One of the things I truly cherish is highlighting those who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes in all these movies that we viewers relish regularly. One such person came to my attention this Christmas season–Autumn Federici. While I was unfamiliar with her name, the movies on which she has worked are ones that I knew and have enjoyed. In honor of her first Hallmark movie as executive producer, it was my joy to be able to chat with her recently about her career, her current movies, and even what we might expect from her and Ninth House Films in the future.
RH: How/why did you decide to pursue a career in film/TV? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
AF: My Mom was blessed with a three-octave range and had a gift for harmonies. I tried singing but, alas, due to four ear surgeries at a very young age, we quickly realized I was better at dancing. I trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, line dancing, and ballroom. At eighteen, I booked a series of international Pepsi commercials and that lead to me joining the Screen Actors Guild. Since I was in the union, I decided to audition for acting jobs and to my surprise booked a few. Immediately following I jumped into a “Meisner technique” acting class and fell in love with drama.
Photo by Steven Barston © 2011
What was your first professional job in the business and what are your memories of that job?
I booked my first modeling gig at fourteen years old. I think it was a magazine called Teen Jump. I remember that the hairdresser on set cut some severe bangs. Mortified, I was convinced I could never go back to high school with them. To my surprise, the trend caught on and I quickly learned to adapt. Thereafter I used different hairstyles and colors to help get me noticed in the entertainment and fashion industry.
You have worked in a wide variety of roles in the business. What are the benefits and challenges to some of these roles you have held?
with Jake
Photo by Desiree Stone
In our home, we were taught that everyone is important from the janitor to the chairman. So I appreciate and respect all aspects of this industry. From the PA that makes coffee to the Actor learning lines in their trailer, I know that every job is important to the end product. I’m completely self-taught in this game. So diving into every aspect of film-making has prepared me for the big finale – Producing. I’ve done over seventeen films in the last three years. Most of which I was either pregnant or breastfeeding, on set. I often bring my kids to work too. It’s definitely challenging doing it all, but it’s also the greatest gift to have my two worlds meet. It also helps that my business partner, Jake Helgren, (Uncle Jake to my children) is my best friend and a major support system.
A Christmas Arrangement
I think the first Christmas movie you were a part of was last year’s Lifetime movie A Christmas Arrangement (I saw that one). How did this film come about and what did you especially enjoy about this one?
This film was magical. We greenlit the film at the end of May and started shooting June 19th. It was The Ninth House’s first Christmas film. The cast was phenomenal. Normally these shoots are so stressful, but this one was loads of fun. We had a lot of impromptu dance parties in between takes. The whole cast and crew even made a video to the song, “Build Me Up Buttercup.”
Julian Dancygero, Ella Shapiro, Bryce Hall, Samuel Engelen, Cassette Wolcott, Reagan Hish Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: The Ninth House/Tina Thorpe
It looks like your first Hallmark movie was A Merry Christmas Match that recently premiered. Please tell us about the way this movie came about and any special memories you have from behind the scenes.
To date, A Merry Christmas Match is the most special and closest to my heart. We filmed in Idyllwild just after they had a massive snowstorm. The roads to town were closed and we had to get special passes to get on the mountain. While there, we got very close to the community. It was a beautiful experience.
Cassette Wolcott, Reagan Hish Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: The Ninth House/Tina Thorpe
Having our kids on set and in the movie made it even more special. Most of the children in the movie belong to someone attached to the movie. The song that the kids perform at the pageant “If Santa Were a Football Hero” has been in my family for thirty years. My mom was a choir director when I was a child and she wrote that song for my friends and I to perform around town. During the holidays, we performed at churches, nursing homes, malls, and various charity events, spreading Christmas joy. Thirty years later, my daughter (only four years old- so it was challenging) went into a professional studio with her friends and re-recorded the song for the movie.
Ashley Newbrough, Kyle Dean Massey Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: The Ninth House/Tina Thorpe
Since A Merry Christmas Match kicked off the 2019 “Miracles of Christmas” for the network, what do you see as special and unique about this story? Why do you believe Hallmark viewers have loved and will continue to enjoy?
First off, the response to A Merry Christmas Match has been overwhelming! So positive, complimentary, and joyful. Clearly the actors brought an authentic reality to their relationships with friends and family. And I believe that many people today can relate to putting their lives on hold to help a widowed parent. In this way, the relationship between Corey and her Mom has touched a lot of folks.
Any other upcoming/current works you can mention?
Recently, our movie My Best Friend’s Christmas premiered on Showtime. We are also blessed to have another Christmas film airing on Lifetime on December 22nd called A Date By Christmas Eve. We also started to film another movie this month!
You’ve worked on both Lifetime and Hallmark movies which often target a similar demographic, especially at Christmastime. Why do you believe both networks are doing well in today’s entertainment world?
A Date By Christmas Eve
I think people need an escape from the unsettling events happening in the world today. They are looking for those “feel good” moments to fill their hearts with love and uplift their spirits. These movies are charming and are simply wholesome family entertainment that everyone can enjoy together. You can put them on any television and not worry if children walk into the room as there is no rough language or awkward scenes to explain.
How do you plan to spend the holidays?
We escape the hustle-bustle of California each year by spending Christmas on a small ranch in Arizona that my mom bought after she retired. She actually feeds the wild deer all year long just so my kids can wake up on Christmas morning and have “reindeer” on the property. It’s a magical time for all of us.
Family Christmas Photo
I have heard nothing but positive things about Autumn, and the fact that she is a woman who has worked on both sides of the camera thrills me to no end. While I know that the feminist revolution of Hollywood can be fatiguing at times, having the female perspective so prevalent with those who work behind-the-scenes especially is something that thoroughly excites me. Moreover, the glorious thing is that Hallmark has been elevating women and their purview in their own quiet way for years without the pomp and circumstance that many other networks are quick to shout from the rooftops. I adore the fact that Autumn is now a proud member of the Hallmark family as well as many other networks, and I am even more ecstatic that her movie is the one that kicked off the Christmas festivities at the network. She is one who has demonstrated over the past few years that women can be exceptional industry professionals while still being dynamic wives and devoted mothers. Her excellent reputation within the industry further confirms that in one sense, women can have it all in this day and age, and I find that quite inspirational.
If you have not had the chance to watch her first Hallmark Christmas movie, you can still catch A Merry Christmas Match on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries five more times this holiday season (next up is December 14th). It did air on the W Network in Canada, so be sure to check when it might be replayed on that network. In addition to that, be sure to check out her recent Showtime movie (My Best Friend’s Christmas) and her upcoming Lifetime film, A Date By Christmas Eve, premiering on December 22nd. While you’re anticipating all of her upcoming/recent projects, be sure to visit her links below and consider following her on social media. She’s pretty good at keeping the fans updated on her projects, and she’s even been known to do some live-tweeting (that’s how I discovered her!). I can hardly wait to see how many more phenomenal films she turns out in the next few years, and I have no doubt that whenever she has a new Hallmark movie, the fans will show up in droves to support the amazingly talented and incredibly kind Autumn!
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