I am not certain when Neill Fearnley arrived on my radar, but my guess would be that When Calls the Heart caused me to seriously notice and appreciate his work. Many of the actors would rave about him, and when he directed all four Garage Sale Mystery films for August’s big event last year, I became cognizant of his expertise. And when my friend Sebastian Spence spoke highly of him, I grew excited about the prospect of possibly interviewing him one day. When I journeyed to Vancouver last fall and discovered that Neill was to be the tour guide for my group’s set tour, I was literally ecstatic! I took the opportunity to ask him for an interview, and after agreeing, we exchanged information so that I could follow-up. Now that When Calls the Heart has officially begun its season five programming, I am finally at liberty to share this extraordinarily talented and profoundly humble man with all of my readers!

RH: Why did you decide to pursue a career in film/TV? What kind of training did you receive for this career?

NF: I have wanted to be in this business for as long as I can remember. Seriously. Since I was at least five. Back then I thought it was the actors who did everything, so I thought I’d follow that path. However, once I began to understand how much was involved, I branched out.

In High School, I made films that I wrote, produced, directed… and yes, acted in, with those friends I could coerce. Shot them on my Dad’s 8mm camera. I knew I wanted to go to film school, but I needed thirty words a minute typing skills where I was applying. Boys didn’t take typing back then; you had to take some kind of metal or woodworking course. So I sat down with the Principal and convinced him to let me drop shop and get into typing. Took some ribbing for that, but I wasn’t letting that stand in my way.

What was your first professional job in the business? What are your memories of that job?

While in Film School, I worked at a Cable TV station. Don’t know if they still do it, but back then they were required to put on community programming, so I got to do little shows for them. Out of University, I got a job at CKVU here in Vancouver. It’s CITY-TV now. Got to direct a live two-hour Variety show called VANCOUVER for a while. I transferred to the Commercial Department at the station after a while and cut my teeth making single camera spots for local companies. After a year of that, I formed an independent Commercial Production house with two of my fellow employees. Ran that for five years.  About three years in, I applied to direct The Beachcombers and was lucky enough to get an assignment. I was directing commercials, The Beachcombers , Danger Bay and a show called Hamilton’s Quest, when the Americans opened up shop here with 21 Jumpstreet. The Director’s Guild put up local directors for consideration and the Producers of that show liked my work enough to give me an assignment as their first local hire. So I left the commercial business and have been pretty much directing US television ever since.

Memories, hm…okay. On Hamilton’s Quest, a low-budget CTV series shot in Calgary that only lasted a year, I had a scene that required a chase through a carnival mid-way. We had no budget and so it was going to look really hokey, but I realized that the Calgary Stampede was opening on the last day of our filming schedule. So I convinced the Producers to get them to allow us into the fairgrounds opening day and got into the mid-way with 50,000 free extras and shot a fantastic chase scene. Cut to the US producers of Jumpstreet looking at the reels of local directors and up comes my scene which looked like we’d spent a ton of money on a really cool sequence and that scene got me a gig on the show. You never know what’s going to be the thing that works.

You’ve been a director on some incredible shows (non-Hallmark) over the years. What are some of your most memorable ones? Why do they stand out specifically?

Leo Award
Haunting Hour

Oh wow, what stands out? Most recently, The Haunting Hour. Awesome because it was an anthology, so every week we were shooting a brand new short film. Got five Emmy Nominations and won four Leo’s with eleven nominations for that. So much fun

Witchblade, a really awesome, way-ahead-of-its-time, female-centric, superhero show. Only ran two years, but fabulous to work on. I really got to play visually with the medium.

A movie based on Robin Williams’ time on Mork & Mindy, probably the best film I’ve directed. NBC, the Network that made it, approached me to specifically put my style on it and basically stayed out of the way. A rare experience. But really, so many others. I have been most fortunate.

From what I can tell, your first Hallmark work was Daniel’s Daughter. What was special/memorable about that film (it’s still a huge fan favorite)?

Daniel’s Daughter

I think you are right, that is my first Hallmark film. Great fun. Got to work with Sebastian {Spence} on that one. We were shooting in Toronto and had to make it look like New York and Ireland, so that was both a challenge and blast to figure out. There is a sequence in that film that is still on my reel.

From that moment on, you have become one of the well-known Hallmark directors for the network with many shows and movies in your credits. What do you appreciate the most about working for Hallmark?

Cedar Cove

I must say I have been really lucky here. Hallmark’s brand is pretty unique in the marketplace. These are warm-hearted, thoroughly endearing tales I really enjoy telling. And as they have ventured beyond movies and into series, I feel truly privileged to have been along for the ride; first on Cedar Cove and now on a show I love to direct, When Calls the Heart. Now, this is a show I hope runs for a very long while. The cast, the crew, the locations. Every day is a blast.

Last year, you directed all four Garage Sale Mystery movies which premiered in the month of August. What was it like directing all four of those films, and how did you and the rest of the cast and crew keep your energy level up as you did all four movies in a row like that?

