Even though the Hallmark movie The Bridge may not be my all-time favorite movie on the network, I must say that the most special thing about the movie is that it introduced me to the great Jaime Callica. From the moment I saw him in that film, I became a champion of his works. Through all the ups and downs of his career over the past few years, I am honored to be a part of his circle of supporters and friends. And recently, Hallmark viewers got to see him in a new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Christmas movie (his first!) called Memories Of Christmas. In spite of his busy schedule (and mine), I am honored now to be able to present our recent chat with my readers.

PC: diamondpointphotos

RH: Jaime, it is so good to get to talk with you again! And to finally meet you.

JC: Ruth, it is always a joy to chat with you. And I’m glad we finally met as well.

You’ve had some exciting stuff going on lately.

Yeah, November was a bit of a challenge for me, to be honest. I was actually being called the “Hold King.” I was on hold for so many different projects, and of course, that happens all the time in this business. But sometimes when you get released, it’s the worst timing. When you audition and don’t get a callback, that’s just par for the course. But when you audition and get a callback, then you’re hopeful. But then when you audition, get a callback, and then get put on hold or you’re shortlisted for a role, you know that basically, it’s boiling down to them picking between you and one or two other people maximum. When you’re on hold and then released, it’s tough.

In November, that is what happened to me with a show I really hoped to be a part of. It was a big network show, and it really looked like it was going to be me in this role. Everything was pointing to me getting this role. Well, as it happens, I had another audition a few weeks ago, and right before the audition, I got released from one of the two jobs I was on hold for. It was hard to have that happen, but the show I was really hoping to be on still had me on hold. I went through this new audition, and when I got out of the audition, I found out I was released from the show I really wanted to be on. So I admit that I was really sad for a couple of weeks. I mean the one I really wanted to be on…it could have been a career-maker for me.

But as often happens, another opportunity came up, and now I am a part of this new show called The InBetween. And this one, which premieres on NBC in January, looks like it’s gonna have some promise.

You know, I’ve been hearing about this show. I think I know some other actors who have either joined the cast or have gone out for it. I recognize some of the people on the cast list.

Yeah, it’s pretty amazing. The show I lost out on was an NBC show, and it’s almost like God was saying, “Hey, buddy, don’t worry. I have something coming for you. Don’t worry.” And lo and behold, it ended up being the exact same network that was doing this show too.

Well, I’m so pleased for you, Jaime! And I’m glad we’re not going to have to wait too long to see it since it starts airing in January. We’ll just hope that it takes off and does well. That’s always the hope.

Exactly. Now my character on this one…you know, it’s funny. I never really have characters that…with the exception of a movie we’ll talk about in a moment, I haven’t had a lot of characters where I couldn’t say much, but this one I definitely can’t say much. In fact, the executive producer and I chatted a bit about my role, and he told me exactly what to expect in the episodes that were yet to be shot. And I was like, “Wow!” So I can’t say too much about my character except that it’s going to be completely different from anything that you guys have ever seen from me thus far.

That already excites me, Jaime! And it must excite you too to be playing something so totally different.

Oh, man, I’m so excited to get the next script so I can see the arc, the evolution of what’s to come. Each episode is going to bring such exposure to what’s coming. You’re not gonna know what’s going to be happening, but every episode is going to feel different.

Well, you can count on me watching you in the show, Jaime. And how cool that you are entering this time of year knowing that you have a series that is going to be airing on a major network.

Oh, yeah. I always love getting to do all these great made-for-TV movies, and there’s also something special about getting to be a recurring character on a series too. The last time I was in a series, it was Lifetime’s UnREAL. And now joining this NBC show…what an amazing opportunity for any actor!

I think I’ve mentioned one of my buddies, Birch, and how every January we get together and we write our personal goals and our business career goals. He’s an aspiring actor as well, and we know that we have no control over the career goals. So I went through my career goals: commercial, lead on a feature, so on and so forth. The one piece that was missing that I was pretty confident that I was not going to get was a recurring role on a network show. And to get that in the final hours when there’s really no more casting to be done for 2018…I’ve been smiling since I got cast.

And in addition to booking The InBetween, I booked another Hallmark. It’s called The Ruby Herring Mysteries. I’m in a supporting role on that film, and because it’s a murder mystery, everybody’s a suspect. I play a police officer who is first on the scene. So when the person gets murdered, I’m the first person there. Booking that was awesome, and I didn’t even know it was Hallmark when I booked it. But now that makes movie number five with the network, so I’m pretty happy about that. I see it as a way of solidifying my place in their family, and no matter whether my part is big or small, I’m just happy to be there.

