Tampa Bay Times is reporting a movie filming in St. Petersburg for the Hallmark Channel currently titled - Garden Party!
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| photo: SCOTT KEELER | Times - Left to Right: Actors Jordon Bridges and Sara Rue image taken: February 18, 2019 |
According to the article, the film will star Sara Rue (Hallmark's "All for Love") and Jordan Bridges (Hallmark's "Holiday Engagement" and "Christmas at Holly Lodge") and the storyline, according to the Tampa Bay Times, was shared by executive producer Lincoln Lageson, who said... "Garden Party is about a woman who honors her father’s memory by continuing the community garden he built in St. Petersburg. But the future of the garden is threatened when a condo builder buys the property for development."
The description of this story sounds quite a lot like the storyline given for the film, "True Love Blooms" on Hallmark's web-site.
"True Love Blooms" storyline via Hallmark: "Spring is in full bloom when urban gardener Vicki fights to save her community garden from a handsome real estate developer. Both are caught off guard when it's not just the flowers that are blooming, but also love."
So... we will have to wait and see which title - Hallmark ultimately uses for this movie. Either one sounds refreshing and spring-y!
The article also states we should expect to see this movie sometime in April on the Hallmark Channel!
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I hope Hallmark sticks with True Love Blooms rather than Garden Party!
ReplyDeleteI like both titles, but there is something even sweeter behind the meaning of "True Love Blooms." That's my pick, too!
DeleteI hope Hallmark sticks with the title True Love Blooms rather than Garden Party
ReplyDeleteGarden Party sounds so weird title like Rick Nelson's song called; Garden Party.
There's a movie called Garden Party (2008) didn't involved flowers.
True Love Blooms is way better title for Hallmark movie.
I agree! Love that title best, too! :)
DeleteOh I live here in Tampa, I need to find out where they are filming, I want to be an extra. or even just someone in the background, I may have to go hunting looking for this. I want to go to Vancouver so I can see a hallmark movie filmed but this one is in my backyard :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be so fun! Hope you can locate them! You never know what you might see! :)
DeleteTo be an extra, you need to be booked by a talent agency in the area :) try to look up Benz, they might be handling the new Hallmark film beginning in St Pete next month
DeleteThank you for sharing that tip! Often times, I've seen for other Hallmark movies recently, they put out a notice in the area they are filming, and they give out an email address asking for any one interested in being an extra to simply send a head shot or picture. It can be as easy as that!
DeleteHowever, checking out a local talent agency nearby is a great idea, too, especially for those very serious in being involved. I so appreciate you sharing!
There was just a survey from hallmark on this movie, it sounds really good. the good old love story of 2 people who are ex flames and they get thrown together and fall back in love. Its for countdown to summer, one possible name is love in the sunshine state. I love that my state might get a hallmark movie named after it :)
DeleteWe are currently experiencing Summer here in Florida, it was 87 in the town I live in yesterday, and it is expected to continue thru the end of the month, I hope all the flowers don't wilt, and they will need a lot of fans so we don't see them sweating :)
ReplyDeleteOh my... that's hot! It was 18 degrees here last night! Keep cool there, Sabrina! I love that you have beautiful flowers. We still have a mix of muddy grass and patches of icy snow. Plus, more snow on the way tonight! :)
DeleteI am guessing what will be rounding out the 6 movies for Spring Fever as Message in a Bottle, Bethany Joy Lenz posted she is filming now, and at the TCA someone said this was for Spring Fever. And I am guessing Undercover Easter as that was in a recent Hallmark survey and is filming now, and Easter is in April. This movie looks so good from the way the synopsis was written.
ReplyDeleteThat's my guess, too, Sabrina! I've also been keeping an eye on those movie titles for a while. (added to the TV movie list!) I'm eagerly waiting for Hallmark to share more news! :)
DeleteI am not sure where it will fall but Puppy Party Romance (It sounds awfully Hallmark to me) is filming currently in Vancouver and IMDB lists Jen Lilley and Christopher Russell as cast could possibly be an April/spring movie as well.
DeleteYes, I'm keeping an eye on the movie "Puppy Party Romance," too... starring Jen Lilley and Christopher Russell! It definitely sounds like Hallmark to me, as well... with these actors + the director, Christie Will Wolf ("Yes, I Do" and "Eat, Play, Love") and it's about Puppies, too! :) Nothing screams Hallmark more than a good dog movie/romance! Could possibly be an in-between seasons movie or maybe Summer.
DeleteThree Saturdays in May are part of that Countdown to Summer, it could fit there too. I hope sooner rather later, though. Particularly because Christopher hasn't been a lead in a Hallmark movie in many years and its high time he's in another. I have missed him.
DeleteI just saw on Christie's Instagram that they are trying to create summer while its still wintery in Vancouver. I am definitely thinking Countdown To Summer.
