Ever wondered what it takes to write, act or direct a Hallmark Christmas movie?
There's an upcoming course that will teach the basics as Hallmark movies have become a big business in Vancouver.
Every year dozens of Hallmark films are made across B.C., with Vancouver the hub for it all (and setting for some). It's a sector of the industry that's touched pretty much everyone who works in film in B.C. says Omari Newton, the head of acting for the Vancouver Film School (along with other jobs).
"It's inevitable that if you work on film and TV in Vancouver you'll audition (with Hallmark)," he tells V.I.A.
That's why the film school is hosting a three-day bootcamp from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 for those interested in writing, directing or acting in one of the films. Newton hopes it will help demystify the films for people interested in working on them.
Hallmark films are "a multi-million-dollar industry in Vancouver," he points out.
While the specific romantic comedies Hallmark specializes in have exploded in popularity in the last decade, Newton says the niche industry is still growing in two manners. One is the increased diversity in its films.
"I think as cultural norms evolve and feedback is taken into account, things open up and become more diverse," he explains.
The second is the number of studios and streamers emulating the Hallmark style. Newton notes that the likes of Netflix and Amazon have realized the demand for the films, and Hallmark films have become a genre unto themselves, with the brand going through a sort of genericization - when you use a branded term for all forms, like "Kleenex" or "Xerox."
Hallmark movies are quite beloved by fans. "These films are gentle comforting movies you can watch with your family," says Newton.
VFS' Hallmark bootcamp
For those interested in entering the film industry, learning how Hallmark films are made is "a smart business decision," Newton says.
"If you're behind the scenes there's something for you at Hallmark, they do so many projects [in Vancouver]," he notes.
The film school's bootcamp will focus on three aspects of filmmaking: acting, directing and writing. Each will be its own stream over the three days, with a short scene being shot at the end of the weekend using a director, a script partially written by one of the writers, and actors from the bootcamp.
"It'll be very similar to something from a sound stage for a TV series or movie," says Newton.
It'll be edited, colour-corrected, and posted by VFS for the public to watch.
Over the weekend there will be workshops and talks by people involved in Hallmark films, including Zac Hug (who wrote Hallmark films like Road to Christmas and Ghosts of Christmas Always), Michelle Harrison (who acted in Hallmark productions like The Christmas House and many of the mystery franchises), and Ron Oliver, who's produced, directed and written many films.
Newton notes Oliver has been dubbed "the King of Christmas" with writing credits on nine Christmas films including on the Lindsay Lohan vehicle Falling for Christmas.
"As an actor, it's important to understand the medium you're working in," says Newton. "It's good when you're learning from people who've been on those shows and on those sets so you don't walk in cranking up the emotions up to 10 like you would on an HBO show."
The bootcamp starts on Friday, Nov. 29 with Oliver's talk at 6 p.m.
The production workshops begin on Nov. 30; on Saturday they run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday they run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fees for the bootcamp are $150. Tickets are also being sold just for Oliver's talk for $20.
All of it is taking place at the Vancouver Film School at 151 W Cordova St.
