“Hey, are you walking out?” I asked my friend.
“Yeah,” he said.
“I’ll walk out with you.”
He picked up his coat and script. I put my phone in my pocket and reached for my glasses, before I remembered that they were in my car.
We said goodbye to a pretty amazing person who I can’t name because of reasons, and headed down the hallway toward the parking lot.
When we got to the door, another person was coming in. He knew my friend, and said hello to him.
“What are you working on?” He asked my friend.
There was a long pause while my friend and I looked at each other. This project we’re on has been in production for a few months, and we record on it almost every week. He and I are regulars, and it’s fairly common for someone we both know to come in as a guest actor, surprising us both, because none of us are allowed to talk about this thing. In fact, one of my best friends worked on it a few weeks ago, and the day before I’d had a conversation like this with her:
Me: Do you want to get lunch tomorrow?
Her: I’m working until about 1pm, but I’m free after that.
Me: Oh, me too. What are you working on?
Her: I can’t say. NDA.
Me: Oh, I hear ya. I’m on something like that right now, too.
Her: Okay, I’ll text you when I’m done and we can meet up somewhere.
So after this long pause, my friend said, “It’s a super secret thing that we’re doing for [network].”
He looked at me. “Can we say [network]?”
“I’m pretty sure we can’t say that,” I said.
“You should probably forget that I said [network],” my friend said.
“Yeah, if it comes up for any reason, you definitely did not hear either of us say anything about [network], especially how we are working on a show for [network],” I added.
“I am now completely forgetting about [network],” he said.
We all looked at each other for a moment, and then we all laughed.
“This is so weird,” I said. “We’re all working on cool things, and I bet we know what they are, because we’ve either worked on them at another time, auditioned for them, or know someone who is on them … but none of us are allowed to talk about it for months or longer.”
We talked around what we’re doing a little bit, and then we all went our separate ways.
This is a cool and awesome thing that I get to do. I hear mean and dismissive things from dicks on the Internet all the time about how I don’t do anything and I’m lame and all that stuff, and for awhile, a big part of me believed it. But when I do things like this work today, and the thing I did a couple days ago, and this thing that I’m doing next week, I realize that they’re full of shit. I’m doing a lot of cool stuff, it’s just stuff that I can’t talk about.
This thing, though, in particular, is really great. I’m excited as hell to talk about it at some point in the Mysterious Future, probably after [network] announces it and then gets mad at me for announcing it myself three days later.
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That’s awesome, Wil. I can totally relate about the impression secrecy gives that you’re not doing anything. I’ve worked on some really cool projects in the past year that I am not allowed to publicly take credit for. I guess that’s what having a strong union is good for. :/
Mean dismissive dicks are jealous and haters with no real lives of their own. See it this way, if they’re taking their precious time to spend on you as a hater, you win! If they like you, you win! Either way, you win! I’m excited for you and wish you all the best in your endeavors.
^^^What Tamatha said.^^^
All I can tell you Wil is that your acting has provided a lot of entertainment and inspiration for a plethora of people around the world. I was really impressed when I met you in Vegas during STLV back in 2008 (or maybe 2007). You were witty, charming, empathetic and you really engaged with and appreciated your fans. You don’t harm other people and you seem to obey the law and pay your taxes. I’d say that makes you a pretty darn fine citizen of our Republic. Our world could use more like you sir. LLAP!
I love your work, always have. I am glad you have fun happy mystery worky things, it makes it more fun for us too!!
Hey man, as long as you are enjoying your life, and aren’t purposefully messin’ with other folks’ lives, then that’s all that matters. It’s good stuff to do the daily ‘this and that’. It’s even better when you add layers (real or imaginary) to make those things even more awesome.
be Well.
Your posts are refreshingly real. Good stuff.
I have never understood all this secrecy stuff about entertainment. It’s like the powers-that-be think we won’t watch or listen to something because we knew it was going to happen before it happened! You’d think they’d be promoting the hell out of it, not trying to hide it.
It’s more about how marketing and publicity will have a strategy to announce and reveal things about the show, and they (understandably) want to have control over anything that could affect that, including what and when actors say things about it.
Hey will,
If you would like another website making up then feel free to let me know. I work for a hosting coming and would be great to have u aboard
Are you serious Jim?
If it was leaked what happened in the new Star Wars Movie (rather ‘Who’) do you really think the public would be okay with that spoiler?
