BRIGITTE KINGSLEY TALKS THE ART OF CHRISTMAS
"Even left our Christmas tree up all year"
Daniel John
Here we are, again, Christmas. I think most of us would agree part of its beauty is how special of a time it is, being a bit of a candle in the dark. But has this entire year been Christmas for you?
Yes, it mostly has. We are lucky enough to make Christmas movies and live in that season eighty percent of the year. We filmed a beautiful Christmas movie on a Maple-syrup farm in March called 'Sappy Holiday' which took us till May to finish. Then we had a small Christmas break between May and July to film a fun summer wedding movie, called 'Picture-Perfect Romance', then back to Christmas in August to prep 'The Art of Christmas', but what better way to spend the year than with the spirit of Christmas, and dogs, which we always include in our movies! We even left our Christmas tree up all year!
As the film's screenwriter, did you always see yourself acting in the lead role as well?
I originally had a different actress in mind. When I wrote the role of Liv, I thought of Jocelyn Hudon. We worked with her on 'From Friend to Fiance' and I think she’s exceptionally talented. There’s a fun energy about her. When I found out that I was going to be the lead, we actually did a re-write to make the character fit my life experience a little more. I think it's so important that the casting fits the role.
Are you able to separate writing, producing, and acting to focus on one thing at a time, or are you always kinda conscious of all those things as you are working on a film?
In my mind, everything influences the production. From casting to wardrobe to budget. Being an actor, writer and producer, my mind is always conscious of all moving parts. That’s sometimes a wonderful gift and sometimes it makes things difficult, when I need to handle a production problem between takes, it can definitely be challenging to jump from being an actor to a producer and still stay in character when the director says, “Action”. But, I love the challenge, and I love doing all three jobs.
Getting good roles can be a holiday miracle in and out of itself, is that what first got you into producing and writing more?
Yes, absolutely. I studied theatre at York University, and when I graduated, I was shocked to find out how difficult it was to book a leading role. So I decided to learn how to produce. I met a wonderful writer-director, Andrew Cymek, who I eventually married, and I told him if he wrote a script, I would figure out how to produce it. It was a long difficult road with a lot of bumps, but I eventually learned to produce and we’ve been able to create dream roles ever since by taking that road. As for writing, I only started to write a few years ago during the pandemic. We could not film and it gave me an outlet to continue to be creative.
Already a producer and writer, do you see yourself directing as well?
Yes, I plan on directing something in the next year. I love to learn and directing is something I have never attempted. But I’ve spent so much time with Andrew behind the monitor and he’s been encouraging me to learn how direct. He is a wonderful teacher! So I will be in good hands and very supported when I make my first attempt.
'The Art of Christmas' is about a woman who is passionate for art but is not able to pursue it in the way that she initially had dreamt of, having to go back to her regular life. Did your own experiences of acting inspire this story?
Absolutely. I think as an actor, I often feel like Liv. This industry is so difficult and it’s easy to feel discouraged and lost at times. I think having a good foundation and focusing on helping others along the way, like Liv does with Trisha, makes the journey a happier one, and like Liv that’s what I try to do.
How early on did you know that storytelling and acting was your thing?
I have always been an artist at heart. I started professionally at the age of fourteen, but I spent years prior to that telling my parents that I wanted to act. I was so lucky that they were extremely supportive. Once I got to high school, they said if I got an agent, they would drive me to my auditions, so, I did. It was always a dream and I never questioned it. I just wake up every morning with this passion in my soul.
What message do you want the audience to take away from this film, what's the art of Christmas really about?
The heart of this film is to help others. It’s important to have our dreams and to pursue them, but it’s about the journey and not the destination, it’s about the people you meet along the way and how your art or your dreams inspire others. It’s not about the monetary success, or the fame. It’s about sharing your heart and your passions to make the world a better place.
