INTERVIEW ALERT: Gary Wheeler of INSP's "Christmas in the Smokies"

“It’s a Wonderful Movie” is honored today to interview...

 Filmmaker Gary Wheeler, VP of Original Movies at INSP.

"Welcome Home" to INSP's movie "Christmas in the Smokies"

You will recognize Gary Wheeler's previous work on various films, such as: “The Heart of Christmas” starring Candace Cameron Bure, with singer Matthew West, “The Trial” with Matthew Modine and Nikki Deloach, “The List” with Malcolm McDowell, Hilarie Burton, Will Patton, and more!

Gary Wheeler on set of "Christmas in the Smokies" directing Actress Jill Wagner

 

Gary was also co-producer on the recent box office movie hit, War Room.

Today, I’ll will be interviewing writer, director, producer Gary Wheeler on his latest movie project “Christmas in the Smokies”, starring Sarah Lancaster, Alan Powell, Jill Wagner, and Barry Corbin, which airs this Christmas Season on the INSP television network!

 

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INTERVIEW

GARY WHEELER

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It's a Wonderful Movie: Congratulations Gary on your new INSP original movie, “Christmas in the Smokies”. Could you share with us your role in the creation process of this film?

Gary Wheeler: Thank you very much, it was a really fun, meaningful film to be involved with… Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Christmas and I love Christmas movies so it was an honor to be involved. I served as the co-writer, producer, and director. I spent a lot of time listening to Christmas music on my computer and writing into the wee hours of the morning! Our hope is that we have created a classic Christmas movie that will resonate for years to come.

"Christmas in the Smokies"

It's a Wonderful Movie: “Christmas in the Smokies” sounds like a lovely story of going home again. Please share a little of the storyline with us…

Gary Wheeler: At its core, the film is a story about hope…

It follows Sarah Lancaster as Shelby Haygood and her attempts to save her famous Smoky Mountain farm over the Holidays. All the while dealing with her long lost love played by Alan Powell who returns home for the first time in years. It’s very funny, heart-warming and has a very “down home” feel to it. We took great care to make it very beautiful and full of Christmas cheer. Alan plays singer Mason Wyatt so there is a lot of great Christmas music too.

It's a Wonderful Movie: Since you have been involved with the creation of many Christian films, I must ask... where do you find inspiration for your stories/characters? Does your faith play a key role?

Gary Wheeler: Absolutely! While this is very much a family film, my faith is at the core of who I am. As I said, hope is at the core of the story and for me, my faith in Christ represents the ultimate hope… Which really is what Christmas is all about.

"Christmas in the Smokies" cast

It's a Wonderful Movie: You have an amazing cast for "Christmas in the Smokies", with Sarah Lancaster, Alan Powell, Jill Wagner, Barry Corbin, etc...

Actor Barry Corbin
with Filmmaker Gary Wheeeler

What was it like working with all of them?

Gary Wheeler: They are all great!!!!! I’ve worked with Barry before on Mountain Top and he’s a legend. Alan and I have known each other for a while too and I was a big fan of his work in the film THE SONG. My kids and I have watched Jill in WIPE OUT and the role of Trish was really written with her in mind… and of course Sarah anchors the film as Shelby. My wife and I love the show CHUCK and Sarah was my first choice for the role. She was so easy, pleasant, talented and nice to deal with. I hope to work with them all again.


It's a Wonderful Movie: What was the filming process like for “Christmas in the Smokies”, working with the cast and crew, on location? Were you actually, in the Smokies?

Gary Wheeler: I’ve spent a lot of time in the Smokies and taken a lot of great vacations there. We knew we wanted to shoot in Georgia due to their great film tax incentives so my fellow producer Richard Clark Jr found the town of Dahlonega, Georgia which is a great small town where the Appalachian Trail begins. So this Spring a whole film crew descended on the town and fortunately for us they were incredibly supportive and hospitable.

"Christmas in the Smokies"

It's a Wonderful Movie: As the creator of a Christmas movie… Do you, perhaps, have a favorite Christmas Movie, that you enjoy watching every year?

Gary Wheeler: Like I said, I LOOOOVE Christmas movies… My three favorite are probably It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott version and the Muppets version are my two favorites)… Elf and Home Alone have to be right up there and we always try to show our kids The Nativity Story every year as well.

Filmmaker Gary Wheeler wears "ELF" t-shirt on set!

It's a Wonderful Movie: As VP of Original Movies at INSP, could you give us any hints – on what’s to come for future original TV movies on INSP, in 2016?

Gary Wheeler: It’s a very exciting time for INSP films! We are about to begin principal photography on our second film on location in Augusta, Georgia. INSP will air the U.S. television premiere of a slate of movies planned for 2016 and we’ll be sure to keep you and your readers informed with all the latest announcements. Stay tuned!

"Christmas in the Smokies" on set

It's a Wonderful Movie: Lastly, what do you hope viewers will take away from watching your INSP movie “Christmas in the Smokies”?

Gary Wheeler: I definitely hope that the film will be a bonding experience for families this year and years to come. It’s something that everyone can enjoy… I hope that viewers will remember to never give up and that no matter how bad things look, there is always hope!

Thank you, Gary, for having this "chat" with "It's a Wonderful Movie" today! I am thrilled to promote your movie "Christmas in the Smokies" with all of my followers! It sounds like a wonderful, hopeful, family film - and I am honored to share it here, where we also believe in the true hope and meaning of Christmas!

