Given how TV and movie schedules work, it's not unusual for Christmas films to be shot in the heat of summer.
It happened with the Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life," filmed over June, July and August, 1946, during a southern California heat wave. That's foam, plaster, shaved ice and soapflakes simulating snow all over the streets of Bedford Falls, N.Y., really a three-block-long set built for Jimmy Stewart and company in Encino, Calif.
It was just as hot around Hamilton, Ont., last June when crews rolled carpets of white cotton batting onto the green lawns and bushes at the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre in nearby Ancaster.
The winter scene was for "A Christmas Song," one of three holiday-themed TV movies on which Hallmark and CTV teamed up on.
"A Christmas Song" premieres Wednesday at 9 p.m. on CTV Two and the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. (repeating Dec. 22 on CTV). "Come Dance With Me" has already aired and repeats Dec. 17 on CTV Two while "Baby's First Christmas" airs Dec. 14 on CTV.
The stately manor house was festooned with large wreaths, red ribbons and other decorations. Outside, sun-burned crew members in shorts and T-shirts operated boom mikes and lighting equipment.
Natasha Henstridge ("The Secret Circle," "Would Be Kings") wasn't always so comfortable. She shot scenes standing out in the hot sun dressed in a long wool coat, scarf and mittens.
She plays Diana, a by-the-book music teacher at an all-girls high school. When that school is amalgamated with a neighbouring boys school, Diana's program clashes with the one taught by rival Ken, played by Gabriel Hogan ("Heartland," "Rent-A-Goalie"). Before you can say, "Glee," both teachers prep their kids for a showdown Christmas concert that will determine which music program stays and which gets cut.
Amanda Thompson ("Totally Amp'd"), Brittany Adams ("Wingin' It"), Jack Ettlinger ("sa国际传媒's Got Talent") and Kent Nolan ("Corner Gas") play the competing singing students.
Henstridge and Hogan have worked together before. This is their fourth pairing, in fact. "We're like an old married couple," says Henstridge, originally from Newfoundland but raised in Alberta. "We even look a bit alike; we need to play brother and sister next."
It helps that the two pair up well physically. At 6-foot-4, Hogan doesn't need to stand on a box opposite the 5-foot-10 former model.
The two likable leads are the reason to watch "A Christmas Song."
How do they get in the mood for playing December scenes in the summer sun? The decorations help, says Henstridge.
"We were decorating one of the trees in the classroom the other day and I thought to myself, 'Wow, I really do love Christmas.'"
Her favourite holiday film is "Home Alone," also a winner with her two children, aged 14 and 11. "I know it's not a classic, but the kids love it so much," she says.
Hogan, whose kids are younger, says "It's a Wonderful Life" is the movie that always gets him in the Christmas spirit.
Neither went to a same-sex school growing up, but they relate to the story in other ways. Henstridge says there was a drama teacher in Alberta who really helped her confidence. "I didn't have a ton of friends," says Henstridge, "but somehow, when I got in that drama class, I came out of my shell a little bit."
Hogan, who went to school in Toronto, was never in any kind of glee club but scratched his music itch in a rock band.
Both remain busy working both sides of the border. Henstridge left the "A Christmas Song" set to head to L.A. and work on "The Bronx Bull," a before-and-after the rage retake on the life of boxer Jake LaMotta. William Forsythe plays the lead.
Hogan, who played Joe Jr. in "The Kennedys," counts "The Border" and "Traders" among his Canadian credits. He still laments one show that got away: "Wonderfalls," a short-lived Fox fantasy-comedy shot in the Niagara region a few years ago. He blames scheduling for the recent short-cutting of the Showcase series "King," which disappeared after a move to Fridays in its second season.
The nomadic life of an actor is one both signed up for, even if it means never knowing where you'll be for Christmas. Hogan knew what to expect; both his parents, Michael Hogan ("Battlestar Galactica") and Susan Hogan ("The L Word") have their own long list of credits. His wife, Inga Cadranel, is an actress, currently appearing in "Copper."
"It really is a gypsy life," says Hogan about his extended acting family. "I'm lucky enough to have a fairly stable career, but your phone could ring and you could be in Europe next week, you could be wherever. I have the advantage of growing up that way too."
You have to accept the nomadic lifestyle, says Henstridge, "because otherwise, why do it? And I'm not going to say that I don't go through periods of time where I'm like, I just can't ... another change, another pickup, another flight, another not making my kids' last few days of school.
"I definitely go through times where I'm like, 'it's just not worth it,' but the truth of the matter is, I can't do anything else. I love what I do and I'm lucky to do it."
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Bill Brioux is a freelance TV columnist based in Brampton, Ont.
