November 14, 2025 • 51 mins
It’s another festive episode of Christmas MuVies Spotlight! In this special holiday feature, Dawn sits down with the stars Grace Field and Kyle Klaus from the charming new film Rekindled for Christmas to chat about their roles, the heart of the story, and what makes this romantic comedy perfect for the season.
Then, Dawn & Pam is joined by the film’s writers and executive producers, Ranelle Golden and Lanee Blaise — two creative powerhouses who share their inspiring journey of bringing Rekindled for Christmas to life, the joy of writing holiday stories, and a sneak peek at their upcoming sequel, Rekindled Forever.
Grab a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa, and enjoy these heartwarming conversations that capture the true spirit of Christmas!
🎄 Rekindled for Christmas is now streaming this holiday season — don’t miss it!
Then, Dawn & Pam is joined by the film’s writers and executive producers, Ranelle Golden and Lanee Blaise — two creative powerhouses who share their inspiring journey of bringing Rekindled for Christmas to life, the joy of writing holiday stories, and a sneak peek at their upcoming sequel, Rekindled Forever.
Grab a cozy blanket and a cup of cocoa, and enjoy these heartwarming conversations that capture the true spirit of Christmas!
🎄 Rekindled for Christmas is now streaming this holiday season — don’t miss it!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hello everyone, and welcome to Christmas movie Spotlight. Today, I
am thrilled to share my conversation with Grace Field and
Kyle Klaus, the talented stars of the new holiday film
Rekindled for Christmas. We'll be chatting about their roles, of
the heartwarming story behind the movie and what makes this
one a must watch for the season. So grab a
(00:42):
cup of cocoa, get cozy, and enjoy my interview with
Grace Field and Kyle Klass from Rekindled for Christmas.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hey, y'all.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hey, Grace Field here, and this is Kyle Klaus, and
you are listening to Christmas Movieslight.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Well, hello Grace and Kyle. It is so good to
have you both with us and we light.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Okay, We're so happy to be here, so nice.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Oh my gosh, it is an honor to have you both,
and we have been excited to talk with you because
we're excited about this new movie, which we're going to
get into in just a moment. But I got to
start out of the gate and ask both of you
the question of how did each of you first discover
your passion for acting, How did you get into acting,
(01:34):
what led you to acting to where you are now.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Grace.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Oh you want me to start ladies first? Okay, well
it's funny. Yes you are gentlemen, yes women.
Speaker 6 (01:51):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
My whole family is like not in the arts, like
I come for a whole family and nerds.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
So my mom is a Michael.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Bayologist, my dad's an engineer, and my grandfather is a
rocket scientist for NASA.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So like come from a whole you know, huge line of.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
Nerdss, which is great.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So I thought I was gonna go.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And be a palaeontologist or a physicist or probably like
a surgeon or something. But anyway, I all that change
in fourth grade for me when I was asked to
play the role of Oliver in Oliver And that's when
the bug bit me.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
And since then.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
It's just been you know, love at first bite, I
guess after biting into that show, I've loved every minute
of it since then. So yep, that's where my first
love for acting came from playing Oliver and Oliver.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
All that's awesome, nice.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
For me?
Speaker 8 (02:52):
I yeah, same kind of start. I really, my family's
definitely not into the arts. Lived in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, nobody
did any kind of acting.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
I don't even think we had a theater program in
high school.
Speaker 8 (03:08):
If we did, I didn't know about it, just kind
of like involved in, you.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Know, sports and interested in sports and girls.
Speaker 8 (03:16):
And then like but I remember specifically like putting on
that Rambo like headband and like, you know, pretending I
was this person or that person.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
So like I think naturally that happened.
Speaker 8 (03:31):
And then you know, going to college that was just
an extension of high school. And then getting into college
like and being pressed with that you know, what do
you want to do with the rest of your life question?
I was like, WHOA, I got to figure this out.
And I remember hanging around the theater department a lot,
and I saw a sign that said do you want
(03:54):
to be in a movie? Specifically just like that, and
they were way ahead of their time. They like asked
to go onto this website and send in a recording
of yourself. And I was so scared, so I read
the other person's lines and the left space for myself,
so I didn't want to let anybody know I was
in acting. And I got a roll and then the
bug just bit me there and it just kind of
(04:16):
snowballed and one thing led to another, and then that's it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
You know, it's interesting this question is always posed first
our guests because every question, every answer we get is
always different and it's so fascinating. But I mean, I
think in a lot of cases, until you, I've never
done any acting. But I think it's one of those
things people just fall in love with and they get
bitten by immediately, or it's something that maybe they grow into.
(04:44):
And it's sounds like for both of you, it was
just like a oh my gosh, this is what I'm
gonna do. You know, I really am.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
It over sure, for sure, there's no turning back. Paleontology
is very different than acting.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah, acting is quite the depart from paleontology.
Speaker 8 (05:01):
Yes, hey, look I wanted to be an astronomer or
astra I loved the stars and stuff like that, or
a marine biologist.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
But it's totally different than that too.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
But oh yeah, for sure, a lot of people.
Speaker 8 (05:13):
Just don't think you can be an actor, like at
least where I grew up from, you know, So it
was like, oh, yeah, that's something that other people do,
you know, Yeah in another.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
World, yeah, I can see that. But you know, not
everybody can be an actor. But and I've often said
like in nursinges in the nursing profession, for example, not
everybody's cut out to be a nurse or doctor. You know,
some people can't stand the blood and gor and guts
kind of thing and given shots drawing. But I mean
so it takes. It takes a special kind of person,
(05:46):
as I said, And I think the same is true
with acting, because that's a craft all its own, you know,
it's just it's just amazing. So Grace, this question is
for you, okay, okay, not just for acting, but also
for your incredible background in musical theater. So how has
performing live influenced your screen acting style?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I think it's a great training ground because although they're
like super different, you know, you only get one shot
at doing it live.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So like it prepared me so.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well for movies because like movies you get to do
over and over against Like if you can do theater,
you can do film. I feel like like as long
as you understand, like it's very it's a very different animal.
But I feel like, yeah, the how to build a carecter,
how to build a world around that character, how to
connect with other people the whole, like camaraderie, and it's
(06:47):
like a team sport. So like theater and film are
very similar in that it.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Takes a whole village to make it happen.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
A lot of the stuff you see is behind the scenes.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
So I think, like in preparation for like I've I've
had the man, I've I've been so blessed a perform
around the world. I've done Broadway and Carnegie Hall, White
House and like amphitheater stuff, and but there's nothing as
special as movies, and like, I think there's an intimacy
there that is just so beautiful, and like there's truth
(07:22):
there and just being able to discover a character like
that is very similar to theater, And like how you
prepare for your like mapping out the character, understanding the
inner workings or the outer workers and the characters very
similar in theater, but.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
The actual, like.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
The actual implementation of it is very different.
Speaker 9 (07:44):
So like it prepared me in the sense of teamwork, and.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Also like understanding how characters are built and understanding different
characters and how to bring them to life, but everything
else is very different. Like it's like basketball and football,
both sports both require a lot of skills, but like
very different. So that's how I kind of do it
fi TV versus theater, both of u are.
Speaker 9 (08:13):
So awesome though, I am such a fan of both.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
So yeah, and I mean and and you've you've had
both experiences, so you've you know, pretty vast which has
helped to well round you in what you're doing now
and and probably pursue a lot of different avenues in
this industry as well. And so it's paying off. It's
paying off.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Okay, Yeah, it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
So Kyle, you've built an impressive resume with credits such
as The black List, Billions, and The Irishman, just to
name a few. Which role challenged you the most?
Speaker 10 (08:48):
And why?
Speaker 6 (08:50):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (08:51):
So the I guess they all they're all challenging in
their own right.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
But I would probably I talk about this this scene,
this guest star role with FBI, which is a network
show on CBS that I did like most recently. It
you know, it's like everybody sees a finished product on
TV and it looks polished and like everybody, you know,
(09:17):
you talk about memorizing lines and and all this stuff,
but like there's a lot of stuff that goes into
professional even at the most professional level, that is just
everybody's trying to figure it out even on the day.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
I mean, we've had rewrites in.
Speaker 8 (09:32):
We had rewrites and rekindled, like right off the bat,
and I did this thing on guests on on FBI,
and you know it was it was a couple scenes
and I did them, and then we were we had
this They forgot I guess when they were looking back
at the scene that they had not talked about what
my character, why he was there, like what happened? And
(09:56):
they wrote this two page interrogation scene that was kind
of just exposi of like what his backstory was. And
they gave it to you the day before filming, so
they had to film. They had to set this up
and not really I mean I had the day to
prepare for it, but like the people that were on
the show do working twelve hour days, they didn't have
(10:21):
that time, and they had other scenes to prepare. And
they came in and we just all kind of were
trying to figure it out, like what.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Was that line again? What was this line?
Speaker 8 (10:28):
And work the scene out, and even these guys that
are like the leads of the show, we're all trying
to figure it out.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
You're all trying to figure it out.
Speaker 8 (10:38):
And that was the most That was the most challenging
I've ever had because it was such an intimate, two
page long dialogue scene where it was very important, but
we're all figuring it out together, and the finished product
it was like when you get it, you get it,
like you're just trying to work it out, and then
you all look at each other like after the scene
(11:00):
and you're like, Okay, yeah, that was it.
Speaker 11 (11:02):
That was it.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
We got that, And you.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Made a good point when you started sharing that. And
that is when people are viewing something on television or
even in movies, a lot of times from the viewer perspective,
no one is thinking about what all had to go
into making that scene or that movie, the behind the
scenes stuff and the changes that may come about, and
to make it presentable for what we're seeing on our
(11:25):
side of the camera, you know, on the other side
of the screen. And it really demonstrates just how much
work and dedication to the craft that goes into creating
something that is presentable for an audience.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Yeah, Like nobody cares that it's you have to work
through it.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
They just want to You need to get to where
it's where it works, right, So you just have to
be professional.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, So I want to talk to you both about
this wonderful movie that is coming out, Rekindled for Smith,
that you both starr in, and we're just so excited
to see this movie. I can't wait. I think I'm
gonna kind of try a dibby in this weekend.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Oh my gosh, Please you want to tell what you think?
Speaker 1 (12:13):
I can't wait. I can't wait. But would you mind
each of you sharing a little bit about your characters
and a little bit about the movie without giving too
much away. No spoiler alerts anything, no.
Speaker 9 (12:23):
Spoilers, no spoilers.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Give it to the blonde to like give away the
whole And she died, No worry, no one dies.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Oh that's kind of a spoiler. No Christmas movie.
Speaker 6 (12:37):
Anyway.
Speaker 12 (12:37):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
So I played Courtney.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Who is this kind of like career she lives to work,
kind of career girl, like got it all going on.
She's like working her way up the architectural ladder, like
literally and metaphorically, I guess, in her architecture firm. And
she is kind of like an anxious emo girl about
(13:02):
love and about like her life.
