The William Shatner Connection NewsZine
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The William Shatner Connection NewsZine |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Joyce Mason |
| Type: | newsletter |
| Date(s): | 1991 to possibly 2001 |
| Frequency: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS/William Shatner |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The William Shatner Connection NewsZine (also "The W.S. Connection") is a gen club newsletter.
It was published by the fan club of the same name, The William Shatner Connection.
This zine had the approval of William Shatner and was very much a mouthpiece for him, his wife Marcy, and their interests.
The plan was for this newsletter to be published quarterly (July, October, January and April), but it was not as frequent as that schedule.
This zine was revamped and became The Best of Times in December 2001.
From the second issue:
Through our NewsZine, we hope to share with others our enthusiasm and enjoyment of the many careers of William Shatner. It is our pledge to you, the fans, to publish only what we know as fact,and to maintain the same degree of honesty, straightforwardness, and quality in print that Bill Shatner maintains in all his endeavors. We hope to earn your support and your respect.
In the meantime your letters and comments are more than welcome. Let us know what you want.
Issue 1 (v.1 n.1)
The William Shatner Connection 1 was published in Summer 1991.
- an interview with William Shatner
- an interview with Ralph Corpe
- Let's Chat, a column by Marcy Shatner
- HELP Column
- an article about an eclipse
- Animal Corner
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
Congratulations on your summer edition of the W.S.C. You did a good job, and I know a newsletter is sometimes a thankless, time consuming task since I am involved with the monthly newsletter of our Star Trek club QUEST.
My favorite parts of the newsletter were the interview with Bill. and the guest interview with Ralph Corpe. I also enjoyed hearing what Marcy had to say.
My least favorite parts were the Animal Corner, the HELP column, the Eclipse article ... in short, anything that had nothing to do with William Shatner. While all these articles were timely, well written and meaningful, I feel they are somewhat misplaced here. The main reason we all belong to W.S.C. is to read about Bill and hopefully interact with him in a way which doesn't invade his personal life...
- Many thanks for your letter. Our idea is to include subjects of extreme interest to Bill. We also feel most of his fans enjoy much the same type of things as Bill. Most of our letters show some members do enjoy the diversity of the columns but we would like to hear from more readers.[1]
Issue 2 (v.1 n.2)
The William Shatner Connection 2 (v.1 n.2) was published in Fall 1991 contains 28 pages.
The staff: Joyce Mason (editor), Evelyn De Biase and Lorraine De Martino (other staff), La Vena Kay Kidd (cartoonist), Anne McLean (graphics), and Patti Byther, Mary Jo Fernandez, and DJ Hinson (contributors).
- Editor's Greeting
- Scrapbook (a collection of favorite pictures)
- Animal Corner: Life with Sharkes [sic], Eels, Dogs and a Husband (about two people named John and Meghan who have a lot of animals and are living in "God's country")
- Bill Shatner: A Very Special Message: "I Danced with an Orca," an essay about animals and unity
- France: Here We Come!!!, an interview with Shatner (a reporter from for the French TV Guide was also present), it takes place at the "stables where Bill usually rides," topics were Star Trek and upcoming plans for another film, T.J. Hooker, and TekWar books (which Shatner described as "It is a science fiction story. It is, in essence, TJ Hooker in the future."), and much more)
- Bill's Calendar Since Last July
- Marcy Lafferty Shatner: On Yoga, Horses, and Beauty Hints
- a photo of Marcy Shatner on a highly-managed horse named Santana's Starbright
- Guest Interview: Adam Malin (one of the creators of Creation Con)
- Looking Back, an essay by D.J. Hinson (about Shatner and "important roles" and destiny)
- It's Time for Miracles: Ahead With Horses, article by Joyce Mason (includes photos)
- Adopt-a-Charity: A Rare Look at Love
from v.1 n.2
from v.1 n.2
from v.1 n.2
from v.1 n.2
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
I thoroughly enjoyed your Fall issue of the NewsZine. I think that a diversity of columns is a good idea and I found all of the articles interesting. I was especially touched by "I Danced With An Orca". It's the perfect example of what a caring and gentle-hearted person William Shatner is. Keep up the good work. [2]
Dear Mr. Shatner, I'm so grateful for having a wonderful fantasy as part of my life for so long. Has itreally been 25 years? You brought Captain Kirk to life as no other could and he is now legend, as is all of Star Trek. Today I saw the last voyage of the original cast,and felt such sadness to know it is finished. There is a certain poignancy, though, for this last is a fine conclusion to all that has gone before. You must be so proud of the part you played in breathing life into the quintessential hero, and you should be. This last presentation of the crew who voyaged into our dreams of the future was exciting,funny, tense and altogether delightful. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me so much enjoyment in so many ways over the years.
