Visiting Christmas TV History!

Today is my day at ChristmasTVHistory.com! If you are not familiar with it, it's a web-site created by author Joanna Wilson - where she shares all about Christmas Entertainment! It has become an annual tradition each July for her to host a *Christmas in July party* where everyone is invited to take part by answering questions in a Christmas Questionnaire... and then, each day one person is highlighted with all of their favorites and today was designated as my day to share!

ChristmasTVHistory.com


Some of the 5 Questions asked were...

Who's your Favorite Santa (from any TV episode, special or movie)?

Do you enjoy watching Christmas entertainment year round?

If you were to be stranded on an island, what three Christmas movies, specials, or episodes would you like to have with you?

... and MORE!!!

Great questions, huh? Check out mine and lots of other great responses at:

ChristmasTVHistory.com!

Exclusive Interview with Ella Ballentine, Actress from Hallmark Christmas Movie!

I am happy to share with you all...

Our Interview with Ella Ballentine,
young Actress from the Hallmark Channel Movie,
“Baby's First Christmas”

 
(---"It's a Wonderful Movie" Exclusive Interview---)

1. ) Congratulations, Ella, on being chosen as part of the cast, in the upcoming Hallmark Channel movie, “Baby's First Christmas”. We are so thrilled to do this interview with you. Please tell us a little about yourself, Ella – how old are you & when did you become involved in acting?

I am 11 years old now, but I played this role when I was 10. I always loved to act, but I became serious about it when I was chosen to play a role in the Mirvish production's The Railway Children over a year ago. I began taking dance lessons when I was 4, and loved performing on the stage.


2. ) Is “Baby's First Christmas” your first Movie?

“Baby's First Christmas” is my first movie, but I have done some short films in the past.


3. ) Now that you are in a Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie, do you, perhaps, have a favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie that you watch every year?

I'm always looking forward to Christmas for many reasons, but also because my family and I sit down and watch many movies together. This year is the first time we will see all the Hallmark Christmas movies that will come out.


4.)  How did you find out that you were chosen for the movie, “Baby's First Christmas”?

I was invited to audition, then I received a callback and after that we got an e-mail from my agent, saying that I was chosen to play the part. When I found out, I was very excited.


5.) Could you tell us a little about Karen, your character in “Baby's First Christmas”?

Karen is a young kid who is just like any other girl at her age. She gets excited for nailpolish and animals, but when it comes to serious stuff, she seems to understand the world of the adults. She helps her uncle and aunt on a little adventure, and she is looking forward for the arrival of her new baby brother.




Casper Van Dien, Rachel Wilson, Natalie Lisinska, Noah Cappe, and Ella Ballentine
in Hallmark Channel's "Baby's First Christmas"
Image via: Eva Ballentine

 
6.) Were there other actors/actresses that you were excited to work with in “Baby's First Christmas”?

I was excited to work with everyone. I thought Casper Van Dien, Art Hindle, Patrick Gallagher, and Noah Cappe were very funny. During breaks they always had some knock knock jokes or entertained me with singing or other silliness. Rachel Wilson, Donna Belleville and Natalie Lisinska were very kind, and always looked out for me. They all made me feel very special.



Ella Ballentine
at Ballet
Competition
Image: Imdb


7. ) Do you have any other hobbies or interests you would like to share with us, besides acting?

I really love to dance and sing. I also enjoy biking, playing with my dog Molly, and baking.


8. ) Does anyone help you – run through your lines? What role does your family play in your acting career?

My mom usually runs lines with me. My dad and sister give lots of support. My dog sometimes will interrupt me memorizing my lines with a couple of kisses!


9.) Do you have a favorite scene in “Baby's First Christmas”?



Rachel Wilson, Ella Ballentine,
Casper Van Dien,
and director Jonathan Wright.
Image: Eva Ballentine



All scenes were special. I loved acting in them all. But one that I think is very nice was a scene where my character Karen, and her uncle, Kyle (Casper Van Dien) are in the hospital while Karen's mom is in labour, sitting on the floor chatting away. In this scene I had to eat some candies. I am not really a candy person, and we had several takes of me eating candy. That wasn't too much fun, however, I just thought it was a really special scene between Karen and her uncle.

10.) On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the best!), how would you rate your experience, overall, on making “Baby's First Christmas”?

I would give it a 9.4 because I think it was so fun, but I had to wear a winter coat in the summer heat, so you can imagine.


Also, as we close, do you have a web-site or social media site where fans can follow you?

I do have a Twitter account, Ella Ballentine that my mom does with me, and I am on IMDB, where there is my biography.


Ella Ballentine
"Baby's First Christmas"
Image: Hallmark
Crown Media



Thank you very much for doing an interview with me. I hope your readers will all will watch Baby's First Christmas, and maybe post a feedback about it on your site.

Ella

(---End of Interview---)



Thank You so much, Ella, for sharing your Movie Experience with us and taking the time to answer these questions. Also, a very special Thank You to Ella's Mother, Eva, for all of your help with this interview + pictures, too! I hope everyone enjoyed reading Ella's responses and will also enjoy the new Hallmark Channel Movie, "Baby's First Christmas", this Christmas and many Christmas Seasons to come!

May you all enjoy your next Family Movie Night,

Net

*See the Baby's First Christmas page for more Movie Details!


-------------------------------------
*Pictures via Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks, IMDB.com, and Eva Ballentine.

