Dorothy C. Fontana

Writer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About

About this interview

In her three-and-a-half-hour interview, Dorothy C. Fontana (1939-2019) recalls her early career working for producers such as Samuel Peeples and Del Reisman, and describes how she came to work for writer/producer Gene Roddenberry as his assistant on The Lieutenant. Next, she speaks about the of Star Trek. She talks at great length about the show, including details on the cast, the technology, and working with Roddenberry. She also explains how she came to be a writer on the series, and describes the episodes that she wrote. Fontana also discusses her many other writing credits, including Star Trek: The Animated Series, The Streets of San Francisco, Logan's Run, and The Waltons. Finally, she talks about her experiences working on the first season of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Karen Herman conducted the interview on December 29, 2003 in Studio City, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"My style has changed over the years. I look back at my original scripts and say, 'oh my gosh, I wrote that?' Because I don't write like that now. It evolves, it changes, because as person you should be evolving and changing. That comes out in the writing."

People Talking About ...

Dorothy C. Fontana

Highlights

Dorothy Fontana on her favorite Star Trek episode "Journey to Babel" about Spock's parents

01:27

Dorothy Fontana on Leonard Nimoy and his character "Mr. Spock" on Star Trek

01:32

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending

01:56

Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples

01:12

Dorothy Fontana on the technology used in Star Trek's world

02:41

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her early years and influences, her education, and her interest in writing

On her first job in television as a secretary at Screen Gems in New York, where she decided to write for television

On moving to California and working at Revue Studios, where she was mentored by Samuel Peeples; on selling her first television story for The Tall Man; on writing scripts for Shotgun Slade and Frontier Circus

On the challenges of being a woman writer and using D.C. Fontana on her scripts so that she would be given a chance

On becoming secretary for Del Reisman and Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant; and her early involvement in the Writers Guild

On the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC; on Desilu Studios where the series was filmed

Chapter 2

On Star Trek's production schedule; on other pilots being produced by Gene Roddenberry; on being hired on Star Trek

On Star Trek's initial production crew and on developing the look of the series and of the starship

On Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example; on the technology used in Star Trek's world

On the casting of Star Trek; on her duties on the series; on being promoted to story editor; on working with the writers

On the direction given to Star Trek writers; on writing a television script; the minimal censorship issues

On the working environment in the Star Trek production offices; on Gene Roddenberry's working style

Chapter 3

On the cast of Star Trek and their characters; on the Star Trek episode "Charlie X"; on the Star Trek episode "This Side of Paradise", which elevated her to story editor on the series

On her favorite Star Trek episode "Journey to Babel" about Spock's parents; on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending; on the Star Trek episode "By Any Other Name"

On the Star Trek episodes "The Ultimate Computer" and "The Enterprise Incident and on establishing continuity on Star Trek; on "Captain Kirk's" many love interests on Star Trek ; on her favorite episodes of Star Trek including "The Trouble with Tribbles"

Chapter 4

On her least-favorite episode of Star Trek; Klingons; on Gene Roddenberry's "Great Bird of the Galaxy " nickname; on leaving the series at the end of the second season but remaining as a freelancer

On her freelance writing work including Bonanza, The Big Valley, Here Come the Brides, and Then Came Bronson

On her writing process and philosophy

On being associate producer of Star Trek: The Animated Series

Chapter 5

On Star Trek: The Animated Series storylines; on writing for The Streets of San Francisco; on being executive story consultant on Logan's Run

On writing for The Land of the Lost, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Dallas; on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons

On writing a Buck Rogers in the 25th Century script; on the development and casting of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Chapter 6

On the characters of Data, Picard and Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation; updating the 1960s technology and worldview for The Next Generation; on some of the episodes she wrote; on leaving the series after the first season

On Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry's legacy and Star Trek fan culture

On working on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, and Earth: Final Conflict; on writing animation scripts

Chapter 7

On Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys and He-Man; on writing for various animated series, and on how the technology has changed; on writing Lonesome Dove: The Series

