#1: A Christmas Detour

Did you know I’ve done 12 Christmas movies so far? We are highlighting all 12 of those Christmas movies as we celebrate Christmas In July, and we are kicking everything off with a true fan favorite.

This heartwarming film stars the talented Candace Cameron Bure, Sarah Strange, and David Lewis, under the masterful direction of Ron Oliver. Here are 12 exclusive behind-the-scenes stories you may not know about A Christmas Detour:

1. First Christmas Movie, Second Hallmark Movie: This was my very first Christmas movie, marking a special milestone in my career, and it was also my second Hallmark film. What a journey it’s been since then!

2. First Time with Candace Cameron Bure: I had the pleasure of working with the incredible Candace for the first time on this movie. Her energy and talent made the experience unforgettable.

3. Second Collaboration with Ron Oliver: This project reunited me with the brilliant director Ron Oliver for the second time. His vision and creativity always bring something special to the screen.

4. Shot in a Heatwave: Believe it or not, we filmed this cozy Christmas movie amidst a sweltering heatwave in Vancouver. Talk about Christmas in July!

5. Buffalo Airport is Really Langley: The airport scenes, which were supposed to be in Buffalo, were actually shot in Langley. Movie magic at its finest!

6. Family Visit: One of the highlights of this shoot was having eight of my cousins visit the set. I got to give them an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, sharing a bit of the movie magic with my family.

7. Fake Airplane Set: Contrary to what you see on screen, we didn’t shoot on a real plane. It was a meticulously crafted set designed specifically for the film.

8. Mom’s Cameo and Treats: My mom visited the set and helped out by reading off-camera lines. When I say “Hi mom” in the movie, she was really there! She also made dark chocolate pretzels for Ron Oliver as a wrap gift.

9. Ron Oliver’s Suit and Music: One of the fun quirks of working with Ron Oliver is his love for always wearing a suit on set. He also keeps the atmosphere lively with some awesome music behind the scenes.

10. Cary Grant Movies: Ron gifted me a few Cary Grant movies. He’s a big fan of film noir, and he called me his "Cary Grant."

11. Green Screen Car Accident: The car accident scene was filmed using a green screen, with camera operators under the car using long sticks to rattle and spin it, creating a dramatic effect.

12. Big Kiss Camera Trick: The big kiss at the end involved a cool camera trick to make the room look like it was spinning. We went clockwise while the camera moved counterclockwise, resulting in that magical moment.

Bonus: This was the first movie Viv Leacock and I did together. Can anyone guess when we reunited on screen?

I look forward to reading your comments and hearing your thoughts! This is just the beginning of our journey through my 12 Christmas Movies in July. Please share this post with a friend, and be sure to come back tomorrow for the story behind movie #2!

Special Giveaway!

I am running a very special giveaway for these 12 blog posts this July. Just comment below about what you love most about this movie, and you will be automatically entered to win a very special prize from me. I'm going to keep it a surprise for now. Only one comment will be counted per post. The giveaway will end on July 15, 2024. Good luck and thanks for entering!