Speaker 9 (13:05):
And so she's kind of let her career sweep away romance.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
And so with that.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
She her mom keeps bugging her about dating and finding
a relationship.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So it's about I don't.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Know if I should even say, Kyle, do you think
I should even say what? Or But yeah, it's about
Courtney and all of her like weird awkwardness, career driven
woman trying to find love in all these interesting places.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Please her mom.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Yeah, Okay, So I play Brian, and I'm like the
hometown boy that Courtney has escaped the town and the
right I guess you've escaped to go to pursue your
your career, your career driven person. And yeah, I always
(14:11):
say like I'm I'm like the guy that if I
never left my hometown to pursue the acting career, I
think I would be like the guy Brian was back
in back in his hometown, which I'm actually now while
I'm doing this podcast. So I'm here now, and I
(14:33):
was just telling my mom about and and family about
this because they saw the they saw the trailer for this,
and you know, we talked about it. But I'm playing
the guy that you know, never left the hometown and
he's a romantic and uh, you know, he's in love
with Courtney.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
They were high high school sweet Should I say that?
Speaker 8 (14:51):
Yeah, high school sweethearts and uh, you know, things ensue
when she comes back home and the.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
That wants me to ask, so, in each of your characters,
is there any elements of your own personalities and personal
sounds that are brought to those characters in any way
or do they resemble.
Speaker 10 (15:11):
You at all?
Speaker 12 (15:14):
Well?
Speaker 8 (15:14):
Definitely for me, yes, I think that's why they cast me,
because I'm like, I look like the hometown kid.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
But I think, yeah, like I know a lot of
these guys.
Speaker 8 (15:26):
I know a lot of you know, guys that went
to you know, high school and maybe had high school
sweethearts and then like it was graduate, maybe go to college,
maybe not, maybe just get married, have a couple of
kids and have the whole house with the white pick
of fence and all. And that just didn't it wasn't
my thing, Like I didn't, you know, I once I
(15:49):
got to high school or once I got to college,
I kind of was like, okay, now it's like game on.
You know, it could have been me, it definitely, And
you know, that was like a thing. A lot of
people didn't leave their hometown, and you know, I might
be seeing a couple of them tonight.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Oh, I think for me, she is different.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I think she's different.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
I've had the privilege to play the gamut of characters,
to be honest, like, the further way is for me,
the easier it is for me. So like it's like
she's like, I mean, every character has echoes of you
in there because it is you, right, But but for me, like,
I think I come from a different acting perspective where
(16:37):
you like build a world around someone else who's not you,
and then you put yourself in there.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
So I don't know, I don't know if she's like
really like me.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I mean she has she's quirky and I'm quirky, and
we're both very career driven for sure.
Speaker 9 (16:54):
But I think, like, uh, she's she's.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Not as happy go used to me, for sure, she goes.
She's very emo. Like I I'm pretty stable as a person.
She's not as stable. But you know, it's great, it's fun.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Like this is why I love acting, because it's literally
like you you literally put on someone else's shoes for like,
this is the highest form of empathy you can have
because you're like, okay, like literally I am.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Living this other person's life.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
I'm putting on their troubles, their joys and seeing how
that feels.
Speaker 9 (17:30):
It's like the best, Like it's the best feeling in
the world.
Speaker 8 (17:35):
Nobody thinks they're in the wrong or whatever when they're
that person. No, you're acting that person. You have to
be like, you know, this is my belief, Like I'm
you know this person, you know right, even like you know,
I don't like somebody terrible, You're like they didn't think
(17:57):
they're terrible.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I love playing the darker kid. I'm like one of
those weird people. I'm like, the darker the better. This
is like my first like I've mainly done dramas, Like
this is like my first wrong call, which.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Is so much fun. I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
But yeah, Kylo, feel like you're very similar to him,
and the best way because he's like a very lovable guy,
Like he's smart and capable and just like just earnest
and lovely, and I feel like you have all those
amazing qualities yourself, So I think you're similar.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Well, you know, I've often said that acting is kind
of like playing pretend at the very highest level. And
it's interesting how you know, viewers for plap operas, for example,
they get so invested in the character and you I've
heard so many actors will say, I go out in
public or I'm at an airport and someone will come
running up to me and they'll call me by my
(18:47):
character name when they hit me, or they say, I
can't believe you did that, And yeah, I have to say,
I'm not the character, you know, I'm so insite. And
it is interesting how people really get invested in the
character and they tend to forget that the person playing
the character is a factor.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
It's totally different. I'm not that horrible person you're seeing
on screen, you know, and it is interesting how that works.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Yes, well, hopefully you're not that horrible person, or maybe
you play a nice person you're horrible in real life.
You never know the way, right, right, Let's hope they're
all nice people. I feel like at that time though,
everyone's very nice.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
That's that's my yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Well, before we wrap up, we're gonna play a fun
little Lightning round game and it's all Christmas oriented because
of Christmas podcast. Yah, not wrong answers and just quick
five question fire and off answers. Whatever comes to mine. Okay,
first question is fake tree or real tree?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Well, fake.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
I did it, and we always had one growing up,
a fake one growing up.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
So I could go either way on appy, I could
go either.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Way real the smell of the real, But I can't
stand the mess the reel makes as the season goes on,
you know, so like vacuum and every day. But all right,
matching ornaments or mix and match, mixed match mix.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah, that's like getting ornaments from your family or like
right travels or whatnot? Like who cares if it's like
all white and gold, like it's about Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
That's right and mix and matches. It just holds so
many memories. You know, every ornament has a memory, It
has a story behind it, and so when you're putting
them on the tree, you're, oh, I remember when someone
you know, I made this one, and it just evokes
that lifelong memory.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Next question, snow for Christmas or do you prefer like warmer,
beachy type weathers I'm from pow and you probably have
seen a lot of white Christmass.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Oh yeah, I mean there's nothing better when it snows
on Christmas or Christma?
Speaker 5 (21:04):
Isn't that the true nothing better?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
I'm in North Carolina. I think we've had one in
my lifetime and that was really Oh yeah, now we're
finally having a real fall this year. So it's like,
oh my gosh, you know, it's not eighty five thousand
degrees still in the middle of November, but.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
All right, Christmas in July through December or only in December.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
July through December for sure, especially being an actor, like hello,
we film a lot of Christmas stuff.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
In July, Sony.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
January.
Speaker 9 (21:39):
We filmed this in December December.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
But it was in Florida. And oh yeah, July through July.
Definitely July all year round. My name is Clause.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
So are you dead you? That's all right? It is
the best holiday ever.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
We love Christmas here really is. And the last question
is one thing and you have to find in your stocking.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Oh yeah, fudge. Fudge for me. My whole family like
makes fudge for chrise.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
So like continuing the failure recipe is like putting it
in the stocking is.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Like this is complete. You found the fudge in your stocking.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
That's a right.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
And Kyle, you said underwear.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
I said underwear because I know I'm underwear.
Speaker 8 (22:28):
I said, I get underwear and socks all the every
year because I know I'm home then because I don't
like buying underwear and socks any other time, but I
know my mom's going to get it for me in
the stocking at Christmas.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Well, the way I say it, if it's in the stocking,
then it's not like something she wraps up where you
unwrap and you oh.
Speaker 8 (22:47):
You're not like I just know it's coming, and that's
when you know you're home.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
There you go, you to home in that tradition, because
that would just typically be a tradition in a way.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
So yes, well, I know.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Well, thank you both so much for playing along, and
thank you for being here today. It has been such
a pleasure speaking with both of you and talking about
Kindle for Christmas. If I can't.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
Wait, Yes, and we may be having another one soon,
maybe down the pike.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
So if you like this one, don't worry.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Wait but wait, there's four, Wait there's more.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Well, admittedly, I have seen the trailers, so I was
so stoked when I saw the dray I said, now,
I can't wait for.
Speaker 10 (23:31):
The movie to come out such a way I love.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
I'm watching them when they still like Christmas in July.
I'm already there, you know, I'm glued.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
So the premiere next weekend.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Yeah, we're doing a premiere next weekend.
Speaker 7 (23:45):
Are you guys excited?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
That sounds like it's going to be a great time, oh.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
My god, to celebrate Christmas and we get to celebrate
our cast and the movies.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
It's that's that's amazing. I wish I lived closer. I
would definitely be there.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
But well, just like zoom you in, we'll be like
here she is, there you go, there, you go.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Well, thank you guys so much. It has been such
a pleasure speaking with both of you and so much fun.
And I'd love to have you back when the sequel
comes out and any other time that.
Speaker 9 (24:17):
You love, We would love it.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
You guys are amazing.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
Thank you so much for having Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Thank you, appreciate it so much. Awesome and have a
great holiday, you guys.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
To Danks, you too. I know Christmas is coming up.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Oh my god, it's sunning, quick as can be, freaking
we are in the throes of it. Have a great premiere.
I know it's going to be awesome.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Thanks, thank you, Thank you guys, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Great care, Welcome back to Christmas Movie Spotlight. Many thanks
to Grace Field. And Kyle Klass for being our special guest.
In this next segment of the show, we're joined by
two incredibly talented women who helped bring the holiday movie
Rekindled for Christmas to light writers and executive producers, Renel
Golden and Renee Blaze. Renelle is an award winning director, screenwriter, producer, author,
(25:10):
and owner of Macrovision Films, as well as the host
of the movie Making podcast. With more than fifty screenplays
to her name, She's produced several TV pilots and even
ran a performing arts school that served over four hundred students.
Renee Blaze is a screenwriter, producer, speaker, and host of
the inspirational Imagine Yourself podcast. She has executive produced eight
(25:32):
film and television projects, including the uplifting family drama Blended,
which she co wrote with Renell. Together, they recently produced
a delightful Christmas rom com Rekindled for Christmas, and they're
already working on its charming sequel, Rekindled Forever. It was
such a wonderful time chatting with these two about their
creative journey, the making of Rekindled for Christmas, and what
(25:54):
it's like to write stories that capture the heart of
the holiday season. Please enjoy this conversation with Renelle Golden
and Renee Blaze.
Speaker 6 (26:05):
Welcome Renee. Now let me start again, because now I
I'm thinking.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
Of Renee instead of Renell.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
I'm sorry, you just say welcome girl.
Speaker 7 (26:19):
There you go.
Speaker 13 (26:22):
I just don't want to mess up your name. Okay,
Welcome Renelle and Renee to our show. We so appreciate
you taking the time to join us today.
Speaker 7 (26:35):
Thank you. We're happy to be here.
Speaker 14 (26:37):
Oh yes, absolutely, Christmas time movie time.
Speaker 6 (26:41):
Right, nothing more exciting than that, I'll tell you.
Speaker 13 (26:45):
We just Don and I are big Christmas movie fanatics,
So you guys are gonna fit right in.
Speaker 10 (26:50):
Yes, we're ready.
Speaker 7 (26:53):
All right.
Speaker 13 (26:54):
Well, my first question, of course, is to both of you,
and whoever wants to go first is up to you.
Would you mind? I'm giving our listeners a little bit
of a background on who you are and what you do.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
Please, Renee, do you want to go first?
