Published: June 28, 2009 11:00 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive: (July 2009) Rising Star, Joel Lambert
Joel Lambert Photo Credit: Bjorn Kommerell
He can be currently seen in the hit film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen playing the role of Navy SEAL liaison Phillips. He is also making a big splash in the entertainment industry tackling many fun, challenging, and interesting roles. This rising star is going to win the hearts of many new and old fans. Our Webzine is thrilled to introduce to our readers this fantastic interview with the charming, talented, and handsome actor; Joel Lambert.
Isaac: Hi Joel, I wanted to first wish a wonderful day. Let's get started with the interview. You most recently can be seen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? How did you prepare for this movie and what can you tell us about your part in the film?
Joel: Hi Isaac, thanks for having me. I played "Navy SEAL liaison Phillips" in the movie, but it became credited as "Strike Force #4" by production by the time the movie was released. Anyway, I play one of the primary NEST team members with Josh and Tyrese, and our job is to hunt down Decepticons when they make the occasional appearances between where the last film ended and where this one picks up. NEST is a multi-national strike force made up of members from all branches of the military working in secret.
You may not know this, but I was an active-duty Navy SEAL for ten years, so all my preparation for this role had already been done by the time we started filming!
Isaac: You also starred in the first Transformers film. What was different about starring in the 2nd film from the 1st film that you discover while making the 2nd film?
Joel: Well, "star" is a strong word. I pretty much only had a few scenes in the first film, one being when Josh and I had a little show-down in Hoover Dam before we rolled out to try and stop Megatron when he broke free.
The biggest difference between the first and the second films in my mind was, while we were shooting the first movie, we had no idea what a lot of the Transformers were going to look like, or move like. We were interacting with long poles with colored balls on the tips, just so we had an idea of where their heads were going to be when we were talking with them. On this movie, we knew what the robots were like, and what the movie was going to be like ultimately, but what was so exciting about filming "Revenge of the Fallen" was that everything was BIGGER. The explosions were bigger, we had great new cars that were going to be characters, and we definitely had some INSANE military hardware showing up on set most days!
Isaac: What is the best part about being an actor in your opinion?
Joel: The thrill of creating. Of living in the moment, and constantly exploring. Of living and channeling different aspects of your being and being a different "you" for every character you play.
Isaac: Of the films you have starred in so far, which film has been your favorite and why?
Joel: Again, "star" is a strong word! But Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is my favorite. Hands down. I like working with Michael Bay, and it's always an exciting day on set when on one of his films.
Isaac: You are based out of Los Angeles, California. What has been the best part professionally about living in this dynamic city?
Joel: I love Southern California. The quality of life here, to me, is pretty close to perfect. I lived in San Diego before moving here to LA, and I loved it there as well.
I like the fact that LA is full of people who are pursuing their dreams, and the opportunity for dreams to be fulfilled is very real here. I think that gives this place an undercurrent of electricity that is really, really exciting. I compare LA to a river with class 5 rapids. If you can't hang, you'll be smashed to bits on the rocks. If you can, however, it's the greatest ride imaginable!
Isaac: You have also worked on several TV series. What can you tell us about the process of working on a TV series versus a Movie?
Joel: Well, a lot of times they can be very similar. On a lot of TV series', however, the shooting schedule is a lot tighter. Not as much time to set up and get that "perfect" shot
Isaac: Have you ever seen one of your projects after it has been completed and thought to yourself, "this is crap!"? How do you promote a project that you may not be proud of in the end?
Joel: I've never shot anything that aired that I felt that way about. There are a few things that didn't that I cringe when I think about them for one reason or another. Let's hope that they never see the light of day and I never have to answer that question!
Isaac: Name a director that you would love to work with and why?
Joel: Zeyad Alhusieni. The director of the next project that I'm involved with, a film called "Tuhon", with James Jacks and John Cameron. I'm very excited to work with this amazingly talented and exciting director. He's an actor's director, but is extremely innovative and creative in the action genre. You'll be hearing his name a lot in coming years.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Photo Credit: Transformers/Dreamworks
Isaac: Has there been any film parts that you decided against pursuing because of the type of role? What movie role would you not do as an actor and why?
Joel: Not yet, but I'm sure there are some out there that I would have to think long and hard about before taking. As an actor, I would love to do strange and difficult roles, because those are the most challenging and fun roles to play. I think the only thing that would discourage me from taking a role when it comes to type would be if I thought there was something wrong with the bigger picture, or I didn't like something about the project itself.
As an actor, you go places that other people don't want to go, and find people that live inside you that you might not like. You dig up "possible you's", if you will…and I like that process.
Isaac: What is next for Joel Lambert? What are some up and coming projects that you are working on currently?
Joel: Well, there's an NBC miniseries called "The Storm" that is airing in July that I have a part in, and I also played a fun part, a semi-douchey airline pilot in the season 3 premiere of "Mad Men" airing in August, and then the project I'm most excited about is "Tuhon", with Z Alhusieni that I motioned in an earlier answer. Hopefully that will start principal photography in Oct/Nov of this year.
Isaac: Final words from Joel Lambert...
Joel: "We are not at our best when we are perched at the summit; We are at our best climbing- even when the way is steep."
(unknown)