My understanding is that they expect for this one to be the first in a series of films, and because you are playing a police officer, if they do more as they plan on, there’s a good chance they might ask you back.

Oh, Ruth, that would be awesome! I hope it happens. I’d love to come back. I’ll just throw it out there. If they need a cop for any more Ruby Herring Mysteries, I’m happy to do it. I’d love to come back and be the first police officer on the scene every time.

Now, Hallmark fans got to see you in a Christmas movie that aired earlier this month on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Behind-the-scenes Memories Of Christmas

Yes, Memories of Christmas with Christina Milian.

I cannot even tell you how much I know people are going to enjoy your role, Jaime. If you remember, it’s the same network as your first Hallmark movie, The Bridge. And the number of subscribers on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has increased dramatically since then.

Well, that’s good to know. I know there’s been some great Christmas movies this year. It wasn’t too long ago that I happened to watch Poinsettias For Christmas with my buddy, Marcus {Rosner}. Was that Hallmark?

No, that was actually Lifetime, but I know, it could have easily been Hallmark.

I always stop and watch his movies when I happen to see him because we took classes together way back when. I mean, he was the cowboy on UnREAL the same season I was on that show. And seeing him in that Christmas movie made me hope that Memories Of Christmas will be at least that good. I’m still a bit competitive but in the right way. I know Marcus sure killed it in his movie. I hope I do the same in mine.

I certainly thought you were one of the best parts of the movie since your character provided the conflict in the film, and hopefully, other people will share my views. I know Christina did a lot of press for it, and I’m so excited to see such a diverse cast.

I’m happy about that too. Hallmark’s casts have become increasingly diverse. In this movie, numbers one through five are African-Americans. And that is very rare, and I’m proud of Hallmark for doing that. Maybe for them, this might have felt like a bit of a chance, but they had a good bunch behind it and the story’s good. And they did it, and I really hope it turns out well for them. We’re going into 2019, and the films need to be representative of the population, and the population is diverse.

Well, it seems that their movies with diverse casts are doing quite well this year, and I think Memories Of Christmas has done well amongst the viewers. I know there were over one million viewers for the premiere of this film.

That’s really great news!

And the great thing about Hallmark is that they not only have a diverse cast, but they have a good storyline on top of it. They don’t sacrifice the storyline just to have a diverse cast. They’re not doing it just to be doing it.

Yeah, that’s the worst. I don’t want to be put in a cast just because of my race. You know, for the most part over the course of my career, my roles have been mainly open ethnicity. My race doesn’t even normally figure into the roles I’m booking. I typically book the roles because I am the best for the job. I’ve always maintained that I don’t want to be cast because of the color of my skin. I want to be the best for the job regardless. I love that the roles I book with Hallmark are because I’m the best one for the job.

The movie that I did for Lifetime called Besties {which is now called Best Friend’s Betrayal} I liked it because it felt much like everybody got the memo that said, “We don’t care what they look like. Whoever is the best for the role is who is going to be cast.” And when you have that, you know that everybody that came to play was the best on the day they came to audition. It was not about them filling in puzzle pieces with one Asian lady, one American man, etc. It was not about trying to satisfy the masses.

In my opinion, it almost looks more ignorant when you try to do that rather than having the best people. If that means you have to have ninety-seven percent Caucasian, cool. They were the best that day for that job. And if it’s ninety-seven percent African-American, then those people were the best for the job. When casting, producers, and writers and everybody else gets to that place…obviously certain things need to be specific for whatever reason. If you’re in Chinatown, you’re gonna have markets. There are going to be more Asians in that scene and environment. It makes logical sense. So barring stuff like that, once casting and producers cast the best people…we’re in the glory age of television with a lot of great films. We’re gonna see things get even better because they’re going to be hiring the best for the job versus trying to satisfy puzzle pieces.

Now, Memories Of Christmas was directed by a very special director in the Hallmark family. Tibor Takács also directed It’s Christmas, Eve with LeAnn Rimes, and that was a movie that ended up being one of the most successful for the Hallmark Channel this season.

Behind-the-scenes Memories Of Christmas

That’s so cool. A little insider info here. In the story, at our firm, our boss’ name is Angela and she is played by Rhonda Dent. And not only was Rhonda in our movie, but she was also in It’s Christmas, Eve. So she worked with Tibor on both of his Hallmark Christmas movies this year. And I tell you, it was great working with Tibor. His personality and his professionalism foster a great on-set environment. Some directors can be hard to work for for whatever reason, and some are really easy to work for and work with. And Tibor is one of those who is easy to work with. He’s calm, which means the crew is also calm. And he’s decisive. And even when…let me give you an example.

