I love Sam. He's so thoughtful and well-spoken. He approaches everything he works on with such dedication to continuity and the craft of acting. It's like he treats the worlds of Trek and Wars (and others) like real worlds the characters inhabit. I remember hearing him talk about Star Wars and schooling a director or someone on how a droid would behave or something like that. My memory is a bit fuzzy on the details but I remember thinking that here is a guy who works on projects he loves and makes them better by being a part of them.
Step 1. Respect the source. Step 2. Have the strength to say "My character would not do that". Sam Witwer, you did both. Thank you for helping bring a taste of Star Trek back.
I firmly believe this project wouldn’t have worked without Sam’s dedication and being a fan and knowing the magnitude of what he was doing. It’s incredibly well done. Good Job Sam
There was such nuance in his performance. He got every detail perfect. Every little expression, every movement, every gesture, everything was spot on. Knowing that's not Shatner behind the performance is unreal. It's relatively easy to slap someone's face on someone else and have it look like them. And even to find someone who can do a good vocal impression. But the amount of detail he captured is amazing.
We need to put Sam Witwer in charge of all things sci-fi. He's a brilliant actor, but he also has an encyclopedic knowledge of all these franchises, and a passionate love and respect for them. He brings every project he's on to the heights of the best it can be.
I truly think this video has proven that we now have started to truly harness digital face replacement that doesn’t cross the uncanny valley. Fantastic work from Sam and everyone who worked on it. Looking forward to seeing what this technology can do in the future.
TLDW: Witwer basically points out what I've been saying for years... Shatner is a stage actor and his performance was to make sure everyone knew what he was doing
Sean looking like he’s talking to The Shatner himself, and did I see a blush at the end!? Hehehe, great interview, we’re learning so much about this new process. Fascinating!
What an absolute treat for this insight in to an actors process and the collaborative process, the Shatner voice mode was amazing and the analysis of why Kirk worked, not just walking in to a scene. Awesome, Thanks Sean and thanks Sam
Sam Witwer has been a positive for all Sci-Fi Fans, Having major roles and being involved in Star Trek and Star Wars. We need more people like him in our fandom. Starkiller, Darth Maul, Palpatine, and Captain Kirk. What a career. Now we just need him in Doctor Who to complete the Trifecta.
Seeing Gary Lockwood deaged and reprising Gary Mitchell 58 years after he originally played the character, even as a nonspeaking cameo, was a treat as well.
This is the level of Tech and Acting skill and talent that I think some day will get us a more Legends version of Star Wars with young Han, Luke & Leia. It might only be something fan made, but sooner or later fan passion for SW will "do it!"
Will there a movie and with Family & estates permissions will the other be brought back ?? It could star with Ve`ger becoming The Borg by using Ilea`s DNA & Spock`s human DNA (completely removing Decker for obvious reasons)
Witwer has been a very interesting person. When he showed up on Collider's gameshow and the old Screen Junkies videos after doing Smallville and BSG (2.0) was so much fun. I think he seems very fun to work with.
Too keep it quick... Excellent Interview...! looking back, it's weird (but it works) that Kirk, a character appears to have an inner monologue, was played by an actor who didn't.
I am in awe. Stay with me here: imagine now other Trek characters, more exotic Trek characters; imagine Gillian Vigman playing Dr. T'Ana in live action. Think of where we can go now. As a furry, looking as they say one or two papers down the line, I am slowly losing my mind over the possibilities for representation using this technology. I can't help it.
Why couldn’t THIS guy have played a younger Kirk in Strange New Worlds?? With the same prosthetics and cgi, just made a bit more young, he would have been stellar!!
This is bleeding edge tech that didn't really exist when they cast Kirk for SNW a few years ago. And where does it end? Do you do this for all of the original series characters in the show? And that just balloons the budget because it needs multiple takes to get things right or else the trick is totally revealed. It's much easier to do for a 10 minute, mostly dialogue-free short film vs a television show for several characters for 8-10 episodes per year.
brilliant, what an awesome guy & awesome production ❤ spot on re Shatner's Kirk, finally giving credit where its due. the guy should've have a Lifetime Achievement Award.
This is a truly amazing Star Trek short.. I don't know why it was created, but I love it and we all cried for Kirk and Spock reuniting after death. I know you say it was for Us the Fan.. But, to me, it's put Faith back in GOD and Life after Death.. Now.. What's next? You've awakened our love and our curiosity for MORE STAR TREK..
I haven’t started listening yet but Sam was in two of my fav tv shows of all time - being human and Battlestar. So it’s clearly going to be fantastic ❤
Hi Sean, I am 71 years young and have watched the Original Series (all 3 Seasons ) the the Re-Runs , The, Animated series ( Both Seasons ) The When the First Motion Picture Arrived I Had tears in my Eyes When Scotty did the Fly Around the Enterprise in Space Dock, (What a Beautiful Ship,) Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock , Voyage Home ..etc.................