DeleteI perfer True Love Blooms
ReplyDeleteI like title: True Love Blooms
ReplyDeleteThis sounds just like all the other Hallmark movies. How many times is a business or something in danger of being destroyed but in 2 hrs, they will figure it out and get together. I just wish Hallmark would come up with something more original instead of the same old story. I know many will have something to say about my comment...but I know I am not the only that would like some movies with substance and unique moments!
ReplyDeleteKelsi, I appreciate you sharing. Myself and others here have also expressed this concern/wish. It is nice to see these sweet stories, but originality is also refreshing! :)
DeleteI feel as though an opposing opinion is not welcome here, but what I think many viewers are either forgetting or not completely accepting that the Hallmark Channel is now primarily focused on romantic comedies and romance-based stories, and there are only so many ways you can go with a rom com plot. They have even emphasized the romance angle in commercials and advertisements -- the general tone and theme of 90% of the movies that air on the Hallmark Channel now will be rom com-ish, or at least romance-driven (even if it is a bit more serious).
DeleteTo me, in all of the complaints I see about the movies' story lines, I don't get the sense that a lot of viewers are realizing or accepting that this is the direction that Crown Media has chosen to take with the Hallmark Channel. The unhappy viewers are expecting more movies along the lines of what we would see on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries or on Hallmark Drama. They are expecting more movies along the lines of Hall of Fame installments.
But Hallmark is clearly trying to focus mostly on romance in the movies on the main Hallmark Channel, and when you think about it that way, how many different plots and how much substance can they come up with for romantic comedies?
For that matter, are the themes and situations all that different in theatrical rom coms made for major movie studios? Not really.
When you realize that a channel is focusing on one specific genre, with very little variation, then you will know to expect that a LOT of the same stories will repeat. It's inevitable. Working within a set genre is more limiting.
That's what happens on the Lifetime network for most of the year -- Lifetime has settled on a genre that works for them in their year-round movies, and MANY of those movies seem the same or very similar because they are all within that specific genre that Lifetime offers. They use a lot of the same actors in their suspense movies too. If I tune into Lifetime to see one of those movies, I can be sure that if I tune in again 5 days later, I will probably find another movie that is very similar. If I watch a bunch of them in a marathon, they all seem the same after a while.
So I think that if people were to maybe accept Hallmark Channel for what it wants to be now, in 2019, instead of expecting it to be something else, or something that it used to be, it will be a lot easier to know what they're going to get when they tune into that specific channel. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama might be more to their liking.
I trust this blog and I know I can feel free to share my thoughts here. I know Hallmark is focusing on Romanic comedies...how could you not know that. Romanic movies have been made for years in many variety situations. I just think that Hallmark is stuck with a handful of plots and just exchange different actors and places. How many times can you do an old flame that got away, or a company coming in to take over, or a business about to shut down...those are the bases for a lot of the movies. You can be original with Romantic movies. I have read many others express there feelings on how there are so many widowed parents in the movies or the famous interrupted kisses( which is getting really old) and my personal favorite you fall and they have to catch you or you have a smudge on your face...always the case right? I feel in the beginning Hallmark made better movies and now it is just about how many can we make and how many times can they use the same actors over again! I know that Hallmark has a monopoly on family friendly viewing and that is why people watch! This last Christmas I thought that Lifetime had one of the best movies! I am aware of HM&M and HallmarkDrama, and do watch some on those channels. I feel Hallmark could do better in 2019 and years to come.
DeleteThank you for sharing. There are many wonderful Hallmark Channel movies, and there are many interesting, intriguing love stories out there to tell. Yes, the Hallmark Channel is the place where you get the basic love story, without the over extensive drama one might expect on the other channels.
DeleteI, for one, am thrilled they have consistently created through the years- so many wholesome, family-friendly movies that I know many of us love and hold dear. I'm slightly concerned; however, over time, interest may waiver if many of the stories continue to be so similar.
I know I'll still be tuning in and watching the Hallmark Channel no matter how many times some one has a fake boyfriend OR the business fails and they save it. I just hope other viewers are just as faithful.
I am a very faithful Hallmark fan, that channel is on my tv all the time, when I go to sleep, I have a dvr full of them as well as dvd's. I know what to expect from Hallmark, my only issue is that I feel they are moving more towards quantity over quality. Not to knock on Lifetime, but a majority of those movies are very bad, bad acting, bad stories, not all of course. Now I notice they have new movies like every weekend, sometimes new on Friday Saturday and sunday. so it makes me wonder if when you go for having the most new movies, that quality goes out the window a tad.
DeleteI love that Hallmark is family friendly, but I find myself wishing for the movies that have a little more in them, you can have a couple kiss in the movie and it not be disgusting. Its just more realistic. I was watching All of my Heart last night, and when they kiss with still 40 minutes left, I just loved it.
Its almost as if they have all become a formula, wash rinse and repeat, and I know that works and I like it, but maybe a tad bit of variation.