This is an awesome post because it accomplishes several things. It fills your followers with anticipation.(a very good thing for an audience to have, as you know.) It allows you to remember that you are doing work, not nothing. (as if the 17 different other things do not qualify as work.) And it highlights both the ridiculousness and the necessity of secrecy/discretion in the industry.
I wonder though… how hard is it for you to keep the secret when you are bursting with the desire to say, “Hey friends. Look at this!” because you are proud of good work?
Also, in regards to the depression… I run into similar things with my wife(my depression works slightly differently.) She listens to other things, people, articles, memes etc. about what she should be doing and the depression grabs onto that. I tell you what I always tell my wife.. If the world tells you A and your spouse and very best friends tell you B, you can bet your ass that B is right.
Keep writing, voicing, acting, playing, bearding, dogging, etc. (I know you have cats too but I just can’t say catting when I am not such a cat fan as I am a dog lover.
I hope you are enjoying what you are doing, and look forward to hearing about it when you are able to do the Big Reveal.
You got some flack on Twitter yesterday and it really, really annoyed my wife and I. You’re one of the good guys Wil – the world is a better, more positive place with you in it. Keep on keeping on. X
Yeah, please ignore dicks on the internet. I have been hearing bad things for years because I am a stay home parent. As long as our “things” are important to us, that’s all that matters. 🙂
Hey, I’m happily waiting for Tabletop, anything beyond that is gravy. I have ‘Ready Player One’ in constant rotation in my audio books.
I never knew The Weather Channel had such strict NDAs.
You’re awesome
Well I for one can’t wait for you to announce [REDACTED]! I got a bit of a sneak peek thanks to Lord [REDACTED] and I have to say, I love the part where the [REDACTED] hits you with the [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] War of 1812 [REDACTED] on the Shroud of Turin even though [REDACTED] cheese omelette [REDACTED] hair club for men [REDACTED] Barbados! Haha – good stuff!
Gosh, that’s about the most amazing thing to me right now. Voice acting on actual THINGS with NDAs and getting out there and doing what you like with people you like on things that interest you… I mean it has to feel amazing. I’m hoping to get there someday myself, so it’s cool to see someone so talented going through it. Congrats on doing all the cool stuff that you’re doing and I can’t wait to hear what it is 🙂
Aha! I’ve figured out exactly who and what you are talking about, and I’m very excited at the news. Lobsters have never been so… and the whole underwear thing, I hope they include that in the screenplay, despite the awkwardness. Plus, space Vikings. What more could we ask for?
I have regularly enjoyed your work. Odd as it may sound, you actually helped me deal with my PTSD from being in combat zones. That said, I think you are a great guy that is human, so keep being awesome and share your thoughts on home made brew with us sometimes. Also, I doubt you read the comments (always a hateful prick lurking around to ruin ones day), just know you writing is enjoyed by a home brewing vet. Thanks for being you.
Hopefully this Mysterious Future, Unnamed Thing for [Network] will be something pretty cool. Hope everything’s going well for you. Bummer that you won’t be at RCCC, but have seen your replies to many people on Tumblr, and fully understand. Self-health is of high importance.
Keep Wandering the Universe!
Looking forward to this mysterious future 🙂 Thank you for not sharing/sharing!
Looking forward to seeing you in the credits for this top-secret thing you are working on.
And dicks will be dicks, I wouldn’t put much stock in what the nay-sayers say. Like my dad always said, “opinions are like assholes, everybody has one and they all stink!”
Extra points for the Courtney Barnett lyrics.
Quit worrying about what “other people are thinking”. You could sit in front of your tv and watch the walking dead all day long drinking beer and eating chips and you would still be cool. Until I started reading your blogs I didnt even know people didnt like you. You are awesome and have done some super cool things. So keep being you and we will keep watching/listening to your shows.
Wil, you are significantly cool…I had no idea all the things you were involved with before I starting reading your blog, but today I had the BBC channel on while I was doing some crafting and there you were on an old Star Trek, and last week I turned on @Midnight like I normally do and there you were on it, so you jump into my life via many of your projects and I am happy that happens and look forward to other opportunities to watch you and hear your voice and read what you write……please keep being who you are and who you want to be….there will always be someone out there who wants to throw something negative your way, surprise! But in the grand scheme of things, those people are not your fan base…..and your fan base admires you and supports you and eagerly awaits whatever you choose to do, so take great comfort in that—-like all the replies here, we aren’t going anywhere.
I love your smile in that photo!
It’s ironic how people who do nothing with their life except for being dicks on the internet would criticize you, who are more productive than half of us in the World would ever be.
Shut up, Wesley.
