As a long-time fan of Hallmark’s heartwarming Christmas movies, I can’t help but admire the dedication and resilience of the cast and crew who bring these magical stories to life, even when the heat outside is unforgiving. I had the privilege of chatting with Alison Sweeney about her latest project, “This Time Each Year,” which was filmed during a blistering July heatwave.
In the scorching summer season across the U.S., escaping the heat isn’t an option. This poses a unique challenge for those involved in Hallmark’s upcoming Christmas movie productions, as they strive to create a frosty atmosphere during sweltering heatwaves. As we approach the 2024 holiday movie marathon on TV schedules, I had the chance to talk with Alison Sweeney about her experiences filming these projects in the heat and learned why she finds it less than enjoyable.
In Hallmark Mystery, Alison Sweeney’s holiday movie “This Time Each Year” is slated to debut on October 24 – quite early, considering it’s two months before Christmas. Given this timeline, the production had to be done well in advance. The story revolves around a separated couple who are compelled to reunite during the holidays, and as expected, their relationship develops further. Winter celebrations also feature prominently. Filming these winter scenes in July, however, presents its own set of difficulties, and according to Sweeney, it’s less than ideal, as she shared during an interview with TopMob.
This movie took several years to develop, and I had been eagerly anticipating its production for about three years, hoping it would be filmed during the winter. Unfortunately, due to last year’s events, it became impossible to realize that dream. Consequently, the filming was moved to July, which created a Christmas in July scenario – something I wasn’t particularly fond of. Despite this unexpected change, we managed to make it work.
Despite having a somewhat melancholic undertone, reminiscent of a typical Hallmark movie, it’s important to note that the holiday spirit is indeed vibrant and cheerful as well.
Despite donning winter attire during summer shoots, it’s quite difficult, particularly when it comes to the clothing selection. After I pointed out my struggle with wearing a sweater in 90-degree heat, Sweeney agreed, mentioning that it can indeed be tough, making filming more challenging. She expressed this by saying:
For me, Christmas is a special time filled with joy and warmth. If only I could maintain that festive feeling throughout the entire year! The challenge lies in convincingly pretending to be cold, donning thick coats, scarves, and hats, while perspiration trickles down my back… That’s the toughest part. Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, it’s all about the illusion that film creates, and we strive to make people forget about the real-world discomfort.
Enduring a light sweatshirt in sweltering summer weather can be exhausting. Therefore, donning a sweater during a heatwave, as Candace Cameron Bure did a few years ago and Sweeney did this summer, might not be the best idea. Yet, they go ahead with it to help Hallmark produce their impressive lineup of Christmas movies, and they’ve become experts at it.
As a gamer diving into the world of holiday blockbusters, I’ve come to understand that creating a Christmas movie during the summer isn’t just about pointing a camera and rolling – there are hidden tricks up the sleeves of the production team. For instance, when we were filming our project under the scorching sun, Paul Greene shared that despite the heatwave, the enchanting illusion of a snowy Christmas was meticulously preserved, making it more believable to don our sweaters and pretend it was winter while we perspired.
During the filming of the upcoming movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” which took place during a heat wave, they ensured comfort for 1,000 Chiefs fans by having ice packs, umbrellas, air conditioners, and fans readily available.
As a devoted fan, I must admit, it’s fascinating to see how Hallmark manages to create the magical winter wonderland for their Christmas movies even during the sweltering summer heat. While pretending to shiver in a sweater under the scorching sun might not be an ideal scenario and can get quite sweaty, as Sweeney shared with me, they somehow find a way to keep the holiday spirit alive. The Countdown to Christmas may bring its own set of challenges, but it never fails to deliver the festive cheer that we eagerly anticipate each year.
On October 24th, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, simply tune into the Hallmark Channel to catch the holiday movie “This Time Each Year” and enjoy Alison Sweeney in her winter attire.
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2024-10-24 17:37