A couple of Christmases ago, I happened upon a delightful “new” director of a film that I was much anticipating, and because this was her first Christmas movie (Christmas Pen Pals), I reached out to Siobhan {pronounced Shi-vawn} Devine for an interview. I honestly planned on posting it before the premiere of that sweet Christmas film, but through a series of events, I got behind, and before long, another Christmas had arrived. Yet again, she was involved with a Lifetime Christmas movie (Always and Forever Christmas), and when I reached out to her again, she tipped me off to the fact that her first Hallmark movie would be out in time for Valentine’s Day–Matching Hearts. It is my absolute honor to feature Siobhan on the momentous day in which Hallmark fans will be treated to this fabulous Hallmark premiere, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate her patience and kindness to me over this year and a half that we have been in contact.
RH: Siobhan, I am so glad to be able to chat with you today!
SD: Nice to meet you here, Ruth. Thanks for reaching out.
Chiara with Sarah Drew and Michael Gross
I really have Chiara Zanni to thank from a couple of Christmases ago. I interviewed her about her role in Christmas Pen Pals, and she raved about you. Whenever I hear about a female director that I have not heard of before, I always want to interview and feature them here when I can.
That’s nice to hear.
I love seeing more females getting involved in directing. And Hallmark is hiring a greater number of them than they even used to, so seeing you come to Hallmark was a dream for me as well.
Thank you, Ruth. I’m very excited to have directed my first Hallmark movie.
Christmas Pen Pals
I also mentioned you to my friend Giles Panton, who was also in Christmas Pen Pals. And he raved about you as well. He is super supportive of women in film.
Aw, he’s such a nice guy.
Oh, yes, he is. He’s become a very good friend of mine, and I’m so happy to see him doing well in this business. So how did you get started in directing? Was it something you had always wanted to do?
It is. I had wanted to direct since I was about ten. I went into theater first. I’m from England originally, and that was kind of the path to take over there. So I got a theater degree and then slowly made my way into it. I did some film courses, but always my primary passion was to direct. I love telling stories. I like to move people. I like carrying the story. That’s what I like the most. I feel that’s my job. To carry the story and make sure everyone’s on the same page…making the same movie. That’s really why I wanted to be a director.
I think that’s so cool that you’re from England. How did you end up in Canada?
My parents immigrated to Canada when I was a teenager, but I stayed and finished my high school in England. Then I moved and joined them to go to university. And that was a good move.
Yeah, things are really happening in Canada in general. Vancouver and now the Toronto area is really taking off.
I actually moved to Vancouver from Toronto. When I first moved here, I really noticed a big cultural difference. It’s very different from Toronto. Then when I went down the coast, down to LA, I realized it was very similar to Vancouver. The whole West Coast vibe is quite similar regardless of the fact that we’re in two different countries.
Since you began in theater, how did you make the transition from theater to film and TV? Was Mr. Young the first thing you got to direct, or was there something else before that?
That was the first thing I got to direct for money. Before then I had been making short films and documentaries…which I guess I got paid for, but that’s more in the indie film world. I did a lot of indie stuff and had my children. Then once my kids were a little bit older, that’s when I started looking for more work for money. So Mr. Young was the first thing I got paid for…that I didn’t have to raise my own money for. {laughs}
Mr. Young cast
Oh, I get that. I have lots of friends in the indie world. I am always in awe of the way these people continue to make this incredible indie content. I am always willing to support them, and I’m so excited when one of their projects finally takes off and starts getting recognized. Now, I have never watched Mr. Young. Was it just a Canadian show or did it run on a network here in the U.S. too?
It did run on Disney XD. It’s a multi-camera half-hour show.
Oh, that’s probably why I didn’t watch it. My daughter is a teenager now, and she was never really into any of the Disney shows very much. We watched a lot of PBS and some other stuff, but not as much Disney. But I think Mr. Young was a very popular show for the time it was on.
Yes, it was quite popular. It was made in Canada, and it was all Canadian, but it did go on Disney XD.
with Raugi Yu
Some Assembly Required
As I look over your other credits, I think I talked to an actress at some point who was in Some Assembly Required. Ellie Harvie.
Oh my gosh! Ellie Harvie! I love her!
She is amazing. I haven’t seen the show, but she said she thought it was on Netflix, and at least for now, she’s right. You can watch it on Netflix. So I notice you worked quite a bit on that show.
Yes, I did. I started out as a camera coordinator. I trained under a bunch of LA guys who really knew their stuff in multi-cam. That was such an honor to work and train under them. I kind of just worked my way up to director.
Kim’s Convenience
I know you’ve done some directing on Kim’s Convenience as well. That is a show I only recently starting watching with my daughter since it’s available on Netflix. I just love that show!
