Lacey Chabert – The Tree That Saved Christmas

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been busy working on?

A) I have had a busy year. I just had A Royal Christmas air on The Hallmark Channel. Then, I’ll be starring in The Tree That Saved Christmas on UPtv, which is about a girl who saves Christmas. She grew up on a Christmas tree farm and finds out that the farm is going to be shut down. So, she goes back home to try and save the farm.

Q) What was it about The Tree That Saved Christmas that made you want to be a part of the movie?

A) I read the story and I really thought it was a very sweet story. I thought it would be a movie for the whole family. I had never worked with UPtv before and they really let me experiment. It turned out to be a very sweet film.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) Not really. I always bring a little bit of myself to roles and I always try to play with the dialogue a little bit. I try to make things a little bit more personal. We shot in Vancouver last year right after the holidays so it was really nice to be there when it was still snowing and freezing outside. It really felt like Christmas has been extended.

Q) Did the cast chemistry come instantly or did you spend some time to bond?

A) It’s so funny. It sounds like such a cliché, but we really did get along right away. Especially when you are shooting far from home and it isn’t your normal surroundings, it’s so nice to click with the people you are working with. It was a ton of fun! It was a very fast shoot, but we had a blast doing it.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) At one point I am carrying this Christmas tree and I’m in a coat and skirt outfit, which is not something you would typically be in when carrying a Christmas tree. There was one tree that was maybe forty pounds and that was easier to carry around and then there was another tree just for the look and it was about a hundred pounds. They accidentally gave me that tree in the scene and I was walking across this icy road carrying this tree that I could just barely pick up! I finally burst into laughter and had to stop in the middle of it because I was slipping and sliding with this tree that was a lot bigger than me! That was a pretty funny moment. We had a good laugh. I tried to be a trooper to make it through it, but I couldn’t make it to the end of the sidewalk.

Q) What was it like working with director David Winning? Did he say anything during filming that you really took to heart?

A) He was a wonderful director. He said, “I’m just going to let you do your thing and I won’t get in the way. I’ll guide you if I think you need some redirection.” He was very kind and wanted it to be natural.

Q) What do you think it is about the movie that will make people want to tune in?

A) It’s the kind of movie you can watch while you are decorating your Christmas tree or baking. The family can all gather around and watch it together because it really is about the importance of being with family and captures the spirit of what the holidays are meant to be.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will receive when the film premieres?

A) Social media is a really interesting thing. It’s nice to hear what people think, but sometimes there are people who don’t tell you what you want to hear and you just have to scroll through those. I tweeted during the Hallmark movie and I saw a lot of people tweeting that they were watching it with their family and it was one of their new Christmas classics. Of course, that makes me feel great and proud to have been a part of the movie.

Q) What would you say to everyone who are fans and supporters?

A) I hope people will watch the movie and enjoy it. I hope they find magic in the movie. I thank you for your support. I’ve been in the business almost my entire life and to have someone tell you that they appreciate your work means everything. I love what I do and I love being a part of telling stories. When I have the opportunity to do that in a way that touches them or makes them think I think that is a huge goal of mine. Anyone who sends a nice tweet, comments or turns on a movie that I’m in I truly, genuinely appreciate it.