I also appreciate you sharing some excitement to come in 2016 - with the creation of more INSP films (thanks for the sneak peek!) and we will certainly look forward to hearing more details along the way! :)

After looking through on set photos, video clips, comments, etc... I must say,  it truly looks like you all had an amazing time filming this Christmas movie and when you have a beautiful story to tell - it certainly comes through to everyone on set!

It has been so nice to hear from you, Gary... and get this behind-the-scenes look at the first INSP feature film!

God's Blessings to You, my dear friends at INSP, and the entire Cast & Crew of "Christmas in the Smokies"!

Net, itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Everyone - be sure to Watch

Christmas in the Smokies

when it Premieres on INSP,

November 29th, 2015 at 8pm/7c.

 

See additional airings in the Christmas TV Schedule!

 

 

LINKS:

For even more information on Christmas in the Smokies-

visit the main movie webpage: http://christmasinthesmokiesmovie.com/
INSP webpage: http://www.insp.com/movies/christmas-in-the-smokies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christmasinthesmokiesmovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CITSMovie

INSP FILMS Present "CHRISTMAS IN THE SMOKIES"

It is my great joy to officially share with you today

the first Motion Picture produced by INSP Films:

"Christmas in the Smokies".

"Christmas in the Smokies" is a Holiday story that is appropriate for all ages. The INSP Television Network is a station you can always trust for family viewing, with touching dramas and series on their network about family, faith, and patriotism, which makes it an even greater honor for me to share and promote their film here today - with all of you! Be sure to watch the Video Clip - below!

In addition to a lovely farm setting in the Smoky Mountains, you will also recognize several well known Actors and Actresses in this new original INSP Christmas movie... which gives it that extra special sense of warm familiarity and coming home. After all, that is INSP's endearing tagline... "Welcome Home"!


MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: Christmas in the Smokies

Network: INSP

Original Air Date: November 29, 2015

CAST:

Sarah Lancaster ... Shelby Haygood
Alan Powell ... Mason Wyatt
Barry Corbin ... Wade Haygood
Jill Wagner ... Trisha Greene
Rebecca Koon ... Annie Haygood
Gregory Alan Williams ... Bud Walker
Brett Rice ... Ralph Baxter
Danny Vinson ... DJ Baley

PLOT:

via INSP PRESS RELEASE: "Christmas in the Smokies" tells the story of Shelby Haygood, a headstrong woman (Lancaster), who along with her loving and supportive parents (Corbin, and Rebecca Koon) finds herself on the verge of losing her family’s historic berry farm to an impending retail expansion. Over one eventful holiday season, she tries every avenue possible to save the farm, and her last hope is to throw a Christmas concert fundraiser, headlined by her former love, Mason Wyatt, a ne’er do well country music superstar with a track record of consistently disappointing Shelby. As the day of the concert approaches, they all must learn the value of family, faith, community and forgiveness before time runs out. INSP can be seen on Dish Network (channel 259), DirecTV (channel 364), Verizon FiOS (channel 286), AT&T U-verse (channel 564) and more than 2,800 cable systems.

Movie Review:

Christmas in the Smokies is as Americana, wholesome, and sweet as fresh baked Apple (or Blueberry!) Pie! From the very start you will be drawn into the story of the Haygood family, who is sadly on the verge of losing their farm right after Christmas. Their daughter Shelby, portrayed by actress Sarah Lancaster, is doggedly determined to do everything in her power not to let that happen. One small problem, however, has her a bit distracted and off her game, Country singing sensation Mason Wyatt, her old boyfriend who left town and broke her heart years ago, has suddenly returned. Shelby can only guess his reasons, while doing her best to guard and reason with own her heart, and focus on saving the family farm.

The casting overall for Christmas in the Smokies is top-notch terrific! The father, Wade Haygood, portrayed by actor Barry Corbin, (“Mountain Top”, “Shadow on the Mesa”) gives just the right spice of humor and realism to his boisterous character, while the Mother, Annie Haygood (actress Rebecca Coon, “The Notebook”, “A Different Kind of Christmas”) is in general soft spoken, but also resolute in protecting her family.

As I mentioned above, Sarah Lancaster (“Fir Crazy”, “Tis the Season for Love”) portrays the lead character, their daughter Shelby Haygood, who has a spark and spunk that matches her delightful best friend, Trisha Greene, (actress Jill Wagner, “Autumn Dreams”). With a little southern sass in both their voices, these two have some real fun scenes together!

Then, there is the famous country singer Mason Wyatt, portrayed by actor Alan Powell, (of “Where Hope Grows” and the TV series “Nashville”), who beautifully sings all of his character’s songs in the movie. Of course, every story must have an antagonist, a bad guy or villain, so to speak. In this instance, that character is Ralph Baxter, portrayed by actor Brett Rice (“Remember the Titans”), who is perfectly detestable and greedy in his desire to take over the Haygood farm.

Through all of the ups & downs of the Haygood’s struggles, Shelby’s father reminds her to hold tight to her faith and hope, and their belief of the child who was born in the manger.


See or Skip?:

See!

Christmas in the Smokies is an enriching story you will enjoy with your family year after year!

-Net, It’s a Wonderful Movie



Video Clip:



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