Who’s Wesley?
Nevermind, I just got it – “Princess Bride” reference. So embarrassing! Haha
It’s hard to know if you’re serious or joking. “Westley” is from Princess Bride, and has nothing to do with Wil. “Shut up, Wesley” is a common theme from ST:TNG, where Wil’s character would get pushed out of a conversation based on the assumption that being young, he didn’t know about the topic at hand. I don’t remember if it was actually Ever Said in an episode, but it has become something of a meme in all of the projects that Wil takes on. Most folks who say it nowadays are being “cute” and not mean.
If you already knew all this, then I apologize; please disregard. If you honestly DIDN’T know, then I recommend you binge-watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, and report back to us re: whether “Shut up, Wesley” was ever spoken or simply implied on the show (and how often). 🙂
FYI, Captain Picard says “Shut up Wesley” and then his mother doctor crusher repeats it on the bridge of the enterprise in the Season 1 episode where they discover and assemble Data’s evil brother Lor, if not for Wesley’s instincts, the ship would have been lost to the crystalline entity…just one of the several occasions in which Wesley saved the ship.
🖕🏻
My life is quiet enough that I think working on a super-secret project that requires a NDA is pretty cool. And I think it’s hilarious that you and your friend had that discussion while working on the same project. People tend to put down what they don’t understand or what they’re not a part of. Screw ’em!
So… what you’re saying is that your life is dope, and you do dope shit. Well, so say we all.
I always felt like [Network] was suspicious, but Friend Computer reminded me of my clearance level by removing that portion of my brain. Now everything is cucumber and I’m a much happier banana.
Not true and not sure if anyone else did but I liked the character you portrayed in Leverage ‘Chaos’
That character just seemed so…. you. Favorite line in the series had to be Chaos Vs. Hardison
“I heard you were in Jail. Guess I was wrong”
“I heard you sucked. Guess I was right”
So. Never feel down about yourself because you will always have people out there that enjoy what your hard work accomplishes.
Hope you can find some solace in that.
Best of luck and looking forward to the new season of tabletop!
-Josh
It is completely understandable that you cannot discuss these projects in places like your blog or with the media, but it is mind blowing not being able to talk about it with your peers. Hell, they might even be working on the same project but you might have no scenes with them. Hollywood is just crazy.
I am sorry that people are so negative to you.
Here is something positive.
I was a teen when ST:TNG premiered. I identified with Wesley Crusher right away. A bit geeky. A bit awkward. I liked him, even though many of my friends were not as impressed as I was.
The moment that I became impressed with you and not just Mr. Crusher was on that show. It was during the episode where he met an alien played by Jaime Hubbard. There was a scene where Wesley and the girl were on a date in the holodeck and you had to say a line about something something becoming synchronous.
I had done a little acting in high school. And I knew a line that would make me stumble when I heard it.
I loved your delivery. For the first time, I was absorbed both by the story and how you chose to portray your character. It was a revelation to me.
Eventually you left ST:TNG. I kept going to school. I went to college. I changed majors a few times. I switched schools. Met a woman. We had three beautiful daughters. And eventually I graduated with a degree in physics.
Somewhere in there, I discovered that I had a learning disability. But I kept going. I kept trying.
By this time, I had discovered your blog. I saw some of the things that you were going through and they resonated with me. I have gone through different things, of course, but it still helped.
Now I work at Fermilab. It is a wonderful job. A dream job. Life is not perfect, of course. There are some really negative people out there who can drag a person down. But I am in a good place.
And I think that part of that is related to you.
Thank you.
Just got home from my stamp club meeting. Sorry about the late chime-in. I know how you feel. I’m headed over to Elvis’ house for coffee to take my mind off of having to mow my yard.
The fact that some random person thinks it’s okay to belittle someone because that person won’t indulge their tantrum and explain every tiny detail says more about them then it does you. Stay strong. I honestly don’t know how you (and other people in similar situations) put up with it!
The work you do is awesome! You’ve always, to me, seemed like a nice guy, so don’t let people who are unhappy with their lives try to make you unhappy as well. I can totally imagine it not being fun though when you are a celebrity because there will always be people trolling. Keep up the good work and cannot wait for tabletop season 4!!!
