JPM: Tell us a bit about the THE RETURN and your character Dorothy, Joanna's (SMG) mother?
KW: I’m all about surprises, and I don’t have the heart to ruin this one. Suffice it to say, that all the message boards you’ve read with the pre-screenings have nothing on what the final film is going to be.
JPM: I heard that reshoots are being done (at least last week they were). Were you involved?
KW: I was not involved, although I did get the chance to say hello to the director, Asif Kapadia.
JPM: Speaking of Asif Kapadia, what was it like working with him and Sam Shepard?
KW: I count myself extremely lucky to have worked with both of them.
If you have a chance to see Asif Kapadia's BAFTA award winning feature "The Warrior", it will provide a great incite into him as a director and person. He's has a unique perspective to bring to cinema. Working with him as a director, I found him to be open to try whatever would make a scene work---really an actors dream. As a person, he's quiet, thoughtful--the type of person that makes you curious to know what he sees and is thinking.
Regarding Sam, I never know walking on a set what kind of temperaments I'll encounter. Sam was so unassuming and without ego on set. He talked a lot about his horses. While working, he was very specific in his work: the kinds of questions he asked, knowing how to give Asif what he needed as a director to make a scene work and cut together well. Because all of my scenes were with Sam, I was particularly impressed with how he looked out for me, at one point having someone get a blanket for me to lay on because I didn't mention to anyone that I was laying directly on a steel frame. Sam noticed. It was an education and a thrill.
JPM: What do you think will set this move apart from other supernatural thrillers?
KW: What will set this apart is the point of view on the eternal nature of the soul...
JPM: What was it like working with Sarah? Can you share any memorable stories from the set?
KW: Unfortunately, we didn’t share any screen time together. I do remember the very last day of filming, she ordered a coffee truck to the sound stage for the crew.
JPM: On your site, you mentioned how much you love your TiVo. What are some of your favorite shows? Also, many believe that reality TV is contributing to the 'dumbing down' of America while others see it as 'just entertainment'. What do you think?
KW: Favorite shows: I’m coocoo for “Lost”, big time #1 show. I also like me some Daily Show with John Stewart, and The Colbert Report
Regarding reality tv dumbing down America, I can’t see how reality tv is any worse than most shows that are on the air--it's not really the greater of any other available evils...in my opinion, of course.
JPM: You have become the "Unofficial Spokesperson for Festivus", having been interviewed by the New York Times, CNN and NPR to name a few outlets. For those that aren't familiar with it, tell us what festivus is about? Why have you become so involved with it?
KW: You can check out all the details at: kwillis.com
It is a fictitious “Seinfeld” holiday invented by George Costanza’s dad after too much holiday frustration. It includes the Airing of Grievances where you tell your loved ones how they’ve disappointed you all year, Feats of Strength, and an Aluminum Pole. You can download greeting cards and Airing of Grievances worksheets off of my site.
JPM: What other projects are you currently working on and/or would like to promote?
