INTERVIEW: Kevin Sizemore of the UPtv Movie "A Christmas Tree Miracle"

"It's a Wonderful Movie" recently chatted with the star of the new Christmas film "A Christmas Tree Miracle," available on DVD and premiering on UPtv's "Everything You Love About Christmas" on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.

*Bonus Q&A also included below with Ty Demartino, the Writer/Producer of "A Christmas Tree Miracle"!

Actor Kevin Sizemore

In this family Christmas film, Kevin Sizemore stars as David George, a father who loses his job right before the holidays and puts his self-centered family on a hopeless course until they taken in by an eccentric free farmer (played by Terry Kiser).

Sizemore is known as Gary Humphrey from ABC’s RESURRECTION. He also appeared as Paul Randolph, small-town hotheaded deputy, in the Steven Spielberg-produced CBS UNDER THE DOME. An award winning actor, Sizemore has appeared on numerous Television shows over the years, which are all listed in his imdb.com profile, including NCIS, Stalker, Weeds, 24 and Rizzoli & Isles, to name a few.

The George Family in "A Christmas Tree Miracle"

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INTERVIEW

Actor

Kevin Sizemore

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How did you find out that you were chosen for the movie, “A Christmas Tree Miracle?”

"A Christmas Tree Miracle's" director JW Myers' wife Tess is a friend of mine that I've known for years while living in Los Angeles. A few years after she and JW moved to the east coast, I received a message from Tess saying I might be right for a new movie JW was directing. I spoke to JW and he said it was shooting in West Virginia, the state I'm from and still love. I was interested already, but still wanted to read the script first. After doing so and them reviewing my audition, it was just a perfect fit. It was the first time I've been able to film a movie in my home state and I sure hope it's not the last.


Could you tell us a little about your character?

David George is a man who has forgotten what it's like to struggle. What I mean by that is that he has been bitten by that "high and mighty" bug and thought he was a bit more important than he really was. He doesn't have a great relationship with his family unless gifts are involved. He's driven by having the nicest car, the best suit and the best house on the highest hill. When he loses his job, David starts to realize what the true meanings of life and family are. It just takes his youngest child and a complete stranger to make him see those things.

How long was the shoot? Where was it filmed? Was your Christmas Movie filmed in the winter?

We shot the movie just under three weeks in Wheeling, West Virginia, and we shot also on the Feisley Tree Farm in Belmont, Ohio just over the WV border. We shot the film in March. We had to show the family over a year's time -- so we had to represent all the seasons.


Do you have a favorite scene in “A Christmas Tree Miracle”?

There was a special scene where David and his wife (played by Claudia Esposito) are sitting with Henry (Terry Kiser) in his living room talking about the farm. Henry asks us a very important question that would change out lives forever. At that moment, my children (played by Barrett Carnahan, Emily Capehart and Siomha Kenney) enter the room to share the excitement. It's a turning point in the movie and a great scene.


Now that you are in a Christmas Movie… do you, perhaps, have an all-time favorite Christmas Movie/Special you watch every year?

Wow. I think my favorite would have to be "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase, but the animated "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" all the way back in 1964 with Burl Ives is watched every time it's on television.


What do you hope viewers will take away from watching “A Christmas Tree Miracle”?

It's an important message. The movie speaks about how the way you treat people can reflect the outcome of your life. Also the hope of knowing that sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you realize what you truly have.


Do you have a website, Facebook, or Twitter account you would like to share with viewers?

You can keep track of me at www.imdb.me/kevinsizemore and my Twitter is @kevinsizemore and Facebook is www.facebook.com/kevinsizemorepage.


Kevin Sizemore’s upcoming films in 2015 include LAST BEST SUMMER EVER, CAN I GET A WITNESS PROTECTION?, SINKING SAND and currently in production, he is shooting the true story WOODLAWN directed by the Erwin Brothers.

For more information on "A Christmas Tree Miracle" or to order the DVD, visit online at www.achristmastreemiracle.com or visit www.facebook.com/achristmastreemiracle or @xmastreemiracle on Twitter.

"A Christmas Tree Miracle" - Back Cover of DVD

 

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BONUS

Q&A with

Writer/Producer

Ty DeMartino

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I was also honored to chat with the writer and producer of "A Christmas Tree Miracle", Ty DeMartino.

As the Writer/Producer of the UP Original Christmas Movie "A Christmas Tree Miracle", what has this movie making process been like for you?

"Making A Christmas Tree Miracle was great fun.  We had a wonderful cast.  As a writer, you always want the best actors to bring your words to life. We were fortunate to have an amazing level of talent in our film.  Also, we had a small talented and dedicated crew that worked hard to bring the magic to the movie.  We shot the feature in about 20 days -- which is rather quick for the film industry.  The hard work of everyone involve made it happen and we produced a special movie is touching many people."

What do hope viewers will take away from seeing your film?

"A Christmas Tree Miracle focuses on the George family.  They're totally self-involved people who are more interested in things than each other.  When the father loses his job, the family ignores the severity of the situation and they continue to live above their means -- until, suddenly, everything is gone and they have zero support from anyone.  However, along the way, each family member unwittingly performs small acts of kindness that come back to them when they need it the most.  That message -- of helping others, even in small ways -- is really speaking to people.  They appreciate that we've created a movie that the entire family can enjoy with a strong inspirational message.  I continue to receive emails and notes from people, both in this country and abroad, who have seen our film who have been touched by its story."

 

I hope you all have enjoyed this insight into the movie "A Christmas Tree Miracle". I so appreciate Kevin and Ty taking the time to answer questions and share with us their movie-making experience!

Viewers are always seeking family films and we are grateful to Ty and Kevin for creating and making this one for our families to enjoy!!!

Please be sure to watch "A Christmas Tree Miracle" - premiering on TV November 26, 2014 and airing throughout the Christmas Season on UPtv during their "Everything You Love About Christmas" event!

To order "A Christmas Tree Miracle" on DVD, please visit online at www.achristmastreemiracle.com or Amazon.com.  

Merry Christmas!