According to Space.com on Feb. 7, “Star Trek” actor William Shatner opened up a channel to astronaut Chris Hadfield in space.
Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the hit TV Show “Star Trek”, contacted Hadfield on the space station for an interview about being in such a potentially dangerous environment. What made it interesting was the fact that Hadfield was able to draw parallels between Kirk’s experiences as an actor versus Hadfield’s experience in space.
"I read somewhere that you always knew your lines whenever you had a job in the acting profession," Hadfield replied. "I have tried to always know my lines. What I'm scared most of is not knowing what to do next … After years of training, you practice everything down to the details so you have the confidence that comes with that. The fear comes from something unexpected happening, like forgetting your worlds or an audience reaction that was unexpected," Shatner said. "In my case, your face flushes, in your case, you burn up. It's a little different."
Even though both professions experience a certain level of risk, both could wind up going down in flames. But only for Kirk, that would be metaphorically speaking. Hatfield, on the other hand, would take on the literal meaning.
Hadfield explained to Shatner that knowing your abilities and learning them with great detail, one can become highly confident in their profession and cannot allow any room for error. So as an actor, Shatner practicing his lines and actions prior to his episodic performance proved to achieve great results for the audience.
When Hadfield returns from space, talks of both of them meeting up in Canada had been discussed.
"It's a pleasure Chris, I look forward to meeting you in person and sitting down with a whiskey and a cigar," Shatner said.
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