Matt Wells – Crown and Anchor

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) The team that came together to make Crown and Anchor (Myself, Michael Rowe, Andrew Rowe and Vince Buda) have several projects we have developed including a horror film and a possible deeper dive into the Crown and Anchor universe, which we are excited about.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Crown and Anchor.

A) Crown and Anchor is about two cousins who were raised in the same petty crime family and surround by violence and addiction but have gone their separate ways. James Downey (Michael Rowe) became a cop and put his abusive father in jail while Danny Power (me) tried to keep the petty crime tradition alive and idolized James’ abusive father. We pick up their story when they are forced back together as we examine how they have both been affected very differently by childhood trauma and the cycles of crime, abuse and addiction that still poisons their family.

Q) As one of the writers of the film, what did you find the most surprising part of getting it made?

A) As a first-time filmmaker I was really taken back by how much resistance we found from the film world in terms of what we should and shouldn’t do. Producers, distributors and sales agents who were initially interested in the script were all very vocal and to be honest all their ideas were creatively limiting. We faced the dilemma of making a film they wanted with a bigger budget or a film we wanted with a smaller one. We were told you need a star, you should make it ninety minutes, don’t make it so intense, don’t use so much punk/hardcore music, etc. etc. We stuck with our guts, found our own money and made the film we thought best served the story and the characters and I believe it’s the reason we ended up in theatres, found distribution and have connected with people so far.

Q) Was there someone in particular you were hoping to share a scene with when you were crafting the cast?

A) I found acting later in life so this was the first time I had the opportunity to have such a prominent role in a movie. Our cast is so incredible that I was excited and nervous to work with everyone. Actors like Natalie Brown, Robert Joy, Ben Cotton and Stephen McHattie brought the script to life in a way I could never have imagined and it was a pleasure to not only work with them but simply watch them work. This project was extra special; however, because it was made as a way for myself and Michael Rowe to work together. Mike is my best friend. More like a brother. We played music and toured the world together for years and after the band ended, we missed collaborating on a creative project so we made Crown and Anchor as a way to essentially get the band back together.

Q) What did you find challenging about portraying Danny?

A) The whole film is pretty intense and dark. I didn’t anticipate the heaviness that would hang over my head throughout filming and beyond. A lot of it had to do with the fact that much of the initial story was inspired by real life characters in my family so I explored a lot of that past in a way I never really have before. Also, the copious amounts of movie cocaine (Inositol/Vitamin B powder) added a level of discomfort to the fifteen days of shooting that I think really helped the character but made me feel pretty gross.

Q) Talk about some advice Andrew offered you while you were filming that you took to heart.

A) Andrew is a great director and has a natural way of communicating with his actors that immediately presents a level of trust. One scene that stands out was when my character (Danny) was really drunk and instead of being loud and obnoxious Andrew suggested I get dark and quiet. Basically, do less. It was an amazing note because not only did it ground me, but it made Danny even more unlikeable in the moment to the other actors which helped paint the rest of the scene perfectly.

Q) What are some scenes you can tease that you are most excited for fans to see?

A) There is a scene between Danny and James (Michael) that not only is quite heavy in the sense of the make-believe world we were existing in but also myself and Mike felt a real tension that day on set because of it.  As producers on the movie we’d have to talk a lot and sign off on decisions that were being made, but on the day we shot this scene Mike stopped talking to me and it really pissed me off. It carried over to the set which came out in the scene. It’s the only time our characters interact in the movie and Andrew did an amazing job of building up to it.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) I don’t think I ever did at the end of a day. It was an intense year leading up to filming and then an intense fifteen days on set. I shook it off once we finished…eventually.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll be receiving to the movie?

A) Always interested to hear how the movie sits with people. That’s why we make things, right? To try and affect people in some way.

Q) You often take on dramatic action-packed roles. What is it about this genre that draws you to it?

A) I find dramatic acting is very similar to my life as a musician. You just try to attach yourself to a feeling or an emotion and find some truth in it. It’s a safe way to learn about yourself or be vulnerable but still hide behind the mask of a character or a song.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

A) A life in the arts is not easy and not possible unless people pay attention. So, thanks for listening. It means a hell of a lot.