I don't believe Sean Ferrick exists. He has never commented on any of my 500+ "Worf, the greatest poker player ever, had his 100% winning ways obliterated by Section 31 and its operatives, Data and Geordi," comments. Therefore, I believe that Sean is an intelligence officer on Theta Space Station.
I love Sam. He's so thoughtful and well-spoken. He approaches everything he works on with such dedication to continuity and the craft of acting. It's like he treats the worlds of Trek and Wars (and others) like real worlds the characters inhabit. I remember hearing him talk about Star Wars and schooling a director or someone on how a droid would behave or something like that. My memory is a bit fuzzy on the details but I remember thinking that here is a guy who works on projects he loves and makes them better by being a part of them.
Step 1. Respect the source. Step 2. Have the strength to say "My character would not do that". Sam Witwer, you did both. Thank you for helping bring a taste of Star Trek back.
I firmly believe this project wouldn’t have worked without Sam’s dedication and being a fan and knowing the magnitude of what he was doing. It’s incredibly well done. Good Job Sam
I agree - we were gifted with a fantastic director, crew and cast, led by Sam and Carlos. - Jules
There was such nuance in his performance. He got every detail perfect. Every little expression, every movement, every gesture, everything was spot on. Knowing that's not Shatner behind the performance is unreal. It's relatively easy to slap someone's face on someone else and have it look like them. And even to find someone who can do a good vocal impression. But the amount of detail he captured is amazing.
agreed
We need to put Sam Witwer in charge of all things sci-fi. He's a brilliant actor, but he also has an encyclopedic knowledge of all these franchises, and a passionate love and respect for them. He brings every project he's on to the heights of the best it can be.
On set it was extremely clear how much Sam cared about this character and project. So fun and a really special experience to see him work.
This just made an old Trekkie who grew up in the 60's very, very, happy.
He was Emperor Palpatine and Kirk... what a career.
Dont forget Starkiller & Darth Maul.
And Doomsday! He basically just needs to play someone in the MCU to hit all the big franchises!
maybe the Riddler like Hamill did for Joker 😊
Yeah! I waited for this. Now give this guy a role in trek where he can show his face ^^
he could be a new kirk instead of that dweeb guy whose name i cant remember
Wow. Just wow.
As an old school Original Series nerd, i cried so much watching that film. Sam is GOAT.
I truly think this video has proven that we now have started to truly harness digital face replacement that doesn’t cross the uncanny valley.
Fantastic work from Sam and everyone who worked on it. Looking forward to seeing what this technology can do in the future.
TLDW: Witwer basically points out what I've been saying for years... Shatner is a stage actor and his performance was to make sure everyone knew what he was doing
How cool is it that Sam was an integral part of the ENTIRE process, not just one facet of it. Wonderful interview!
It was the best Trek we have gotten in a very long time.
Sean looking like he’s talking to The Shatner himself, and did I see a blush at the end!?
Hehehe, great interview, we’re learning so much about this new process. Fascinating!
What an absolute treat for this insight in to an actors process and the collaborative process, the Shatner voice mode was amazing and the analysis of why Kirk worked, not just walking in to a scene. Awesome, Thanks Sean and thanks Sam
Sam Witwer has been a positive for all Sci-Fi Fans, Having major roles and being involved in Star Trek and Star Wars. We need more people like him in our fandom. Starkiller, Darth Maul, Palpatine, and Captain Kirk. What a career. Now we just need him in Doctor Who to complete the Trifecta.
I love watching Sam talk about this stuff truly shows the love and passion. ❤
Sam Witwer.... no one else could have explained the essence of star trek and its cast better than him.
I have yet to watch unification without crying . The film is powerful.
❤
Seeing Gary Lockwood deaged and reprising Gary Mitchell 58 years after he originally played the character, even as a nonspeaking cameo, was a treat as well.
Sam did a fantastic Job here, as well as OTOY's production! Kudos and I hope they earn amany wards for this!
No matter what I see him in, he will forever be Crashdown from BS:G '04 when I see him.
A.m.a.z.i.n.g! And Sam's "I can't talk about it" made me VERY curious!
I’ve always loved Sam since Galactica his Star Wars performances.
This is the level of Tech and Acting skill and talent that I think some day will get us a more Legends version of Star Wars with young Han, Luke & Leia. It might only be something fan made, but sooner or later fan passion for SW will "do it!"
Will there a movie and with Family & estates permissions will the other be brought back ?? It could star with Ve`ger becoming The Borg by using Ilea`s DNA & Spock`s human DNA (completely removing Decker for obvious reasons)
What a great interview. Thanks for all your efforts Sam, you knocked it out of the park.
What Andy Serkis is to motion capture performance, Sam Witwer is to this whole new frontier of real-time digital prosthetic re-creation.
