I am Noelle Hannibal and you may know me as the First Female Vulcan on Earth in Star Trek: First Contact or from Star Trek: Voyager AMA!

Would you rather fight 100 tribble-sized gorns or 1 gorn-sized tribble?

Tribbles are cute. I'd rather not fight them at all.

I applaud your lateral thinking

Thank you :)

They seem like a lot of trouble to me.

ha!

Gorns are kinda cute too when they are action figure-sized. Like little grumpy iguanas.

I love iguanas!

What's it like being a woman in Science Fiction? Do you think the way women are represented in scifi and fantasy has improved since you started? What would you change about female representation in these genres these days, if you could?

Thanks for the AMA!

Sci fi women are badass. I have loved watching as more and more female characters come to the forefront. It's also important the female writers have been getting a lot of attention. It is still, most definitely, a male dominated genre, but I'm hoping this recent surge will continue to grow. What would I change? I wish I could crawl inside people's brains sometimes and change their way of thinking. Someone once said to me that Underworld would have been better if the main character was male. I said, "that movie is called Blade." Thanks for your questions!

I dont know if i would want to see wesley snipes in that skin tight latex suit.

Me neither! haha!

that movie is called Blade.

it's obvious now that you mention it but I'd never considered it that way. I didn't count on having an epiphany when reading an AMA, good on you. LLaP

Happy to oblige :)

As a long-time Sci-fi viewer, I've come to expect that a new sexy female character that seduces the male lead in the first act, will betray him in the last act. Have you noticed this as an actor in Sci-fi or am I just imagining it?

I haven't really thought about it, but I can see where you are coming from. I would love it if female characters didn't have to resort to sex to be powerful.

Buffy didn't, as far as I remember.

Buffy wasn't about Vampires. Buffy was about Girl Power. Great stuff.

Girl power. Boy power. People power. Embracing what makes you different-power. Heart power. Brain power. Group power.

Buffy is the shit.

I agree!!!

Are the actors you worked with from TNG as awesome as they seem?

Absolutely!! I reconnected with Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn at a con a few years back and it was awesome. I really enjoyed my experience and everyone made me feel welcome.

Was Michael Dorn with the Tick making fun of and harassing nerds?

Not that I know of.

Were you a fan of Star Trek before getting an acting role on the film? How has it changed your life since?

I watched TNG, but my mom was a major Star Trek fan from TOS. I got the bit on Voyager directly from working on First Contact after meeting Brannon Braga. I have also had the pleasure of doing Comic Cons all across North America! I am hoping with the 50th Anniversary coming up, that I will be able to get out to more cities and countries!

Awesome! My parents got me into sci fi as well. :)

My mom used to force me to watch with her. She's so cool, though. I went to all the greatest action films when I was growing up. She embedded in me a deep love of James Bond too!

Moms are the best.

Indeed, they are!

Did you witness tension or full on drama between Jeri Ryan and Kate Mulgrew?

Sadly, I didn't work with either Jeri or Kate. My scenes were all with Garret Wang

Do you feel appearing on Star Trek makes it harder to get other roles in tv and film?

At the time it was a bit challenging as I think I was typecast as tall alien/demon girl. Those were all the offers that I was getting. It's kind of how I found my way back to my first love, which is theatre.

How do you like the way the new Star Trek movies are going?

I am a big fan! I met Zachary Quinto on the street in NYC a couple of years ago and my lead in was that we were the same species. It was the best I could come up with! I love all of the actors and I think JJ Abrams has done a wonderful job bringing back the franchise.

You just ran into him on the street? How crazy is that.

I was walking down 54th Street and there he was, on the corner talking to a friend. New York is like that. Everybody walks, so you can run into all sorts of performers.

What is the best movie you have seen recently?

Mad Max!

This is the correct answer.

Do I win a prize?

So, is it true what they say about girl with pointy ears?

Yes. We hear better than girls with normal ears.

You made me laugh. Thank you.

My pleasure.

What was it like working with Anthony Stewart Head?