May I offer wishes for your continued success in life. I look forward to your TEK books.
Live Long and Prosper![3]
Dear Mr. Shatner, It has taken me a long time to get this letter off to you. I am 24 years old now, and an English university student here in Canada. Once, yesterday, I was a boy. Like most boys, I played and climbed trees and like many others -- I watched Star Trek. I still remember the excitement, the voyages, the challenge that was bom in my heart that day. And there, at the forefront of the entire story, was one man — and he was a Captain.
But he wasn’t the rough grumbling captain of other stories. This one captain was fresh. Every time he plunged into an episode he was born again in the cleansing emptiness of space. I remember thinking: "he does not command the Enterprise — he IS the Enterprise. He is her spirit." As much as James Kirk needed the Enterprise, so did the Enterprise need him.
The boy grew into a man. But the seed had spread. There were words spoken in a language that all creatures could understand and these words became a part of how I learned to socialize with people. "Infinite Diversity in an Infinity Number of Combinations." "Human flesh against human flesh — we couldn’t escape each other if we tried — we are tied..."
[...]
This letter was not sent to you as an admiring fan who drops everything for his idol. Instead, I just wanted to thank you for helping me as a child, and as an adult. Albeit unknowingly, your Emersonian/Adamic presentation as Captain Kirk, or more importantly, as William Shatner, has helped to bring me in with a real excitement about life, about learning, and about going where no man has going before... whether it is across the road, across the country, to another continent, or another planet. Your special excitement of all that is around us has permeated me, and helped me grow. I was just ten when I knew who my heroes were, and those heroes are still the same today, my father, my grandfather, and William Shatner. I know that if I can keep life in perspective like all of them, treat people with respect and acknowledge their strengths as well as they do, I will be a better man. I just wanted to let you know that I’m grateful to you for who I am.[4]
Dear Bill,
A brief review of Trek VI: I laughed, I cried... I (had) kissed six bucks (and said) goodby...' I was disappointed, to say the least... I had also rewatched Trek V that very afternoon (on videotape): Trek V, to me, is a much better film. If have said other in the past,(and in print), I stand corrected.[5]
Issue 3 (v.1 n.3)
The William Shatner Connection 3 was published in Winter 1991 contains 28 pages.
The staff: Joyce Mason (editor), Evelyn De Biase (staff), La Vena Kay Kidd (cartoonist), Anne McLean (graphics), and Patti Byther, Mary Jo Fernandez, and DJ Hinson (contributors).
From Joyce Mason:
In the course of a week we receive numerous letters from club members and fans alike. Unfortunately it is an impossibility to respond to each one individually. There just is not enough time in the day so please forgive us and we'll keep muddling along as best we can.
Not to offer excuses, but Evie and I both hold down full time jobs of some responsibility requiring 40-50 hours a week in addition to running the WSC and, we have our very exciting new venture "Talk Trek" which takes up the remaining free breathable time. I sometimes think I do my best work when I’m sleeping. So there we are. Where are we? I don’t know! Evie!!! HELP!!!
