Shortly after the premiere of Season For Love this summer on the Hallmark Channel, I reached out to the writers of this film, Heather Provost and Scott Damian, and in so doing, I discovered they had also written A Joyous Christmas, part of the Hallmark Christmas programming on the Movies & Mysteries Network last year. Being the Hallmark supporter that I am, I did my best to work with them to get the interview up before too long, but their schedules and mine prevented it from being posted until now. So even though this talented writing team doesn’t have a new movie out for Christmas this year, many will still have the opportunity to watch their tremendous hit from last year. Additionally, they are working on something else for Hallmark, so I am happy to take the opportunity to highlight them today.
From Home & Family
RH: How did you get started in the entertainment business? Was it something you always wanted to do, or did it come along later?
HP: It was something I always wanted to do…from a very young age, I was a storyteller…it’s funny because one of the first stories I ever remember telling was about Christmas. I must’ve been about four or five…and my parents got it all on tape. I was explaining how this amazing woman named Mary was gonna have a very special baby, but there was no room at the hotel, so they made her go out back in the garage…lol…and I performed all of the characters and had a detailed description of the scene etc…so yes, I started very early. I studied the craft, got my degree in theatre and jumped right into it all feet first.
SD: As a severe stutterer for fifteen years, I found stories, either literature or movies, as a great way of escaping my impediment. Soon, I started dissecting stories and identified with specific characters who battled against the odds for a greater good. I think that was the genesis for a life devoted to telling stories that may inspire others like they inspired me.
Tell us a little bit about your early work in entertainment and any training you had for your career.
HP: I was a performer (singer, actor, dancer) for many years…had some incredible teachers and mentors growing up that helped set me on the path. My high school theater instructor, my voice teacher, my English teacher all really contributed to my early training and planted the seeds that a real career could be possible. Then I received my degree from Florida State University. As an actor, I worked professionally in musical theatre all over the country for a long time and then TV/film as well. Then I made the transition to producing, and I was producing on Broadway for a while, and decided I wanted to make movies and to tell stories through the medium of film and tv with writing, directing, and producing.
SD: Like Heather, I was an actor for many years. Through high school plays, I learned fluency on stage and thus got the bug. Trained in classical acting at The British American Dramatic Academy and regional theaters in New Orleans, I learned how to harness my voice and sharpen my acting chops. As an English major, I always knew I wanted to be a writer and direct those stories in a compelling way.
What was your first professional TV/film job and what are your memories of that job?
HP: Hmmm…let me think…oh I believe it was a commercial which ran all over the world for a big car company. It was an incredible experience and a little bit crazy because to this day, I remember the audition so specifically. It was a waiting room full of supermodels…and me. lol! I remember looking around at all of these really tall, perfect people and thinking, “Um…” lol! And then I asked myself, “What can I do that they can’t do?” And I thought, “I can do ‘me’…they can’t do that. I bet I can make those people in there laugh hard.” To this day, I always tell people, “No one can do what you do, and it’s either what they’re looking for that day, or it’s not. But they can’t do what you do, and you can’t do what they do.” So I went in, made the scene my own, thought outside the box with a little improv, and made everybody laugh. And I booked it. They flew me to Portugal to shoot, put me up at a beautiful hotel, treated me wonderfully…made me feel VERY fancy lol!
SD: This story is pretty unique and I devoted a chapter to it in my memoir, Voice: A Stutterer’s Odyssey. After an arduous audition process, I had my first two pager scene with James Caan in the hit show, Las Vegas. I played an internet pimp (my parents were very proud LOL). At the last minute, they changed the scene and my lines, which made me nervous and I was so scared about stammering on camera. James Caan eased my nerves and gave me the greatest advice, “Don’t let them tell you how to do it. Trust yourself, you know more than you think.”
How did the two of you end up partnering together? How long have you been a writing team?
SD: We met while performing in a Universal theme park show called “Spiderman Rocks.” From there, we formed a wonderful brother-sister friendship. Years later, I had an idea for a play called Coffee Stains, and I called Heather, who was producing shows on Broadway. This was 2009, I believe. When she was in LA, we developed the play that really brought us together as a team. From then on, we just jelled well as a writing, producing, directing team.
I believe your first Hallmark movie was last year’s A Joyous Christmas. What was the inspiration behind writing that film? How long was the process from inception to being greenlit and eventually filmed? Any memorable moments you would like to share?
SD: Heather and I wanted to touch on a theme that was a different Christmas movie where we explored how one small act of kindness can change lives…a ripple effect. From there, the story just came together. Working with the tremendous people at Hallmark, we developed the script before filming started in September of 2017. Visiting the set and watching the creative team work together so well was something that was truly memorable. They really brought the story to life, beyond our expectations.
HP: It was very important to us to show humans being good to other humans and how that can affect others. Working with the Hallmark team that we developed it with was just really special and memorable…talk about good humans. And being on set with the incredible cast and production team was magic. I think what was most memorable for me was that we have a group chat in my family–all the girls–and we always have big discussions about Hallmark movies, especially at Christmas. Non-stop…which ones are our favorites, “Are you watching right now?”, “Don’t forget to watch this one,” “I love this actress!”, etc…so to be able to first share the news with them that we were writing one in the line-up… and then to be able to watch and talk about it with them was pretty special. 🙂
Recently, you teamed up again for Season For Love for Hallmark. What was the inspiration for this, and again, how long was the process? Any memorable moments from this one?