I’ve been reading your blog since 2000…something. I’ve grown up watching you on television and movies (you’re about the same age) and I’ve always found your blog really interesting and I’ve really enjoyed the stories that you have shared. There have been times in my life when stress made me crazy and reading your blog has brought positive thoughts to my life. It always astounds me that you let morons on the internet get to you. You’ve accomplished awesome things that most of the people alive on this planet won’t be able to do in their lifetimes. Maybe everyday isn’t a lifetime best day ever, but come on man, you’ve had some pretty awesome days. I guess all I want to say is be proud of what you’ve done, what you’re doing, and continue to keep doing what makes you happy.
Rock on, Wil
Yes… for all that is wonderful about the internet, there are a few glaring things that need to be fixed, and among them is that sadists use it as a vehicle. I understand that mental illness shouldn’t be a stigma. Reading your blog has educated me on this topic, but I find it odd that free speech is used to justify harmfully shitty behavior on the web. People express themselves online and are met by a stream of garbage that degrades to violence and or political/religious arguments. It’s not normal.
I am the target of some of some of that stuff and I’m not known outside of a very small niche. But people like you who are “public figures” are beset with volumes of that crap on a daily basis. The irony is that this daily occurrence happens without notice, despite the fact that we have a young generation preoccupied in the most maudlin way with words that may be deemed offensive… words that “may” be misinterpreted are the obsessive focus of our culture, while every day we defend “free speech” that consists of nothing more than horrific – often violent verbal assaults. The level of cognitive dissonance that arises from thinking about this sort of thing is. Nevermind. Uggh. I’m preaching to the proverbial choir.
But.
All that aside.
You kick ass.
So, keep on kicking ass – and feel good about – it because truth be told, you’re one of the good guys 😉
Apologies that this has nothing to do with this post but I had to tell you that I am at the Phoenix Comicon 2016 and I just saw someone cause play in you as yourself I took a picture but I don’t know how to send it to you
***Cosplay… I’m using voice to text. Lol
Kevin Smith can suck a D! U need to be in Clerks3 or at the very least J and silent bobs Craptacular Cartoon Movie Two.
I work for a mid-size bio-tech pharmaceutical company. I would love to be able to shout to the heavens about the awesome research we are doing to actually try and find cures for diseases. Technology/Biology has advanced so much and I am fortunate to work in a place that if we think we have reached the limits of that technology/biology — we push it even further. But I can’t shout to the heavens about it because it is all confidential and proprietary. What I end up hearing is about how pricey the cost of drugs is, and why do drugs have so many side effects, and big pharma is out to make money on the desperate, and drug companies are keeping people sick just to make more money, etc etc etc.
That may be true for some companies, but not the one I work at — I have been here 17 years and it has always been about pushing the science to help better someone’s quality of life. We have met and heard the stories first hand from patients that we have impacted. Their pictures are on the walls of our buildings and labs so that we are reminded why we come to work everyday. I work for a company that promotes science to kids. We have an annual Science Day right here in the labs, we have supported STEM and STEAM programs throughout our community, we judge local school science fairs.
To say the human body is complicated would be an understatement — but no matter what the outside world thinks — we are not going to stop doing what we do. I am not going to stop doing what I do for the research is pretty cool.
Love that smile on you Wil in the pic. It looks good on you — keep doing what you do. Keep creating something where there wasn’t something there before. Be well.
When you hear the empty-barrel rattle of idiots, always remember:
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. – Ghandi
If they are trying to tear you down, you are in the process of winning. And you get to live rent-free right there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS_Q82iqLZ4
I just went on Wikipedia a few minutes ago and read about your “other ventures”. Holy smokes, you do not sound like a guy that just sits around and does nothing! Keep up the good work!
I’m getting to really dislike the internet. I watch people I admire like yourself, or Matt Mercer from Critical Role, and others get disheartened by dicks being harsh on the internet. And it sucks, you, or anyone else for that matter, don’t deserve that. Much like myself, I’m sure your own mind is the harshest critic of all. So if you are doing these things that you cannot talk about, and it’s making you happy, then that is all that matters, and I would consider that successful. And if you became even more of a success and it meant you couldn’t do this blog anymore, or tabletop, or whatever, I would still admire you.