Speaker 6 (27:07):
Sure?
Speaker 10 (27:08):
I'm going to say that my name is LINEE.
Speaker 14 (27:10):
Blaze, and I am honored to be on the show,
but also honored that I get to work with Renelle Golden.
You know, we're both in this screenwriting producing era of
our lives, and it has just been so exciting working
together on an original drama series called Blended, but also
(27:33):
our delightful Christmas rom com Rekindled for Christmas. You know,
we both have experience in the industry, but this is
just this is a new one working on the Christmas
movie and spoiler alert, that's going to be a sequel too,
but I'll let I'll let Renelle introduce herself as well.
Speaker 12 (27:51):
Oh well, I don't know if I can top that,
because I love working with Renee just she is like
a blessing in disguise and we kind of I think
we empower each other.
Speaker 7 (28:02):
So it's been one of the highlights of my career.
Speaker 12 (28:04):
I've been at this about fifteen years, writer, director, producer,
and you know, I've done like five feature films since
twenty nineteen, and this was the sixth, and we've got
more lined up, and it's just it's a blessing and
I can't wait to see what else we come up with.
But this is the first Christmas film, and you know what,
(28:26):
it was so fun to do something happy and filled
with love and a problem that we all face and
trying to please our.
Speaker 14 (28:34):
Moms, so oh yeah, and trying to see if the
people from the past romantically are better for us or
the people that we meet in the present. And so yeah,
that was just as it was a fun twist with
the whole movie. And Renelle didn't say that she's an
award winning director and screenwriter, but I just figured i'd
(28:56):
put that in there for her too. And we're both
we also both podcasts. She does the movie Making podcast
and I do Imagine Yourself podcasts.
Speaker 10 (29:04):
So we're we're like you, Pam and Don.
Speaker 6 (29:08):
Here's our twins done.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
I will say that you have perfect voices for radio,
podcasting or whatever, and and so it's it's it's a
pleasure to speak with both of you. And I want
to say my question is for Lennee. Yes, and you
had mentioned how Rekindled for Christmas relates to your personal lives,
(29:31):
so we are very curious about what that is like,
you know, and how I mean this could actually be
directed at both of you. Uh, but I saw the trailer.
Speaker 7 (29:42):
For the movies.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
I have to say it was incredibly relatable for sure.
Speaker 10 (29:46):
Oh absolutely, yes. So now here's the thing.
Speaker 14 (29:49):
Renelle and her son Sean are the writers of Rekindled
for Christmas. And when I saw the script first of all,
it was magical and Christmas, and but it also did
bring that thing because I did have back. Now I've
been married now for twenty six years, so we're going
back a few decades. But back when I you know,
(30:11):
back when I was in that era where I was
going to you know, move forward with uh, you know,
there's you know, there's you always have these folks from
the past, or you have the new folks, and you've
got to decide which person, which gentleman, is better for
my life. And it turns out that I made the
right decision. I ended up. I don't want to give
(30:32):
away too much of the actual movie, so I won't
tell too I ended up with the right person. And
I have no regrets. There's no rekindling anything from the
past for me.
Speaker 6 (30:44):
You know.
Speaker 14 (30:44):
It's just it's that situation where in life you will
be faced with like one of two doors, and which
one you go through affects the rest of your life.
And I picked the right person. And you know, spoiler alert,
the main character Courtney and recin for Christmas, She's going
to pick the right way.
Speaker 11 (31:03):
Oh my gosh, yes, and you you are so right
with picking doors.
Speaker 13 (31:17):
I mean, I think at least once in your life
you have to choose a door, and you always hope
and pray that it's going to be the right one.
And I do believe that if you listen to your gut,
you're going to choose the right one. Also, if you
pray on it, you're going to choose the right one.
Speaker 10 (31:37):
Absolutely, I'm so that one with you.
Speaker 6 (31:41):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 13 (31:43):
Well, this is the second question goes to both of you. Again,
it's the second completed project you've worked on together. So
what is the secret to your collaboration that has resulted
in the success?
Speaker 7 (31:56):
Oh? We actually, I mean, do you mind if I
answer first?
Speaker 10 (32:02):
Go for my friend.
Speaker 12 (32:05):
We actually, we work together in a way that exemplifies
the word together.
Speaker 7 (32:10):
So we make all major decisions together.
Speaker 12 (32:14):
We divide and conquer, so we decide who's going to
do what, and we collaborate on the communication.
Speaker 7 (32:20):
We're going to have with the other.
Speaker 12 (32:21):
Like businesses that we work with, we're just really transparent
with each other. Nobody's ever kind of left out, and
we make great partners because we're sounding boards and we
empower each other. If someone has a good idea, we're like,
oh my gosh, it's a great idea. If we're not sure,
we're like, well, look at it this way, and you know,
we kind of bring up all the things we might need.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
To consider, and we just I don't know. I have
absolutely loved this partnership.
Speaker 12 (32:47):
And I've worked with many people through the years, whether
they're writing clients or other production companies, directing other people's movies.
Speaker 7 (32:55):
Like and I just love LINEE. I don't know how
to explain that, but I do.
Speaker 14 (32:59):
We're I'm gonna just chime in on this one too,
because I feel the same way. We talked about opening doors,
and I am so grateful to God for the day
that I opened the door that led to Renel Golden.
We even talk, we joke about our name, so Renel
Golden and Renee Blaze and it's like Golden.
Speaker 10 (33:18):
Blaze and it's just, you know, just a cool matchup.
Speaker 14 (33:22):
We there are so many things where we have similar strengths,
but then we also have areas where Renel will have
a super strength superpower that I don't have, and or
there'll be something that she doesn't really yeah, she doesn't
really want to do, she doesn't like to do, she
doesn't feel like she's great at it, And I'm like
Oh that.
Speaker 10 (33:40):
Is my jam.
Speaker 14 (33:41):
So it just works out so beautifully and kind of
like you said too, as far as working together, there
is a kindness that undergirds the whole experience. And I
bet money that you know, Pam and Don have that
with their you know, professional relationship too. You know, there's
a kindness that runs underneath everything we say and do together.
Speaker 10 (34:04):
I bet you I've got that right, Pam and Don.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Yeah, you know, having been at this a good while now,
we and I mean really for what since twenty thirteen, Pam,
we've been collaborating in one former fashion, either independently on
our own things and then come together and do some
shows together or whatever. But yeah, you have to have
a certain level of understanding and kindness to be able
to be successful in anything that you do, especially if
(34:29):
you're working with someone. And you know, I would say
similar to you guys, it's a kind of a ying
and yang situation. Her strengths sometimes are my weaknesses and
vice versa. So we balance each other out and how
we're able to do our show and you know, and
it just works. So I don't know that there's a
formula per se. It just you know, we just respect
(34:51):
each other's abilities and allow each other to run with that,
and so somehow it just it just kind of pans out.
Speaker 7 (35:00):
It's perfect. I love that so much.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
Well, my question is for both of you guys, when
you began picturing these characters, what guided your decisions and
choosing the actors who ultimately played them.
Speaker 14 (35:16):
Oh boy, I'll let Ronelle take that one first, because
she had some very specific ideas in mine, especially from
the lead actress.
Speaker 10 (35:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (35:25):
Yes, So I knew I wanted Grace when I was
kind of writing the film, and it was right before
the writer's strike, not long before, and I knew I
wanted her, and I had known Chelsea, who played her
sister in the film, Heather, for a very long time.
One of my well, my first criteria is they have
(35:45):
to be a good actress or actor.
Speaker 7 (35:49):
But the second thing is when.
Speaker 12 (35:50):
I pick family, I really want them to look like family.
So when I'm casting, I create these boards and I
put everybody next to each other, and I make everyone
audition whether they really want to or not kind of thing.
And so I had cast the core of the family
before the strike, and then Linee joined me later when
(36:11):
I was looking to actually fully develop this. But those
two were really critical. These sisters had to have chemistry
and feel like sisters, and they did, and they really
liked working with each other. And I think some of
it was just sheer luck they looked alike. Like there
was a point where we're like, oh my gosh, what
if they looked too much alike? But to change their
(36:33):
hair and stuff from when I actually had cast them.
And but yeah, I mean talent and when you're casting
a family, they need to look and feel like family.
Speaker 7 (36:44):
Talent and chemistry are just tops for me.
Speaker 14 (36:47):
Now you also make me think too renewe chemistry is
important too, Like there have been some Christmas movies, you know,
rom coms that I've watched and I'm like, is that
guy really cute? Would he really even be compatible with her?
For you know, for as far as looks and the
way he just the way he moves and does it.
And Renelle was like spot on too. And we got
(37:09):
actors that looked very different. You kind of have like
your boy next door, back home kind of guy, and
then you've got the kind of spelt suave. It's just
they looked very different and the way that they move
and behave is very different. I just I just I
love that about Renelle too. She's like, hey, you've got
(37:29):
to think about so many different angles and make sure
that you know, with Renelle being the director, that she
is going to end up being able to work with
them and pull the best out of them too, to
make those romantic scenes pop and to make the fun,
quirky scenes pop too, because Grace Field is the lead
actress and she has such a fun, pop quirky type
(37:52):
of nature that you can't stop watching her, you know.
I mean, she's beautiful and she's fun and she's vibrant,
but there's this little part that I don't know if
it's relatable or just watchable or both.
Speaker 10 (38:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (38:08):
It's just silly. She could be right silly.
Speaker 12 (38:10):
There was one scene where she improvised a whole scene
eating cheetos. I did end up cutting its, talking like
it was her boss and her mother and doing this
little thing.
Speaker 7 (38:22):
She's like, please let me do it.
Speaker 12 (38:23):
You can cut it if you don't like it, and
I think I kept two bites of it.
Speaker 7 (38:27):
But it was so funny. We were all mesmerized. Even
if I wanted to be like what are you doing?
I couldn't look away.
Speaker 14 (38:35):
And then and then you balance it with Chelsea Gilson
is the actress who plays her sister, Heather, and Heather
has this smoothness about her and like a more you know,
practical way of going by. It just makes it so
fun to watch on screen, to see the differences, you know,
the kind of kind of almost polar opposites of the
(38:57):
two and it just made.
Speaker 10 (38:58):
For good watch, for a good movie. And that's that's
all in the casting.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Ye lucky, we did.
Speaker 6 (39:08):
Well.
Speaker 13 (39:08):
I have to say, you know, your whole cast is fantastic.
I mean, you did good. Let me put it that way.
Speaker 10 (39:18):
Oh yeah, yeah, because we've got yeah.
Speaker 14 (39:19):
Kyle Klaus was the and his last name is Clause,
almost like Santa Claus. Kyle played all one of the actors,
and then Andrew Rogers played another one, and we had
even like the best friend.
Speaker 10 (39:30):
Her name is Brian Jackson.
Speaker 14 (39:32):
She did a great job kind of that voice of
reason for the you know, for Courtney, the main character.
Speaker 10 (39:39):
You gotta you gotta have a little bit.