Oh, yeah, it’s a lovely show. It’s really an honor to work on that. It’s amazing to work on a show that is so diverse. It’s so universal. It speaks to everybody. It’s about a Korean convenience store owner.
Well, I’m glad you’ve gotten to work on such a remarkable show.
I love working on Kim’s Convenience! It’s such an authentic show and touches so many of us with the universal stories – who doesn’t have someone like Appa in their lives!
What is different about directing a show like that as opposed to a full-length movie?
Directing a TV show and a full-length movie is both quite different and yet in some ways the same. The main difference is that on a TV show, a director is really a guest. The cast and crew work together on the show for months and when I arrive, I am only directing two or three episodes. This means many of the decisions are already made around casting, sets, wardrobe, etc. But on a full-length movie, the entire movie starts at that moment when we all have our first meeting and after that, all the casting happens, the locations need to be found and dressed and of course, the clothes have to be bought or made for the cast. It’s busy! However, once we start actually shooting, that’s when the two things feel the same: a television episode and a full-length movie are all about working with the cast and making sure we are telling the story as well as possible.
The Birdwatcher
So your first Christmas movie was for Lifetime a couple years back, Christmas Pen Pals. That was your first regular film to direct, correct?
Yes, my first MOW or Movie of the Week. Before that, I directed a feature film called The Birdwatcher. It was an independent film I made back in 2015. It’s now available to watch digitally. That movie features an all-Canadian cast.
That’s great to hear! I hope lots of people will look that one up. But with Christmas Pen Pals, is there any story about how you got to be the director of that movie?
The Birdwatcher
Photographer: Pamela Saunders
Well, I guess they were looking for someone new. Sometimes the producers are looking for new directors, especially if their regulars are busy. So when it gets busier, it opens up opportunities for more emerging people. They had watched my film The Birdwatcher. They wanted to make a Christmas movie, but they didn’t want it to be too schmaltzy. They wanted it to be a little more realistic. They loved The Birdwatcher. So the producers reached out to me and interviewed me, and I guess they liked me and hired me.
How cool is that? I loved that movie. The cast is amazing.
Christmas Pen Pals
Photographer: Allister Foster
It was an amazing cast with a lot of locals. But the cast of Sarah Drew and Niall Matter were bequeathed to me by Lifetime. And I was very grateful. It was really a pleasure to work with them.
Niall has a massive Hallmark following, and I have gotten to interview him once. I am very impressed with him. In fact, I’m not sure how many people realize that movie is a Lifetime Christmas movie as opposed to a Hallmark one. The cast is chock full of so many Hallmark favorites. In fact, Sarah is going to be in her first Hallmark movie opposite another huge Hallmark star, Brennan Elliott, this Christmas. They filmed a movie in Vienna.
That is amazing! Oh my goodness! I’ve come to understand because of you and others who have told me that Niall has become a top leading man with Hallmark. I am so glad I got to work with him and with Sarah and the whole cast.
Christmas Pen Pals
The Hallmark fans are very loyal to Niall and follow him wherever he goes. Whenever he appears on another network, those fans show up, so I know a lot of my friends watched Christmas Pen Pals and just loved it.
I’m so glad, Ruth. Niall was really good in that movie. I mean, he’s good in general. But he and Sarah together had really great chemistry.
Christmas Pen Pals Photographer: Allister Foster
Absolutely true, Siobhan. And I heard from both Chiara and Giles how great you were on this film.They told me you were very involved in the production. You cared about the people, and they really appreciated that.
I love actors. I think they are the bravest people. I mean, I could never do it. And I am also very cognizant of the fact that at the end of the day, they are the ones who are on screen. Nobody is really going to care what color the wallpaper is, but they’re gonna care if the actor doesn’t get the line right. It is important to spend the time with the actors and really have them doing their absolute best on screen. If they’re not feeling comfortable or whatever…I do a lot of prep, and I work through almost all the shots with the DP very much in-depth so that when we get on set, I can really spend time with the cast. That is my main focus. I want to make sure that the actors are completely comfortable in their roles and are able to give their best possible performance.
With Latonya Williams
Christmas Pen Pals & Matching Hearts
I’m so glad to hear that, Siobhan. When I saw that movie was your first MOW, I was hopeful that more opportunities would come your way. And it looks like that is what happened. After your successful first movie Christmas Pen Pals, you followed up this past season with another Lifetime Christmas movie, Always and Forever Christmas. What was most memorable about that experience for you?
Always and Forever Christmas was a very different experience than Christmas Pen Pals because it was shot in Winnipeg in the summer, which is quite challenging. I loved the diversity of the cast in this movie and also that the lead actor’s baby daughter was around a lot – I love babies!
I am so glad to see you getting more work! I am very passionate about women in film. And I’m so glad to get to highlight you.
