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‘Star Trek Continues’ actor Todd Haberkorn on his experiences in the much-loved franchise

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2 years ago

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Todd Haberkorn is well known for his acting and voice-acting work in video games, TV series and films. Among credits in ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘Destiny 2’, he’s also been involved in two very popular projects – the web series ‘Star Trek Continues’, in which he played Spock on-screen, and voicing a number of aliens in the last ‘Star Trek’ movie! He talks about the difference between on-camera acting and voice acting, and the amount of make-up it takes to be a Vulcan…

What was it like working on the web series ‘Star Trek Continues’? 

“It was a perfect combination of talent from the cast and crew, together with a passion for the franchise of ‘Star Trek’. The biggest challenge for me, playing Spock, was a combination of having that haircut and being the first in the make-up chair at 3am. I definitely fell asleep in that chair a few times while the make-up masters were making me a Vulcan!”

Photo credit: Star Trek Continues production

And you did voice work for the last ‘Star Trek’ movie?

“I did indeed! Kevin, the alien who befriends the Enterprise crew, was me – along with a bunch of other aliens in that film. I’m happy to be a part of the ‘Star Trek’ universe.”

How did you get started in acting? 

“I started on the stage, far away from voice-overs… Musical theatre, specifically. From there I moved into non-musical stage productions. After many years of that adventure, I turned my sights to the on-camera world. I was enjoying on-set life, when voice-over said, ‘Hey, come try us out for a bit!’ That ‘bit’ turned into an almost 20-year career that continues to this day. And I never thought, when I was a kid, that this was even a possibility in my universe. Even though I was always acting out voices from my favourite movies in my room.”

How are the styles of acting different between on-camera and voice-over? 

“Not all acting is the same. It’s like sport – football and baseball are both sports, but they require completely different approaches. With on-camera, you’re living in a constant state of blink-of-an-eye existences. If you’re doing your homework as an actor, you’ve prepped the entire journey of your character for the film. And using that as a backbone, you have to navigate the production shooting your journey out of sequence because of the reality of filmmaking. So, on your first day with a film you could be shooting your death scene, and not shooting your opening scene until day 40. With voice-over, we tend to go through a script in a linear fashion. And the biggest difference is we don’t (usually) have to memorise lines!” 

Photo credit: Star Trek Continues production

You have hundreds of credits from the world of voice-over. Any favourites?

“Picking a favourite would do a disservice to all the other roles I’ve slipped into. But right now, I’d say the Drifter from the ‘Destiny 2’ video game and Natsu from the ‘Fairy Tail’ animated manga series. Those experiences stick in my mind because we had such great crews guiding the production ship. Also, the fan base for those properties is so passionate – you can’t help but join in!”

What upcoming projects should we watch out for?

“‘Genshin Impact’ is still going strong (I play Razor), more ‘Fairy Tail’ is being animated, and ‘Destiny 2’ just dropped some DLC too. We’ve also got some more animated episodes of ‘Hello Neighbor: The Series’ coming down the pipes… stay tuned!”

Featued photo credit: Kevin Lynch

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We Speak Actors

‘Elkhorn’ star Travis Lee Eller talks Westerns, character-building, and the art of the perfect hat

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1 week ago

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February 12, 2025

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Travis Lee Eller isn’t just an actor—he’s a storyteller deeply immersed in the world of Westerns, both on-screen and off. Whether portraying rugged frontiersmen or crafting authentic, weathered cowboy hats through his business, Ugly Outlaw Hats, Eller understands that every detail—especially the right hat—helps define a character. Currently, you can catch him in ‘The Rebel’, a Star Wars fan film directed by Casey Oberhansli, now streaming on YouTube. Later this year, he’ll appear in two Western short films, ‘Darlin’’ and ‘Stubborn’, both directed by Robert Gamperl and set to make the film festival rounds before landing on streaming platforms. And, of course, fans of ‘Elkhorn’ can look forward to season two, premiering in late 2025 produced by Morningstar Entertainment on the INSP Network. We caught up with Eller to talk about his career, the legacy of Westerns in Hollywood, and why the perfect hat is more than just an accessory—it’s the finishing touch that brings a character to life.

You’re known for acting in Western film and TV projects. Which ones are you most proud of?

I don’t think I play favorites when it comes to my projects. What I remember most are the experiences on set, the incredible people I’ve worked with, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Each project pushes me to grow as an actor. That said, I’m especially proud of my latest script, ‘No Man Was Civilized’. It’s a story I’ve spent years developing, and I’m excited to see where it goes.

What are you working on at the moment?

Right now, I’m filming season two of Elkhorn for the INSP Network. The series takes place in the 1880s and follows a young Teddy Roosevelt as he ventures west to prove himself as a cowboy. I play Joe Ferris, the town shopkeeper, and the story is rooted in true events. The new season is set to premiere in late 2025. Beyond acting, I recently finished writing a Western feature film called ‘No Man Was Civilized’, which weaves together four short stories into a single, cohesive narrative. Writing has been a long but rewarding process, and I can’t wait to see it take shape.

Your business, Ugly Outlaw Hats, is also connected to Western projects. In what way?

My hats are known for their worn, distressed look—it’s a craft I’ve spent years perfecting. Over time, actors, directors, and costume designers have reached out for custom pieces to fit specific characters. I even wear my own designs in my work. In fact, the hat I’m wearing in ‘Elkhorn’ season two is one of mine. I’ve always believed that in a Western, the hat is the final touch that defines a character. It tells a story before a single word is spoken.

How do you balance your business and acting career?

During my downtime, I’m usually making hats.The two never really interfere with each other—if anything, hat-making is therapeutic for me. I often find myself running lines in my head while working in my studio. If it weren’t for acting, I probably wouldn’t have started my business in the first place. Over time, I’ve found a rhythm that allows me to balance both without feeling overwhelmed.

What advice would you give to actors who want to appear in Westerns?

Every actor has their own approach to storytelling, character development, and capturing the right tone. There’s no single “right way” to do it. But for me, my love of Westerns comes from a deep passion for that era of American history. I grew up in a household where Westerns were always on TV, so it became part of my DNA. If I had to give one practical piece of advice? Don’t wear your hat backward. I see it happen in movies and TV shows all the time, and it always makes me cringe a little.

What upcoming projects do you have?

Right now, you can watch me in ‘The Rebel’, a Star Wars fan film directed by Casey Oberhansli, available on YouTube. Later this year, I’ll be in Darlin’ and Stubborn, two Western short films directed by Robert Gamperl, both of which will hit the festival circuit before streaming. And, of course, Elkhorn season two arrives in late 2025, produced by Morningstar Entertainment.

Beyond that, my agent, Beverly Brock, is always pitching me for new opportunities. I’m excited for whatever comes next and grateful for every step of the journey.

Featured photo credit: Morgan Weistling

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