Speaker 12 (39:42):
I wrote her a bigger role in the next film
because she just blew me away. She was such a
delight to watch and I was like, oh, I wish
we had her in the whole film. So in the
scene she gets a little bit of romance. It's not
a main story. It's still a bad story line, but
she was wonderful and the sister was made and Kyle
I had to chase him a little bit, and he
(40:03):
probably thought I was a stalker, and he's like, find me, how.
Speaker 7 (40:08):
Do you what do you want? And then when he
found out what it was, he's like, my last name's Claus.
Speaker 12 (40:11):
I have to do it because in the film there
is a Santa Claus scene, but we won't give it away,
but he's like, I got to be.
Speaker 6 (40:17):
There for Oh goodness, it is so good. That is
so good. I love it. Well, what this could go to?
Waterer bolth of you?
Speaker 13 (40:29):
What inspired you to make a Christmas film instead of
like a regular rom com that can play any time
of the year.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
How that decision come about?
Speaker 10 (40:39):
Lene?
Speaker 14 (40:40):
I was going, I was gonna I was gonna let
Renelle take that one night, because I almost know what
Renelle is going to say. She wanted to She's going
to switch up her normal Emma.
Speaker 7 (40:51):
Yep, yep, okay. So this is the first film that
I didn't.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Kill anyone in like thrillers, horror usually.
Speaker 12 (40:59):
Do like psychological thrillers or action you know, or intense
dramas where something dramatic happens.
Speaker 7 (41:07):
And what prompted me to write.
Speaker 12 (41:09):
This is I had set in on a seminar and
the guy was talking about, you know, writing these films
with a Hallmark style premise to it, and I had
never written films that kind of have and I love
my films that don't get me wrong, but sort of
have fluffy problems. I always dive deep into these really intense,
(41:31):
grounded yet intense problems. Or I'm doing these action thrillers
and I write fantasy too, but I haven't made any yet,
and I was like, this is a challenge. So I
went to my son and told him about it, and
I'm like, what if we write a Christmas film and
we try this fluffy topic yet add our version of
a twist in there, because he writes with me a
lot and we always have kind of a twist in it,
(41:54):
and so this one does. And I got it already,
cast it the writer struck happened strike rather, And then
I met Lynnee and I shared this with her and
she liked it, and I'm like, really, and yeah, there
was no stopping me when once we hit that point.
Speaker 14 (42:12):
Oh yeah, because she she told me that the you know,
the premise of the movie was that the main character, Courtney,
feels all this pressure to please her mom and she
gets herself entangled in this big lie and right around
Christmas time and Christmas time is when all the family
members get together and is everything going to be exposed
(42:35):
or not? There's a twist. It's just I was just
drawn in. I was like, okay, I have got to
be a part of this, you know, as far as producing,
and then you know, now to finally be able to
get to watch it, you know, all laid out.
Speaker 10 (42:49):
It's just we're just so excited.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Yeah, and I can tell you just from watching the trailer,
I think I know what the twist is. I'm not
saying anything though, but I was just like, you know what,
this is really clever because you know, it has some
Christmas normal trope, but then it doesn't. It's like you're
not accustomed to seeing that's sort of how it plays
(43:15):
out kind of thing.
Speaker 10 (43:16):
And I thought, you know, this is going.
Speaker 1 (43:17):
To be a real treat for Christmas movie fans in
general because it is off the beaten path of what
we normally are accustomed to see. And so that's one
of the reasons why I think this movie is going
to be so good when people finally get to see it,
because of how it's been written, and of course the cast.
The cast makes it, but the story is just it's
(43:41):
unique and different but familiar, if that makes sense.
Speaker 7 (43:45):
Tried to be both have a little bit of that twist.
Speaker 12 (43:48):
We might have a genre but also stick to the
tried and true Christmas formulas. So the only one I
was pushing the envelope on kisses and in the end
we cut those out too, is like not too many,
we don't want too many.
Speaker 10 (44:02):
But still a few, still a few?
Speaker 12 (44:05):
Yeah, yeah, right, yeah, Mom and Dad, Mary and Charles,
the parents. I don't know how much they're in the trailer,
but they are together in real life, Dana and Chris
and have been for a very long time. They are
quite affectionate. But those are just little sweet things. So
those are in there.
Speaker 14 (44:23):
But see that to me, that makes it great too,
because you have like a multi generational component there, because
we don't stop being romantic and loving folks just because
we're you know, midlife and above.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
That's true, and I love that. I love that so much,
you know, because it just there's just something for every
kind of viewer in there. I mean, even people who
don't normally like Christmas movies will like this movie because
it's not what they would expect it to be. So
it's it's really gonna be great. So as we wrap up,
(44:58):
I've got one more question, and either one of you
can answer, both of you can answer. It's really a
question for both of you. But we would love to
hear more about your upcoming red carpet event because that
is kind of going to be the showcase to show
the actors and the movie off and you guys, and
so give us some details on that.
Speaker 7 (45:19):
Wellne, you've run with that one. How about that?
Speaker 10 (45:21):
Oh well, we'll tag team.
Speaker 14 (45:23):
So I'll start off by saying that on this November fifteenth,
if anyone is in Orlando, Florida, please join us. It's
going to be you know, we do have it's ticket
base and it's not where you get tickets at the door,
but it is going to be at the Regal Cinemas
in Waterford Lakes and it is going to have it's
(45:46):
going to be in the afternoon and some people I
don't know something happened. I think after COVID where earlier
became better.
Speaker 10 (45:54):
For lots of people.
Speaker 14 (45:55):
But this is going to be an afternoon event, and
we're going to have the red carpet and the photographers
and the step and repeat and then you know, we're
going to show the film.
Speaker 10 (46:05):
We're going to bring.
Speaker 14 (46:06):
People from the community, some of the change makers, some
of the people in the industry, some of the cast
and crew. We're gonna have Q and a with the
these people that we've been talking about so much.
Speaker 10 (46:16):
Of these actors and actresses will.
Speaker 14 (46:18):
Be you know, upfront and center for the Q and A.
And we just want to make sure that it's just
a robust afternoon for everyone involved. And now I'm going
to hand it off to renew and she'll take it away.
Speaker 7 (46:33):
Okay.
Speaker 12 (46:33):
So that'll be in Orlando, Florida. And if people do
want tickets, they would go to event Bright and Type
Rekindled for Christmas and they'll find it. It should come up,
they can get their tickets that way. But I mean,
like we really were bringing back all of our talent.
They all volunteered to come back, except one of them
(46:53):
as busy they're booked.
Speaker 7 (46:55):
But we really were getting all the talent back. We'll
have some of.
Speaker 12 (46:58):
Our crew and a whole bunch of wonderful people that
like support film in the community are coming.
Speaker 7 (47:04):
Like Renee said, it's just not too fancy middle of
the day, but lots of love and everything a red
carpet should be.
Speaker 12 (47:12):
If you ask me, we're excited. And then we're also
you know, we've got a lot of little things coming up.
So we're hoping to be launching the sequel, filming it
first quarter next year in Georgia, so you never know,
stay tuned for Rekindled Forever. That's part two, and that
(47:33):
might be having a few weddings.
Speaker 10 (47:35):
Who knows.
Speaker 14 (47:36):
And this also makes me think too, please make sure
anybody who wants to like keep track of what we're doing.
We are on Facebook, we are on Instagram. It's all
just under Rekindled for Christmas, and even at the event too,
we're gonna, you know, of course, make sure that we
have the holiday decord. It's gonna be that best of
Christmas holiday, you know, spirit going on.
Speaker 12 (48:01):
Everyone met the free poster, the poster that my daughter
actually made those posters for us. Everybody gets one of
those too. We got them all printed up and they
were delivering.
Speaker 7 (48:10):
They're so pretty.
Speaker 6 (48:12):
So that's pretty good.
Speaker 10 (48:14):
It's gonna be good.
Speaker 14 (48:14):
We have also too, there's these Christmas tree ladies that
we met along the way who ended up really being
so helpful in making sure that our set design was
was full of Christmas and that you know that the
event will be as well. It's Pixie Wonders by Lolli
dot com. She's just I just wanted to give a
shout out to her because she's gonna be at the event.
Speaker 10 (48:35):
She's gonna be, you.
Speaker 14 (48:36):
Know, making sure that we've got the Christmas trees and
everything there too. It's just it's been phenomenal. And to
Renelle's point too, so her son, Sean, you know, helped
u it was the co writer, and then her daughter
does all of these wonderful creative graphic designs and things
for our posters, for our you know, for the movie poster.
Speaker 10 (48:55):
It's just beautiful. It's a family affair.
Speaker 13 (48:59):
Yeah, I was just to say it's a family affair,
but it's also family and friends. I mean, you can't
ask for any better because you know you can count
on these people. You know that they're going to have
your back, you know, no matter what, and I love
that everybody is so creative in one way or another.
Speaker 7 (49:16):
Thank you, Thank you so much.
Speaker 13 (49:19):
Oh you're welcome.
Speaker 6 (49:19):
And I'll tell you.
Speaker 13 (49:20):
If don and I were closer, you know, she's in
North Carolina, I'm in Chicago.
Speaker 6 (49:25):
You know, we would be there.
Speaker 13 (49:27):
But unfortunately, because it sounds like it's gonna be a
lot of fun, we will.
Speaker 12 (49:32):
Posted when it is out where it's going to be showing.
It's going to the American Film Market starting the eleventh
of November. That's the buyer's market and you guys probably
know that, but it's going there this with our distributor,
so we're hoping, you know, we'll end up.
Speaker 7 (49:47):
With some good deals in next year.
Speaker 12 (49:49):
It will actually appear on who knows, maybe some of
those big streamers or one of the broadcasting networks or something.
Speaker 7 (49:56):
We're hoping, yeah, yeah, that would be awesome.
Speaker 13 (50:01):
Well, Renalo and Renee, it was such a pleasure speaking
with the both of you today, and we look forward
to seeing the movie Rekindled for Christmas.
Speaker 6 (50:09):
But also the next one Rekindled forever. So we'd love
to have you back.
Speaker 7 (50:14):
Yay, thank you so much. We had a great time time.
Speaker 14 (50:18):
I had a great time too. We'd love to come back.
We are honored to be on here with you Christmas
movie ladies.
Speaker 15 (50:24):
Yes, oh, thank you so much, Mary, Chris, guys, you
gotta hear wonderful Yes, Happy Holidays to you ahead of
time and take care everybody.
Speaker 6 (50:35):
Thank you too, Thanks so much, bye bye bye ye.
Speaker 1 (50:43):
Many thanks to Renel Golden and Lenee Blaze for joining
us on Christmas Movie Spotlight. It was such a joy
hearing about their creative process and the heart behind Rekindled
for Christmas. Be sure to check out the movie this
holiday season and keep an eye out for the sequel,
Rekindled Forever. Thanks for time and until next time, wishing
you a season filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of
(51:06):
Christmas movie magic. Thank you so much for tuning in
to our latest episode of Christmas Movie Spotlight. Don't forget.
