Matthew Von Der Ahe – Champions

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Champions.

A) The movie Champions is about a basketball coach who is court ordered to coach a team with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities).

Q) What was it about the movie that made you want to be a part of it?

A) I got the audition and watched the original movie, Campeones, and I wanted to be one of the characters and bring my own spin to it.

Q) How was your character Craig originally described to you? 

A) When I read the sides for my character, Craig, I thought he was funny and talented at basketball. I tried to give my character a little accent like in the first scene when I say, “Uh, coach. I don’t need a girlfriend. I already have two.” That was how I saw my character talking when he talked about his girlfriend. I also decided that I liked putting my hand on Woody Harrelson’s shoulder when I talked, so that what I was saying got his full attention.

Q) Before working on the movie were you much of a basketball player?

A) I love basketball and I used to play on a team for Special Olympics. I also played in junior high at my school. I love to shoot around whenever I get the chance. I once made a half-court shot that went viral on Instagram. My classmates went wild, and all ran over when I made the shot. They picked me up off the ground and were holding me up. I got to talk about it on Access Hollywood and Kristen Bell gave me a shout out, saying, “Congrats, Matthew! That was a great shot.”

Q) Were you familiar or friendly with any of your costars before working with them?

A) I didn’t know any of the cast mates, but we became good friends very quickly.

Q) Talk about working with the iconic Woody Harrelson, who plays your coach in the movie.

A) Woody is so friendly, and I loved working with him. He made everyone feel important and let them do their thing. I also learned a lot by watching him do his scenes.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film for the movie?

A) My favorite scenes have to be when my character gets to talk about his girlfriend on Coach Marcus’ first day coaching. I think I made him laugh his pants off the way I was saying my lines. I also really liked doing the shower scene with the rat. That was a crazy night of filming.

Q) I’m sure many people have been reaching out to let you know how much the movie means to them. What have people been sharing with you?

A) So many people have said that they love that this movie is inclusive and that they love that they are using actors with ID to portray the characters. I hope someday more and more directors and writers start to use actors like us in their projects. I hope I get to work with Jack Black someday.

Q) What do you think it is about Champions that makes it such a funny yet thoughtful drama?

A) I think it’s because Woody’s character takes the time to care for his team, especially after his last job not knowing the players or having relationships with them.  Even though he didn’t know anything about the other teams he coached, he became a better coach by having a relationship with each of his new players.

Q) What are the other projects that you have been busy working on recently?

A) I am continuing to take acting classes. I’m also in an improv class and I’m the only person with an Intellectual Disability in that group. I love that we perform monthly, and nobody treats me any differently. I also work a couple of nights at the Village restaurant in Studio City. I’m also an artist and I’m starting a little card business. It’s called Doing My PART and I donate part of my proceeds to charities I like. I paint things that I call, “different but the same” like donuts. I paint them all differently, but they are also a lot the same. (just like us people). I hope to keep getting auditions and to be cast in something and to get to explore more of the world. I recently got to be the voice of the main character, Jasper, in Disney’s Tytgat Chocolat. That was a really fun project to do!