'765874 Unification' ...it is so simple, yet so deeply moving... Crafted with such tender, heartfelt care and genuine respect... BRAVO!
Now THAT was a fascinating interview!
Good for Sam he's a big part of star wars as maul and starkiller now he's captain kirk just wow
Awesome. Thank you for this.
Witwer has been a very interesting person. When he showed up on Collider's gameshow and the old Screen Junkies videos after doing Smallville and BSG (2.0) was so much fun. I think he seems very fun to work with.
Too keep it quick... Excellent Interview...! looking back, it's weird (but it works) that Kirk, a character appears to have an inner monologue, was played by an actor who didn't.
Look at Sean face. OMG I’m frigging talking to Sam Witwer
Well Sam was already one of my favorite actors... and now Star Trek?!
He dipped his toes into fan films years ago. He voiced the Guardian of Forever in an episode of the fan series Star Trek New Voyages.
Sean you are so happy makes me smile!
Sam Witwer is an example of respecting the IP and not seeing it as a potential "cash grab".
"You Never Walk Alone"
I am in awe. Stay with me here: imagine now other Trek characters, more exotic Trek characters; imagine Gillian Vigman playing Dr. T'Ana in live action. Think of where we can go now.
As a furry, looking as they say one or two papers down the line, I am slowly losing my mind over the possibilities for representation using this technology. I can't help it.
if Sam was a pokemon, he'd be ditto
Fascinating 😊
Even without the prosthetics I was seeing wisps of Kirk.
Wow wow wow love all of this🖖🏽
My question to Witwer would-be. Did the story/theme come first OR did the characters come first?
Sam is brilliant. I loved his acting in Battlestar Galactica
Damn I'm early! Sam is such a fantastic guy
Why couldn’t THIS guy have played a younger Kirk in Strange New Worlds?? With the same prosthetics and cgi, just made a bit more young, he would have been stellar!!
Budget
This is bleeding edge tech that didn't really exist when they cast Kirk for SNW a few years ago. And where does it end? Do you do this for all of the original series characters in the show? And that just balloons the budget because it needs multiple takes to get things right or else the trick is totally revealed. It's much easier to do for a 10 minute, mostly dialogue-free short film vs a television show for several characters for 8-10 episodes per year.
It was cool to see Sean on the Sam witwer show. 😉
brilliant, what an awesome guy & awesome production ❤ spot on re Shatner's Kirk, finally giving credit where its due. the guy should've have a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Oh wow; William Shatner not having an inner monologue is indeed a lightbulb moment.
This is a truly amazing Star Trek short.. I don't know why it was created, but I love it and we all cried for Kirk and Spock reuniting after death. I know you say it was for Us the Fan.. But, to me, it's put Faith back in GOD and Life after Death..
Now.. What's next? You've awakened our love and our curiosity for MORE STAR TREK..
Sam is the bomb!
I haven’t started listening yet but Sam was in two of my fav tv shows of all time - being human and Battlestar. So it’s clearly going to be fantastic ❤
Introducing the busiest man in Hollywood!
Btw how is Sam 47
He looks 37
Dear Sam, will you play the role of Kirk in another Star Trek Spin Off?
Hi Sean, I am 71 years young and have watched the Original Series (all 3 Seasons ) the the Re-Runs , The, Animated series ( Both Seasons ) The When the First Motion Picture Arrived I Had tears in my Eyes When Scotty did the Fly Around the Enterprise in Space Dock, (What a Beautiful Ship,) Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock , Voyage Home ..etc.................
Mr Witwer is slipping into the Kirk voice. Are we getting speaking Witwer Shatner Kirk in the future?
Love Sam
Great get, guys!
I've never been this early 😂
Perhaps you are a wizzard! 😂
me neither!!
Sam Witwer is Starkiller, Darth Maul, Palpatine and now Kirk. What a Legend!
this recreation of Kirk worked perfectly, but it also shows that it is not realistic to use in any larger scale movie
Cool! Thanks.
Love the fact there are many lairs of NDA's. Hopefully means there's more to come!
R.I.P Crashdown...
Kirk/Bill snaps his head around when he’s looking a things. The footage I saw was too smooth with the head movements.
I don't believe Sean Ferrick exists.
He has never commented on any of my 500+ "Worf, the greatest poker player ever, had his 100% winning ways obliterated by Section 31 and its operatives, Data and Geordi," comments.
Therefore, I believe that Sean is an intelligence officer on Theta Space Station.
Sam Witwer should play Captain Kirk instead of that other guy who looks out of place.
Number five
At least Kirk didn't get turned into a robot.
182
It's the first new Star Trek since pre-2009.
days gone actor
🖖🖖😊😆🖖🖖🍁
Ich wusste nicht, dass Katzen so lustig sein können. Jetzt habe ich ein neues Hobby - Katzenvideos ansehen💚
I turned this video on to my boyfriend and now he's convinced we can be RUclips stars. Question: who will be the cameraman💚