager was watching Janeway and Chakotay clash when they disagreed on a major decision. I felt this wasn't done nearly enough, and Chakotay almost always backed down because Janeway had to be "right" as the captain. What were your feelings on this?

Well, Captain or no Captain, all women everywhere always believe they are right. This has been validated with my three of marriage. You have to choose your fights and accept defeat graciously. Happy wife, happy life. Happy Captain, happy voyage.

Hello Mr. Beltran!

One of my personal favorite movies is “Eating Raoul,” and I have a question regarding it for you.

When you signed on to the movie, were you fully aware that the title literally meant your character was going to be eaten? If not, how was this news broken to you and how did you take it? If so, did you find the prospect of your character being eaten a bit bizarre or an interesting step early on in your career?

I read the script so I knew i would be eaten immediately. Because I made such a fine dish, I was happy to be digested!

Mr. Beltran have you ever recorded an audio book? I'm hearing your voice in my head when reading your responses and realized I would like to hear it again.

I've always wanted to do that. How about some Kerouac?

I'll give you $20 and a sandwich immediately if you record Doctor Sax. Legit.

That's exactly the first Kerouac book I would want to record! Can I take the $20 and sandwich as a retainer?

Tell me what kind of sandwich you want and I can arrange something. Maybe a sub from Lowell to keep this authentic?

How about a meatball sandwich from the local Subway in Lowell

So who won the bet over how long it would take you to join twitter? Jeri, Garrett or Robbie?

I didn't know there was there was a bet, but I still can't believe I'm on Twitter. And I'm having a great time. I'm sure this was a bet Garrett concocted because he is an obsessed gambler. And guess what? He won!

Also, what's your spirit animal?

An Elephant! What's yours?

whats the strangest food you've ever eaten?

Sushi

Are you planning to do any theater work again. loved watching you perform as "The Man" years ago xox

Actually you haven't read the latest version but what attracted me to the script was the overall concept, the strength of the characters and the beauty of the story. My character of Dermot is a man with special gifts and these are put to the test and the consequences are the fate of humanity itself.

I saw that you had said that you weren't able to keep any momentos from the show. Aside from your uniform for burning purposes, what would you have kept if they had let you?

Probably the medicine bundle, it would be great if I could talk to my real dead father.

Hey Robert, big fan (kinda had a man crush on you through entire series, hope that's okay) my question is: which episodes are you most proud of? Your favorites etc.

The pilot, "Tattoo", "Unforgettable", "In the Flesh", "Maneuvers", "Scorpion 1 & 2", "Emanations", "Nemesis" and actually quite a few others the titles of which I don't remember. What were yours?

Hello Mr Beltran,

I was wondering if you had an idea of why you are singled out as the main on-cast critic of the Voyager series. It seems every time I read something negative of the show it seems to include a quote from you?

Were you the only person involved with these misgivings about the show or were you simply the most outspoken?

I was definitely the most outspoken, Garrett Wang was also outspoken. But our concern was always the quality of the show.

When filming Voyager, how the hell did anybody get any work done while Jeri Ryan was walking around in that clingy body-suit? I mean, daaaayum!

You're right. When Jeri Ryan was on the set most of the crew volunteered to help adjust her costume. I believe there was a lottery to see who would be chosen for the "job" (Actually, it wasn't only members of the crew).

What charities or causes are you most passionate about?

I hosted a charity for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles while on the show. I still support them and I feel it's a worthwhile charity.

Hey, I am dating myself here, but I went to see "Eating Raoul" in the theater in 1982 when I was in college, and recently told my son that he really needs to watch it.

I was wondering how close are Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov's personalities are to the characters they portray onscreen?

Also, did you have any Native American consultants working with you for the Chakotay character?

Mary Woronov is my good friend and her personality encompass' any character she plays. Paul Bartel was a genius who always played characters with lesser intelligence than his own.

We had no Native American consultants, just a flute player from who got kicked out of Red Bone.

Hi, Mr. Beltran!

How did you feel about the Chakotay/Seven of Nine romance on Voyager? Just from dipping my toe into the fan community, I've seen a pretty wide range of responses to it.

Thanks for the AMA!

The fans who were hoping for a Janeway/Chakotay relationship were disappointed. The fans who were hoping for a Paris/Chakotay were disappointed. I thanked my lucky stars that it ended up Chakotay/Seven of Nine.

Loved your role on *Night of the Comet," any funny / interesting behind the scenes stories?

Yes, I repeatedly turned down the role of 'Hector.' Not until the producers agreed to re-write the part and I was mostly satisfied did I agree to do it. They even went so far as to give me top billing when clearly I was a supporting character.

Bourbon or Scotch Whiskey? Also, have you ever heard of a game called Eve?

Never heard of it. But it sounds scary, although more interesting than a game called Adam. And actually I prefer Tequila.

Good Morning, Mr Beltran - I am a huge fan of Voyager (and Chakotay in particular) and I have three questions :

1) with the Australian convention circuit starting to become bigger and bigger, will you consider coming over for our Supanova (or OzComicCon) event?

2) Did you get to keep the uniform after filming ended?

3) if you had to film one episode of Voyager again, which would it be and why?

I have done one convention in Australia, it was at a Billabong. Hopefully if I return it will be at a five-star hotel! You Aussie's owe it to me ;) If you are serious, please message me directly through Twitter, and that will get things going!

I wanted to keep the uniform, just so I could burn it! But we were not allowed to take anything from the show as memento's.

It would be good to re-do the Pilot episode now that we all know so much more about our characters and the storyline.

This AMA is bringing me to your kickstarter... I see more and more projects financed through websites like this (Veronica Mars comes to mind in particular), do you think this is a direction the film industry will keep moving to?

In some ways it is a very positive development because the fan base can actually choose a project they can get behind if they so choose. The negative side is, it is harder and harder to make an independent film the size and scope of RESILIENT 3D so I do think it is the wave of the future.

Recently there are huge amount of movies and TV-series with generally common theme: end of the Earth due Apocalypses, fatal alien invasion or anthropogenic disaster. Is your new film also connected with that theme?

Yes, but it is strongly rooted in actual science and the positive future of mankind.

Hi Robert, nice to meet you here.

Is there any chance that Resilient 3D will still be filmed if the kickstarter campaign would not be completed successfully?

We are hopeful that we will get there. Any other plan is not being considered at the moment.

How frustratong is it to be castable as "That Indian"... (Big Love,etc)?

Indians are people too. So whether they have feathers in their hair or a space age medicine bundle, the wants and needs and aspirations of the character are always universal. I don't look at the ethnic origin of the characters I play as much as what makes them tick.

Mr. Beltran, hi. I've always wanted to know what your favorite books were.

The complete works of Shakespeare, Carlos Fuentes, and any great historical opus that I happen to be interested in at the time.

Do you teach your daughter to play a piano? If so, which composers she likes more?

My daughter does love to sit at the piano and improvise songs that she makes up. I am teaching her not to bang so hard on the keys even if the lyrics call for it. She's still insistent that her interpretation supersedes mine.

I'm currently watching through Voyager, and man, does it suck ass. Knowing you found the entire thing to be frustrating and bad has...for some reason made the show more enjoyable for me. Like we're all in this shit-show together.

Your comment could be regarded as a spoiler. Let's you and I silently enjoy the reaction. BFF

Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck??

How much time to I have to fight them?