Sci-fi has changed over the last forty years and nowhere is that seen so well as in the differences between the new and the old incarnations of Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. In its latest series, Star Trek: Enterprise, Manny Coto wove icons from the Original Series into a new storyline and in so doing showed us the changing role that women are playing in sci-fi and by extension, their place in modern media.

Our guest this month, Menina Fortunato, played one of three Orion Slave Girls in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Bound." This was a modern "remix" of a role made famous by Susan Oliver in The Original Series episode "The Menagerie", Gene Roddenberry's pilot for the series.

SFS: Menina, how much of an influence on your performance was Susan Oliver's original role in "The Menagerie?"

Menina: Honestly, I still haven't seen Susan's original performance. I only had photos as a reference. I will say that it is an honor to play a character that has been considered legendary in the Star Trek Phenomenon. The choreographer and the director were pretty specific on what they wanted from me, but I still had a little freedom to bring my own into the character. I had a lot of fun playing a role that really does not reflect who I am in real life. It was a very empowering. I wish I had that much control over men in real life. ;-)

SFS: I thought it was a great twist to the plotline that the "slave girls" were the slavers and not the ones enslaved.

Menina: I LOVED the twist at the end. The entire episode, the women make the men feel like they are are in control, when in fact it's the opposite. I joke about it sometimes and think, "Hey isn't that real life?" All men love to be in control, but women have a way to manipulate and get what they want in the end. I am sure both men and women can relate in some way. :-)

SFS: It was a very feminine role... conquest by love rather than conquest by force! I've got to tell you, those pheromones were coming right through that TV screen and were alive and kicking in my lounge room! Do you see the character as a femme fatale?

Menina: Absolutely! I think that Orion Women use their sensuality and femininity that drive men into dangerous and compromising situations. Love and lust are powerful and I do believe that most men get weak when approached by a seductive woman -- like an Orion. Those pheromones are very intoxicating.

SFS: You're a professional dancer and choreographer, in fact you've danced with many superstars like Britney Spears, Beyonce, Earth Wind & Fire, Paula Abdul and MC Hammer. You have also choreographed for the NBA, Luis Miguel's World Tour and VHI's Celebrity Fit Club among many other projects. Did you choreograph the Orion slave girl dance? 

Menina: No, I did not choreograph the routine. Travis Payne and his assistant Stacey Walker did the choreography.

SFS: It must have been a professional challenge to create a dance for an alien culture. What did you draw on as inspiration, the Original Series episode?

Menina: The choreographers did a great job of experimenting with us (3 actresses/dancers). We purposely tried very awkward, unnatural movement, appropriate for an alien, that was still seductive. I, personally, used snakes, cats and Egyptian dancing as inspiration. The music had an Egyptian feel which inspired a little belly dancing flavor. I was inspired by the body language of a cat when they arch their back, wag their tail or purr when they're content. I used the snake as a reference when approaching the men on the ship. The snake slithers in a very seductive way when they approach their prey. We spent seven days rehearsing and perfecting the routine. I wish that the full routine actually aired, but as a viewer you only get to see quick shots, and some of the shots don't exactly go with the music the way it was originally choreographed. I am not an expert in post production and I would never tell someone how to do their job, but if I were in that position I would have edited differently so the movement was perfectly in sync with the choreography. As a choreographer and a perfectionist, I am very picky when it comes to musicality. Overall I loved the dance and I hope it will be remembered for decades.

SFS: As a sci-fi fan yourself, what have been the female roles in science fiction that standout for you and why? Have they influenced you as a person?

Menina: I don't have one favorite female sci-fi role, but I do love characters like Catwoman, Buffy and Xena. All these roles are action-hero types. Catwoman is sexy, seductive and fierce... Buffy is the girl next door type on the outside and tough on the inside, not to mention a great martial artist. Xena is powerful, strong and also a good fighter. I don't think these characters influenced me as a person, but I will say that I am attracted to these characters because they are a reflection of the inner superhero that I would love to be.

SFS: What have you enjoyed the most in TV or movies recently?

Menina: Unfortunately, I haven't been able to watch much TV recently since I have been in Asia most of this fall. There are so many new shows that I can't keep up anymore. I always love a good movie and I don't think recent films have been any better or worse than less current films. I love a film that can keep me on my toes. I have a tendency to want to predict the outcome, and I love it when I think I have it all figured out, and then there's a twist at the end. I like a movie that makes me think, but I also want to be entertained.

SFS: How do you see sci-fi as a creative opportunity for actresses?

Menina: I think sci-fi films allow any actress the freedom to escape reality and think outside the box. We all love to live out our fantasies. The ability to recreate that fantasy on film or TV is a real treat for any actor. I never thought in a million years that I would play a sexy green alien. Not too many actresses get that kind of opportunity. It's something that may only happen once in a lifetime, yet remembered years later. Susan Oliver is a perfect example. She played a role many years ago, and even though she has passed, we are still talking about her today. Her role will be remembered for decades and I hope that I can follow in the same footsteps.

SFS: How about the foreseeable future for women in sci-fi? What kind of role would you like to be offered?

Menina: I would love to see sci-fi movies with more women superheroes that succeed in the box office. Movies like Catwoman and DareDevil didn't do as well as they could. The sci-fi fans are predominately men, and many men are still not as excited to see a woman superhero. With time, I think and hope that that mentality will change. I personally would love a super hero/action type sci-fi role that would challenge me both mentally and physically. I am very athletic and comfortable with body movement and choreographed stage fighting. I get a rush being able to pretend like I am kicking-butt.

SFS: I can just see you as Wonder Woman! What will we be seeing you in next?

Menina: I'm worked with Jamie Kennedy on a comedy feature film KICKIN IT OLD SKOOL, which is slated to be released later this year. I also starred in the short film The Story by Amy Niles and directed by Tim Russ, which will be coming soon as well. I am currently touring 13 countries and 36 cities with Korean pop/R&B recording artist -- RAIN. I am working with Madonna's team of directors and choreographers on this multi-million dollar live tour and this project will be keeping me busy until June 2007. You can always go to my website at meninaonline to stay up to date with my current projects.

Menina is a young lady who is a credit to the entertainment industry: Friendly and helpful to the fans but totally professional and committed to their craft. It's no wonder she has been voted Star of the Month by R.U.N. forum after her last tour! Sci Fi Studios is proud to number her amongst our friends. We'll be watching you, Menina, so don't be a stranger!