SD: We wanted to come up with a story that reflected the true essence of summer. We thought BBQ and, then, Texas. From there, we asked how two high school sweethearts could find love again when competing against each other. Having the backdrop of Texas really helped progress our story forward in a hometown way. The film took months to develop with the Hallmark team, who were nothing short of insightful, fun, and supportive. Watching the chemistry between Marc Blucas and Autumn Reeser in the film was so memorable. They really elevated the characters beyond our expectations and brought so much life to the film.
With Autumn Reeser
HP: We really wanted to make food a central character with this one. We both come from families where coming together for meals is a staple, and it really kinda symbolizes that family love. Food gathers people. And it did so for the world and characters we created in Season for Love. What was memorable for me was how HUNGRY it made me while we were writing it. LOL.
Any other upcoming works you would like to share?
HP: We are currently working on another Christmas movie for Hallmark that we are really excited about! We also have a movie that opened in theaters in June and can now be seen on AmazonPrime and GooglePlay titled, Racing Colt. It’s not like our Hallmark work in that it’s an edgy, indie, dramedy.
From the set of Racing Colt
SD: We are also in pre-production for a thriller/horror film called Among. We’ve been developing the script for a number of years, and we will be filming in mid-2019. The film centers around a wedding party spending the night in an antebellum mansion where things go awry in a deadly way. We are really excited about this next project!
As a writing team, how do you go about writing these scripts together? How do your styles complement each other?
SD: We have a wonderful balance, especially when writing Hallmark movies. Our female/male perspectives help us carve out characters in an honest way. During our process, Heather would sometimes say, “No, she would not say this.” Or I would say, “He would actually say that.”
When we come up with an idea for a script, we will discuss it, brainstorm, map it out, outline and then put it on paper. Then we will go back and forth and fine-tune the script, whether face-to-face, Facetime, or through the phone. It’s a very fluid back and forth between each other.
HP: I think Scott nailed it when he mentioned the female/male perspective. I think that’s something that really works for us as a writing team. Also, respecting each other’s thoughts and opinions on the work we do is very important in how we operate.
From the set of A Joyous Christmas
Why do you think Hallmark has become so successful in recent years?
HP: I like to think and say that Hallmark is like a hug. A nice, warm hug. And I think people need hugs, especially in the current climate. Hallmark helped get me through the most difficult time in my life honestly…when my father passed away, I couldn’t even LOOK at Christmas, and then one day when I was really struggling emotionally during the holidays I put on a Hallmark Christmas movie and it made me smile for the first time in a while. And then I would watch another and another…it got me through a very tough time. Hallmark has really tapped into something special with their storytelling and something I really believe in as well: humans being good to other humans. It’s an honor to be associated with that because it’s important for us as a writing team to put good things out into the universe. And that aligns with everything Hallmark is. When someone watches one of our Hallmark movies, I want them to feel like it’s a hug from us.
SD: Hallmark is that unique brand where families can come together and watch a movie, and not worry about offensive matters. Hallmark movies are full of heart where anyone can identify with the characters and go along for the ride. In our present culture, we long for stories where there is optimism and positivity. Hallmark provides that and more.
In a business that is fraught with competition, how do you keep grounded and focused on your work even when things might not be going the way you had hoped?
HP: Faith. Faith that everything will always work out exactly the way it is supposed to. And to just always keep your eye on the prize and never taking your eye off of it. Putting the work in every single day that will get you TO that prize. Yoga, meditation, and prayer help keep my brain grounded. I think having the incredible support of my boyfriend, family, and friends is key as well; they’re the foundation that helps to always keep me believing anything is possible.
SD: Several years ago, I reached out to one of my favorite TV writers and asked him, “What’s your secret to writing?” And he simply said, “You just keep writing.” I always found so much validation and empowerment in those simple four words. Writing is a muscle that must be used every day. And when you find the joy in that of discovering and improving yourself, you then find a sense of purpose which drowns out the pessimism.
Are there any charitable causes that you feel strongly about and/or actively support?
HP: I feel strongly about anything and everything involving animals. I’ve helped raise money for specific organizations, donated, helped to find homes for shelter animals. All of it. If I could rescue allllll the animals that would be a dream come true. My boyfriend and I have two rescue cats at home and I look at them every day and I think, “Who really rescued who?” They bring me so much joy. Also, I just recently attended an event for War Child USA, so I’m looking forward to getting more involved with that organization.
There is no doubt that Heather and Scott appear to be the writers to watch as they continue to create entertaining films with heart that genuinely connect with the viewers. I am so glad that circumstances brought them together in the way that they did, and I hope for plenty more films from them as they proceed to collaborate across the genres. I hope that everyone will make an effort to look up their Hallmark films (especially A Joyous Christmas, which happens to be a memorable favorite of mine) as well as their other works, if so inclined. Moreover, if you are interested in checking out their links below, you will find their photos and information quite timely and fascinating. I am honored to have connected with them, and as Heather mentioned to me towards the end of our interview, I look forward to our next chat as they maintain this inspiring and successful partnership!
FOLLOW HEATHER
Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard
FOLLOW SCOTT
