yoooo, a celebrity on the fediverse? let's goooooo

Whoa, Lemmy is going places! I never expected to see a Reddit-style AMA to appear here. I don't have any questions for you, Mr. Karim but I do wish you the best!

Is this the thread for questions?

What actor from Trek’s past, that primarily wore lots of makeup and prosthetics, do you look up at as a acting role model?

Oh my gosh! Welcome to the Fediverse!

We're kind of obsessed with Star Trek here.

Um...I don't have a question. It's just so cool to see you here. And since Academy is relatively new, I should add welcome to the Trek fandom!

I hope our appreciation for your art shines through!

Sorry I'm late guys, i'm locked in now! About to go crazy responding to all these questions lol

To be clear, this is for 4pm EST

First, I just wanted to say that you’re a treat to watch on Academy and I can’t wait to see where your story goes! It’s always great to see a species fleshed out in Trek, in this case a Klingon that has other pursuits than that of a warrior.

Were you initially intimidated by the fact that you are playing a character that is part of a species that has decades of culture built up to this point? If so, how did you prepare for the role? If not, I can’t tell because you’ve been great so far.

Wildly unexpected. Thank you for doing this! 💜

I'm a huge Star Trek as well as lover of Birds. imagine my surprise to see a Klingon carrying binos and then saying, "I watch birds." My family started laughing because I wear a t-shirt often that simply says, "I like birds" and they were really really hoping that you would say that. Haha. Close enough!

I have a very serious two part question:

1. What is Jay-Den's favorite bird? And...
2. What is Karim's favorite bird?

🐦 🖖🏽

Where you a Trekkie before you got the role? If so, what's your favorite show/movie?

Hello Karim! How does it feel to be the first (or at least one of the first) celebrities to do an AMA on Lemmy?

First, I admire you for the heart, depth, and character you bring to this role. My question relates to Klingon culture and in-universe development. Star Trek has a rich history of having "flagship characters" for the important cultures (You, Worf, and B'ellana for the Klingons, Spock, Tuvok, and T'Pol for the Vulcans, Deanna and Lwaxana Troi for Betazed, etc.)

What has been the hardest part about redefining Klingon culture post burn? and what defining in-universe moment changed the Klingons the most in the last ~1000 years?

Qapla'! (Also thank you! but Klingon doesn't have a word for that...)

would you rather fight 100 tribble-sized sehlats or one sehlat-sized tribble?

Hey Karim, super cool to have you here. I love what you've done with your character so far and I'm hoping for continued success on SFA.

1. What's the energy like on set? Are there any particularly strong jokesters? Tim Russ on Voyager was noted for cracking a lot of jokes, for example, and I think Michael Dorn and Brent Spiner had a similar reputation on the set of TNG.
2. Are you into science fiction generally? If so, what's your favorite book, movie, or tv series?
3. What do you wish people knew about SFA (or you!) that they don't seem to?

Do the prosthetics make it much more difficult to act in, or does it actually help you get into the role?

Hi Karim, no question I just wanted to say that your performance in episode 4 honestly made it some of the best Star Trek I've ever seen.

What’s the Klingon food like on-set, for scenes where you have to actually eat it? Do they try and make it taste good, or is it as gross as it looks?

Weirdly, I just thought about how odd it seemed that the fediverse didn't have an AMA community and boom, inside 24-hours, here's this post! Very rad seeing this and now I'll have to add another show to my watch list!

• Have you been on the fediverse before this account and AMA post?
• If so what flavor of Linux do you run? :P

Seriously, even if you don't see or answer these questions, it's super cool you're doing this and I'm glad one of the first on the platform is for Star Trek!

Hi Karim! really loving SFA, and Jay-Den is definitely an awesome character, the Trek world needs more Klingon scientists!!

Jay-Den's voice is really great 🔥 fit for a warrior.

What's your favorite Klingon phrase?!

Hi Karim! It's so cool that you're doing an AMA on the Fediverse!

Anyway, Jay-den is one of my favorite characters of the post-2017 era of Trek. Jay-den is clearly not like most Klingons, but he still feels like a true Klingon. How did you prepare for the role in taking such a unique character who doesn't fit the "stereotype" (for lack of a better word) of a Klingon while still making him feel like a "real" Klingon to the audience?