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA - Quiz #1 (scroll down below)

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA - Quiz #1

This is a fun little trivia Quiz - where you can test your Christmas Movie knowledge! Have fun and be sure to post your score in the Comments section below!

1. In "A Season for Miracles", What does Officer Blair give Alanna & J.T. that makes J.T. talk?

Christmas Wreath
Christmas Lights
An Angel


2. In "All I Want for Christmas", What do Hallie and her Mother do together every Christmas Season?

Christmas Shopping
See the Nutcracker
Ice Skating


3. In "Miracle on 34th Street", What fairytale does Mr. Gailey tell Susan?

Jack and the Bean Stalk
Little Red Riding Hood
Goldilocks and the Three Bears


4. In "A Boyfriend for Christmas", What is Douglas Firwood's real name?

Ryan
Neil
Ted


5. In "Meet me in St. Louis", What did Agnes want for Christmas?

Ice Skates
Hunting Knife
a Sled


6. In "It's a Wonderful Life", What is the address of the old Granville House?

77 Bedford
320 Sycamore
1482 Hemlock


7. In "A Christmas Romance", What do the girls help their Mother bake, to sell?

Christmas Cookies
Pies
Fruitcake


8. In "Frosty the Snowman", What is the name of the Rabbit in the Magic Hat?

Abracadabra
Hocus Pocus
Velveteen


9. In "The Santa Clause", Who is Charlie's favorite Reindeer?

Comet
Prancer
Dasher


10. Who directs the Peanuts Christmas Play?

Linus
Lucy
Charlie Brown

Hope you enjoyed this Quiz.

After you click Submit below and see you quiz result - please hit the back button and share your score in the comments below!

20 Questions for Period Drama Week at Elegance of Fashion

It is Period Drama Week over at Elegance of Fashion from Sept 4th-10th. She has asked many of us to participate by answering these questions below on our blogs.


So, here goes... hope I won't leave anything out!



1. How did you get into period dramas?


My Mother, Sister, and I first began watching Anne of Green Gables many years ago ... and then, we were hooked!

2. What is it that you like about period dramas?

Everything - the way they dress, speak, and behave.

3. Do you usually read a book and then watch the adaptation or do you watch the adaptation and then read the book?

Just depends... I love to read - sometimes I read it before - sometimes after. Either way, it's fun to see how close the movie is or isn't to the original story

4. What are your top three period dramas and why?


Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables - all are beautiful stories about family and love

5. From those three period dramas that you picked, who are your favorite characters in each one?

Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Shirley

6. Which author do you like the adaptations of their works best?

Jane Austen

7. Which period drama characters are the funniest to you (Keep it under three)?

(Hmmmm, still thinking...Any Suggestions???)

8. Which period drama characters are the most annoying (Keep it under three)?

Jane Fairfax, Mr. Elton, Mrs. Elton


9. Which period drama characters are in your top three?

Emma, Knightley, Anne Shirley, and Gilbert Blythe (I squeezed in one more!)

10. When you watch period dramas, what is it that you pay the closest attention to (ie. costuming, scenery, etc.)?

Relationships and witty conversations - I try to catch every detail!

11. Which period drama which you haven't seen yet do you most want to watch? (Suggested by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm)

Hmmm.... Maybe the Mandie Movie Series

12. Which period drama has the prettiest soundtrack or background music? (Suggested by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm)

Emma (both versions! However, the New 2009 is even better!).... I have all the Soundtracks and it is absolutely Beautiful !!!


13. Which period drama has your favourite screenplay/script? Why? (e.g if it is similar to the original text, if there is one, or if it has been improved in some ways) (Suggested by Abby from Newly Impassioned Soul)

Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and Love Comes Softly - all follow the books fairly close.

14. Do you like having multiple versions of some period dramas? Do some period dramas need a newer version? Or are the older versions better? (Suggested by Abby from Newly Impassioned Soul)

Yes, I love a variety of movie versions.... that way I can choose my favorite!

I personally think we need a new Persuasion Movie (by Jane Austen). It's time it receives a new upgrade. My apologies to the actresses, but I would like someone else to portray Anne Elliott. I adored the book, but not the movies, thus far.

15. "What is the longest period drama you've seen?" (Suggested by Charity U from Austenitis)

Perhaps Mini-series like Cranford, Wives & Daughters, Pride and Prejudice, or Buccaneers, or maybe even Anne of Green Gables & Anne of Avonlea.


16. Who are your favourite actors/actresses from period drama? (Suggested by Maria Grazia from A friendly meeting place to read and discuss anything Austen...)

Definitely Megan Follows as Anne Shirley and Romola Garai as Emma and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet

17. Do you prefer watching a regular-length movie or a more in-depth mini-series? Why?(Suggested by Melody from Regency Delight)

Either.... as long as they are good. Mini -series are wonderful though - because the story we are enjoying will go on even longer...

18. What period drama has one of your favorite actors/actresses in it?' (Suggested by Miss Raquel from God's Daughter)

Anne of Green Gables - Megan Follows

19. Which heroine from which movie was your least favorite? Why? (Suggested by Jen Corkill)

Anne Elliott - Persuasion

20. Which three period dramas are your least favorite? (Okay, I added in that one, but it was inspired from Jen Corkill's suggestion)

Based on movies I've seen vs. the original books- Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Love's Abiding Joy


Thank you for reading along...


I have enjoyed answering these questions and if you would like to participate, too... be sure to take a step back in time and visit the web-site : Elegance of Fashion!







God bless you all...