Wes Brown – Under the Autumn Moon

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) How did you connect to the movie’s ranch setting?

A) I love films that encompass an old Western setting. I enjoyed the story about a guy trying to save something that meant more to him than obviously just a piece of land. I had never been to Winnipeg before, actually. It seemed very, very scenic and very sweet. I liked the soft spokenness of him and the dedication of what he was trying to do, but was also smart enough to listen to everybody else.

Q) When watching Hallmark and seeing these incredible locations it feels like such an escape for us. What was that like for you?

A) Hallmark is fantastic when shooting as far as the looks of the film. When you’re doing a Christmas movie it seems like there are lights, trees and snow that follows you. It’s the same way with these Fall Harvest movies. It just gives you a different feel about wherever you are – whether you’re in a room, whether you are watching a movie…The crew did a great job of making these extremely hot days looks nice and cool. Even though we’re shooting in July and August these will be cool weather pictures when they come on in October and on. They definitely put you in whatever movie is the movie is set in. It sets the tone and it’s the reason we all like Christmas lights and Thanksgiving settings. It just makes you feel good. It’s a nice escape. The end of Summer into Fall… It was funny because I had a guy who would basically follow me everywhere I went dropping leaves for the next shot. [laughs] I felt like the Thanksgiving Fairy with a trail of leaves following me everywhere I went.

Q) What is it about these Hallmark movies that seems to add a little extra holiday magic when we watch them?

A) There is really nothing like it. I had gone many years without doing a Hallmark film that anything to do with the holidays. When I finally go the very first one, it did…There was an element that was added that you really couldn’t recreate where the season wasn’t a factor in the film. It was vastly different. It was great and one of the reasons why I love them.

Q) Hallmark does a great job of mixing heart and humor. How does that play out in this movie?

A) As an actor, I love the fact when either it’s myself or another actor working there is nothing better if it reads true to the story if anywhere you can extend a little bit of humor I just think it adds tenfold. Whether it is necessary or not it’s great. I felt that Joe, Wendy and the other characters really added their touch of being sincere when it came time to and also having fun moments. I think they got it right. It was really nice and a lot of fun. Hopefully, it reads that way on screen.

Q) What are some themes and tones of Under the Autumn Moon?

A) I think you’ll find that some of the characters (especially with Lindy [Booth] and myself) that you get to see a little bit of their rollercoaster ride of them transitioning into…I think stubborn might be a little strong of a word, but she has a job to do and he has a job to do. They both get in a little (as far as professionally and then later on personally)…They come to grips that what they both came there for wasn’t exactly what they ended up with, but what they got was something way, way better. But I guess we’ll have to see. [laughs]

Q) Did you fall in love with the ranches as much as Lindy did?

A) These places were absolutely beautiful. I’m a huge fan of the ranch life. I spent last Thanksgiving at one of my best friend’s ranch in Southeast Texas. A ranch can be whatever you really want it to be. It can be a place for a big party and it can be one of the most romantic places on Earth. You have all this land and privacy. A ranch is very picturesque. Since I don’t own one myself I tend to go to these ranches when there is something good going on. So, any time we’re going to the ranch something good is going on. We’re celebrating a weekend or a holiday. I feel like the ranch is just a great place to escape, especially if you live in a city most of the time. I don’t think there is any setting for something holiday, whether it be something in the Fall or something Christmas. It’s just kind of the perfect place and these places are beautiful.

Q) What are some of your Fall comforts?

A) My wife said she always wanted to go see the leaves changed. Where I grew up in the South in Louisiana we didn’t really have the type of foliage that really changed. I had seen it before and thought, “This is kind of silly.” We have gone twice now and recently I got to do my first Fall where I got to watch the leaves change and it was one of the best things that I’ve ever seen. I totally get it now! As far as seasons changing, that’s one of my favorite things. I love to cook. That’s one of my favorite things to do. Recipes are changing. My daughter came home from school sick and I had a pumpkin chili ready for her. You can’t cook that in July!

Q) What is it about the movie that you hope resonates with viewers?

A) To each their own. After each film is done, I just hope that everyone came away happy. As long as everyone enjoys it for whatever it is that they want out of this. I don’t even want to put any words in anyone’s mouth. I just hope they enjoy it. As much fun as we have getting to make these I hope everyone has the same. If they are getting together to watch on the couch for family night I hope that when the movie ends they feel better about it than what they hoped. That’s my hope for all of them. We do our best.