Janet's exclusive interview with JOSEPH WILL who plays Kelis in [#142 Muse]
Please do not reproduce any part of this interview elsewhere for public view without first consulting Joseph Will (and myself). Date of interview: 2 April 2001.
Joseph Will contacted me for pictures on my site and I'm afraid I asked him for an interview! I feel privileged that he has honoured me with this his first official interview. Questions are by me.
Where no copyright ownership for pictures/screenshots is stated, the copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures/Viacom.
MUSE : Episode 142 : Interview with Joseph Will
At what age did you start acting and what made you decide to do it? What was your first acting role?
Well, I started acting in the tenth grade by getting the lead in "West Side
Story". I had never acted, sang or danced but I knew then, that
it was the most fun I had ever had...well, the acting part was...I could do
without the singing and dancing.
Have you worked on 'Star Trek' before? (I can't find your name in the
lists)
No, "Muse" was my first time working on "Star Trek".
I had been up for
several guest roles before, both on "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" but had
not gotten them.
I was very excited and really surprised to have landed
such a great guest role especially since the story basically revolved around
Roxann and I.
Are you a fan of 'Star Trek'? If yes, which is your favourite show, and
which is your favourite film?
I have to admit I was never much of a fan of "Star Trek". Growing up I
occasionally watched the original series and saw a few of the movies, but
basically my knowledge of "Star Trek" was minimal. In fact, at my audition
for "Muse" I butchered the pronunciation of a lot of the characters names
since I wasn't familiar with the show. I'm probably lucky they hired me. So, as far as having a favorite "Star Trek" show or film...it would have to
be the "Star Trek" film "Wrath Of Khan".
What did you think of your character? How did you decide what kind of
character Kelis would be?
Kelis was a lot of fun to play. When I first read the episode I had no
idea what was going on, which kind of fit with the character and his
situation. Kelis learns about Voyager as the episode goes along and so did
I.
As far as deciding what kind of character Kelis was, that was basically
determined by the script. I guess I have a lot of the same characteristics
as Kelis...but he basically has a good heart and I think that is what I
focused on.
What was it like wearing the nose and forehead makeup? What was it made
of? How long did it take to apply?
This particular make up prosthetic is very unobtrusive and fairly easy to
apply. Average makeup time was 45 minutes to an hour...I believe they are
made of foam rubber. The make up people are great and are very good at
getting the makeup on and off as quickly as possible. They have to adjust
and repair it throughout the day because the glue starts to give way as you
perspire. But I believe the "Neelix" makeup takes around 2 to 3 hours and
B'Elanna's takes around an hour and a half. So, I got off easy.
What kind of hours did you have to work? How long overall did filming
your part take?
The hours are very long! They usually work 8 days an episode and I worked 7
of those.
I think the average day that I had, was 15 to 19 hours which
makes being prepared for the next day really difficult. But believe me, I
was happy to be there as much as possible.
Was the quasi-Greek classical theatre set built from scratch? or were you
on location, if so, where?
The set was built for that episode in one of the three soundstages that
Star Trek occupies. It was really incredible. If you didn't look straight
up and see the ceiling of the sound stage you wouldn't know that you weren't
in a Greek Ampitheatre.
All the sets are amazing...I even got to walk on
the Bridge.
What was it like working with Roxann Dawson, and indeed the other cast
and the film crew?
Roxann was wonderful. Actually, I believe she had been in a car accident
the day before my first day shooting but she was on the set and prepared to
work. The first scene we shot was the introduction scene where I come to
check on B'Elanna before she wakes up and then we have our first
conversation. Which was great for me because we hadn't really gotten a
chance to chat yet and we didn't know each other at all which I think helped
the scene. But she was great to work with and very supportive. She
actually had me back to do a small role in
the "Workforce" episode she directed.
The crew is great! A lot of them have been doing the show for years and
everyone really knows what they are doing...completely professional.
Did you meet anyone else from the Voyager cast during filming? If yes,
who?
I met Garrett Wang one of the days when he came to shoot his scenes on the
Delta Flyer. We got a chance to stand around and talk a bit. He was very
nice.
I also had a chance to chat with Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky. They
would periodically show up on set to see how things were going. Joe was
such a nice guy...I actually auditioned for him for the role. The thing
that struck me about both of them was how incredibly intelligent they were,
which made talking to them very interesting.
What anecdotes or special memories do you have of your "Muse"
experience?
Near the end of the first week of filming I was walking back to the makeup
trailer and this woman walked by and said "good morning!", and I had no idea
who it was. Well, it was Roxann!! I had never seen her out of her wig and
makeup. So we had a good laugh about that.
Are you involved in or do you have planned a special acting project that
you're particularly excited about?
Well, I am about to shoot a television pilot in the next week or so. I play
an uptight, anal retentive office worker. It's a cross between "Frasier"
and "Ally McBeal". Also, I just auditioned for one of the series regulars
on the new Star Trek series, so I have my fingers crossed for that.
Look out for Joseph Will as a Quarren security officer in the Season 7 story [Workforce] Beam here for Episode Guide Index: Workforce"
Rostov, played by Joe Will Screenshot by Kirk the Jerk, picture enhanced by me.
Update news: In auditioning for the role of chief engineer in the next Star Trek series, it was between Joe Will and another chap, and the other chap got it.
Joe Will guest-stars as Rostov in [Enterprise: Vox Sola], an episode directed by Roxann Dawson who plays B'Elanna Torres in [Star Trek: Voyager]. Another guest-star in that episode is Vaughn Armstrong who has guest-starred in [Star Trek: Voyager].
I'm sure I speak for all Voyager fans everywhere when I say thank you to Joseph Will for this interview, a thank you for giving us so much pleasure through his role as Kelis in [Muse], and we all wish him the best of luck in his future career.
For 190+ screenshots / episode guide for [Muse] beam here.
: 
At what age did you start acting and what made you decide to do it? What was your first acting role?
