We Speak Actors
‘Star Trek Continues’ actor Todd Haberkorn on his experiences in the much-loved franchise
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!”
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!”
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
American actor Michael William Freeman has appeared in many hit shows, but is perhaps best known for playing militia member Blake Sarno in ‘Fear The Walking Dead’. Now he’s swapped the zombie apocalypse for a medical procedural, playing the character of Glenn Vogel in the new Netflix series ‘Pulse’, which follows the personal and professional lives of doctors and staff at a busy Miami trauma centre. We talk to Michael about working with his idols, the joys of collaboration, and why ‘Pulse’ feels like it comes from the golden age of TV.
Tell us about your experience working on the new Netflix series ‘Pulse’?
“It was epic. I had such an amazing time on this show, and it was really great to work with Netflix. The very first day I stepped on set, the energy was palpable. Everyone was just so happy and grateful to be part of this project – it really elevated the whole process.”
“Sometimes work can feel like a grind, but this show was a real pleasure. It was such a warm and welcoming environment, and I know that is reflected on screen.”
What was it like working with series creator Zoe Robyn and co-showrunner Carlton Cuse?
“Man, what an absolute dream! Zoe is such a brilliant talent, her writing is so rich and compelling. And Carlton is a master of his craft, an absolute legend in the industry. Yet they both approach the work with zero pretension. It was inspiring and heartening to be around them both. I think it was the most supportive, collaborative environment I’ve ever worked in; it really felt like a family on set. I’d do anything for those two.”
This is Netflix’s first medical drama – did you enjoy working in this genre?
“I’ve done medical procedurals before, which are fun, but this is something different. The heart of this show is the relationships. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of action and excitement, but what really drives the story are the people. It feels like a show from the golden age of television, something like ‘ER’, it’s so thoughtfully crafted and executed.”
“The way all the stories intersect and collide is really special, I’ve never been a part of anything quite like it. I’m really excited for people to see the show, I think they’re going to love it.”
Who will enjoy watching this show?
“There’s something for everyone! There’s romance, action, drama… even a few laughs. It’s stunning work from Zoe, Carlton and the whole cast and crew. Seriously, every department killed it: from hair and makeup, to wardrobe, to camera, everyone really shines. And I know the audience will appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship. Plus it’s such a fun and vivid world to explore.”
You’ve acted in so many hit TV series and films; which projects have been the most pivotal for you?
“‘In Time’ was my first big studio movie and the first time I saw myself on a big screen in a movie theatre. So that was a pivotal job for me and I certainly learned a lot from that experience. ‘Doll & Em’ on HBO was another one. Getting to act with Chloë Sevigny and be directed by Azazel Jacobs was momentous; I was such a big fan of them both and working with them exceeded my expectations. But most people recognise me from ‘Fear The Walking Dead’ – that show definitely raised my visibility and had a lasting impact on my career. I’m really grateful to be a part of that franchise. And now I can add ‘Pulse’ to that list.”
All episodes of ‘Pulse’ are available to stream on Netflix now.\
Featured photo credit: Netflix
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