Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview actress Ashley Williams!
In my Q&A with Ashley below, we talked all about her upcoming New Hallmark Movie, her Co-stars in the film, working with her Famous Sister, potential, still secretive Upcoming Hallmark Movie projects, her Favorite Season, and so much more!!!
Actress Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Ashley Williams has also starred in several Made-for-TV movies, many of us have enjoyed over the years, including: "Snow," "Snow 2: Brain Freeze," "Scents and Sensibility," "Christmas in the City," and Ashley's first Hallmark Movie "October Kiss!"
(The 3 Movies above starring Ashley Williams are all Available on DVD!
Just click on the Posters for details!)
("Christmas in the City" can be seen on Video on Demand. See details, here!)
Once again, Ashley Williams will be starring in an All New Made-For-TV movie, a Hallmark 'Fall Harvest' Film, titled "Love on a Limb!"
I hope you all will enjoy my Interview with Ashley below...
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INTERVIEW
ACTRESS
ASHLEY WILLIAMS
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Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Welcome Ashley to 'It's a Wonderful Movie' - where we chat all about movies on TV! Please share with us the plot details of your Hallmark movie “Love on a Limb”. I understand this story was based on a real-life situation. Do share!
Ashley Williams Thank you for having me on here and for supporting our movie— you guys are going to love it!
Love on a Limb is about a passionate woman, Aimie Roarke, who hears that a beautiful old tree in the center of town, where children have taken their first steps and men and women have gotten married, is going to get cut down due to the cost of repairs on the pipes that run alongside the roots. In protest, Aimie climbs up into its branches and wont come down until the city grants that the tree be allowed to stay right where it’s been for 150 years. The man on the ground who has been hired by the city to cut it down (Trevor Donovan) just happens to be a sensitive, charming pacifist… and GORGEOUS. The standoff results in the two connecting in surprising ways. But I’m not going to tell you any more! It’s too delicious.
The idea for Love on a Limb came from several different places. I was inspired, along with my writers, Erik Patterson and Jessica Scott, by the moving protest by Julia Butterfly Hill to save the redwood tree in the late nineties. Additionally, a tree in Jessica’s hometown of Orange CA, affectionately named “The Big Old Tree” was going to be cut down and the whole town gathered in protest. We used those stories in order to paint a larger picture: men and women can often be brought together by a good old-fashioned healthy disagreement. Something I think all of us can relate to!
Actress Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Fans enjoy watching you, Ashley, because you have such an effervescent personality – light and cheerful, that always shines through all your roles. Please tell us about your character, Aimie Roarke, in “Love on a Limb”… she looks like she’s a lot of fun in the previews!
Ashley Williams Aimie is loosely inspired by one of my closest friends, Aimie Billon. Real life Aimie is tireless, kind, sensitive, and determined. Every time she takes a walk she ends up rescuing a dog and then works nonstop until she finds it it a home. Her career in a philanthropic agency, Propper Daley, is really taking off and I’m so proud to be her friend and watch her affect change in the lives of others. This character has the same work ethic and feeling of responsibility to the betterment of the world. One thing I haven’t mentioned is that real life Aimie is hilarious. We never stop laughing. Her honest and self-deprecating nature, make her a joy to be around, and we worked hard to bring that humor in. The audience is going to love this character.
Trevor Donovan and Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie:You have two amazing, well known Hallmark stars co-starring with you in “Love on a Limb”. What was it like to work with the handsome Trevor Donovan (J.L. Family Ranch) and the energetic Marilu Henner (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)?
Ashley Williams What an incredible cast! I still cannot believe we landed these two stars.
As soon as I met Trevor Donovan we immediately started giggling and making silly faces, which fed right into a really playful and spontaneous chemistry in our work. We aimed to develop a patter with these characters similar to Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard in Moonlighting – whip smart banter and competitive witticism. It’s was SO MUCH FUN. After each take we’d jump up and down and say, “let’s do it again!!” I’d kill to work with Trevor again. PS. you guys I worked so hard to try to find a place where it made sense for Trevor to take his shirt off. No luck. I need to hire him again so I can make that happen!
And Marilu!! The one and only Marilu Henner. I waited a while into shooting before working up the guts to ask her about what it was like doing Fosse on a Broadway stage (Marilu did like a million performances of Chicago) because I didn’t want to completely nerd out. She is a legend and I am in awe of her career. And her infamous memory is the real deal. She really helped me. I was dealing with a two year old going through a sleep regression, producing my first movie, and acting in almost every scene. Marilu tracked continuity and logic in the movie that I never would have been able to completely have my eye on. We could talk for hours—I miss her and can’t wait to watch her on Dancing with the Stars!!!
Ashley Williams and Trevor Donovan in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: This is your second Hallmark “Fall Harvest” themed movie following “October Kiss”. (Which we all loved, by the way!) For devoted Hallmark viewers, you are now the star of Fall. I must ask, however, what is your favorite season?