In Memories Of Christmas, there is this one scene you’ll see where I meet the hometown guy in the film. So Christina’s character goes back to her small town, and I meet this guy for the first time, and we have this little exchange. And Tibor…I did the scene, and he came over and he said, “Hey, let’s do it again. And when we do it again, I need you to be a little bit charming, but almost a little cocky. And I need you to be kind of warm, but I also need you to be a little bit cold. But at the same time, I need it to still feel kind of romantic, but also that you don’t really like that this guy is here.” I looked at him thinking, “How am I supposed to do that? You gave me six different emotions. How am I supposed to do that on this one line?” But I didn’t say that. My look of confusion as to how I was supposed to do that told the story. He laughed and said, “Hey, that was pretty clear, right?” I was like, “Yeah, clear as mud. Let’s go.”

So we started rolling, and I did the scene. And when I was done, he came out and said, “Perfect. I knew you were the guy for the job.” Even when he knows what he’s asking of you is borderline impossible because it makes no sense, it was still easy for me to want to try to achieve it for him. One of the producers came up afterwards and quoted back what Tibor had said. “That was great when you were charming and mean, but kind and sweet. Not too sweet, but still very sweet.” And I just kind of laughed and kept going. But Tibor is awesome, and I hope to get to work with him again.

I watched for that scene, and I definitely saw what you were talking about.

Jaime Callica, Christina Milian Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

Yeah, it was the scene where we’re on the stairs, packing up some of the lights at her mother’s home. You’ll know it. We’re talking about a Christmas tree, and when that happens, you’re gonna see the scene that was impossible to do. {laughs}

So how is your character related to Christina’s character in the film?

So in the film, she and I work together in San Francisco. Her mother has passed away. Her character’s name is Noelle, and she decides to go back home. Mark Taylor’s character, Dave, lives in the town. Noelle is a workaholic. At our office, my character is the one who is always getting her to do things for him. She’s really intelligent, and I exploit the fact that she likes me–she loves me. And I always get her to do my work for me. It’s Christmas time, and our boss says, “Hey, listen, enough is enough. You need a vacation. It’s Christmas.” She demands that Noelle goes home when she sees this invitation on the desk for this hometown charity event that Noelle’s mom put on every year in the town. Noelle decides to go back and pack up the house because it’s been sitting empty and vacant for the last year and a half. So after she meets Dave and the movie progresses, I’m convinced that I should go and help her for a change. So I go back to the town, and that’s where the story unfolds from there.

How was it working with Christina?

Jaime Callica, Christina Milian Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

She’s cool. You know, it’s funny. People are always saying about how I’m the hardest-working guy, literally working day and night. And sometimes I think I could be working harder. I might have a day or two where I lay in bed till two in the afternoon and do nothing. Where The Rock wouldn’t do that. He would squeeze out a second workout if he has some free time.

But Christina’s work ethic…working around her showed me that I’m really not the hardest-working one. You know, she has a jewelry line and a wine company in addition to her acting. She also has a daughter who’s around seven or eight years old. And she has her two phones going all the time. There were times when we would run the scenes, and she wasn’t always word-perfect when we were running those scenes because she has a thousand things going on, and she tries to keep up with them. And to be honest, we all struggle with that at some point when running lines, but Christina is the ultimate multitasker.

I was inspired just watching her. I could just watch her be on the phone with someone from another time zone, another continent about some function or event. She would put the phone down, and we’d run the scene. Then she’d go back to her phone, and not go back to that conversation, but she would talk to her manager because she had to fly out that Friday afternoon to go do a show in Vegas, where she was singing, because she started out as a singer. After doing that show in Vegas, she went to a wine event in Calgary on that Sunday. And then had to be back in Vancouver to film Monday. So in one weekend, she went from Vegas to Calgary and then back to Vancouver. And if you think about it, she’s in basically every scene of the movie. She’s the lead. I just watched her juggling that all the while hitting up her daughter every two hours to say, “Hi, how was school? Everything cool? Good, put your grandma on the phone.” So if even at times we didn’t have a lot of joking around and personal time, being around her and watching her grind was inspirational.

Now she did come out a few nights with me. I took her dancing, and she was just really chill. She’s a really, really nice person.

I figured she would be. Hallmark does a good job of hiring the right kind of people to work on their movies. They mostly hire nice people.

I definitely agree. They hire people that others would want to work with.

