Jen Lilley has been in numerous Christmas motion pictures over time, however are you aware which a type of movies holds the title of her “favourite challenge thus far?”
That film is ‘A Paris Christmas Waltz,” which is premiering on Nice American Pure Flix October 17.
Lilley performs Emma, a lady who’s considering life’s subsequent steps after quitting her job. When she meets Leo (“Glee” star Matthew Morrison), knowledgeable dancer who’s on the lookout for an newbie companion, the 2 crew up for an opportunity to comb all of Paris off its ft.
Let’s take a deeper look into how each of those wonderful actors ready for his or her roles on this Nice American Unique Christmas film.
Jen and Matthew Study Easy methods to Ballroom Dance
It’s not straightforward to make a ballroom dancing film when the 2 lead actors don’t truly know easy methods to ballroom dance. However thanks to 2 straight weeks of dance rehearsals earlier than filming began, Lilley and Morrison crushed the movie’s dance scenes.
“I believe it will virtually be simpler if I did not know easy methods to dance going into this,” stated Morrison, who’s educated in ballet, faucet and jazz. “I needed to unlearn plenty of stuff that I knew as a result of ballroom and Latin are so completely different and such completely different counterpoints and timings and stuff, so it was actually difficult to unlearn. However then as soon as I obtained it, it was such a sense of accomplishment… It was additionally particular simply having two weeks of simply dance rehearsals earlier than we even began taking pictures. It actually constructed up the chemistry between her and I and going into it.”
That after all, didn’t make it any simpler for the duo, who needed to shoot a very tough waltz scene with world champion ballroom dancers. Evidently, they have been a bit of intimidated.
“They have been nonetheless correcting my body whereas I used to be there,” Lilley revealed in a behind-the-scenes video.
“I used to be watching the digicam playback and these waltzers would go by the digicam completely framed…after which we come again like trotting like horses,” Morrison added, laughing.
Lilley was particularly challenged with the dancing and even spent early mornings at dwelling engaged on her type and rehearsing. Ultimately, her exhausting work paid off.
“I’ve by no means been extra pleased with a challenge I’ve labored on, and that’s saying quite a bit,” she wrote on Instagram after filming wrapped. “The dancing challenged me past perception, and we did it! (I positively cried after our large finale dance tears of aid and pleasure and gratitude and satisfaction). This film will transfer your hearts and fill you with a lot pleasure.”
Can You Say Triple Risk?
Do you know that along with their excellent appearing and dancing, Lilley and Morrison additionally sing in “A Paris Christmas Waltz”?
That’s proper, whereas Morrison’s music background is well-known from his days on “Glee” and on Broadway, Lilley’s musical chops have been a enjoyable shock for a lot of who didn’t know that the beloved actress is additionally a singer who launched her newest album in 2020.
One of many songs the duo recorded was a model of “We Want You a Merry Christmas,” which you may get a style of the behind-the-scenes video under.
The duo even posted an impromptu take of “The Approach You Look Tonight” to the delight of followers on social media.
“Make an album collectively please,” one fan wrote.
“Love your voices and your dancing was lovely,” one other stated.
“I believe [the film] actually harkens again to, you already know, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, prefer it was simply so traditional,” Lilley stated in a 2023 interview. “I imply, to me, it was what you’d anticipate with a reputation like Nice American Household, like Nice American Christmas, it simply hearkens again to all the pieces, the film business in Hollywood.”
Christmas Pleasure — And a Lot of Enjoyable.
And if the dancing and singing weren’t sufficient to persuade you stream “A Paris Christmas Waltz” on Nice American Pure Flix beginning October 17, simply know there’s one thing additional magical about this particular movie.
Not solely did the solid and crew have a blast filming on website in Paris and Romania, however the entire movie actually captures the sweetness, surprise, and pleasure of Christmas.
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“The cinematography on this film is so lovely,” Lilley stated. “I simply hope that this film turns into a film that individuals go to each single vacation.”
“It’s shifting. It’s romantic. It’s wistful. It’s joyful,” Morrison added. “I believe it can convey a lot love and cheer and happiness into your private home.”
Mark your calendar and you should definitely stream “A Paris Christmas Waltz” on Nice American Pure Flix beginning October 17! Not a member? Join your free 7-day trial in the present day.