Finding Father Christmas

Finding Father Christmas
Based on Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn
Written by David Golden
Directed by Terry Ingram
Starring Erin Krakow
Niall Matter
Wendie Malick
Composer(s) Graeme Coleman
Country of origin United States
Canada
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Libby Beers
Fernando Szew
Dawn Knight
Patricia Clifford
Ted Bauman
Producer(s) Ted Bauman
Location(s) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Cinematography Ron Stannett
Editor(s) Jason Pielak
Running time 84 minutes
Production company(s) Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Release
Original network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Original release November 13, 2016 (USA)
Chronology
Followed by Engaging Father Christmas (post production)[1][2]
External links
www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/finding-father-christmas

Finding Father Christmas is a 2016 made-for-television Christmas romantic drama film directed by Terry Ingram and starring Erin Krakow and Niall Matter. It is an adaptation of the novels "Finding Father Christmas" and "Engaging Father Christmas" by Robin Jones Gunn. The film was produced by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and premiered on their network in the United States on November 13, 2016. A sequel to the film, entitled Engaging Father Christmas is due to be broadcast on the channel on November 12, 2017.[3]

Plot

Orphaned at a young age, Miranda (Erin Krakow) never knew her father. An unexpected discovery among her mother's belongings leads her to a clue to her father's identity, in the form of an old photograph. Determined to discover more about her past, Miranda sets off to the photo's location - a small town in Vermont. There she meets Ian (Niall Matter), who endeavors to assist her in her quiet attempts to uncover the truth. The welcoming town, her growing romance with Ian and the possibility of impacting the lives of others as well as herself, leave Miranda with difficult choices to make as she begins to learn more.

Cast

Author Robin Jones Gunn appears as an extra in the film.[4]

Development

Adaptation

Gunn's literary agent was approached in 2011[5] by a production company looking for Christmas novels to adapt into screenplays. Her agent suggested the novel "Finding Father Christmas". On pitching the story to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 2012 , it was rejected due its' lack of romance. Gunn's agent then made the suggestion to combine the first novel with parts of its' sequel, "Engaging Father Christmas", as the latter novel featured a romantic plot for its main character. The two novels were reworked into a combined treatment, which was again pitched to the channel in 2013. It was again rejected, but with the possibility of reconsideration if further adaptations were made, in particular relocating the novel from England to North America. Following further adaptations, Hallmark approved the treatment of the novels in 2015, leading to the development of the screenplay.[4] Gunn went on to publish an ebook ("How My Book Became A Movie:A True Story") in 2016, detailing her experiences of the process, from the origins of the novel to the film's production.[4]

Differences from the novel

The film differs significantly from the novel. The setting is moved from England to Vermont, the character of Ian is introduced much earlier in the story and several character names were changed.[4] A new introduction to the story was also written, to introduce important backstory.[5] However, author Robin Jones Gunn felt that "the heart of the story I'd written was still there".[4]

Filming

Filming took place in June 2016,[6] in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia.[7]

Release

The film premiered on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel on November 13, 2016.[8] It was subsequently broadcast on the channel a further twenty times in the lead up to Christmas, including broadcast on Christmas Day.[9]

The film is due to be released on DVD on October 2, 2017.[3]

Soundtrack

A variety of Christmas songs were featured in the film, including two collaborations from songwriters Hal David and John Cacavas.[10]

Reception

At the time of broadcast, the film was both the highest rated and the most watched premier in the network's history.[9]

Sequel

Star Niall Matter talked about the possibility of a sequel to the film, in an interview given in March 2017.[11] This was confirmed by Gunn on Twitter,[12] stating that a potential sequel was being developed.

On May 9, 2017, Hallmark announced eight new Christmas movies, including a sequel to Finding Father Christmas entitled Engaging Father Christmas,[1] due to air on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on November 12, 2017.[3] Filming for the sequel began in British Columbia in June 2017.[13] Erin Krakow and Niall Matter will reprise their roles as Miranda and Ian respectively.[14] Wendie Malick will also reprise her role as Margaret.[15] Canadian voice actor Andrew Francis will play a role in the film[16] which will be directed by David Winning.[17] As with the first film, author Robin Jones Gunn will appear as an extra in theatre scenes.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 Snierson, Dan (May 9, 2017). "Hallmark reveals 8 more Christmas TV movies". "Entertainment Weekly". Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  2. ↑ Krakow, Erin [@erinkrakow] (July 1, 2017). "That's a wrap #EngagingFatherChristmas! I'm so grateful for the laughs, hard work, & surprises! @niallmatter @WendieMalick @hallmarkmovie" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 Gunn, Robin Jones (July 31, 2017). "Engaging Father Christmas:Behind the Scenes". "RobinGunn.com". Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Gunn, Robin Jones (September 1, 2016). How My Book Became A Movie:A True Story (1st ed.). Robin's Nest Productions, Inc.
  5. 1 2 Hill, Ruth (November 10, 2016). "Interview With Author Robin Gunn, "Finding Father Christmas"". "My Devotional Thoughts". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Countdown to Christmas: Hallmark Movies Filming in Vancouver & British Columbia". "What's Filming". September 15, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  7. ↑ What's Filming [@WhatsFilming] (June 22, 2016). "Pics from 'Finding Father Christmas' in Abbotsford yesterday thanks to @chefbk11!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ Gunn, Robin Jones (November 9, 2016). "Premier of Finding Father Christmas". "RobinGunn.com". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Finding Father Christmas sets Hallmark Movie Records". "Front Gate Media". November 28, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Finding Father Christmas Featured Music". "Hallmark Movies and Mysteries". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  11. ↑ Spratlin, Christy (March 10, 2017). "When Calls the Heart:Niall Matter on his new role". "TV Junkies". Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  12. ↑ Gunn, Robin Jones [@RobinGunn] (March 18, 2017). "Been working on possible sequel since Nov when #FindingFatherChristmas set Network records.Hopeful! #Hearties @erinkrakow @niallmatter" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "Cocaine Godmother & Engaging Father Christmas Start Filming in Vancouver". "What's Filming". June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  14. ↑ Krakow, Erin [@erinkrakow] (June 20, 2017). "Ian & Miranda scenes today! Just appreciating how talented, prepared, collaborative, & fun @niallmatter is. #EngagingFatherChristmas" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ Krakow, Erin [@erinkrakow] (June 21, 2017). "@WendieMalick's back! #DoubleMeaning #EngagingFatherChristmas" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ Francis, Drew [@DrewFrancis604] (June 13, 2017). "So much fun filming #EngagingFatherChristmas today w/ @erinkrakow and @niallmatter! They are so talented! @MichelleVicar @billabbottHC #WCTH" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. 1 2 Gunn, Robin Jones [@RobinGunn] (June 21, 2017). "Will we get to be extras on #EngagingFatherChristmas ?!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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