Wil. My favorite memory of you was one year at Gencon when you played and won Giant Star Trek Catan and you saw my 3 month old baby in her daddy’s arm and you started talking to her and tickleing her little feet and told everyone she was your good luck charm. I totally get the need to take a break from cons. I have not enjoyed cons much lately for similar reasons. Gencon has just gotten too big me and my anxiety goes through the roof and I am miserable so why bother going? I took a break for that reason and last summer took a break because my husband had cancer and it was more important that I stay home with him and keep him company instead of attending conventions that he would have loved to be at. I have to say at first I was upset about not going to cons that year for a first time in many years, but it was such a needed break. I took care of myself and my family and in fall my hubby was cured and we had an amazing fall! It was so nice not having to go through the drama and anxiety of going to a con. I ended up spending 7 weeks working in a haunted house and felt like I was in a con enviornment with like minded people minus the anxiety and drama. I had to make money to send my hubby to the World Series to see his Royals! I also took time to reevaluate my anxiety, depression and OCD and find positive ways to battle those demons. This break will be a great way for you to do that too. If going to cons is making you miserable and causing you great anxiety then your real fans will understand that. If they don’t then too bad. You don’t owe us anything. The only thing you owe us is being the best you you can be and if thay means taking a break from the fans, then go for it dude!! Anxiety and depression absolutely suck and if you do not take time to care for yourself you will be living in a black hole of anxiety and depression. You don’t need that man! Take your break. I will miss you but I will he waiting for you when you get back.
Wil, your sentence “I hear mean and dismissive things from dicks on the Internet all the time about how I don’t do anything and I’m lame and all that stuff, and for awhile, a big part of me believed it.” disturbed me a great deal and made me sad and disappointed.
Wil, are you forgetting that beautiful response you gave to that little girl about bullying? If so, here’s a reminder…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04WJEEb33CY. Wil, you were an inspiration to that girl and to millions of others who have been picked on, so why don’t you take your own advice? Why are you letting those stupid “faceless” loseres hiding behind a computer upset you? They are worthless and pathetic and have sorry lives if all they can do to make themselves feel better about themselves is to put down a well-loved, much-accomplished celebrity like you. Please don’t let them win, Wil! Do you want that girl to read this post and feel saddened that the very same hero that inspired her to rise above bullying is now letting the bullies win? Wil, come on, you’re stronger than this and so much better than those losers! Hey, if it makes you feel any better, put in Justin Bieber or Donald Trump or Myley Cyrus in Twitter’s searchbox and see all the hatred tweets they’re getting. My point is, you’re not the only celebrity that gets hated on, as well as loved. Many celebrities have said that once you get hate mail, then you know you’ve made it as a successful, well-known celebrity. But in all seriousness, don’t let any faceless loser behind a computer upset you. They’re insecure jerks with no life. Take your break to be able to shine again, but don’t leave forever or you’ll be letting those jerks win. Hold your head up high and know that you have made so many people of all ages so happy and inspired, just by being “you”! I adore you and always will!
Every Time you post a photo of yourself behind a mic, I get a little jealous. I can’t figure out how to jumpstart my VO career, that’s all. I do other stuff, but seeing you behind a mic makes me both insanely happy for yourself and just a little bummed for me. Insanely happy = WAY BETTER than a little bummed.
Can’t wait to find out what this super amazing fun project is (once [network] finally announces it)! 😀
Love ya Wil! Gotta be the new Justice League on CN. I know you can’t answer but I’m guessing the Question. I can’t think of another smart hero that needs your level of intellect, except maybe Batman and I can’t think they’d put that much pressure on you.
Anyway, do what you do. We love you.
Sometimes it’s good to be behind the curtains while you work. Really, it doesn’t matter cause you know you’re getting paid for it and a lot more than the one’s who criticize you publicly. Just rub it on their faces and keep doing what you do.
https://www.google.com/#q=Emotional+Competence+StudyMode
It’s all bout Emotional intelligence and competence and self motivation that keeps me going. Glad i found some research papers showing them.
How about this for a twist – You would in reality all be working on the same NDA’ed project but were being kept in the dark to really mess with your minds simply in order to catch your true surprise when you were all brought together ;)…. but yeah it is funny how the corporate entertainment “media” of today works and how secret everything has to be, so secret in fact that we are seeing franchises go after fan groupings for allowing themselves to speculate upon outcomes of cliffhangers as we have seen with the walking dead lately. But very cool of you to share like this and will actually generate further interest as people will be itching all over to find out what you’re up to…. well played Wil, well played…. 🙂
Hi Wil Wheaton,
I am new to your blog. For some reason I just recently kept having a repeated notion to Google you and I came upon your blog. I rarely socially network, I am a somewhat reclusive guy. I am five years older than you. I am familiar with your earlier work. I think you were brilliant in Stand By Me and it probably stands out as one of the best child acting performances ever made, right up there with Shirley Temple and Natalie Portman in The Professional (just my opinion). With work like that under your belt you’ve accomplished more already than most people will in a lifetime. Good luck with all your future endeavors.
Yours truly,
Bradd