It's really refreshing to see a gay relationship happen organically on screen in a context outside of the contemporary stereotypes - and indeed, outside of human culture altogether. I realize Trek has done this a bit in the past with Culber/Stamets, and Reno - have you had to think about how LGBT culture exists in a multi-planetary society in the 4th millennium? Is it just plainly a utopia to strive for, for everyone? Is Jay Den's family's Triad House a non-issue in Klingon Society post Qu'onos, or was that something that happened out of necessity to preserve Klingon culture?

Don't misunderstand me, I'm incredibly excited that you're doing this AMA on the 'verse, but I'm curious why you chose this over reddit?

also: Are you going to play the voyager game that was released today?

Hi, Karim!

I cannot believe nobody else is asking this question, so here it goes:

What is your favorite dinosaur? 🦕

Hi Karim! I really liking Starfleet Academy, especially the set designs. What's your favorite set in the show?

Hi Karim, big fan of your work in Academy! Jay-Den's backstory is already an all time great Trek episode.

My hard hitting question is personal: Coffee or tea? More generally, favorite drink?

How do you and your co-stars stay entertained during downtime on set?

Welcome to a deeply weird community!

If you were going to spend a day as a member of a Star Trek crew (other than your current show), which would you choose, and why? Assume it's going to be a normal and pleasant day, not one of the exceptionally horrifying days where everyone gets space parasites or some such.

Well now we've got at least two Star Trek stars on the fediverse! @[email protected]

Apologies if this is a little intimate, but what do you do to prep yourself mentally for filming? Do you have a little routine you do every day, or do you just jump into makeup and start working?

Star Trek has pushed progressive ideas throughout the years, from your experience on set, how do the people making the show, actors included, still try to carry that banner with the mounting political landscape?

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve broken?

Hey Karim, I'm really enjoying Academy so far! Coming of age stories are part and parcel of the franchise since Wesley/Wil Wheaton, and I'm wondering: what's your favourite coming of age story/film/show/game?

(The Breakfast Club is a very valid answer btw)

What scene was the hardest to film? what made it so hard?

Besides Klingons what's your favorite Star Trek species so far!

Starfleet academy has been rather divisive with fans and Star Trek fans as a whole have been known to be rather vocal.

Have you been paying attention to any of the comments made about the show (positive or negative) and has any of this effected your mental health (positive or negative)?

Also wanted to add that I'm personally loving the show and Jay-Den has been a standout character for me.

Do you like cats?

I love you in academy!! 😍 My question is how horny are your dms and if they have gotten hornier or less horny since you put on the forehead?

Who is your favorite captain?

What franchise you'd love to be in? Airing or otherwise.

Hey Karim! Thank you for your work on SFA, really enjoying the show!

Star Trek has done a bunch of genre-bending episodes (mostly on the holodeck), like noir-type crime stories, medieval costume dramas, or western adventures. If you could chose: What genre/setting would you like to put Jay-Den into?

Super cool to have you here! Love Academy so far!

My question is, how to does Jay-Den like his raktajino?

How much star trek did you watch before taking the role? 

Much has been made about the expansive Starfleet Academy set, but have you done much location work so far? Are there any interesting places you can mention?

Karim, your work as Jay-Den Kraag is so well done, you're definitely our favorite actor of the series! You do a better job portraying sometime caught between worlds than any other actor I've seen. Was it challenging to depict such a character?

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!

First growing up, were you a fan of Star Trek? Second, now that you’re part of it, what has it been like to join such a large and long-lasting franchise?

The Next Generation episode “Thine Own Self” has an A-plot that sees Data having to go retrieve radioactive metal. He gets into a shuttle accident, landing on a planet where he loses his memory. The inhabitants of the planet give him the name Jayden. Is Jay-Den named after this episode?

Hello Karim,

eventually you will go onto Fan Conventions. Have your costars given any words of advice how to navigate real world fan interactions?

Please ask Robert Picardo about his experience at Dragon Con. Had a great chat with him about his voice work when I met him. Would love to have you come someday and hang at the Pulse Bar!!!!

In episode '2F09', when Itchy plays Scratchy's skeleton like a xylophone, he strikes the same rib twice in succession, yet he produces two clearly different tones. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort of a magic xylophone or something?