- Editor's Greeting
- Scrapbook (a collection of favorite pictures)
- Animal Corner: Mugsy and Bugsy, Bill the Cut Up (about some pets)
- Letters of Comment (most are addressed to Shatner Himself, and state adoration)
- Talk Trek Boldly Goes Where No Radio (or TV) Show Has Gone Before, article by Mason explaining this fan endeavor
- Bill Calling: A Letter from Bill (comments on current events, some promotional content, and "I am so proud of Joyce Mason and the job she's doing on the Connection. It's a great joy to work with her and I'm so happy that all of this is working out the way it has. I'm very busy and happy and my horses are doing well. My wish is for all of you to be good to each other and I'm looking forward to seeing you all later in the year." And: "On the loss of Gene Roddenberry. Gene Roddenberry was a physically large and impressive man. His stature was superseded by his towering imagination. 1 want to express my deepest, heartfelt sympathy to his family. The Star Trek phenomenon will be his legacy and will live on forever.")
- What Has Become of My Favorite Place, an essay by Shatner about pollution on the beaches of Santa Monica
- information about fan clubs for other cast members
- an ad for "Lifesize Color Standups of Captain Kirk and Mister Spock" mounted on die-cut board with attached easel, discount for club members!
- a photo and short essay by Shatner about one of his horses named Time Machine
- The American Saddlebred: A Most Precious Jewel, article by Marcy Shatner (has a focus of animal rights, cruelty to animals, and how these kinds of horses are artificially mananged by weighting their feet and docking their tails (not hers, of course, well, not all the time) to gain their distinctive looks and gait
- The Artist Collection: fanart by Paul Privitera (sp?), Linda King, and Jane Carmen
- Guest Interview: Spice Williams (appeared in the fifth Star Trek movie)
- Marcy: Health and Beauty Tips
- Hands Autographs, Cement, a report by a fan of going to the Star Trek cast's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
- The Shatnered Weekend ("Join the Shatnered Weekend: Friends Reaching Out")
from v.1 n.3
from v.1 n.3
from v.1 n.3
from v.1 n.3
Issue 4 (v.1 n.4)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 5 (v.2 n.1)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 6 (v.2 n.2)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 7 (v.2 n.3)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 8 (v.2 n.4)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 9 (v.3 n.1)
The William Shatner Connection 3 was published in April 1995 and contains 22 pages.
Staff: Joyce Mason (editor), LaVena Kay Kidd (cartoonist), Ursula Reist (graphics), MaryJo Fernandez and Lynn Smolen (contributors).
From the interview, the first and last paragraph by Mason:
Universal is so different from Paramount. They are both fairly tight but at Universal you feel that the guards would like to help you. At Paramount you also feel as though the guards would like to help you--out. Universal has an air of fun about it. Maybe the location of the theme park right behind the studio has something to do with that. At Paramount everything is very neat and very serious. Universal also has Bill which makes it more fun. As I approach his office I hear those wonderful dulcet tones before I see him. He peeks out from behind an absolutely enormous bouquet of Spring flowers. He looks and sounds content and happy.
[...]
This man has exploded in every direction at once, or so it seems. He is so excited about everything he does that I just sit in awe. The thing about Bill Shatner that separates him from the rest of the pack is more than talent. It's a self-contained commitment to himself. He literally uses every God Given talent he has and he uses it to the fullest. I wonder what he does in his spare time????
- Scrapbook, two pages of photo collages of Shatner in screen roles
- a review by Joyce Mason of the film Star Trek: Generations
- Kirk is Not Dead, essay by Ursula Reist
- Welcome Star Trek Voyager, essay about the new series
- Attention: Bill Calling, 3-page interview with Shatner, includes commentary by Joyce Mason (topics are the film "Star Trek: Generations" (acting and filming choices, success at the box office, the ending), an invitation for Shatner to be in a CD ROM game about the film, his plans to make a series of CD ROM games about TekWar through a company called Intercorp, the book "Ashes of Eden"
- William Shatner Calendar (January-July 1995)
- a flyer for Shatnered Wester Weekend (no.3)
- a photo collage of Shatner on various horses
- William Shatner at the Grand Slam Convention (Pasadena, March 25, 1995), five pages photos and short descriptions of his presentation, by Ursula Reist
- Twenty More Reasons Why Kirk is Better Than Picard
- The William Shatner Pictorial and Video Series (photo sets and videos of Shatner at Creation Con in Los Angeles in late January 1994)
from issue #9
from issue #9
Issue 10 (v.3 n.2)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 11 (v.3 n.3)
The William Shatner Connection 3
Issue 12 (v.3 n.4)
The William Shatner Connection 3 was published in July 1996 and contains 30 pages.