Tony is an absolute dream! I met him prior to working on Buffy, so when I got to set, he kindly showed me around and introduced me to the other cast members. My appearance agents recently signed him, so I am hoping to reconnect with him at a con! Maybe even sing together at a panel!

You seem to act with various levels of make-up and prosthetics (vulcan to ...well...completely covered). Which type of acting do you find more challenging? Do you have a preference?

I love being in make-up, but having full prosthetic, contacts, fangs and claws is challenging from a movement standpoint. I have always been a fan of changing my look. Even in theatrical productions, I have been lucky enough that the directors I have worked with are willing to take suggestions and usually on my part, that means a wig of some sort! Having make-up, wigs, glasses, costuming, etc. helps me to develop my character.

How did you get into character for Favorite Son? Did you ever wonder exactly how the males died given how quickly they seemed to get mummified?

It was so much fun shooting that episode. I mean, honestly, we sucked the dna (and the life) out of men to survive! As far as getting into character, I had one thought in my head. "Get him."

I've been watching all the Star Trek series, and I'm currently halfway through voyager. I actually just watched a Favorite Son a couple days ago, and noted the presence of the female Vulcan! 20 years later and you still turn heads!

Thank you so much!

Thanks for doing this AMA! What is your favorite Pizza Topping?

My pleasure! My favorite pizza topping is cheese, cheese and more cheese!

You'd be welcome in Wisconsin.

Thank you!

Would you want to star in Hannibal if there is a season 4? Perhaps to get eaten by Mads Mikkelsen?

Absofrigginglutely!!

A lot of former trek actors are doing fan films now, like Tim Russ and Chase Masterson. Have you been approached for something like that? Also, are you going to be at the con in Las Vegas?

I have been watching a lot of the current fan films. My friend Vic Mignona does Star Trek Continues and we have talked about my making an appearance at some point. It's all about timing. It hasn't happened yet, but it will. Tim Russ and I are now repped by the same convention agents, so I am hoping we will get to connect. Sadly, I won't be in Las Vegas this year as I am working, but hopefully next year for the 50th Anniversary.

Are there any legal / copyright hurdles to making a star trek fan film?

Interesting question. I have done a lot of research into that. In fact, I originally thought of the idea for my web series over a year ago, but hesitated because of copyright concerns. It is a parody show, which leaves a little more room. I guess I'll see if I get served!

Oh, well I hope you don't! I'm considering making my own as well and would really like to learn the right way to go about it so as to avoid the whole serving thing hehe. Was hoping you could fill me in.

I figure that with the amount of Star Trek fan series on YouTube that haven't been shut down, I should be ok. Sorry I can't be more help!

what are the differences in makeup application for movie vs tv?

Absolutely none! It took over 3 hours to turn me into a Vulcan on First Contact and 4 to turn me into a demon on Buffy (with full prosthetics) I have spent A LOT of time in the make-up chair!

Grannies, boy shorts, thongs, or commando?

Boy shorts.

If you had to serve as a crew member, which captain from the shows or movies would you choose to join?

That's a tough one! To be honest, I really only watched TNG and the films. And of course, Star Trek Continues. I think I would have to say Captain Picard, because I am most familiar with them.

Good choice. Best leader out of the bunch and a great Shakespearean actor as a bonus. Good luck with your web series, I'll be sure to watch.

Thank you so much!

Vulcan sing?

Tuvok sang and so did spock...silly.

Some Vulcans have talent. I guess it's the same in any species.

It seems logical.

Indeed, it does!

Yes, indeed!

Hey Noelle, my name is also Noelle.

Do people call you Nicole on a daily basis?

Hi Noelle! Pretty much!! Or Noel (you know, the boy pronunciation?)

What was your favorite set as part of the production?

I loved the bar set in First Contact. The jukebox was real and we had a lot of fun dancing once the music started. Sadly, most of that footage got cut.

What's it like having a first name that sounds like Christmas and a last name that sounds like the coolest serial killer we love to hate?