How many tribbles do you think you could take in a fight?

Hey bud! I just wanted to say I really appreciate your show. I’m a middle age guy who grew up on TNG/DS9 and this show really captures the soul of Star Trek. Keep up the great work!!

As for a question, were you a Trek fan before? If so, how’s that incorporated into your performance, if at all. And if you weren’t a fan before, are you now, and how does no prior exposure to Star Trek inform your performance?

Thanks!!

Hello Karim, I am a Trekkie that hasn't seen Starfleet Academy, but because you're here, now I will watch it

What’s it been like to work with actors like HH & PG? Learned anything from them?

How it feels to have all the Klingon makeup?

Amazing to see this!

What's your favourite Star Trek (can't say Starfleet Academy)and how did you end up here?

Do you think Starfleet Academy is reaching younger audiences? What do you think about Strange New Worlds as far as that demographic? I ask as a 50 year old who grew up on TOS and TNG and everything since. (I've actually more or less liked every instance of Star Trek, but I really do like where SNW and SA are going recently!)

Hey Karim, thanks for doing this. Really like your acting. I wanted to ask how did the name "Jay-Den" came to be? It sounds distinctively not Klingon and I assume meant to sound like a US American name which seems out of place.

If you could choose to play a character from the original series, who would it be?

What was the audition process like? Did you have any clue what you were auditioning for, or was it buried under 47 layers of secrecy?

Qapla! Do you speak any Klingon besides the lines you had to memorize? Did you study the history/lore of the Klingons? Btw, I love how you are bringing Jay-Den to life.

Hi, Karim! I just watched the latest episode and I adored it. I can’t wait to see where Jay-Den goes with Kyle and Darem. If it’s something you can talk about will these three end up together romantically? Definitely picked up on some of the subtext with episode 7 and I’m absolutely loving it! Thank you!

Hi Karim! Thank you for your work on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy! I've thoroughly enjoyed your work in particular on the show!

The character of Jay-Den has broken with what many fans have considered to be canonically or at least, stereotypically Klingon, and the show has drawn some criticism for this.

Others have praised the writing and your acting as Jay-Den for redefining or at least recontextualizes what being Klingon ultimately means in a Universe that embraces and cultivates people of infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

I was wondering if you could speak to the challenges you may have had in the endeavor to portray Jay-Den given this context?

It is obvious you did your research for the role beforehand and I can only imagine it must have been somewhat intimidating portraying a character on a major franchise that breaks with what some fans consider canon while also pushing the inclusivity of the Star Trek Universe forward.

I'll reiterate my thanks in advance to you for doing this AMA.

Hi and so happy to have you!

I love that you're playing - I don't know if I'm interpreting it right, but among all aspects of Jay-Den, I think, at least - a non-neurotypical Klingon. I'd love to hear your perspective on how you go about playing him not just as neurodiverse, but specifically as a neurodiverse Klingon!

Star Trek has always been a show using sci-fi elements to draw parallels to our own culture. What mirror do you feel Jay-Den holds up to people in the real world?

Hi Karim, and thanks for the AMA!

As your character is a healer and a now a medical student, how much preparation you have had to do about health, medicine and the experiences of medical school to give depth to the role, aside from the series own technical lore?

The voice, real or CG? If CG why did they feel they needed to make the characters voice so deep compared to the other klingons? It's a bit jarring listening, especially the debate episode.

Hi Karim! It's amazing to have you here answering our questions! You interact so much with the fans, and it's amazing to see a community be created in real time through your interactions with us. I'm loving your preformance as Jay-Den, cementing him as one of my favorite Trek characters of all time. I've got a serious and a silly question!

• Jay-Den breaks some serious barriers in his character arc. How similar are you to Jay-Den at the core, and is there anything from your own life that you translated into Jay-Den?
• If you were in the Star Trek universe, what would your position in Starfleet be? Would you choose to be in Starfleet, or pick to explore something else? Basically, tell us about your Star Trek self-insert character, if you've thought of one! Thanks so much for reading and answering our questions! Can't wait for next week's episode too!! LLAP!

Hi Karim!

I'm liking Starfleet Academy. It's hard to pick a favourite character though ^_^'

How did you prepare for your role as Jay Den?