Excerpts from the long interview:
WILL STAR TREK CONTINUE TO GROW?
"I don't know whether we have peaked and are on the downside or if this is cyclical and there's a down tum which requires two or three years layoff and then come back. Whether Star Trek's popularity can even be plotted on a graph that is varying between a mean and we're at the bottom of the mean right now, I don't know."
DO YOU THINK ANYONE ELSE WILL EVER PLAY KIRK?
"Probably not."
HAS PLAYING KIRK BEEN OVERWHELMING? INTIMIDATING?
[...]
What the series has done is to have frozen me in time so I should look like I did thirty years ago. I even have that expectation of myself, to look like I did at that age. That's intimidating, to stay as physically in condition and look facially like that. So frequently its shocking to me to look in the mirror and see an older man.
THERE WERE RUMORS OF A FEUD WITH LEONARD AND YOU DURING THE SERIES.
I don't remember any such thing. I remember looking at the script and making sure Captain Kirk was doing what the Captain of the ship was supposed to do and Leonard was doing the same thing regarding Spock, unbeknownst to me. So we were both guarding our characters. But we never had a feud. I remember Leonard having some photographer in early in the morning - to watch him putting his ears on and me reacting badly at them taking pictures of me so early in the morning, but that was only a momentary flash and that's the only thing I remember happening and that was only momentary. The only memory I have of that time is one of camaraderie.
[MANY comments snipped about Shatner's relationship, or lack thereof, of with his fellow actors on Star Trek]
SOME HAVE SAID YOU DON'T WRITE YOUR OWN BOOKS:
"They are right and they are wrong. I work with these co-authors very closely. I come up with the ideas, the story. Talk over every scene with them, then I take the pages and go over them minutely. I may rewrite scenes. I am involved in every word that comes out, that has my name on it. I absolutely publicize and in the dedication make absolutely certain that people realize that these books are written by me and the co-authors.
- "I spent a long time thinking the matter over before I arrived at my decision to join the Fan Club." (the first sentence of a very long letter from a Polish fan)
- Attention: Bill Calling by Joyce Mason ("One day in early June I received a call from Dan Madsen, Editor of The Communicator, Star Trek: The Official Fan Club's magazine. Dan asked me if I would be willing to do an interview with Bill for their Star Trek Thirtieth Anniversary issue. In all honesty, I was thrilled to accept the assignment. The Communicator has a circulation of well over 200,000 and is highly respected in the field. The OFC obviously could not print the entire interview because of their restraints with space. The WSC does not suffer from that affliction, however, and so, the following is the uncut version of that incredible interview.")
- An Event to Remember by Lynn Smolen (a nine page, very detailed account of the 1996 Shatnered Weekend, includes photos of fans, of children on horses, of Shatner, of Shatner's office, of Shatner's daughter and son-in-law, and more)
- MANY photos from The Hollywood Charity Horse Show
- William Shatner Credits Update (1992-1996)
- an ad for Shatner scrapbooks, photos, and videos
References
- ^ from a letter of comment in "The William Shatner Connection" #2
- ^ from a letter of comment in "The William Shatner Connection" #3
- ^ from a letter of comment in "The William Shatner Connection" #3
- ^ from a letter of comment in "The William Shatner Connection" #3
- ^ from a letter of comment in "The William Shatner Connection" #3