First I absolutely must commend your science fiction writing, particularly on Star Trek. I wouldn’t be comfortable if I didn’t take the time to praise Next Generation’s “The Bonding”, “Family” and DS9’s “Rocks and Shoals” and “Only a Paper Moon”. Though I love many of your episodes, these are, in my opinion, some of the finest science fiction scripts ever written for a television show. Next Generations “All Good Things” is, for me, the Definitive Star Trek script, and I often tell people if they watch one episode of Star Trek, this is the one. And though I enjoyed the hell out of Battlestar Galactica, I hope you are ready to go back many years and talk about some Star Trek.
I have so many questions. If you only answer one, please address this first one, marked in boldface letters.
My favorite thing about your scripts is that they capture human experiences in a way which is most appropriate in their settings, especially dealing with trauma. “Only a Paper Moon” is a great example because it deals with a problem that I think is universal, but by using the holodeck as a set piece we tell the story in a way that it could only be told in Star Trek. Do you have a method or approach to writing a story that most facilitates this outcome? I am aware this is such a vague question, and difficult to answer in any definite terms, but please remember that this is because I so deeply admire an aspect of your writing that I find very difficult to put into words.
Some other questions I would also love to have your input on, but I understand if you are swamped and can’t address these.
QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITING
Do you have any rules for writing or creating characters?
Do you have any rules for writing arcs?
What do you think sets you apart from other television script writers? That is, what is it about “Ronald D. Moore” that makes him indispensible to the industry?
Is there anything you are working on or want to work on with similar scope to Battlestar Galactica?
TNG and Battlestar are both reimaginings of culturally successful television shows. Does something about reimagining established stories excite you personally or is that a coincidence?
QUESTIONS ABOUT PRODUCING STAR TREK
If you could produce a modern Star Trek show, would you? How would you format it? Would you write for Star Trek again? Would you take a lead writing position?
Some ways Battlestar Galactica’s format is different from Star Trek is that there is much more continuity between episodes, and arcs that span several episodes. There is also far more emphasis on ancillary characters, with a much larger ensemble cast. Do you think making these changes to a show like Star Trek would be inappropriate to the idea of what makes Star Trek work? Which do you prefer?
Also… am I using the word “format“ correctly here?
QUESTIONS ABOUT BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
I apologize if these questions are inappropriate, I’m just not as certain what your involvement in Battlestar Galactica was. As far as I’m aware, you are the showrunner, and it is “Your Show” in the way that Star Trek was Roddenberry’s.
I’ve heard it said that the final five were chosen at random. How true is this? Were Roslyn, Adama, Apollo or Starbuck out of the question for these choices?
Did you choose to include All Along the Watchtower as a significant portion of the show? I thought it was absolutely perfect, because to me, the song deals with the idea of the cycle of Revolution>Ascension>Oppression>Revolution, but this was such a personal interpretation I was very surprised to see it used in a show that deals with the cycle nature of Revolution>Ascension>Oppression>Revolution.
Seriously…. Like for real now. What is the deal with Kara Thrace?
Again, if you only answer one question, please answer the one in bold face. I know this is a barrage of questions in a barrage of questions, but I doubt I’ll ever again have a chance to address one of my favorite, and frankly personally inspiring, script writers. It’s honestly very awkward because, I don’t actually know much about you. I just know I kept seeing your name on writing credits for my favorite episodes.
uberguby4 karma
First I absolutely must commend your science fiction writing, particularly on Star Trek. I wouldn’t be comfortable if I didn’t take the time to praise Next Generation’s “The Bonding”, “Family” and DS9’s “Rocks and Shoals” and “Only a Paper Moon”. Though I love many of your episodes, these are, in my opinion, some of the finest science fiction scripts ever written for a television show. Next Generations “All Good Things” is, for me, the Definitive Star Trek script, and I often tell people if they watch one episode of Star Trek, this is the one. And though I enjoyed the hell out of Battlestar Galactica, I hope you are ready to go back many years and talk about some Star Trek.
I have so many questions. If you only answer one, please address this first one, marked in boldface letters.
My favorite thing about your scripts is that they capture human experiences in a way which is most appropriate in their settings, especially dealing with trauma. “Only a Paper Moon” is a great example because it deals with a problem that I think is universal, but by using the holodeck as a set piece we tell the story in a way that it could only be told in Star Trek. Do you have a method or approach to writing a story that most facilitates this outcome? I am aware this is such a vague question, and difficult to answer in any definite terms, but please remember that this is because I so deeply admire an aspect of your writing that I find very difficult to put into words.
Some other questions I would also love to have your input on, but I understand if you are swamped and can’t address these.
QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITING
Do you have any rules for writing or creating characters?
Do you have any rules for writing arcs?
What do you think sets you apart from other television script writers? That is, what is it about “Ronald D. Moore” that makes him indispensible to the industry?
Is there anything you are working on or want to work on with similar scope to Battlestar Galactica?
TNG and Battlestar are both reimaginings of culturally successful television shows. Does something about reimagining established stories excite you personally or is that a coincidence?
QUESTIONS ABOUT PRODUCING STAR TREK
If you could produce a modern Star Trek show, would you? How would you format it? Would you write for Star Trek again? Would you take a lead writing position?
Some ways Battlestar Galactica’s format is different from Star Trek is that there is much more continuity between episodes, and arcs that span several episodes. There is also far more emphasis on ancillary characters, with a much larger ensemble cast. Do you think making these changes to a show like Star Trek would be inappropriate to the idea of what makes Star Trek work? Which do you prefer?
Also… am I using the word “format“ correctly here?
QUESTIONS ABOUT BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
I apologize if these questions are inappropriate, I’m just not as certain what your involvement in Battlestar Galactica was. As far as I’m aware, you are the showrunner, and it is “Your Show” in the way that Star Trek was Roddenberry’s.
I’ve heard it said that the final five were chosen at random. How true is this? Were Roslyn, Adama, Apollo or Starbuck out of the question for these choices?
Did you choose to include All Along the Watchtower as a significant portion of the show? I thought it was absolutely perfect, because to me, the song deals with the idea of the cycle of Revolution>Ascension>Oppression>Revolution, but this was such a personal interpretation I was very surprised to see it used in a show that deals with the cycle nature of Revolution>Ascension>Oppression>Revolution.
Seriously…. Like for real now. What is the deal with Kara Thrace?
Again, if you only answer one question, please answer the one in bold face. I know this is a barrage of questions in a barrage of questions, but I doubt I’ll ever again have a chance to address one of my favorite, and frankly personally inspiring, script writers. It’s honestly very awkward because, I don’t actually know much about you. I just know I kept seeing your name on writing credits for my favorite episodes.
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