(more questions might come up if I think of them before you answer)

When you were a 1 year-old, Katee Sackhoff was a 21 year old actress just starting out as Starbuck on the Battlestar Galactica remake. I see a lot of parallels with the cast of BSG in the early 2000s and the Star Trek: Academy "kids" in 2026.

On her YouTube channel she just recently started watching that BSG series for the first time. It's really interesting to see how she talks about her life in her 20s, looking back as an actress now in her 40s. She doesn't seem to have big regrets, but you definitely get the impression she'd like to send some messages back to the younger Katee. Have you and the rest of the cast found mentors found mentors who can help you with your careers and performances?

Star Trek is unique in that there have been almost continuous shows and movies on since the 1980s. So, there are dozens of actors at various stages in their careers who might be able to offer perspectives. For you, I wonder if Michael Dorn would be someone you'd reach out to. Not only is he obviously a fellow klingon, but he also started out as a musician before going into acting. There's also Wil Wheaton, who seems like he was really grateful to have been "adopted" by the TNG cast, and is the kind of guy who would pay that kindness forward.

Love your work on the show! Is the voice hard to do? It seems like it would be hard to do all day.

You guys ever have to stop the set because you gotta go to the restroom?

I was recently on a hike with a group and just held it in uncomfortably throughout the entire time lol

Do the writers and directors give you a lot of input into how to play your character and the direction of his story/development?

If it were up to you, what kind of scenes or storylines would you most like to play or see Jay-Den Kraag in?

Stealing from Colbert, what is the best sandwich? Both for you and for your character?

Have never watched anything Star Trek before, but might give it a try because of this. 👍

Thanks for the AMA!

What previous trek cast member do you want to do a cameo on Academy, just so you can share the set with them?

Thanks for the AMA!

How did you find the Fediverse? Have you found it enjoyable?

Your acting during the debate episode was incredible. My only question is this: How did you decide what your character would sound like? His "accent" gets "awkward young adult Klingon" across very well in my opinion, and I personally think you nailed it

I don't know if it's expired already, but what drew you into acting and the Starfleet Academy role? Were you into the series before hand?

Did you have any expectations that changed before and after taking the role on?

Is there something that surprised you in the role/show?

Thanks for doing an AMA on Lemmy! If you could play any race in the Star Trek universe which would you pick and why?

Hi, Karim!

First off, so freaking cool of you to do this on Lemmy!

Second, I've noticed that Academy seems to be showcasing a lot of the rarer species in Trek and giving fans little glimpses into how they have been since their original debuts. What star trek species would you be most excited to see again in the show? I'm personally hoping for a Denobulan to make an appearance (hopefully more than one!).

And a twofer, cause I'm greedy: what is your favorite/least favorite part of working on the show?

Hello Karim,

Fantastic that you’re the providing the first Trek cast member AMA in the fediverse! Incredible way to get into the franchise.

I hope this will be a good experience on your side and that you might consider having your own account on Mastodon or Pixelfed.

A few questions please…🖖🏼

— In your study of previous Klingons in the franchise, have you considered B’Elanna Torres journey to accepting her Klingon heritage? Do you see some parallels in her discomfort with Klingon culture, its norms and expectations with Jay-Den’s search for a path to his own identity while still respecting his culture of origin?

— Was there a specific moment, in your preparation process for the role, when it suddenly came together for you and you knew who you need to be as Jay-Den? Could you share when that was?

— What other languages, if any, do you speak beyond English? If you are bilingual or multilingual, do you find that helps with the Klingon dialogue and phrases?

— How are you finding Toronto and the surrounding area? Have you got out much around the region? Other than what appears to be the Escarpment in S1E4, have you been out on location shoots?

Have you been privy to any of the discussions about what it means for the show to be set a thousand years later than most of the franchise, like where it makes sense for a previous entry to guide the interpretation, and where it maybe makes as much or more sense to let things go a little crazy. The interplay probably has to drift more toward storytelling realities within the brand than it does gaming-out what would "really" happen over a millennium of Star Trek time.

Honestly, when I think about it, the post-Burn era seems downright conservative in terms of societal change, certainly at least within Starfleet. That's obviously necessary for it to be recognizable as a property, but it's kind of funny to think that it's as static as it seems, like closer to the difference between 426 and 1426 than between 1026 and 2026 CE, and I'm probably understating how different the first two were.