You can find our podcast on iHeartRadio, Spotify, iTunes, Sprinker
and more. To search Christmas Movie Spotlight spelled m U
v i e s.
Speaker 16 (51:25):
For even more, visit us online at Christmasmoviespotlight dot com.
Follow us on our social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
Follow at Christmas Movie Spotlight and on x Follow us
at Christmas Movies, which would be X.
Speaker 7 (51:40):
M A S, m U v i e S.
Speaker 16 (51:44):
Until next time, stay merry and we'll see you again
real soon
Hello everyone, and welcome to Christmas movie Spotlight. Today, I
am thrilled to share my conversation with Grace Field and
Kyle Klaus, the talented stars of the new holiday film
Rekindled for Christmas. We'll be chatting about their roles, of
the heartwarming story behind the movie and what makes this
one a must watch for the season. So grab a
(00:42):
cup of cocoa, get cozy, and enjoy my interview with
Grace Field and Kyle Klass from Rekindled for Christmas.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hey, y'all.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hey, Grace Field here, and this is Kyle Klaus, and
you are listening to Christmas Movieslight.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Well, hello Grace and Kyle. It is so good to
have you both with us and we light.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Okay, We're so happy to be here, so nice.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Oh my gosh, it is an honor to have you both,
and we have been excited to talk with you because
we're excited about this new movie, which we're going to
get into in just a moment. But I got to
start out of the gate and ask both of you
the question of how did each of you first discover
your passion for acting, How did you get into acting,
(01:34):
what led you to acting to where you are now.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Grace.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Oh you want me to start ladies first? Okay, well
it's funny. Yes you are gentlemen, yes women.
Speaker 6 (01:51):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
My whole family is like not in the arts, like
I come for a whole family and nerds.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
So my mom is a Michael.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Bayologist, my dad's an engineer, and my grandfather is a
rocket scientist for NASA.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So like come from a whole you know, huge line of.
Speaker 7 (02:08):
Nerdss, which is great.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So I thought I was gonna go.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And be a palaeontologist or a physicist or probably like
a surgeon or something. But anyway, I all that change
in fourth grade for me when I was asked to
play the role of Oliver in Oliver And that's when
the bug bit me.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
And since then.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
It's just been you know, love at first bite, I
guess after biting into that show, I've loved every minute
of it since then. So yep, that's where my first
love for acting came from playing Oliver and Oliver.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
All that's awesome, nice.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
For me?
Speaker 8 (02:52):
I yeah, same kind of start. I really, my family's
definitely not into the arts. Lived in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, nobody
did any kind of acting.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
I don't even think we had a theater program in
high school.
Speaker 8 (03:08):
If we did, I didn't know about it, just kind
of like involved in, you.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Know, sports and interested in sports and girls.
Speaker 8 (03:16):
And then like but I remember specifically like putting on
that Rambo like headband and like, you know, pretending I
was this person or that person.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
So like I think naturally that happened.
Speaker 8 (03:31):
And then you know, going to college that was just
an extension of high school. And then getting into college
like and being pressed with that you know, what do
you want to do with the rest of your life question?
I was like, WHOA, I got to figure this out.
And I remember hanging around the theater department a lot,
and I saw a sign that said do you want
(03:54):
to be in a movie? Specifically just like that, and
they were way ahead of their time. They like asked
to go onto this website and send in a recording
of yourself. And I was so scared, so I read
the other person's lines and the left space for myself,
so I didn't want to let anybody know I was
in acting. And I got a roll and then the
bug just bit me there and it just kind of
(04:16):
snowballed and one thing led to another, and then that's it.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
You know, it's interesting this question is always posed first
our guests because every question, every answer we get is
always different and it's so fascinating. But I mean, I
think in a lot of cases, until you, I've never
done any acting. But I think it's one of those
things people just fall in love with and they get
bitten by immediately, or it's something that maybe they grow into.
(04:44):
And it's sounds like for both of you, it was
just like a oh my gosh, this is what I'm
gonna do. You know, I really am.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
It over sure, for sure, there's no turning back. Paleontology
is very different than acting.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah, acting is quite the depart from paleontology.
Speaker 8 (05:01):
Yes, hey, look I wanted to be an astronomer or
astra I loved the stars and stuff like that, or
a marine biologist.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
But it's totally different than that too.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
But oh yeah, for sure, a lot of people.
Speaker 8 (05:13):
Just don't think you can be an actor, like at
least where I grew up from, you know, So it
was like, oh, yeah, that's something that other people do,
you know, Yeah in another.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
World, yeah, I can see that. But you know, not
everybody can be an actor. But and I've often said
like in nursinges in the nursing profession, for example, not
everybody's cut out to be a nurse or doctor. You know,
some people can't stand the blood and gor and guts
kind of thing and given shots drawing. But I mean
so it takes. It takes a special kind of person,
(05:46):
as I said, And I think the same is true
with acting, because that's a craft all its own, you know,
it's just it's just amazing. So Grace, this question is
for you, okay, okay, not just for acting, but also
for your incredible background in musical theater. So how has
performing live influenced your screen acting style?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
I think it's a great training ground because although they're
like super different, you know, you only get one shot
at doing it live.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So like it prepared me so.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well for movies because like movies you get to do
over and over against Like if you can do theater,
you can do film. I feel like like as long
as you understand, like it's very it's a very different animal.
But I feel like, yeah, the how to build a carecter,
how to build a world around that character, how to
connect with other people the whole, like camaraderie, and it's
(06:47):
like a team sport. So like theater and film are
very similar in that it.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Takes a whole village to make it happen.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
A lot of the stuff you see is behind the scenes.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
So I think, like in preparation for like I've I've
had the man, I've I've been so blessed a perform
around the world. I've done Broadway and Carnegie Hall, White
House and like amphitheater stuff, and but there's nothing as
special as movies, and like, I think there's an intimacy
there that is just so beautiful, and like there's truth
(07:22):
there and just being able to discover a character like
that is very similar to theater, And like how you
prepare for your like mapping out the character, understanding the
inner workings or the outer workers and the characters very
similar in theater, but.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
The actual, like.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
The actual implementation of it is very different.
Speaker 9 (07:44):
So like it prepared me in the sense of teamwork, and.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Also like understanding how characters are built and understanding different
characters and how to bring them to life, but everything
else is very different. Like it's like basketball and football,
both sports both require a lot of skills, but like
very different. So that's how I kind of do it
fi TV versus theater, both of u are.
Speaker 9 (08:13):
So awesome though, I am such a fan of both.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
So yeah, and I mean and and you've you've had
both experiences, so you've you know, pretty vast which has
helped to well round you in what you're doing now
and and probably pursue a lot of different avenues in
this industry as well. And so it's paying off. It's
paying off.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Okay, Yeah, it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
So Kyle, you've built an impressive resume with credits such
as The black List, Billions, and The Irishman, just to
name a few. Which role challenged you the most?
Speaker 10 (08:48):
And why?
Speaker 6 (08:50):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (08:51):
So the I guess they all they're all challenging in
their own right.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
But I would probably I talk about this this scene,
this guest star role with FBI, which is a network
show on CBS that I did like most recently. It
you know, it's like everybody sees a finished product on
TV and it looks polished and like everybody, you know,
(09:17):
you talk about memorizing lines and and all this stuff,
but like there's a lot of stuff that goes into
professional even at the most professional level, that is just
everybody's trying to figure it out even on the day.
Speaker 5 (09:30):
I mean, we've had rewrites in.
Speaker 8 (09:32):
We had rewrites and rekindled, like right off the bat,
and I did this thing on guests on on FBI,
and you know it was it was a couple scenes
and I did them, and then we were we had
this They forgot I guess when they were looking back
at the scene that they had not talked about what
my character, why he was there, like what happened? And
(09:56):
they wrote this two page interrogation scene that was kind
of just exposi of like what his backstory was. And
they gave it to you the day before filming, so
they had to film. They had to set this up
and not really I mean I had the day to
prepare for it, but like the people that were on
the show do working twelve hour days, they didn't have
(10:21):
that time, and they had other scenes to prepare. And
they came in and we just all kind of were
trying to figure it out, like what.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Was that line again? What was this line?
Speaker 8 (10:28):
And work the scene out, and even these guys that
are like the leads of the show, we're all trying
to figure it out.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
You're all trying to figure it out.
Speaker 8 (10:38):
And that was the most That was the most challenging
I've ever had because it was such an intimate, two
page long dialogue scene where it was very important, but
we're all figuring it out together, and the finished product
it was like when you get it, you get it,
like you're just trying to work it out, and then
you all look at each other like after the scene
(11:00):
and you're like, Okay, yeah, that was it.
Speaker 11 (11:02):
That was it.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
We got that, And you.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Made a good point when you started sharing that. And
that is when people are viewing something on television or
even in movies, a lot of times from the viewer perspective,
no one is thinking about what all had to go
into making that scene or that movie, the behind the
scenes stuff and the changes that may come about, and
to make it presentable for what we're seeing on our
(11:25):
side of the camera, you know, on the other side
of the screen. And it really demonstrates just how much
work and dedication to the craft that goes into creating
something that is presentable for an audience.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Yeah, Like nobody cares that it's you have to work
through it.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
They just want to You need to get to where
it's where it works, right, So you just have to
be professional.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yeah, So I want to talk to you both about
this wonderful movie that is coming out, Rekindled for Smith,
that you both starr in, and we're just so excited
to see this movie. I can't wait. I think I'm
gonna kind of try a dibby in this weekend.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Oh my gosh, Please you want to tell what you think?
Speaker 1 (12:13):
I can't wait. I can't wait. But would you mind
each of you sharing a little bit about your characters
and a little bit about the movie without giving too
much away. No spoiler alerts anything, no.
Speaker 9 (12:23):
Spoilers, no spoilers.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Give it to the blonde to like give away the
whole And she died, No worry, no one dies.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Oh that's kind of a spoiler. No Christmas movie.
Speaker 6 (12:37):
Anyway.
Speaker 12 (12:37):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
So I played Courtney.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Who is this kind of like career she lives to work,
kind of career girl, like got it all going on.
She's like working her way up the architectural ladder, like
literally and metaphorically, I guess, in her architecture firm. And
she is kind of like an anxious emo girl about
(13:02):
love and about like her life.
Speaker 9 (13:05):
And so she's kind of let her career sweep away romance.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
And so with that.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
She her mom keeps bugging her about dating and finding
a relationship.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So it's about I don't.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Know if I should even say, Kyle, do you think
I should even say what? Or But yeah, it's about
Courtney and all of her like weird awkwardness, career driven
woman trying to find love in all these interesting places.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Please her mom.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Yeah, Okay, So I play Brian, and I'm like the
hometown boy that Courtney has escaped the town and the
right I guess you've escaped to go to pursue your
your career, your career driven person. And yeah, I always
(14:11):
say like I'm I'm like the guy that if I
never left my hometown to pursue the acting career, I
think I would be like the guy Brian was back
in back in his hometown, which I'm actually now while
I'm doing this podcast. So I'm here now, and I
(14:33):
was just telling my mom about and and family about
this because they saw the they saw the trailer for this,
and you know, we talked about it. But I'm playing
the guy that you know, never left the hometown and
he's a romantic and uh, you know, he's in love
with Courtney.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
They were high high school sweet Should I say that?
