David Leyes
Interviews
Rebecca Lamarche – Sappy Holiday
By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) Please tell us the premise for Sappy Holiday.
A) Sappy Holiday follows Joy (Vanessa Sears) who gets caught in a snowstorm,landing her on a Maple Syrup Farmwith the family who owns it and is spending their last Christmas there. While connecting with this family, she’s touched by their love for one another and sense of community. It disrupts her life’s plans as she helps them save their family legacy while re-writing her own.
Q) How was your character Rebecca originally described to you?
A) I got a text from one of the producers telling me about the part. She was described as a kindhearted and sweet sister-in-law [to the lead] who got pregnant in college, so she gave up her dream of being an interior designer. It was a very good representation of the part!
Q) Was there something you added to the role that wasn’t in her initial breakdown?
A) The character is so sweet, and heart driven that I mostly tapped into that. Where there were moments to bring in some light playfulness, I would add that here and there.
Q) What was it about the film or the character that made you want to be a part of it?
A) First and foremost, I love working with this team of filmmakers: Brigitte Kingsley, Andrew Cymek and Patrick McBrearty. Ijumped onboard before reading the script because I know the quality of films they make and what a nice time it is being with them on set.
Second was the part. I often have fun playing villains or disruptors, often an ex-girlfriend or the girl coming in to put the relationship in jeopardy. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a lot of fun on screen, but it was great to slip into a character closer to me as a person who is just in a different stage and circumstance in life.
Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on Sappy Holiday?
A) [laughs] YES, quite a few actually! Vanessa Sears plays the lead and I had cast her in two films the year prior, but we had never met in person because of flipped days on set or COVID protocols depending on the project. That was fun because, in a way, I was already a fan! Jon McLaren and I took an acting class together something like five or six years prior. We hadn’t seen each other since then,but I recognized him immediately. Jon is wildly talented, and I really hope we get to work together again soon! Troy Blundell was on set who I’ve had the pleasure of working with at least twice prior. As I was saying, I’ve been lucky to get to know these filmmakers very well over the last handful of years and love working with them.
Q) Did director Andrew Cymek offer any advice while filming that you took to heart?
A) Andrew has such a calm and understated way of suggesting ideas that I think most people probably leave set thinking it was theirs! There was one moment where I’m looking at the work my son has done on screen. It was supposed to be a quick beat, but Andrew suggested I notice a cute family photo he had selected. From there, I just played around walking through all the little moments he had captured and showcased in his project and suddenly we had this scene highlighting a sweet family moment that wasn’t there prior.
Q) Often holiday themed movies are shot in the summer. What was your experience like being in costume?
A) You’re right but guess what? Christmas came early this year because we filmed it in the heart of winter! I love that you asked this question because I distinctly remember thinking that I had never been more comfortable in my wardrobe before. I’m either usually freezing in a tight dress or in winter clothes during peak summer. Just part of the job,but I lucked out in these cases.
Q) The movie is filled with sweet and sentimental moments. What were some of your personal favorite scenes to film?
A) I have a special heart to heart with our hero of the story. I get to open up about my life, what I’ve missed out on but what I’m happy about and, most of all, what I’m scared of losing. It leads to the epiphany of our film and was fun to film. It was around twilight, we had a big crackling wood fire burning,and Vanessa and I were curled up having this sentimental heart-to-heart.
Q) What do you think it is about Sappy Holiday that will make it a fast fan favorite holiday viewing?
A) It captures the spirit of Christmas by going beyond a love story and focusing on the core family. Joy doesn’t just fall in love with James (Jon McLaren); she falls in love with the family, their life together and what she can be a part of. That sentimental family-tie is so precious at Christmas, and I think it’s what a lot of people yearn for, especially coming out of the pandemic.
Q) I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask what are some of your personal favorite holiday films to watch each year?
A) Definitely The Holiday. It’s a timeless film that captures the heart of Christmas and the spirit of possibility.
Q) You are also a filmmaker and producer on top of being an actress. Are you able to tease some upcoming projects you’ve been working on personally?
A) Of course, I’m very happy to say that I’m casting and producing an action-Christmas movie right now! We just went through establishing the fight choreography and it’s going to be such a blast to bring to life.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do in front of and behind the camera?
A) Thank you so much. It’s such a gift to be supported by people to do what you love. And it’s very rewarding to make something you’re proud of and have it touch people in a positive way. I’m always happy to connect on Instagram.
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