Loving Academy, long may it continue.

Do you have any power to get us a series, and I’ll take a mini-series, with Seven of Nine as Captain and Raffi as Number Two? If not, do you know who does and do you have any dirt on them?

what does it feel like to play the first autistic and queer Klingon? (AFAIK)

Is it hard to do that voice? Do ya drink a lot of tea on set or are ya naturally baritone.

Just want to say: While I'm not a huge fan of the highschool drama part of the show, I love all the characters so far <3 You're all doing a great job!

wow. this is beyond exciting.

I've loved your interpretation of a Klingon. What informs how to bring such an odd alien and culture to life? What new things are you trying to introduce and what things are you trying to pay homage too?

hello Karim,

saw the videos of your voice training Its amazing seeing you comfortably hit the lower registers.

If asked by the show runners to do a song, what would you sing in its original Klingon version?
(I hope its Crash Test Dummies. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" would love to hear you do a cover of it Klingon or English!!!)

What's your take on the current discourse surrounding your show? I haven't watched it yet but "the Internet" has been right about precisely 1 singular show they were hating on, so it's already got a glowing recommendation.

What was your top reference going into acting in Star Trek? What personal twists you added to that?

Hi Karim! Great job playing Jay-Den!

If you were a cadet at Starfleet Academy, which electives would you pick?

Hey! It's awesome to have you here. I've been really enjoying the show so far, and your performance has been one of my favourite parts. You bring such nuance and depth to the character, and I can't imagine it is easy to give such a compelling performance when you're playing a character as reserved as Jay-Den.

In preparation for this role, how much (if at all) did you study mannerisms of past actors who played Klingon characters? Were there any particular aspects that served as inspiration for how you want to play Jay-Den? Or perhaps things that you strove to avoid, due to wanting to bring something distinct to this character?

(Or inspirations for your performance beyond Star Trek)

How did your understanding of the character (and how you played him) develop once you were on set? Were there any particular interactions with members of the cast/crew that shaped how you portrayed Jay-Den?

Smaller question: Favourite episode of Starfleet Academy?

Karim! You’re a wonderful actor I adore your portrayal of Jay-Den, how much input did you have in your interpretation of the character?

Instead of IG, you should hop on Pixelfed

Oh wow, I didn't know this corner of the internet got AMA's. 8O

Late to the party and not really a star trek fan, but still, good on Karim for popping by! 🤗

Hi Karim! You are such a joy to watch on screen and behind the scenes :) Your posts and those from the rest of the cast have added so much enjoyment to the starfleet academy experience. I know we have seen some of Jay-Den's backstory already, but I wanted to know if you had any headcanons about his childhood/adolescence. For example: my aunt told me a story about how when she was a girl, she kept a chicken as a pet, but when she wasn't home, my great grandma ended up giving the chicken some alcohol before cutting off it's head and cooking it for dinner. When my aunt found out what the meal in front of her was she cried. My headcanon is that something like that happened to Jay-Den :']

Hey! I think your acting is one of the best parts of the show. Thank you for sharing your talent!

Cool! Didn't know about this new show. Defenitely will watch it.

Thanks for doing this, so cool!

Hello Karim, what are you most recommended/most stay-away-from-this experiences in Toronto (and area) so far?

Thanks for all the hard work on the new show! 🖖

Hi Karim, nice to have you here.

Do you think, that given the current state of our world, the 32. century is more accessible than the 24. century, since society has to rebuild after the burn and seems to have lost some of its previous values along the way?

What do you think of Discovery Klingons? It seems like they came and went with little explanation, while the early TOS human-looking Klingons did get an explanation in canon eventually.

Thanks for doing this here instead of corporate social media.

Hi Karim! I am absolutely adoring Jay-Den's character. If you're able to discuss it are there plans for his triangle with Darem and Kyle? I might've fangirled a wee bit hard this last episode with all the teasers being dropped XD

Love the show, but not a fan of "The Burn" or the sort of dystopia it creates, did you grow up watching Trek? Is the show what you expected?

Not really a question, more of an observation: timezones exist 😛

What would you like to say to people like myself who think that Starfleet Academy is written by people who seem to have never watched or understood our favorite science fiction series? (Or at least never understood the point)