It used to bug me, especially when I was a kid. The Christmas thing still kind of bugs me. How many times do I have to hear someone sing The First Noel to me? I have embraced the Hannibal part. I especially like to quote the fava beans bit from Silence of the Lambs.

Do you think a new star trek series has a chance of taking off? It seems like every time a new series comes out, by the time it gets passed its growing pains and finds its niche... boom, it gets cancelled. I think at one point in the 90's there were 3 star trek shows filming at once. Wha happen?

I'm not sure what happened, but now seems to be a time when everything that was old is new again. I mean, we have got a reboot of the X-Files coming up! I definitely think a new Star Trek series would fly, with the right person at the helm, the right premise and the right cast.

Do you like Wombats?

I love all animals. Especially furry ones!

How tall are you?

Just under 6'

Thanks for doing this AMA! It's great to see actors from different franchises give out their thoughts. When you were doing first contact, was the Vulcan ship a real set piece or was it a green screen? Also what's your favorite voyager episode? Again thanks!

My pleasure! The Vulcan ship was a real set piece! We were in the middle of the Angeles National Forest in California. The bar was also built just opposite the ship. Filming that scene coming out of the ship FELT important. I loved it. I didn't really watch Voyager, so I'll have to say my favourite episode is the one I was in, Favorite Son :)

Don't care if it has been asked yet but how do you keep a straight face on set?

Sometimes it's hard. I worked on Ellen Degeneres' sitcom and we would crack up all the time. I have got a great (VHS) gag real.

Can you talk a little bit about the web series?

I really can't say too much. The first episode introduces the Singing Vulcan and sets up the second episode. Once the first episode is released, I will be able to talk a little more about it. I hope you will watch it!

If you could have your dream role in the next Star Trek movie who would you play?

I'd like to be a villain. They always look like they're so much fun to play!

Is it true that star trek film has nothing to do with star?

I cannot confirm or deny. But aren't stars pretty?

What inspired you to create The Singing Vulcan?

I sing all the time. Seriously, all the time. I was over at my friend's place and threw an idea out to him. We kept building on that initial idea of this Vulcan that sings. It's a definitely a comedy series. I hope you like it!

What was the feeling on set? The main cast of TNG was/is very close-knit, and Frakes has a reputation for being efficient and easy to work with, so I'd imagine it was a positive experience.

Jonathan Frakes was fantastic to work with. Everyone was really friendly. No attitudes. It was definitely one of my favourite sets to work on. Except for that we were in the middle of the forest and there were bears!

What's the craziest thing that ever happened on set?

Nothing crazy happened in my week on set, but when I was driving back down the mountain after shooting, a bear ran across the road in front of me. I will never forget that. A BEAR.

Thank you so much for doing this AMA!

Few questions for you.

How important do you think your role in the Star Trek series was to further the women's movement?

Also, did you experience any hate related to your role in the show on or off the set?

I don't think my role had any impact on the women's movement, but I am so proud to be the first female Vulcan on Earth. No, I didn't experience anything negative related to the role. Thanks for your questions!

Who is the best captain ever and why is it Kirk?

I haven't seen all of the series', so that's hard to answer. Who do you think is the best? I'm thinking Kirk, based on your question :)

Who do you think is the best star trek captain ?

That's tough. I haven't watched all the series'. Who do you think is best?

Need any actors for the web series? 😉

You never know!! :)

I'll keep an eye out on Twitter! Rock on lady!

Thank you!!

Picard or kirk?

That is so tough. Shatner Kirk, Pine Kirk or Mignona Kirk?

Would you ever appear nude in a movie or tv show?

No, but when I was much younger, I did the musical Hair which has a nude scene.

Have you ever danced so hard your donkey died?

I don't have a donkey, but I love to dance!

The singing vulcan

Good christ that sounds gay!?

Yes, I hope it brings happiness.

If you had to choose between singing "sexy back" by Justin Timberlake every time you see someone attractive, or "Africa" by Toto every time you see a black person, which would you pick?

Sexy back, hands down.

Nice. You busy later?

Haha! I am. Birthday celebrations!