Speaker 8 (14:51):
Yeah, high school sweethearts and uh, you know, things ensue
when she comes back home and the.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
That wants me to ask, so, in each of your characters,
is there any elements of your own personalities and personal
sounds that are brought to those characters in any way
or do they resemble.
Speaker 10 (15:11):
You at all?
Speaker 12 (15:14):
Well?
Speaker 8 (15:14):
Definitely for me, yes, I think that's why they cast me,
because I'm like, I look like the hometown kid.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
But I think, yeah, like I know a lot of
these guys.
Speaker 8 (15:26):
I know a lot of you know, guys that went
to you know, high school and maybe had high school
sweethearts and then like it was graduate, maybe go to college,
maybe not, maybe just get married, have a couple of
kids and have the whole house with the white pick
of fence and all. And that just didn't it wasn't
my thing, Like I didn't, you know, I once I
(15:49):
got to high school or once I got to college,
I kind of was like, okay, now it's like game on.
You know, it could have been me, it definitely, And
you know, that was like a thing. A lot of
people didn't leave their hometown, and you know, I might
be seeing a couple of them tonight.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Oh, I think for me, she is different.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I think she's different.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
I've had the privilege to play the gamut of characters,
to be honest, like, the further way is for me,
the easier it is for me. So like it's like
she's like, I mean, every character has echoes of you
in there because it is you, right, But but for me, like,
I think I come from a different acting perspective where
(16:37):
you like build a world around someone else who's not you,
and then you put yourself in there.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
So I don't know, I don't know if she's like
really like me.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I mean she has she's quirky and I'm quirky, and
we're both very career driven for sure.
Speaker 9 (16:54):
But I think, like, uh, she's she's.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Not as happy go used to me, for sure, she goes.
She's very emo. Like I I'm pretty stable as a person.
She's not as stable. But you know, it's great, it's fun.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Like this is why I love acting, because it's literally
like you you literally put on someone else's shoes for like,
this is the highest form of empathy you can have
because you're like, okay, like literally I am.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Living this other person's life.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
I'm putting on their troubles, their joys and seeing how
that feels.
Speaker 9 (17:30):
It's like the best, Like it's the best feeling in
the world.
Speaker 8 (17:35):
Nobody thinks they're in the wrong or whatever when they're
that person. No, you're acting that person. You have to
be like, you know, this is my belief, Like I'm
you know this person, you know right, even like you know,
I don't like somebody terrible, You're like they didn't think
(17:57):
they're terrible.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I love playing the darker kid. I'm like one of
those weird people. I'm like, the darker the better. This
is like my first like I've mainly done dramas, Like
this is like my first wrong call, which.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Is so much fun. I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
But yeah, Kylo, feel like you're very similar to him,
and the best way because he's like a very lovable guy,
Like he's smart and capable and just like just earnest
and lovely, and I feel like you have all those
amazing qualities yourself, So I think you're similar.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Well, you know, I've often said that acting is kind
of like playing pretend at the very highest level. And
it's interesting how you know, viewers for plap operas, for example,
they get so invested in the character and you I've
heard so many actors will say, I go out in
public or I'm at an airport and someone will come
running up to me and they'll call me by my
(18:47):
character name when they hit me, or they say, I
can't believe you did that, And yeah, I have to say,
I'm not the character, you know, I'm so insite. And
it is interesting how people really get invested in the
character and they tend to forget that the person playing
the character is a factor.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
It's totally different. I'm not that horrible person you're seeing
on screen, you know, and it is interesting how that works.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Yes, well, hopefully you're not that horrible person, or maybe
you play a nice person you're horrible in real life.
You never know the way, right, right, Let's hope they're
all nice people. I feel like at that time though,
everyone's very nice.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
That's that's my yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
Well, before we wrap up, we're gonna play a fun
little Lightning round game and it's all Christmas oriented because
of Christmas podcast. Yah, not wrong answers and just quick
five question fire and off answers. Whatever comes to mine. Okay,
first question is fake tree or real tree?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Well, fake.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
I did it, and we always had one growing up,
a fake one growing up.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
So I could go either way on appy, I could
go either.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Way real the smell of the real, But I can't
stand the mess the reel makes as the season goes on,
you know, so like vacuum and every day. But all right,
matching ornaments or mix and match, mixed match mix.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah, that's like getting ornaments from your family or like
right travels or whatnot? Like who cares if it's like
all white and gold, like it's about Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
That's right and mix and matches. It just holds so
many memories. You know, every ornament has a memory, It
has a story behind it, and so when you're putting
them on the tree, you're, oh, I remember when someone
you know, I made this one, and it just evokes
that lifelong memory.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Next question, snow for Christmas or do you prefer like warmer,
beachy type weathers I'm from pow and you probably have
seen a lot of white Christmass.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Oh yeah, I mean there's nothing better when it snows
on Christmas or Christma?
Speaker 5 (21:04):
Isn't that the true nothing better?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
I'm in North Carolina. I think we've had one in
my lifetime and that was really Oh yeah, now we're
finally having a real fall this year. So it's like,
oh my gosh, you know, it's not eighty five thousand
degrees still in the middle of November, but.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
All right, Christmas in July through December or only in December.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
July through December for sure, especially being an actor, like hello,
we film a lot of Christmas stuff.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
In July, Sony.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
January.
Speaker 9 (21:39):
We filmed this in December December.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
But it was in Florida. And oh yeah, July through July.
Definitely July all year round. My name is Clause.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
So are you dead you? That's all right? It is
the best holiday ever.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
We love Christmas here really is. And the last question
is one thing and you have to find in your stocking.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Oh yeah, fudge. Fudge for me. My whole family like
makes fudge for chrise.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
So like continuing the failure recipe is like putting it
in the stocking is.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Like this is complete. You found the fudge in your stocking.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
That's a right.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
And Kyle, you said underwear.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
I said underwear because I know I'm underwear.
Speaker 8 (22:28):
I said, I get underwear and socks all the every
year because I know I'm home then because I don't
like buying underwear and socks any other time, but I
know my mom's going to get it for me in
the stocking at Christmas.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Well, the way I say it, if it's in the stocking,
then it's not like something she wraps up where you
unwrap and you oh.
Speaker 8 (22:47):
You're not like I just know it's coming, and that's
when you know you're home.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
There you go, you to home in that tradition, because
that would just typically be a tradition in a way.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
So yes, well, I know.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Well, thank you both so much for playing along, and
thank you for being here today. It has been such
a pleasure speaking with both of you and talking about
Kindle for Christmas. If I can't.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
Wait, Yes, and we may be having another one soon,
maybe down the pike.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
So if you like this one, don't worry.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Wait but wait, there's four, Wait there's more.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Well, admittedly, I have seen the trailers, so I was
so stoked when I saw the dray I said, now,
I can't wait for.
Speaker 10 (23:31):
The movie to come out such a way I love.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
I'm watching them when they still like Christmas in July.
I'm already there, you know, I'm glued.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
So the premiere next weekend.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Yeah, we're doing a premiere next weekend.
Speaker 7 (23:45):
Are you guys excited?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
That sounds like it's going to be a great time, oh.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
My god, to celebrate Christmas and we get to celebrate
our cast and the movies.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
It's that's that's amazing. I wish I lived closer. I
would definitely be there.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
But well, just like zoom you in, we'll be like
here she is, there you go, there, you go.
Speaker 1 (24:07):
Well, thank you guys so much. It has been such
a pleasure speaking with both of you and so much fun.
And I'd love to have you back when the sequel
comes out and any other time that.
Speaker 9 (24:17):
You love, We would love it.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
You guys are amazing.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
Thank you so much for having Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
Thank you, appreciate it so much. Awesome and have a
great holiday, you guys.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
To Danks, you too. I know Christmas is coming up.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Oh my god, it's sunning, quick as can be, freaking
we are in the throes of it. Have a great premiere.
I know it's going to be awesome.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Thanks, thank you, Thank you guys, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Great care, Welcome back to Christmas Movie Spotlight. Many thanks
to Grace Field. And Kyle Klass for being our special guest.
In this next segment of the show, we're joined by
two incredibly talented women who helped bring the holiday movie
Rekindled for Christmas to light writers and executive producers, Renel
Golden and Renee Blaze. Renelle is an award winning director, screenwriter, producer, author,
(25:10):
and owner of Macrovision Films, as well as the host
of the movie Making podcast. With more than fifty screenplays
to her name, She's produced several TV pilots and even
ran a performing arts school that served over four hundred students.
Renee Blaze is a screenwriter, producer, speaker, and host of
the inspirational Imagine Yourself podcast. She has executive produced eight
(25:32):
film and television projects, including the uplifting family drama Blended,
which she co wrote with Renell. Together, they recently produced
a delightful Christmas rom com Rekindled for Christmas, and they're
already working on its charming sequel, Rekindled Forever. It was
such a wonderful time chatting with these two about their
creative journey, the making of Rekindled for Christmas, and what
(25:54):
it's like to write stories that capture the heart of
the holiday season. Please enjoy this conversation with Renelle Golden
and Renee Blaze.
Speaker 6 (26:05):
Welcome Renee. Now let me start again, because now I
I'm thinking.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
Of Renee instead of Renell.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
I'm sorry, you just say welcome girl.
Speaker 7 (26:19):
There you go.
Speaker 13 (26:22):
I just don't want to mess up your name. Okay,
Welcome Renelle and Renee to our show. We so appreciate
you taking the time to join us today.
Speaker 7 (26:35):
Thank you. We're happy to be here.
Speaker 14 (26:37):
Oh yes, absolutely, Christmas time movie time.
Speaker 6 (26:41):
Right, nothing more exciting than that, I'll tell you.
Speaker 13 (26:45):
We just Don and I are big Christmas movie fanatics,
So you guys are gonna fit right in.
Speaker 10 (26:50):
Yes, we're ready.
Speaker 7 (26:53):
All right.
Speaker 13 (26:54):
Well, my first question, of course, is to both of you,
and whoever wants to go first is up to you.
Would you mind? I'm giving our listeners a little bit
of a background on who you are and what you do.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
Please, Renee, do you want to go first?
Speaker 6 (27:07):
Sure?
Speaker 10 (27:08):
I'm going to say that my name is LINEE.
Speaker 14 (27:10):
Blaze, and I am honored to be on the show,
but also honored that I get to work with Renelle Golden.
You know, we're both in this screenwriting producing era of
our lives, and it has just been so exciting working
together on an original drama series called Blended, but also
(27:33):
our delightful Christmas rom com Rekindled for Christmas. You know,
we both have experience in the industry, but this is
just this is a new one working on the Christmas
movie and spoiler alert, that's going to be a sequel too,
but I'll let I'll let Renelle introduce herself as well.