I know it is probably hard to come up with new stories, so they tend to make movies from books, but in these I just wish they would stick closer to the books. Many times the movie is so different from the book it makes it hard to even think it is based on the book. Just some opinion, but all in all I love Hallmark, I love that we get to see many of the same actors/actresses and that we also get some newbies :)
I realize Hallmark tends to recycle a handful of rom com story lines over and over in their movies and the endings are always so predictable, but It doesn’t bother me. I still love watching them and enjoy getting lost in the magical world of Hallmark for a few hours a week at least. The world is such a crazy, messy, stressful place, that it’s nice to just kick back and relax at the end of the day with a Hallmark movie. I didn’t jump on the Hallmark Movie bandwagon until 2012, but now I can’t get enough of them. I especially look forward to the Fall Harvest and Christmas movies each year. Anyway, thanks again Net for keeping us up to date on all things Hallmark. - Melissa
DeleteThank you for sharing, Sabrina! I value everyone's opinion here, and I think we feel very much the same on this. It's so true... the same love story formulas have been used repeatedly over the years. I just think it's even more noticeable now since we have so many more movies to watch.
DeleteI agree with the sweet kiss shared in "All Of my Heart." Thank goodness thunder or something didn't interrupt them! My two other favorite Hallmark movies had kisses vs. the interrupted kiss - "Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade" at the basketball game and "The Nine Lives of Christmas" under the mistletoe! It can be done in a sweet, Hallmark way!
Overall, I know we all share these thoughts and ideas because we truly love Hallmark and simply want the best for the network- now and in the future! :)
Thank you, Melissa, for sharing, too! I love your enthusiasm for Hallmark all year round! It is wonderful how they take us through the celebrations of each holiday/season! I love that, as well... no network is as great Hallmark at what they do! Watching any of the stories is, indeed, a welcoming destresser at the end of a long day! I love that I can watch Hallmark Channel's feel good movies with any one in my home any time of the day. Definitely another win-win for the channel - which will hopefully keep viewers tuning in Saturday nights for new premieres and all year long!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing the joy of Hallmark with all of us here!
Hallmark movies are sweet and but the story lines repeat, repeat, repeat! They are cheesy and that seems to sale, but even cheese gets old. I agree with Kelsi and Sabrina, Hallmark is stuck in a cycle and I just wish they would find a way to squeeze in some good movies, like they use to.
DeleteI tend to agree that the repeated formula of the rom com stories are getting old. And I'm not a fan of a mystery show where a homicide in a small town is conveniently solved by an lady shop-owner who needs to assist the police merely because she has a knack for solving crimes. Both have become too predictable. That is why the plots and characters in Signed, Sealed, Delivered stand out as a refreshing mix of mystery (sans a dead body) and sweet romance. Add to that formula the wonderful and varied storylines created by Martha Williamson and the outstanding cast of actors who deliver hope, love and reconciliation.
DeleteI wanted to add, I saw on my local news on Friday that the Director (I think) said she loved shooting in St Pete and said this is one of the more friendly areas of Florida, they hired a lot of local actors, local extras and local crew members.
ReplyDeleteShe also said she will be back in 4 weeks to shoot another Hallmark movie, she said it was supposed to be called Aloha, and that they will likely change the title as they wont be in Hawaii (and my opinion living here for the better part of my life, you cannot pass off florida beaches for Hawaii, our biggest hill might be 100 feet above sea level inland and our sand is white and would not pass for Hawaii.
I am super excited to see more films being shot here and so happy they liked it here a lot. also so happy it gave many locals jobs.
she also said it is called True Love Blooms airing April 6th.
That may change but I found it interesting she called it True Love Blooms so that must be the name.
SABRINA!!! That is all wonderful news!!! Oh my goodness... I bet you just loved seeing this report on your local news! How cool is that! Hallmark is filming in your area now - and they are coming back for more! That is awesome!
DeleteYou'll definitely have to keep a look out if they are looking for any extras for the next one! And, please keep us posted on whatever news is reported there on "Aloha"! Can't wait to hear even more!
I'm sure it's a little less expensive to film at an American beach, then to send a whole cast and crew to Fiji, etc... So, that's probably another benefit to more films being shot there in the future!
Also, great to hear the news on "True Love Blooms." I know many will be glad- if they keep that title! And, since the Spring Fever preview show is coming up on March 9th, all these dates and titles are probably settled now.
Thank YOU so much for sharing!!! :)
I'm so happy to see Hallmark is filming more movies in the US. Seems we have several movies filming right now all over the US. I think that's great!!!
DeleteI think it's great, too, Joyce... It is absolutely wonderful to see Hallmark filming more and more in the good ole USA!
DeleteI was watching a Hallmark movie the other that I knew was filmed in Canada, and they had an American flag waving on one of the businesses, which is always beautiful, of course. However, I thought... it's too bad they weren't actually filming here in America. And now, I'm so glad many more of them are being here! :)
True Love Blooms is still on the list on the website
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hallmarkchannel.com/true-love-blooms
Yes, it sure is! It's looking like they will be going with this title, after all! However, Hallmark has been known to change things at the last minute, so you never know until it's officially announced!
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