That was a challenge, yes, but it is such a good team. It was tiring to pull all four off back to back, but what a great cast and crew. You know, in the end, it’s all about approaching the work, and the people you work with, joyously and respectfully. When you do, people rise to the occasion. We had such fun doing them. Fine, halfway through the fourth, we were looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, but even so, that one was probably our best, so I know we never dropped the ball. Okay, maybe once or twice, but we usually caught it after the first bounce.

How did you get connected with the show When Calls the Heart? What do you remember about directing your first episode with the cast/crew? Why do you think this show resonates with audiences so much?

I was up in Nelson holidaying when I got a call that the Producers wanted to interview me, so I flew back for the day. Walking into that town for the first time to meet them, I knew I wanted in, and fortunately, they liked me enough to give me an episode. Just getting to film a period piece like this is thrilling. And I think that, in and of itself, is why it resonates with the audience too. There is really nothing else like it on TV at the moment. Those characters, in that place, working together to help each other. What’s not to love?

Can you tell us how many episodes of season five When Calls the Heart you directed? Without revealing too much, was there a special episode or moment that stands out from this upcoming season?

I directed four episodes and the Christmas Movie this year. Usually, I direct six episodes if we don’t shoot a Christmas special, but last year and this, we added the movie. This is a really exciting season, but my lips are sealed. All I will say is that two of the episodes I got to direct this year are my favourites so far.

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

Well, currently I’m on Garage Sale again for the next cycle. We are doing five this year, but I am only taking on three of them. Trying to save my energies for When Calls the Heart Season 6!

Garage Sale Mystery cameo

You sometimes make a cameo in the films you direct. Any special cameo appearance that really stands out? 

I don’t know if any one of the cameos stands out. It goes back to being that kid who wanted to get into this business to act.

I like to get in front of the camera to remind myself how challenging that work is. I think all directors should put themselves through it once in a while. It is humbling. And I’m a ham.

Directing has been your focus all these years. Do you plan to do any writing?

I have been developing a couple of things recently with my son, who wants to be a writer. Mostly I let him do that work though. Between acting, writing and directing, I think my focus has been the correct one.

I do notice you have done some producing as well. What do you enjoy about being a part of the production team?

The best part of being part of the producing team, especially on When Calls the Heart, is getting to help assist in the bigger picture, beyond a single episode, and to get to be part of shaping the ongoing story.

For those who may wish to consider becoming a director in today’s world of entertainment, what would be your advice?

Don’t listen to all the voices who will tell you you can’t do it and that you’re reaching too high. I didn’t, and there were lots of those voices. Someone once said, “the entertainment business is impossible to get into, yet people do it every day.” Remember that every time a door slams in your face. Take hold of the handle, turn it, and walk through.

When you have some down time, what do you like to do for fun and/or to unwind?

I’m learning to fly. I like woodworking and pen and ink sketching. Reading a good book. Cooking. But I really love just hanging out with my wife and talking up a storm, exploring ideas. We can do that for hours.

The remarkable characteristic of this particular interview is that after actually meeting and interacting with Neill in person, I can undeniably state that what you have read in this brief but informative interview is exactly the Neill to whom I was exposed last fall during my set tour. He is a veritable fount of knowledge concerning the business of film and TV, and since he has been there from the inception of Vancouver’s entrance into the US film/TV market, he possesses a wealth of anecdotes he could share. And if given the opportunity, I would consider it a delectable treat to sit down and listen to him share at uninterrupted length about each and every experience within his exceptional career. But then again, I am a student of history who finds tales of the entertainment industry perpetually fascinating.

Another thing I appreciate about Neill is that not only is he knowledgeable (as well as successful), but he has not permitted notoriety and achievement to change the man he intrinsically is. While actors can be perceived as arrogant, rude, and immodest, I’ve observed the antics of directors who can almost take vanity to a whole new level in terms of their perceived importance and vitality. Thankfully, Neill is not of that persuasion, which makes him by far one of the best, most sought-after directors in the business today. He doesn’t accomplish his purposes through shouting matches, exorbitant demands or hauteur. Instead, in his calm, disarming way, Neill accomplishes his objectives through mutual respect, inventive approaches, and servant leadership. No wonder everyone who works with Neill can scarcely wait for the opportunity to work with him again.

Therefore, if you are not watching When Calls the Heart season five every Sunday evening on the Hallmark Channel (or the Super Channel, if you are in Canada), I am baffled as to why you’d even consider missing one of the best shows on planet earth! I would suggest you tune in and/or catch up as soon as possible, and at the same time, consider checking out all of Neill’s links below. While Neill’s career has been extensive and prosperous, there is no doubt in my mind that he is only going to become even more entrenched within the Hallmark community as the months and years pass. Moreover, I earnestly hope that Neill doesn’t retire for a very long time! He is well on his way to becoming a modern-day legend (if he isn’t already, that is), and I eagerly await his current and future projects!

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