The challenge of directing First Contact

I felt when I was given, First Contact, which was such a great script, that I had been given the keys to the car and that it was my job not to crash it. That’s how it feels with the franchise, because it is what it is. It is certainly Paramount’s biggest franchise - arguably one of the biggest franchises in the business. So, your job as a director or as an actor or producer, whatever, sort of not to screw it up, but keep it on track.

Again, I mention Rick Berman who I worked so closely with on all the shows, but certainly on the movies. We have similar taste and care passionately about what we’re putting out, knowing that it’s going to be scrutinised. We keep the ship on track, and it’s hard to do that and do stuff that’s brand new and interesting. That where the challenge really comes.