Did you know that (in)courage is part of DaySpring, and DaySpring is part of Hallmark? Our very own Anna E. Rendell was invited to visit the set of the 2024 DaySpring Original Hallmark Christmas movie, and you’re going to love this behind-the-scenes peek at what she learned!

I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I’ve seen hundreds of them. My husband just hands over the remote control from October through December. I’ve written devotions about them, and my calendar includes movie premieres highlighted in red and green.

So it was an actual dream come true, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure last fall when I was invited to on the set of a DaySpring original Hallmark Christmas movie, Following Yonder Star, during filming!

God showed up throughout the whole experience on set – and not just because it’s a beautiful movie about faith.

Here are a few ways I saw God while on the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

1. Everyone on the crew has a specifically chosen role to play.

Each person on the set was incredibly talented, and each one had been hired specifically for certain tasks. We spoke to the lighting director for twenty minutes as he effused about how he could create “movie magic” with a few adjustments of lights. It was fascinating. We met a woman whose job was Continuity. She sat with a printed script and pencil in hand, writing notes on each take so that the next one could appear seamless. For instance, in the film, if you see a coffee cup on a table, she’s the one who makes sure that cup still appears in the frame during another shot. She told us she’s “saved” dozens of movies with her catches! We saw one person whose entire job was to place fake snow in the places where snow would’ve naturally fallen, were a lovely light snowfall happening. And another whose task was creating all the fake snow piles by pouring frothy soap out of a long hose, which was connected to a massive vat on a truck!

From the lighting to the continuity, the snow placers to the screen testers, the leads and the backgrounds to the producers and caterers… Everyone on set had a very specific job with customized direction. If they didn’t do that job, no one else would, and then it wouldn’t happen, and neither would the film. Yep. Truly. That’s how much each one matters!

It reminded me deeply of the body working together for the good of the Kingdom, and how the way we are each made is so very purposeful. We all have certain gifts, talents, callings, and quirks that make us light up with joy. Our passions can help propel us to who we are made to be. We saw that come to life on this set.

2. What’s happening offscreen matters even more than what’s captured on camera.

When we watch a movie, we see one tiny zoomed-in fraction of the action that’s happening on set. From the minute they yell “Cut!”, the whole set explodes with action. Everyone springs up to fulfill their role as they adjust lighting, reset props, consider continuity notes, fix makeup, fuss with snow, practice lines, offer food, warm hands, advise background, and more. The flurry lasts for several minutes before you hear the word “Action!”. All 200 people on set are thinking of the viewers and working together toward the goal of their experience.

It’s not unlike our own lives. There is always more happening outside of the curated frame we let people see. Whether it’s the script we’re trying to write for our own lives, or what we share on social media, or the glimpses we give to others of how we’re really doing, people only see what we share with them. And knowing what’s happening behind the scenes can deeply enrich the detail and beauty found inside the frame.

3. Every angle offers a different perspective.

One of the gifts of my time on set was a special meal with the producers, director, and lead actors. One evening, we all walked through a lit path in the forest and sat down to a stunning dinner cooked over a campfire – real-life Hallmark movie magic! Among other delightful conversations that evening, we talked about the director’s unique filming style. He pays attention to and considers every angle before setting up the scene with multiple cameras and angles to film in a succession of widest, closer, and closest shots. This style adds a depth to the movie, and the actors get to build their emotions to the close-up of their face (the one we see right before it goes to commercial!).

We, too, can consider all the angles around us, using them to help us create a richer, deeper, more meaningful life. And God has a way of helping us sift through the noise, helping us to zoom in and make the big picture clearer.

4. Kindness and love are what make the best movies.

From the moment we stepped foot on set, we were met with deep kindness. Every person we spoke with was happy to be doing what they loved and thrilled to share it with us. The pride each person took in their work was evident in each and every detail. And all needs were met, often before they were spoken. Coats were offered, coffee was procured, food was ordered, feedback was received, and ears to listen were made available.

The hearts of the people are what made this movie so wonderful. From the writers’ script to the lighting curated and customized for each shot, the props meticulously chosen for each angle of every scene to the actors who brought it all to life, and every detail in between. . . the faith, hope, and love of God shines through.

And that’s all from only a couple of days spent on set! There were countless experiences of joy and delight – as a Hallmark movie fan seeing the magic come to life off screen, and as a Hallmark employee seeing the good work that we do presented to the wider world.

The director shared with us that his goal with Following Yonder Star was to “infuse heart and humor” into the film, and that is exactly what he and the entire crew did. From the opening scene to the ending credits, this movie is full of sheer joy, humor, and heart.

I know when you tune in and watch the movie, you’ll feel the love I felt behind the scenes; it comes through the camera to create something very special. You’ll love Following Yonder Star.

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