Behind-the-Scenes Christmas On Holly Lane

I also do want to mention Christmas On Holly Lane. I know that premiered much earlier up in Canada on Super Channel Heart & Home, but it only premiered on UP this past weekend.

And that movie has continued to air pretty regularly up here in Canada. It seems like it’s doing really well. I feel like they keep looking at the numbers, so they keep adding it back in the line-up. I was getting my mail from the mailbox the other day, and my neighbor was getting in her car, and she said, “Hey, I saw your movie! I loved seeing you in it; you were great.” You know, she’s literally seen my roles go from one line to ten lines to a small recurring role to being the leads on these features. And she’s just so proud.

I truly enjoyed it, and your role was just great in it.

Christmas On Holly Lane

I’m so glad, Ruth. The cast is incredible. Sarah Lancaster, Gina Holden, Karen Holness. It’s a trio of wonderful, veteran actors. I was number four on that one, and I just love that movie. I know some actors hate watching their work, which is something I never understood. People ask me all the time if I watch my own work, and I say, “Yeah, I love watching my work.” And sometimes people think it’s the most vain thing to say that. So I’m like, “So if you were a chef, are you never supposed to cook for yourself? Would that make you vain if you cooked for yourself? Or if you fixed cars for a living, are you never allowed to fix your own car? Why does watching my own work make me vain? I love it!” I love that movie, and I’m so pumped that you enjoyed it, Ruth. I mean, you watch probably a hundred of these movies a year {or much more} over the various networks.

So they actually had some issues with the movie initially. Originally, it was not supposed to be a Christmas movie. It was supposed to be set at Christmas, but they were hoping to air it in June. But then they decided that if they changed a couple of things to make it feel more Christmassy, they knew they could make this a Christmas movie. We shot the movie in February and March, and instead of airing it in June or July, they decided to hold off and air it in November/December. I love the movie! If I’m at my house and it’s on, I’m watching it! {laughs} The chemistry between the three ladies is great.

With Karen Christmas On Holly Lane

I think that Hallmark audiences are going to be familiar with this cast, and I hope that they decide to look it up and watch it. Oh, and Giles {Panton} is in it too.

With Matt Hamilton Besties {Best Friend’s Betrayal}

That’s right! And he’s a beloved Hallmark actor now too. And Best Friend’s Betrayal…his wife is in that one too.

Yes, I know! I’m so excited for that movie too! And while we don’t know when it premieres, we’ll be watching for it. So, thank you, Jaime, for your time. I’m so excited for everything happening for you. And it looks like 2019 is going to be awesome as well!

Thank you, Ruth, for all your support over the years. And I hope that everyone enjoys Memories Of Christmas as well as Christmas On Holly Lane. I’m sure we’ll be talking again soon!

Jaime has always had boundless enthusiasm for every role he has ever booked, and each time I chat with him, I feel like I invariably understand more about the industry. He has a unique perspective and speaks candidly while still maintaining his positive attitude. He never hides his disappointments when he doesn’t book roles, but then he is one of the most supportive guys when it comes to building up others in the industry that he knows and loves. His competitive bent is more of a tool to motivate him to be the best he can be and continually raise the bar. And while he recognizes the fact that no one ever “arrives” in this business, he regularly celebrates his successes and works through his setbacks. In the time I have known him, he has proceeded to hone his craft and produce solid work while persevering in the accomplishment of all his goals and dreams. If Jaime announces he is going to do “thus and such,” you’d better believe he is going to achieve it no matter what potential obstacles may stand in his way. His determination and work ethic are some of the most remarkable in the business, and his outlook is always refreshing and optimistic, even when he’s struggling with personal frustrations.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch Memories Of Christmas, I would invite U.S. viewers to look up the next showing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (there should be a few more showings before the end of the season), and if you are in Canada, be sure to watch the Canadian premiere this Friday, December 21st! Additionally, if you truly desire a daily dose of the wonder that is Jaime Callica, visit all of his links below and consider following him on social media (he’s pretty active on all his social media accounts). I am eternally grateful to Hallmark for connecting me with this extraordinary actor and human being, and meeting him back in October of this year is a moment I shall forever treasure. I can attest to the fact that the man you see on-screen and on social media is precisely the same man you will see off the screen and out of the public eye. He is as kind, considerate, passionate, uplifting, and unpretentious as one could imagine as well as being a devoted son and friend (and godparent). As his career continues its steadfast ascent and he reaches those goals and visions that he established for himself, I can hardly wait to witness all the success coming his way. If there’s anyone who deserves the ultimate culmination of all his dreams on every level, it’s definitely Jaime Callica!
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from October 2018 when I met Jaime

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