Kassandra Clementi – The Christmas High Note

By starrymag | December 22, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What is the premise for your film The Christmas High Note?

A) The Christmas High Note is a story about Rachel (Jamie Luner), who finds herself heartbroken after being stood up by her (awful) partner, Brad. Soon after she meets Sophia (Madeline Grace), a teenage girl struggling to hit the high note in her Christmas Eve pageant and Sophia’s single father, Michael (Johnny Messner), who just happens to be an absolute smoke-show and not at all awful. Rachel helps Sophia find the high-note and along the way finds the true spirit of Christmas.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of this movie?

A) I read the script and thought it was so sweet. Clifford McGhee and Courtney Miller penned a beautiful story (and are also terrific human beings).

 

Q) How was your character Emma originally described to you?

A) Emma is Michael’s sister and Sophia’s aunt. She adores her family, runs Emma’s Cafe and is very ‘up-to-date’ with the comings and goings of the town.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this film?

A) I wasn’t. But meeting Monsieur Messner on this set was an absolute blessing (hope he doesn’t read this and let it go to his head). We’ve since worked together again and he’s become like a brother to me.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to shoot for the movie?

A) Loved filming the scene between Michael and Emma on the porch. The fake snow in the middle of an LA summer was hilarious.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) My days weren’t super long on this project. I think I only worked about five days. Johnny, Madeline, Jamie, Brian [Skiba] and the brilliant crew did the heavy lifting! – but – puppies and wine! I adopted a puppy through Deity Animal Rescue while working on this and also moved down the street from a natural wine store. You could shake off just about anything with a puppy and a glass of vino. It’s a winner’s combo.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching The Christmas High Note.

A) I hope that in a year that has been so incredibly hard for so many that this movie could maybe offer a brief little pocket of Christmas cheer to somebody.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan response you’ll be receiving?

A) I have a love/hate relationship with social media (like most!), but when used in the right ways (like spreading positive vibes about Christmas movies) I think it can be wonderful. I’ve heard that Lifetime and specifically Christmas movies have the loveliest and most loyal fans!

 

Q) The holidays look a little different this year. What are some of your personal traditions that you will be adjusting this year?

A) I’m Australian and often tail it back down under for Christmas, so that is an adjustment for this year. But I’m grateful for technology (Zoom) and that my loved ones are safe and healthy no matter how far away they are – that is honestly the greatest blessing of 2020.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

A) Stop sending me pictures of my feet. I see my toes all the time. Just kidding (kind of) (truly it keeps happening). If I have any fans, I would say THANK YOU, MUM!! And if there’s any others… even more of a thank you because you’re not forced to support me by blood!! Hopefully, I will continue to work on projects and create projects that tell important stories or make people smile. Hopefully both!