On then-current projects; on her involvement in the Writers Guild; on writing for interactive video games

On advice to an aspiring writer; on career highlights and regrets; on how she'd like to be remembered

Shows

Babylon 5

Dorothy Fontana on Babylon 5 and on Michael Straczynski's vision for the series

05:28

Big Valley, The

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Big Valley

02:15

Bonanza

Dorothy Fontana on writing three scripts for Bonanza

01:10

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Dorothy Fontana on writing a Buck Rogers in the 25th Century script

02:44

Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys

Dorothy Fontana on Captain Simian & the Space Monkeys and He-Man

05:00

Dallas

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Dallas early in its run

02:04

Earth: Final Conflict

Dorothy Fontana on Earth: Final Conflict

01:57

Frontier Circus

Dorothy Fontana briefly on writing scripts for Shotgun Slade and Frontier Circus

02:25

Here Come the Brides

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Here Come the Brides

01:03

Land of the Lost

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Land of the Lost

00:34

Lieutenant, The

Dorothy Fontana on becoming secretary for Del Reisman and Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant; and her early involvement in the Writers Guild

04:11

Logan's Run

Dorothy Fontana on being executive story consultant on Logan's Run

03:17

Lonesome Dove: The Series

Dorothy Fontana on writing Lonesome Dove: The Series

02:14

Mission: Impossible

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's production schedule and how the series was initially picked up

03:36

Shotgun Slade

Dorothy Fontana briefly on writing scripts for Shotgun Slade and Frontier Circus

02:25

Six Million Dollar Man, The

Dorothy Fontana on writing two scripts for The Six Million Dollar Man and getting NASA's full cooperation

02:59

Star Trek

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC

04:58

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's production schedule and how the series was initially picked up

03:36

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's initial production crew and on developing the look of the series and of the starship

03:36

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example

01:52

Dorothy Fontana on the technology used in Star Trek's world

02:42

Dorothy Fontana on her duties on Star Trek

08:37

Dorothy Fontana on the direction given to Star Trek writers

08:30

Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek and their characters

10:32

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Charlie X"

02:38

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "This Side of Paradise", which elevated her to story editor on the series

02:04

Dorothy Fontana on her favorite Star Trek episode "Journey to Babel" about Spock's parents

01:27

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending

01:56

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "By Any Other Name"

01:02

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "The Ultimate Computer"

00:36

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "The Enterprise Incident"

02:10

Dorothy Fontana on establishing continuity on Star Trek

01:23

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episodes "That Which Survives" and "Way to Eden"

03:05

Dorothy Fontana on "Captain Kirk's" many love interests on Star Trek

00:38

Dorothy Fontana on her favorite episodes of Star Trek including "The Trouble with Tribbles"

01:07

Dorothy Fontana on her least-favorite episode of Star Trek; Klingons; on Gene Roddenberry's "Great Bird of the Galaxy" nickname

02:11

Dorothy Fontana on moving on from Star Trek

00:52

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

01:34

Star Trek: The Animated Series

Dorothy Fontana on being associate producer of Star Trek: The Animated Series

09:38

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek: The Animated Series storylines

02:07

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Dorothy Fontana on the development and casting of Star Trek: The Next Generation

09:44

Dorothy Fontana on the characters and storylines of Star Trek: The Next Generation

18:06

Streets of San Francisco, The

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco

03:47

Tall Man, The

Dorothy Fontana on the first story she sold for television on The Tall Man

01:19

Then Came Bronson

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Then Came Bronson

00:51

Waltons, The

Dorothy Fontana on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons

02:28

Topics

Advice

Dorothy Fontana on advice to an aspiring writer

03:21

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Dorothy Fontana on the minimal censorship issues on Star Trek

00:41

Characters & Catchphrases

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC

01:02

Dorothy Fontana on the technology used in Star Trek's world

02:41

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's "Klingons"