Leo Award Win For Best Director (Photo Credit: Peter Holtst Photography)
You know, back when I was making that first Christmas movie, I kept thinking, “I don’t even know how a man would interpret some of this.” Our leading lady was in almost every scene, and I did my best to keep it sensitive and gentle. I also was thinking, “I wonder if it would be different with a male director instead of a female director.” I wondered if I was seeing it differently. I know it’s impossible to know that answer to that, but it’s an interesting thing to consider.
I agree with you there. I know some male directors have gotten more in touch with their sensitive side, but there are also those who haven’t. I know there are those male directors who would never consider directing a rom-com. I think it’s also cool that Christmas Pen Pals was written by a woman, Carley Smale. So that movie not only had a female director, but also a female writer along with a female lead. What a wonderful way for you to begin with such a strong female film. We definitely need more of that.
I so agree. Even today, so many people are surprised when I show up on set as the director.
Taylor Cole, Ryan Paevey Credit: ©2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
I can imagine! You would think with all the feminist stuff out there in the media that these mindsets would be changed and that more women would be involved in film. I mean, I am glad it is changing, but it just takes time, and sometimes I feel like we should be further along than we are. I am glad to see you doing more because a woman like me wants to see a strong, independent woman who still has a feminine side. And from the two rom-coms of yours that I have seen, I think that is your focus too. I do have a feeling that is what we will continue to see from your movies.
Definitely, Ruth.
Matching Hearts is your first Hallmark movie. What was your experience with Hallmark in general before making this movie?
With Taylor
Matching Hearts
Of course, I’ve watched lots of Hallmark movies, but I have never worked on one before, and I do I hope I get to do it again. I loved making this movie! It was an incredible thrill to make a movie for Valentine’s Day…such a lovely time of year. I was blessed with a fantastic cast. Taylor Cole and Ryan Paevey were fabulous to work with, both so talented and also very nice people. And actually it was an incredibly attractive and talented cast all around–what a treat.
Do you have a favorite moment from filming you can share without spoiling the story?
I have so many favorite moments it’s really hard to pick just one, but I have to say that one of my very favorite scenes happens in a chocolate shop.
Taylor Cole, Ryan Paevey Credit: ©2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
What makes Matching Hearts such a special story for Valentine’s Day?
Matching Hearts is a very special story for Valentine’s Day because it is the story about the serendipity of love. In the movie, we meet two people who have kind of closed themselves off to the idea of finding love but over the course of the movie, we see them learn a few things about taking chances and opening up. Cole’s character, Julia, dedicates her life to finding love for other people and Paevey’s character, Ryan, dedicates his life to finding forever homes for animals. Both characters are full of love for others, but the question is…can they find love for themselves?
That sounds absolutely wonderful! Any other upcoming works besides this one that you can mention?
I am working on a few things, but it’s early days yet. I’ll be sure to let you know when I can!
2015 Leo Award for Best Direction in a Music, Comedy or Variety Program or Series – Package Deal
Photo Credit: Peter Holtst Photography
The moment I first chatted with Siobhan, I knew instinctively that she was a flawless fit for the Hallmark network. In Hallmark’s quest to acknowledge and support talented, strong females, I am ecstatic that they chose to work with a dynamically gifted director such as Siobhan. Moreover, the fact that Siobhan was so willing to work with me and make things as simple for me as possible unequivocally demonstrates the fact that she is a remarkable professional and a down-to-earth human being who genuinely cares about people. Ideally, every person in the world, and especially in this industry, should focus their attention on others and reach beyond themselves to formulate an environment that encourages and highlights others instead of placing the comforts and needs of themselves at the forefront, but unfortunately, far too many are self-absorbed and egocentric. One of the things I routinely notice with Hallmark is that the majority of the people who work for the network are overwhelmingly unselfish, and that is one of the reasons I knew Siobhan was an ideal fit because that is her persona in a nutshell!
I hope that everyone makes a point to tune in tonight (February 8th) to the W Network or the Hallmark Channel for the premiere of Matching Hearts. While I know that the vast majority of the viewers will focus their attention on the actors (especially Ryan and Taylor)–which is exactly where Siobhan herself wants the focus to be–but if you have a moment, please consider visiting her links below and following her where applicable. Without dedicated directors like Siobhan who consistently anchor the attention on the actors and the story, we wouldn’t even be savoring a film like Matching Hearts, and I just know that this movie is going to be something extraordinary and wondrous that will impact the very cores of all of us watching in ways that we cannot even conceive beforehand. Let’s hope and pray that Hallmark will continue to recognize and esteem capable, benevolent, strong leaders like Siobhan, and I hope that everyone reading this post will join me in supporting one of the most promising, up and coming directors in the Vancouver industry today–at least, in my opinion–and support her in all her multitudinous endeavors for many years to come!
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