Meredith Thomas – A Christmas in Vermont

By starrymag | December 5, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I am working on a new web series about a family torn apart by social media.  I play the mother and she is struggling to keep her family together with a husband and a daughter who are disconnected because of their dependency on social media.  My character is fighting with her own dependency on alcoholism.

 

Q) We’re going to be seeing you in a new TV film on ION called A Christmas in Royal Fashion! Was there anything you added to your character Melanie that wasn’t initially scripted for you?

 

A) Yes, I always add a little comedy.  With Melanie because she can come off very villainess, I tried to lighten her up in various places in just subtle ways to not change the character too much.  I just added a smile here or there or a grin or a look.  To make it more authentic, I always try to add layers and texture.

 

Q) This is your second film with director Fred Olen Ray. What advice did he provide you that you took to heart?

 

A) This is actually my fourth film with him.  I remember very specifically in one scene where I catch my employee pretending to be me.  Fred’s direction was to change my delivery and not play her too angry because my character had to be more professional in front of the royal prince.  The other actors in the scene noticed the change in direction that I took and complimented me on the change.  It really worked well thanks to Fred.

 

Q) We’ll also be seeing you in the film A Christmas in Vermont. Please tell us the premise for the movie.

 

A) I shot this a couple of years ago with Chevy Chase.  It is a fun film and it will be re-airing a number of times this season also on ION.  Chevy’s character is about to shut down a company in Vermont.  My character is an investor and she comes in and helps save the company in time for Christmas.

 

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

 

A) I loved the role of Dana because she is a really strong, positive businesswoman who supports other women.  When I took the role, I did not know I would be playing opposite Chevy Chase.  I took the role because I liked the character.  Chevy was a great surprise.

 

Q) How was your character Dana McCormick originally described to you?

 

A) She was originally described as “Bold and brassy.  She is like your favorite aunt who just happens to be a fortune 500 CEO.  Her effervescent charm is no mistake.”

 

Q) Talk about working alongside iconic actor and comedian Chevy Chase.

A) Chevy is someone I grew up watching on “SNL” and in so many movies.  He is like working with a favorite uncle.  He is just as nice and funny as you would think he would be.  I loved working with him.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming A Christmas in Vermont?

 

A) When Chevy, the director and I were talking one day, the director was telling us about the first time he ever saw Niagara Falls.  He flew in from sunny California and was driven to the Falls from the airport and he was dressed in clothes for 90-degree weather.  It was so cold at Niagara Falls, he looked at the Falls for two seconds and then wanted to get the heck out of there and to his warm hotel.  When hearing this story, I couldn’t help but think of Chevy in National Lampoon’s Vacation when his character was at the Grand Canyon.  All of the sudden Chevy said to the director, “Hey, that reminds me of my character in National Lampoon’s Vacation when he is at the Grand Canyon.”  I thought it was ironic that we were both on the same page and thinking the same thing.

 

Q) What do you think it is about these films that will make them fast holiday must-see movies?

 

A) I think people love a little romance.  These holiday films contain romance and people love to see people falling in love during the holidays.  In both of these films, my characters help the couples find love either directly or indirectly.

 

Q) What are some of your favorite Christmas and holiday traditions?

 

A) I always watch Love Actually and The Holiday.  I also go to Florida to visit my mother and she still puts together huge Christmas stockings for my brother and me.  Even though we are grown adults, she still takes great pride in filling them up with fun things for us.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll be receiving to your holiday projects?

 

A) Sure.  I have a nice Twitter following and I am trying to build up my numbers on Instagram now.  It is always fun to hear from fans and hear what they think about my work and social media is a great tool for that.  Since you asked, please follow me on Instagram and Twitter @meredithactress.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work that you do?

 

A) I would like to say thank you so much for watching my work.  It is so rewarding to know that people enjoy the finished product.  The fans don’t get to see the hard work behind the scenes while we are creating these projects, so their love and appreciation of the final film is so worth it.