Speaker 12 (27:51):
Oh well, I don't know if I can top that,
because I love working with Renee just she is like
a blessing in disguise and we kind of I think
we empower each other.
Speaker 7 (28:02):
So it's been one of the highlights of my career.
Speaker 12 (28:04):
I've been at this about fifteen years, writer, director, producer,
and you know, I've done like five feature films since
twenty nineteen, and this was the sixth, and we've got
more lined up, and it's just it's a blessing and
I can't wait to see what else we come up with.
But this is the first Christmas film, and you know what,
(28:26):
it was so fun to do something happy and filled
with love and a problem that we all face and
trying to please our.
Speaker 14 (28:34):
Moms, so oh yeah, and trying to see if the
people from the past romantically are better for us or
the people that we meet in the present. And so yeah,
that was just as it was a fun twist with
the whole movie. And Renelle didn't say that she's an
award winning director and screenwriter, but I just figured i'd
(28:56):
put that in there for her too. And we're both
we also both podcasts. She does the movie Making podcast
and I do Imagine Yourself podcasts.
Speaker 10 (29:04):
So we're we're like you, Pam and Don.
Speaker 6 (29:08):
Here's our twins done.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
I will say that you have perfect voices for radio,
podcasting or whatever, and and so it's it's it's a
pleasure to speak with both of you. And I want
to say my question is for Lennee. Yes, and you
had mentioned how Rekindled for Christmas relates to your personal lives,
(29:31):
so we are very curious about what that is like,
you know, and how I mean this could actually be
directed at both of you. Uh, but I saw the trailer.
Speaker 7 (29:42):
For the movies.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
I have to say it was incredibly relatable for sure.
Speaker 10 (29:46):
Oh absolutely, yes. So now here's the thing.
Speaker 14 (29:49):
Renelle and her son Sean are the writers of Rekindled
for Christmas. And when I saw the script first of all,
it was magical and Christmas, and but it also did
bring that thing because I did have back. Now I've
been married now for twenty six years, so we're going
back a few decades. But back when I you know,
(30:11):
back when I was in that era where I was
going to you know, move forward with uh, you know,
there's you know, there's you always have these folks from
the past, or you have the new folks, and you've
got to decide which person, which gentleman, is better for
my life. And it turns out that I made the
right decision. I ended up. I don't want to give
(30:32):
away too much of the actual movie, so I won't
tell too I ended up with the right person. And
I have no regrets. There's no rekindling anything from the
past for me.
Speaker 6 (30:44):
You know.
Speaker 14 (30:44):
It's just it's that situation where in life you will
be faced with like one of two doors, and which
one you go through affects the rest of your life.
And I picked the right person. And you know, spoiler alert,
the main character Courtney and recin for Christmas, She's going
to pick the right way.
Speaker 11 (31:03):
Oh my gosh, yes, and you you are so right
with picking doors.
Speaker 13 (31:17):
I mean, I think at least once in your life
you have to choose a door, and you always hope
and pray that it's going to be the right one.
And I do believe that if you listen to your gut,
you're going to choose the right one. Also, if you
pray on it, you're going to choose the right one.
Speaker 10 (31:37):
Absolutely, I'm so that one with you.
Speaker 6 (31:41):
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 13 (31:43):
Well, this is the second question goes to both of you. Again,
it's the second completed project you've worked on together. So
what is the secret to your collaboration that has resulted
in the success?
Speaker 7 (31:56):
Oh? We actually, I mean, do you mind if I
answer first?
Speaker 10 (32:02):
Go for my friend.
Speaker 12 (32:05):
We actually, we work together in a way that exemplifies
the word together.
Speaker 7 (32:10):
So we make all major decisions together.
Speaker 12 (32:14):
We divide and conquer, so we decide who's going to
do what, and we collaborate on the communication.
Speaker 7 (32:20):
We're going to have with the other.
Speaker 12 (32:21):
Like businesses that we work with, we're just really transparent
with each other. Nobody's ever kind of left out, and
we make great partners because we're sounding boards and we
empower each other. If someone has a good idea, we're like,
oh my gosh, it's a great idea. If we're not sure,
we're like, well, look at it this way, and you know,
we kind of bring up all the things we might need.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
To consider, and we just I don't know. I have
absolutely loved this partnership.
Speaker 12 (32:47):
And I've worked with many people through the years, whether
they're writing clients or other production companies, directing other people's movies.
Speaker 7 (32:55):
Like and I just love LINEE. I don't know how
to explain that, but I do.
Speaker 14 (32:59):
We're I'm gonna just chime in on this one too,
because I feel the same way. We talked about opening doors,
and I am so grateful to God for the day
that I opened the door that led to Renel Golden.
We even talk, we joke about our name, so Renel
Golden and Renee Blaze and it's like Golden.
Speaker 10 (33:18):
Blaze and it's just, you know, just a cool matchup.
Speaker 14 (33:22):
We there are so many things where we have similar strengths,
but then we also have areas where Renel will have
a super strength superpower that I don't have, and or
there'll be something that she doesn't really yeah, she doesn't
really want to do, she doesn't like to do, she
doesn't feel like she's great at it, And I'm like
Oh that.
Speaker 10 (33:40):
Is my jam.
Speaker 14 (33:41):
So it just works out so beautifully and kind of
like you said too, as far as working together, there
is a kindness that undergirds the whole experience. And I
bet money that you know, Pam and Don have that
with their you know, professional relationship too. You know, there's
a kindness that runs underneath everything we say and do together.
Speaker 10 (34:04):
I bet you I've got that right, Pam and Don.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
Yeah, you know, having been at this a good while now,
we and I mean really for what since twenty thirteen, Pam,
we've been collaborating in one former fashion, either independently on
our own things and then come together and do some
shows together or whatever. But yeah, you have to have
a certain level of understanding and kindness to be able
to be successful in anything that you do, especially if
(34:29):
you're working with someone. And you know, I would say
similar to you guys, it's a kind of a ying
and yang situation. Her strengths sometimes are my weaknesses and
vice versa. So we balance each other out and how
we're able to do our show and you know, and
it just works. So I don't know that there's a
formula per se. It just you know, we just respect
(34:51):
each other's abilities and allow each other to run with that,
and so somehow it just it just kind of pans out.
Speaker 7 (35:00):
It's perfect. I love that so much.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
Well, my question is for both of you guys, when
you began picturing these characters, what guided your decisions and
choosing the actors who ultimately played them.
Speaker 14 (35:16):
Oh boy, I'll let Ronelle take that one first, because
she had some very specific ideas in mine, especially from
the lead actress.
Speaker 10 (35:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (35:25):
Yes, So I knew I wanted Grace when I was
kind of writing the film, and it was right before
the writer's strike, not long before, and I knew I
wanted her, and I had known Chelsea, who played her
sister in the film, Heather, for a very long time.
One of my well, my first criteria is they have
(35:45):
to be a good actress or actor.
Speaker 7 (35:49):
But the second thing is when.
Speaker 12 (35:50):
I pick family, I really want them to look like family.
So when I'm casting, I create these boards and I
put everybody next to each other, and I make everyone
audition whether they really want to or not kind of thing.
And so I had cast the core of the family
before the strike, and then Linee joined me later when
(36:11):
I was looking to actually fully develop this. But those
two were really critical. These sisters had to have chemistry
and feel like sisters, and they did, and they really
liked working with each other. And I think some of
it was just sheer luck they looked alike. Like there
was a point where we're like, oh my gosh, what
if they looked too much alike? But to change their
(36:33):
hair and stuff from when I actually had cast them.
And but yeah, I mean talent and when you're casting
a family, they need to look and feel like family.
Speaker 7 (36:44):
Talent and chemistry are just tops for me.
Speaker 14 (36:47):
Now you also make me think too renewe chemistry is
important too, Like there have been some Christmas movies, you know,
rom coms that I've watched and I'm like, is that
guy really cute? Would he really even be compatible with her?
For you know, for as far as looks and the
way he just the way he moves and does it.
And Renelle was like spot on too. And we got
(37:09):
actors that looked very different. You kind of have like
your boy next door, back home kind of guy, and
then you've got the kind of spelt suave. It's just
they looked very different and the way that they move
and behave is very different. I just I just I
love that about Renelle too. She's like, hey, you've got
(37:29):
to think about so many different angles and make sure
that you know, with Renelle being the director, that she
is going to end up being able to work with
them and pull the best out of them too, to
make those romantic scenes pop and to make the fun,
quirky scenes pop too, because Grace Field is the lead
actress and she has such a fun, pop quirky type
(37:52):
of nature that you can't stop watching her, you know.
I mean, she's beautiful and she's fun and she's vibrant,
but there's this little part that I don't know if
it's relatable or just watchable or both.
Speaker 10 (38:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (38:08):
It's just silly. She could be right silly.
Speaker 12 (38:10):
There was one scene where she improvised a whole scene
eating cheetos. I did end up cutting its, talking like
it was her boss and her mother and doing this
little thing.
Speaker 7 (38:22):
She's like, please let me do it.
Speaker 12 (38:23):
You can cut it if you don't like it, and
I think I kept two bites of it.
Speaker 7 (38:27):
But it was so funny. We were all mesmerized. Even
if I wanted to be like what are you doing?
I couldn't look away.
Speaker 14 (38:35):
And then and then you balance it with Chelsea Gilson
is the actress who plays her sister, Heather, and Heather
has this smoothness about her and like a more you know,
practical way of going by. It just makes it so
fun to watch on screen, to see the differences, you know,
the kind of kind of almost polar opposites of the
(38:57):
two and it just made.
Speaker 10 (38:58):
For good watch, for a good movie. And that's that's
all in the casting.
Speaker 7 (39:04):
Ye lucky, we did.
Speaker 6 (39:08):
Well.
Speaker 13 (39:08):
I have to say, you know, your whole cast is fantastic.
I mean, you did good. Let me put it that way.
Speaker 10 (39:18):
Oh yeah, yeah, because we've got yeah.
Speaker 14 (39:19):
Kyle Klaus was the and his last name is Clause,
almost like Santa Claus. Kyle played all one of the actors,
and then Andrew Rogers played another one, and we had
even like the best friend.
Speaker 10 (39:30):
Her name is Brian Jackson.
Speaker 14 (39:32):
She did a great job kind of that voice of
reason for the you know, for Courtney, the main character.
Speaker 10 (39:39):
You gotta you gotta have a little bit.
Speaker 12 (39:42):
I wrote her a bigger role in the next film
because she just blew me away. She was such a
delight to watch and I was like, oh, I wish
we had her in the whole film. So in the
scene she gets a little bit of romance. It's not
a main story. It's still a bad story line, but
she was wonderful and the sister was made and Kyle
I had to chase him a little bit, and he
(40:03):
probably thought I was a stalker, and he's like, find me, how.
Speaker 7 (40:08):
Do you what do you want? And then when he
found out what it was, he's like, my last name's Claus.
