Rob Mayes – My Christmas Inn

By starrymag | December 3, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I’m working on developing a couple movies (which I can’t talk about – I know, super mysterious [laughs]) and I’ve been going back and forth to Nashville working on my country music which I’m super excited about and which comes out early next year! I also wrapped Maybe I’m Fine, an indie road trip father-daughter comedy about music due out Summer of 2019. I just wrapped Soldiers Heart, a film about PTSD after the civil war (PTSD then was actually called Soldiers Heart) in which I star along with Neal Bledsoe, Val Kilmer, Annalynne McCord, Jake Busey, Michael Welch, Michael Bowen, Jay Pickett, James Russo and others!  I’m currently filming indie Into Thin Air with Samaire Armstrong.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film My Christmas Inn.

 

A) After the passing of her great aunt, Jen Taylor (the lovely Tia Mowry) inherits her Aunt Helen’s inn up in Chestnut Hill, Alaska and must decide whether to continue at her San Francisco ad agency and sell the inn she never asked for, or to give up her fancy city job and relocate to the cozy little town of Chestnut Hill.  As Jen’s attorney (and love interest) Brian, I help her sort through the paperwork and show her what’s special about our small town. And, with a little fun and holiday cheer, I help her see that maybe this life is what she’s been looking for after all.

 

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

 

A) I loved the script!  It warmed my heart and made me smile and when I heard that I’d be working with Tia, I jumped.

 

Q) How was your character Brian Anderson originally described to you?

 

A) He’s an attorney/sleigh maker (naturally) in Chestnut Hill, Alaska.  You know how attorneys/sleigh makers are. [smiles] He loves his family and loves his town and quickly (and unexpectedly) falls for Jen when she comes to town to claim the property.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to him that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

 

A) I don’t remember seeing much of a breakdown actually!  I got the script, read it, loved it and knew that I’d have a blast playing Brian. Peter our director gave us a bunch of freedom to play so I really had fun with it.

 

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

 

A) Yes!  Tia, of course! Tim [Reid] and Jackée [Harry] and I had recently worked with David Starzyk on an episode of CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,” so was fun to reunite!

 

Q) What advice did director Peter Sullivan offer that you took to heart while shooting?

 

A) Peter creates such a great set and environment where you can’t help but feel like you’re a part of a family.  It’s so welcoming and supportive and light and fun and that was the biggest thing that let us just enjoy the process and have a blast. [smiles]

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moment from filming My Christmas Inn?

 

A) I love filming in Utah!  It’s a magical place with the best people.  And I hadn’t been back to film there since The American Mall.  But I really got to explore this time.  David and I would head up to the Sundance Resort.  I got to check out Arches National Park and stay in a Safari tent.  I went on some great hikes.  I wrote a bunch of songs while sitting in my trailer in between scenes when I had downtime, just looking out at the mountains and fields and fences and horses, with my trailer door open.  You can see some of the photos on my Instagram!  I must say, I especially loved this crew.  Man, did we laugh.

 

Q) With Christmas quickly approaching. What are some of your personal holiday traditions?

 

A) I always head home to Cleveland and as a family we celebrate and enjoy a Lithuanian holiday dinner on Christmas Eve where we eat fish, called Kūčios.  And then we open gifts later that night together!  I think we drink some wine too [smiles] and sleep in!

 

Q) What do you think it is about this film that will make it a quick seasonal favorite?

 

A) It’s so heartwarming! And it’s exactly the kind of story you want to see play out just the way it does.  And it’s fun!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to the movie?

 

A) [laughs] I certainly HOPE folks enjoy the movie!  I haven’t seen it yet and I can’t wait to watch it with the world…and yes!  Reach out to me on Instagram @hogcity and say hey!

 

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

 

A) I’m so grateful for my fans.  I’m grateful for the notes and DMs I get every day from people all over the world, saying that something I do touches them, or inspires them or gives them strength.  I do what I do because I thoroughly enjoy it and especially with these movies that have a good message and offer hope and joy, to see that mean something to you all who tune in and watch and keep watching my movies year after year, it means a lot.  Especially in a time in the world where there so often SEEMS to be so little hope, it’s important to embrace the hope we do have and to create more and that’s really only possible with your support!  Because there actually IS a lot of hope and magic out here and there’s plenty for us to share! Love you guys!