01:23

Classic TV series episodes

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example

01:52

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples

01:12

Dorothy Fontana on updating the 1960s Star Trek worldview when making Star Trek: The Next Generation

01:35

Drama

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example

01:52

Historic Events and Social Change

Dorothy Fontana on the challenges of being a woman writer and using D.C. Fontana on her scripts so that she would be given a chance

03:01

Dorothy Fontana on "Uhura" and "Number One"- one of the first major female black characters, on Star Trek

01:29

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending

01:55

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco

03:13

Industry Crossroads

Dorothy Fontana on working at Revue Studios during the actor and writers' strikes in 1960

01:25

Industry Strikes

Dorothy Fontana on working at Revue Studios during the actor and writers' strikes in 1960

01:25

New Media

Dorothy Fontana on writing for interactive video games

06:12

Pivotal Career Moments

Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples

01:12

Dorothy Fontana on updating the 1960s Star Trek worldview when making Star Trek: The Next Generation

01:35

Pop Culture

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC

01:02

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example

01:52

Dorothy Fontana on the technology used in Star Trek's world

02:41

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's "Klingons"

01:23

Representation on Television

Dorothy Fontana on the challenges of being a woman writer and using D.C. Fontana on her scripts so that she would be given a chance

03:01

Dorothy Fontana on "Uhura" and "Number One"- one of the first major female black characters, on Star Trek

01:29

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending

01:55

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco

03:13

Studio and Network Management

Dorothy Fontana on the status of Desilu Studios at the time Star Trek was being developed

01:02

Television Industry

Dorothy Fontana on working at Revue Studios during the actor and writers' strikes in 1960

01:25

Dorothy Fontana on the status of Desilu Studios at the time Star Trek was being developed

01:02

Dorothy Fontana on the minimal censorship issues on Star Trek

00:41

Dorothy Fontana on writing for interactive video games

06:12

Dorothy Fontana on advice to an aspiring writer

03:21

Dorothy Fontana on how the business has changed since she started

02:30

Women

Dorothy Fontana on the challenges of being a woman writer and using D.C. Fontana on her scripts so that she would be given a chance

03:01

Dorothy Fontana on "Uhura" and "Number One"- one of the first major female black characters, on Star Trek

01:29

Dorothy Fontana on the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child", over which she argued with Gene Rodenberry about the portrayal of women; she had a different ending

01:55

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco

03:13

Professions

Writers

View Profession

Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples

01:11

Dorothy Fontana on the challenges of being a woman writer and using D.C. Fontana on her scripts so that she would be given a chance

03:01

Dorothy Fontana on her writing process and philosophy

10:15

Dorothy Fontana on advice to an aspiring writer

03:22

Genres

Adventure/Espionage Series

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Then Came Bronson

00:51

Dorothy Fontana on writing two scripts for The Six Million Dollar Man and getting NASA's full cooperation

02:59

Animation

Dorothy Fontana on being associate producer of Star Trek: The Animated Series

09:38

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek: The Animated Series storylines

02:07

Dorothy Fontana on writing for various animated series, and on how the technology has changed

02:07

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Dorothy Fontana on becoming secretary for Del Reisman and Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant; and her early involvement in the Writers Guild

04:11

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco

03:47

Daytime/Primetime Serials

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Dallas early in its run

02:04

Drama Series

Dorothy Fontana on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons

02:28

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC

01:02

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's creation of aliens using "the Horta" from "The Devil in the Dark" episode as an example; on the technology used in Star Trek's world

04:33

Dorothy Fontana on the messages incorporated into Star Trek scripts

02:27

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Star Trek

28:38

Dorothy Fontana on being executive story consultant on Logan's Run

03:17

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Land of the Lost

00:34

Dorothy Fontana on the characters and storylines of Star Trek: The Next Generation