Speaker 12 (40:11):
I have to do it because in the film there
is a Santa Claus scene, but we won't give it away,
but he's like, I got to be.
Speaker 6 (40:17):
There for Oh goodness, it is so good. That is
so good. I love it. Well, what this could go to?
Waterer bolth of you?
Speaker 13 (40:29):
What inspired you to make a Christmas film instead of
like a regular rom com that can play any time
of the year.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
How that decision come about?
Speaker 10 (40:39):
Lene?
Speaker 14 (40:40):
I was going, I was gonna I was gonna let
Renelle take that one night, because I almost know what
Renelle is going to say. She wanted to She's going
to switch up her normal Emma.
Speaker 7 (40:51):
Yep, yep, okay. So this is the first film that
I didn't.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Kill anyone in like thrillers, horror usually.
Speaker 12 (40:59):
Do like psychological thrillers or action you know, or intense
dramas where something dramatic happens.
Speaker 7 (41:07):
And what prompted me to write.
Speaker 12 (41:09):
This is I had set in on a seminar and
the guy was talking about, you know, writing these films
with a Hallmark style premise to it, and I had
never written films that kind of have and I love
my films that don't get me wrong, but sort of
have fluffy problems. I always dive deep into these really intense,
(41:31):
grounded yet intense problems. Or I'm doing these action thrillers
and I write fantasy too, but I haven't made any yet,
and I was like, this is a challenge. So I
went to my son and told him about it, and
I'm like, what if we write a Christmas film and
we try this fluffy topic yet add our version of
a twist in there, because he writes with me a
lot and we always have kind of a twist in it,
(41:54):
and so this one does. And I got it already,
cast it the writer struck happened strike rather, And then
I met Lynnee and I shared this with her and
she liked it, and I'm like, really, and yeah, there
was no stopping me when once we hit that point.
Speaker 14 (42:12):
Oh yeah, because she she told me that the you know,
the premise of the movie was that the main character, Courtney,
feels all this pressure to please her mom and she
gets herself entangled in this big lie and right around
Christmas time and Christmas time is when all the family
members get together and is everything going to be exposed
(42:35):
or not? There's a twist. It's just I was just
drawn in. I was like, okay, I have got to
be a part of this, you know, as far as producing,
and then you know, now to finally be able to
get to watch it, you know, all laid out.
Speaker 10 (42:49):
It's just we're just so excited.
Speaker 1 (42:52):
Yeah, and I can tell you just from watching the trailer,
I think I know what the twist is. I'm not
saying anything though, but I was just like, you know what,
this is really clever because you know, it has some
Christmas normal trope, but then it doesn't. It's like you're
not accustomed to seeing that's sort of how it plays
(43:15):
out kind of thing.
Speaker 10 (43:16):
And I thought, you know, this is going.
Speaker 1 (43:17):
To be a real treat for Christmas movie fans in
general because it is off the beaten path of what
we normally are accustomed to see. And so that's one
of the reasons why I think this movie is going
to be so good when people finally get to see it,
because of how it's been written, and of course the cast.
The cast makes it, but the story is just it's
(43:41):
unique and different but familiar, if that makes sense.
Speaker 7 (43:45):
Tried to be both have a little bit of that twist.
Speaker 12 (43:48):
We might have a genre but also stick to the
tried and true Christmas formulas. So the only one I
was pushing the envelope on kisses and in the end
we cut those out too, is like not too many,
we don't want too many.
Speaker 10 (44:02):
But still a few, still a few?
Speaker 12 (44:05):
Yeah, yeah, right, yeah, Mom and Dad, Mary and Charles,
the parents. I don't know how much they're in the trailer,
but they are together in real life, Dana and Chris
and have been for a very long time. They are
quite affectionate. But those are just little sweet things. So
those are in there.
Speaker 14 (44:23):
But see that to me, that makes it great too,
because you have like a multi generational component there, because
we don't stop being romantic and loving folks just because
we're you know, midlife and above.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
That's true, and I love that. I love that so much,
you know, because it just there's just something for every
kind of viewer in there. I mean, even people who
don't normally like Christmas movies will like this movie because
it's not what they would expect it to be. So
it's it's really gonna be great. So as we wrap up,
(44:58):
I've got one more question, and either one of you
can answer, both of you can answer. It's really a
question for both of you. But we would love to
hear more about your upcoming red carpet event because that
is kind of going to be the showcase to show
the actors and the movie off and you guys, and
so give us some details on that.
Speaker 7 (45:19):
Wellne, you've run with that one. How about that?
Speaker 10 (45:21):
Oh well, we'll tag team.
Speaker 14 (45:23):
So I'll start off by saying that on this November fifteenth,
if anyone is in Orlando, Florida, please join us. It's
going to be you know, we do have it's ticket
base and it's not where you get tickets at the door,
but it is going to be at the Regal Cinemas
in Waterford Lakes and it is going to have it's
(45:46):
going to be in the afternoon and some people I
don't know something happened. I think after COVID where earlier
became better.
Speaker 10 (45:54):
For lots of people.
Speaker 14 (45:55):
But this is going to be an afternoon event, and
we're going to have the red carpet and the photographers
and the step and repeat and then you know, we're
going to show the film.
Speaker 10 (46:05):
We're going to bring.
Speaker 14 (46:06):
People from the community, some of the change makers, some
of the people in the industry, some of the cast
and crew. We're gonna have Q and a with the
these people that we've been talking about so much.
Speaker 10 (46:16):
Of these actors and actresses will.
Speaker 14 (46:18):
Be you know, upfront and center for the Q and A.
And we just want to make sure that it's just
a robust afternoon for everyone involved. And now I'm going
to hand it off to renew and she'll take it away.
Speaker 7 (46:33):
Okay.
Speaker 12 (46:33):
So that'll be in Orlando, Florida. And if people do
want tickets, they would go to event Bright and Type
Rekindled for Christmas and they'll find it. It should come up,
they can get their tickets that way. But I mean,
like we really were bringing back all of our talent.
They all volunteered to come back, except one of them
(46:53):
as busy they're booked.
Speaker 7 (46:55):
But we really were getting all the talent back. We'll
have some of.
Speaker 12 (46:58):
Our crew and a whole bunch of wonderful people that
like support film in the community are coming.
Speaker 7 (47:04):
Like Renee said, it's just not too fancy middle of
the day, but lots of love and everything a red
carpet should be.
Speaker 12 (47:12):
If you ask me, we're excited. And then we're also
you know, we've got a lot of little things coming up.
So we're hoping to be launching the sequel, filming it
first quarter next year in Georgia, so you never know,
stay tuned for Rekindled Forever. That's part two, and that
(47:33):
might be having a few weddings.
Speaker 10 (47:35):
Who knows.
Speaker 14 (47:36):
And this also makes me think too, please make sure
anybody who wants to like keep track of what we're doing.
We are on Facebook, we are on Instagram. It's all
just under Rekindled for Christmas, and even at the event too,
we're gonna, you know, of course, make sure that we
have the holiday decord. It's gonna be that best of
Christmas holiday, you know, spirit going on.
Speaker 12 (48:01):
Everyone met the free poster, the poster that my daughter
actually made those posters for us. Everybody gets one of
those too. We got them all printed up and they
were delivering.
Speaker 7 (48:10):
They're so pretty.
Speaker 6 (48:12):
So that's pretty good.
Speaker 10 (48:14):
It's gonna be good.
Speaker 14 (48:14):
We have also too, there's these Christmas tree ladies that
we met along the way who ended up really being
so helpful in making sure that our set design was
was full of Christmas and that you know that the
event will be as well. It's Pixie Wonders by Lolli
dot com. She's just I just wanted to give a
shout out to her because she's gonna be at the event.
Speaker 10 (48:35):
She's gonna be, you.
Speaker 14 (48:36):
Know, making sure that we've got the Christmas trees and
everything there too. It's just it's been phenomenal. And to
Renelle's point too, so her son, Sean, you know, helped
u it was the co writer, and then her daughter
does all of these wonderful creative graphic designs and things
for our posters, for our you know, for the movie poster.
Speaker 10 (48:55):
It's just beautiful. It's a family affair.
Speaker 13 (48:59):
Yeah, I was just to say it's a family affair,
but it's also family and friends. I mean, you can't
ask for any better because you know you can count
on these people. You know that they're going to have
your back, you know, no matter what, and I love
that everybody is so creative in one way or another.
Speaker 7 (49:16):
Thank you, Thank you so much.
Speaker 13 (49:19):
Oh you're welcome.
Speaker 6 (49:19):
And I'll tell you.
Speaker 13 (49:20):
If don and I were closer, you know, she's in
North Carolina, I'm in Chicago.
Speaker 6 (49:25):
You know, we would be there.
Speaker 13 (49:27):
But unfortunately, because it sounds like it's gonna be a
lot of fun, we will.
Speaker 12 (49:32):
Posted when it is out where it's going to be showing.
It's going to the American Film Market starting the eleventh
of November. That's the buyer's market and you guys probably
know that, but it's going there this with our distributor,
so we're hoping, you know, we'll end up.
Speaker 7 (49:47):
With some good deals in next year.
Speaker 12 (49:49):
It will actually appear on who knows, maybe some of
those big streamers or one of the broadcasting networks or something.
Speaker 7 (49:56):
We're hoping, yeah, yeah, that would be awesome.
Speaker 13 (50:01):
Well, Renalo and Renee, it was such a pleasure speaking
with the both of you today, and we look forward
to seeing the movie Rekindled for Christmas.
Speaker 6 (50:09):
But also the next one Rekindled forever. So we'd love
to have you back.
Speaker 7 (50:14):
Yay, thank you so much. We had a great time time.
Speaker 14 (50:18):
I had a great time too. We'd love to come back.
We are honored to be on here with you Christmas
movie ladies.
Speaker 15 (50:24):
Yes, oh, thank you so much, Mary, Chris, guys, you
gotta hear wonderful Yes, Happy Holidays to you ahead of
time and take care everybody.
Speaker 6 (50:35):
Thank you too, Thanks so much, bye bye bye ye.
Speaker 1 (50:43):
Many thanks to Renel Golden and Lenee Blaze for joining
us on Christmas Movie Spotlight. It was such a joy
hearing about their creative process and the heart behind Rekindled
for Christmas. Be sure to check out the movie this
holiday season and keep an eye out for the sequel,
Rekindled Forever. Thanks for time and until next time, wishing
you a season filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of
(51:06):
Christmas movie magic. Thank you so much for tuning in
to our latest episode of Christmas Movie Spotlight. Don't forget.
You can find our podcast on iHeartRadio, Spotify, iTunes, Sprinker
and more. To search Christmas Movie Spotlight spelled m U
v i e s.
Speaker 16 (51:25):
For even more, visit us online at Christmasmoviespotlight dot com.
Follow us on our social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
Follow at Christmas Movie Spotlight and on x Follow us
at Christmas Movies, which would be X.
Speaker 7 (51:40):
M A S, m U v i e S.
Speaker 16 (51:44):
Until next time, stay merry and we'll see you again
real soon
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