Sevier Crespo on ‘Werewolves,’ Producing Big Names, and Bold Projects

Sevier Crespo is a Puerto Rican-born producer and a proud member of the Producers Guild of America. His latest projects include the highly anticipated Werewolves (starring Frank Grillo) and Billy Knight (featuring Al Pacino, Charlie Heaton, and Diana Silvers).

With 13 feature films, three television shows, and numerous global ad campaigns under his belt, Crespo has worked on notable projects such as an NBC pilot with Mandy Moore and the Netflix series Mack & Moxy. He’s also produced high-profile campaigns for brands like Netflix, Nike, Coca-Cola, and the NBA, working with talents like Leo Messi, David Beckham, and Ariana Grande.

His work has earned him the “Best American Comedy Award,” recognition in TV Guide’s “Hot List,” and honours including the “Parents’ Choice Award.” Fluent in Spanish, Crespo’s global perspective enriches his diverse body of work. He’s also a contributor to Rolling Stone’s Culture Council.

We’re excited to dive into an online conversation with Sevier about his incredible career and experiences in the industry.

Sevier, your career spans an impressive range of projects, from feature films to TV shows and global ad campaigns. What aspect of your work excites you the most? Is it the storytelling, the collaboration, or something else?

Sevier Crespo: “What excites me the most is storytelling and collaboration. Whether working on global advertising campaigns, TV or film, I love the continual newness of starting something from scratch and the imagination involved. It’s pretty addicting.”

Your upcoming films, Werewolves and Billy Knight, are highly anticipated. Can you share what drew you to these particular projects and what audiences can expect from them?

“Working on Werewolves in Puerto Rico was an amazing gift. I loved getting to go back home and work there. I love that the film has action, visual effects, animatronics, stunts, gunfire, etc., and it was a challenge beyond anything I had experienced. That alone really excited me, plus I’m a fan of werewolves and vampires and things like that.

“Billy Knight is a coming-of-age story under the umbrella of Los Angeles and Hollywood in the world of cinema, which is always exciting and nostalgic. I loved being able to work with my favourite actor of all time, Al Pacino, which was a true gift and a pleasure, along with an amazingly talented cast, and a great director and team.”

You’ve had the opportunity to work under the mentorship of industry legends like Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Mann, and Ridley Scott. What were some of the most valuable lessons you learned from these mentors?

“One of the biggest lessons I learned from them is to be prepared, know what you’re doing, be specific, and have care and attention to detail. Additionally, it’s about finding the joy and the excitement all along the way.”

With such an extensive background in both film and advertising, do you find that the skills you use in commercials overlap with your work in movies and TV shows? How?

“All those skills overlap and I think it’s always about communication, respecting your team members, attention to detail, and enjoying the process. At the end of the day, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re working in the realm of creativity, so I try to not take anything too seriously. Take it light and take it easy—we’re not curing some deadly disease.”

You’ve worked with an impressive roster of talent, from Al Pacino to Ariana Grande. What do you believe makes a collaboration successful with such high-profile individuals?

“You have to be willing to experience anything and be prepared to be open to anything as things develop because things are coming from not only the individuals themselves but also their team and their team’s team. There is a large group of people coming at you at any given moment regarding multiple things. It’s being able to just process all of it and be able to be okay with all of it, I think.”

Werewolves movie poster

Your career spans multiple genres and formats, from children’s programming like Mack & Moxy to action-packed films. How do you adjust your creative approach depending on the project?

“As long as it’s with a great group of people, it’s always creating, and that never gets old. Mack & Moxy was for kids. We had great guests. It was working with puppeteers, which was exciting in itself and challenging too. But creating is creating and, as long as it just has a purpose to it, that’s fun and exciting.”

Given your global perspective and fluency in Spanish, how does your ability to navigate diverse cultural landscapes influence the projects you choose and the way you approach storytelling?

“I don’t think it does, actually. I do have to look to find things that are really based on reality, meaning I can’t recall the last time I was in an environment that was specifically one demographic because life is a huge melting pot full of eclectic people, so that’s what I try to bring to all the projects I get to work on.”

Your work in commercials has reached a vast international audience, with brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, and the UFC. How do you ensure a campaign resonates with global audiences while respecting cultural differences?

“This was an easy one because this is all pre-done before I arrive. I rarely have the opportunity to give any input or suggestions on these. The stories and the branding aspects and campaigns are done by creative agencies before I get on the project. We just have to execute it to the best of our abilities.”

Sevier Crespo, photo by Nate Taylor

As a contributor to Rolling Stone’s Culture Council, you are involved in discussions about cultural trends. How do you see the current state of entertainment and advertising evolving in the next few years?

“Wow, this is interesting. I am for sure not an expert on this. I do think technology with artificial intelligence will change the landscape. And I am really rooting for a balance to take place versus it all being taken over by technology and forgetting the human element of things because, at the end of the day, everything is being done for the human experience.”

The recognition you’ve received, including awards at the NY International Film Festival and honours like the “Parents’ Choice Award,” must be incredibly rewarding. How do such accolades shape your future projects and aspirations?

“I don’t think I’ve really focused on that. I think if anything, it just helps me continue being part of creative conversations and future projects!”