18:06

Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

01:34

Dorothy Fontana on Babylon 5 and on Michael Straczynski's vision for the series

05:28

Dorothy Fontana on Earth: Final Conflict

01:57

Western Series

Dorothy Fontana on the first story she sold for television on The Tall Man

01:19

Dorothy Fontana briefly on writing scripts for Shotgun Slade and Frontier Circus

02:25

Dorothy Fontana on writing three scripts for Bonanza

01:10

Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Big Valley

02:15

Dorothy Fontana on writing for Here Come the Brides

01:03

People

Barbara Stanwyck

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Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Big Valley starring Barbara Stanwyck

02:12

David Gerrold

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Dorothy Fontana on her favorite episodes of Star Trek including "The Trouble with Tribbles" written by David Gerrold

01:08

DeForest Kelley

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Dorothy Fontana on the casting of Star Trek (DeForest Kelley )

01:40

Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek and their characters (DeForest Kelley as "Bones McCoy")

00:32

Del Reisman

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Dorothy Fontana on becoming secretary for Del Reisman and Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant; and her early involvement in the Writers Guild

04:11

Earl Hamner, Jr.

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Dorothy Fontana on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons created by Earl Hamner, Jr.

02:28

Ellen Corby

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Dorothy Fontana on writing the episode "The Beau" for The Waltons starring Ellen Corby

02:28

Gene Roddenberry

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Dorothy Fontana on becoming secretary for Del Reisman and Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant; and her early involvement in the Writers Guild

04:11

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC

04:58

Dorothy Fontana on Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek's production schedule and how the series was initially picked up

03:36

Dorothy Fontana on Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek's initial production crew and on developing the look of the series and of the starship

03:36

Dorothy Fontana on her least-favorite episode of Star Trek; Klingons; on Gene Roddenberry's "Great Bird of the Galaxy" nickname

02:11

Dorothy Fontana on working on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Gene Roddenberry's legacy

06:17

George Clayton Johnson

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Dorothy Fontana on George Clayton Johnson's work on Star Trek

00:55

George Takei

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Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek and their characters (George Takei as "Sulu")

01:06

Harlan Ellison

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Dorothy Fontana on Harlan Ellison's work on Star Trek on the episode "City on the Edge of Forever"

00:42

Herbert F. Solow

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Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's production schedule and how the series was initially picked up (Herbert F. Solow)

03:36

J. Michael Straczynski

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Dorothy Fontana on Babylon 5 and on Michael Straczynski's vision for the series

05:27

James Doohan

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Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek (James Doohan as "Scotty")

00:43

Leonard Nimoy

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Dorothy Fontana on the first story she sold for television on The Tall Man starring Leonard Nimoy

01:19

Dorothy Fontana on Leonard Nimoy and his character "Mr. Spock" on Star Trek

01:32

Lucille Ball

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Dorothy Fontana on the status of Desilu Studios at the time Star Trek was being developed (Lucille Ball)

01:02

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry

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Dorothy Fontana on Earth: Final Conflict

01:57

Matt Jefferies

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Dorothy Fontana on Star Trek's initial production crew and on developing the look of the series and of the starship including Matt Jefferies

03:36

Nichelle Nichols

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Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek and their characters (Nichelle Nichols as "Nyota Uhura")

02:20

Oliver Crawford

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Dorothy Fontana on Oliver Crawford and Richard Matheson's work on Star Trek

00:58

Quinn Martin

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Dorothy Fontana on writing for The Streets of San Francisco produced by Quinn Martin

03:13

Richard Matheson

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Dorothy Fontana on Oliver Crawford and Richard Matheson's work on Star Trek

00:58

Samuel A. Peeples

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Dorothy Fontana on being mentored in television writing by Samuel Peeples

01:11

Dorothy Fontana on the original concept and vision of Star Trek, the pilot process, and the sale of the series to NBC (Samuel A, Peeples)

04:58

Walter Koenig

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Dorothy Fontana on the cast of Star Trek and their characters (Walter Koenig as "Chekov")

02:37

William Shatner

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Dorothy Fontana on the casting of Star Trek (William Shatner)

01:40

Dorothy Fontana on William Shatner and his "Captain Kirk" character on Star Trek

01:42