Ashley Williams Spring! My favorite season is Spring! Growth and blooming and first time bare feet are my jam. Fall is gorgeous, especially on the east coast where I just moved, but I actually have to work hard in the fall to not get sad with the sun going down and things starting to get cold. I usually schedule things in the evening—a dance class or…. A fun movie to watch to keep my spirits up! This one is definitely going on my docket.
Ashley Williams and her sister Kimberly Williams-Paisley Photographer: Bruce Glikas, © Broadway.com |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: I am extremely close to my sister, so I think it’s very special that you and your sister (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) are both actresses, who have both been in Hallmark movies. Did you do plays or perform for family, as you were growing up? Have you ever acted in anything professionally or otherwise, together?
Ashley Williams I love my sister. We are so close. Kim and I worked on a tiny little short film, along with the rest of my family, that made it into a bunch of shorts festivals. I loved working with her and (shhhhhh!) I’m actually working with my writers on drumming up an idea for her to star in a Hallmark movie for me to produce! It’s in the tiny baby stages but you’ll hear about it in a bit. Believe me, I’ll keep you posted!
Actress Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Do you have a favorite scene or memorable filming moment in “Love on a Limb”?
Ashley Williams I loved shooting in the tree! It was actually really comfortable and my stunt coordinator made me feel really safe by tethering me with a cord to the branch so I wouldn’t fall. It was August when we were shooting and a lot of the scenes took place at night. In between takes I chose to stay in the tree and I got to look down with pride at the awesome crew that I’d hired, working their butts off below me, and then look up at the stars and hold caterpillars in my hands. It’s was magic.
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: What does it mean to you – to create movies that families can watch together?
Ashley Williams I’m heartbroken by the world today. I work to educate myself on the news-- the injustice, the racism, the hatred, the violence, and I have strong feelings and positions on where we are in this country and globally. BUT, then, what an absolute gift it is to be able to turn the channel and watch someone’s dreams come true in a Hallmark movie. Hallmark has created a specific genre that is a joy to escape into at a time when I think we really need it.
Actress Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: What do you hope viewers will take away from watching your Hallmark movie “Love on a Limb”?
Ashley Williams I want the viewers of Love on a Limb to be able to turn off their lives this fall for a moment, just a moment, of fun, calm, satisfying storytelling. Please make some popcorn. Wrap yourself and your seven year old in a yummy blanket on the couch. Perhaps it’s your first fire of the year! Make a night of watching our joyful little story of a woman standing up for what she believes in and finding true love for the first time. And tell your friends, children grandparents to do the same. It’s something the whole family will truly enjoy. Thanks so much for your support!
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Actress Ashley Williams with Cast in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
Thank you so much, Ashley...
for doing this interview with me for 'It's a Wonderful Movie'! You are always an absolute joy to watch and it was just as much fun to have this interview chat with you! I do hope, since Spring is your favorite season, we can talk Hallmark into giving you a "Spring Fling" movie next year, and (whispering) I know we all will be extra excited to hear more about your upcoming project with your sister, Kim, but we'll keep that completely secretive and under wraps - for now!
As for "Love on the Limb," it looks like the ideal Hallmark rom-com movie to watch on a cool, Autumn night, perhaps wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of warm apple cider! Thank you, Ashley, for giving us something special to watch again during Hallmark Channel's 'Fall Harvest!'
Actress Ashley Williams in Hallmark's "Love on a Limb" Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Petr Maur |
follow Ashley Williams here...
SOCIALS:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imthesmash
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthesmash/
For even more details on Ashley's new movie, visit my page: "Love on the Limb," for movie images & more!!!
Be sure to Watch the Premiere of
Saturday, October 1, 2016
on the Hallmark Channel at 9pm/8c.
WOW!!!!! Awesome interview with Ashley Williams, Net! I'm impressed! Ashley's one of my favorite actresses and I'm so happy Hallmark has finally recognized her talent. I could get a real sense of her personality through all her responses. She is such a down to earth type person. I'll definitely be watching her new movie Love on a Limb Saturday night on Hallmark! Thanks for the reminder!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonder what AShley is planning with her sister? That was completely news to me. Any chance it's for Christmas? Anna
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to this movie and the one she is working on with her sister. I hope we do not have to wait long for that one. Father of the Bride movies are my favorite movies. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Ashley!! She comes across as very cheerful and nice. Like she's your best friend next door. Her smile lights up a room. I loved Snow and Snow 2: Brain Freeze and October Kiss! And I'll be watching Love on a Limb. It's rare that I like an actress or actor as I like Ashley, but she's special. I like Kim, but Ashley is different!
ReplyDeleteAshley is great -- and I think that "Love on a Limb" is going to be a good one!
ReplyDeleteI've said before and will say again that Ashley really stood out in "October Kiss." Of course, she was the star of the movie but she really stole all of her scenes. I don't know how much she was able to improvise and ad lib, or how much input she had in the script, but her delivery of her lines was so natural and seamless that it didn't even seem like acting. It didn't seem like she was reciting lines memorized from a script as much as it just seemed like she was being herself and letting her sense of humor and personality shine through.
I can't wait to see what Ashley and Kimberly have in the works for us! It sounds like it's something on tap for 2017 and not this year, since it's in its very early stages, but it will be worth the wait.