Daniel DeWeldon on playing ‘Jason’ in Mike Boss’ Anonymous 616

Daniel DeWheldon with Mike Boss, director of Anonymous 616

indieactivity: How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would still have got the part?
Daniel: My agent initially submitted me via Breakdown Services for the supporting role. During the audition, I was asked to read for the lead role by the film’s director Mike Boss. I was up against thousands of submissions – so the pressure was on.

indieactivity: What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Daniel: The biggest part of the story that challenged me was having to create imaginary circumstances as an active duty Special Forces soldier. Not having any military experience, I had to delve into that world. I studied for four months preparing just for the military aspect of the character. I knew early on I wanted to be part of the film as the script clearly stood out as original, progressive, and thought-provoking.

Anonymous 616 is available to watch on Amazon Prime

indieactivity: You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Daniel: I truly enjoy the growth that takes place as an artist on an indie film set as there is a broader spectrum of creativity. Having worked in live theater for years, I was drawn to film where I could focus on subtle human behavior.

Acting on-camera is an entirely different craft compared with acting on stage. The camera is a microscope and sees nothing but behavior and the smallest of gestures. It took me just as long to learn acting on film as it did for me to finesse my acting craft – and I’ve enjoyed stretching myself in that way.

indieactivity: Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Daniel: Director Mike Boss is extremely thorough, so from the outset his preparation created a realistic experience with perfect casting and storytelling. Upon seeing the finished film, it plays magically in a way I never imagined while shooting the film. All told, I never felt like I was being directed or told what to do, other than to know my lines. To me, that is the sign of a brilliant director – he allowed everything to unfold naturally on set.

indieactivity: How did you create your character from the ground up?
Daniel: Leading up to principal photography, I read the screenplay relentlessly – over 100 times, at least. I also delved deeply into studying the varying areas of knowledge and interests that my character would possess. The combination allowed me to create a holistic, imaginary world that even I did not question was real.

indieactivity: Being lead on the film, describe the responsibility you shouldered. Were you scared? Did it fire you up?
Daniel: I felt an overwhelming responsibility to set the tone that would drive the film’s theme with a clear arc and climax. In addition to dramatizing the writing with the other actors in the film, I based my strong individual needs as the lead character to win my objective at all costs. I was definitely nervous whether consciously or not, – either way, my fear drove a simple desire to survive with hope.

indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you made on set during production?
Daniel: A creative choice I made was to challenge my fellow cast mates off set as much as I did on set – to push their buttons and drive my objectives into them – so that when we started to film, it complimented the dramatization all the more.

Daniel DeWeldon with Jessica Boss

indieactivity: What did you take away from the film production?
Daniel: Working on Anonymous 616 gave me the opportunity to play the lead role in a first feature film. My character taught me so much about myself, as all great roles do whether on film or in real life. I am incredibly grateful to have been part of such an amazing project.

indieactivity: What do you like most about the director and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Daniel:fifi What stands out about Director Mike Boss is his unprecedented organization and his screenplay, which I consider an original masterpiece. Mike also assembled a first-rate team behind Nail Driver Productions which includes his lovely wife Jessica Boss (the lead actress ) and Peter Fuhrman ( cinematographer). Combined, all three complimented my experience on this film.

indieactivity: What is next for you?
Daniel: I was recently cast in the lead role of Doc Holliday in the pilot TV series “Badland Wives” written by Pidge Jobst and directed by Stephen S. Campanelli (Sully, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Indian Horse – executive produced by Clint Eastwood). I have another five films that are due for release in the fall of 2018 : “One Must Fall” directed by Antonio Pantoja, “Underdog” directed by Ritchie Greer, “Red Kraken” directed by Andrii Lantukh, “Endless Video” directed by Gwendolyn Infusino, and “The Lay of La La Land” (based on the book) directed by A.Y. Miles.

indieactivity: What advice do you give actors regarding what you learned on the project?
Daniel: Practice makes perfect, along with perseverance. As you grow into more advanced film projects, productions move really fast. Therefore, being prepared, easy to work with, and professional on set are essential.

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