BEHINd THE SCENES: ON LOCATION IN CANADA

What’s it like to film a movie on location?

Michaela got the call from her agent that she booked the role for 'Mikayla' in the Hallmark Christmas movie Two Turtle Doves. He sent the full script and informed us that Production would be in contact.

It was a Tuesday morning. Production called later that morning and notified us they would be flying Michaela and parent to Winnipeg, Canada…on Thursday!

Much to do before the 5:00 a.m. departure out of Atlanta in less than 48 hours (to include driving back to Atlanta from Mississippi, packing for a month, and learning the script!).

A behind the scenes look at filming in Canada:

BEFORE FILMING BEGINS

Photo: Michaela is reunited with Nikki DeLoach in Winnipeg, Canada to film Two Turtle Doves for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Winnipeg, Canada.

Biggest surprise!!!

Michaela had no idea whom she'd be working with. Who would her TV family be?

She would dream and imagine that the two leads would be Nikki DeLoach and Michael Rady, both of whom she worked with earlier that year in Love to the Rescue. Filming with both of them again was a dream. The likelihood of that happening again was close to zero.

When the AD (Assistant Director) called to give the schedule for the next day for the fitting, he said that they would pick up Nikki first and then Michaela in the morning.

“Nikki DeLoach?!!” Michaela asked. “Yes”, he said. She couldn’t believe it.

Dreams do come true!

Wardrobe | Fitting

So many great clothes to try on! And shoes and boots! And coats! And hats and mittens! There were authentic winter boots and shoes made in Canada.

The only thing...it was summer and sunny in Winnipeg. She'd wear the beautiful pieces on what would be some of Winnipeg's hottest days of the year.

Photo: Trying on wardrobe options for what fits and what works for camera and scenes.

MEET THE CAST

One shoe on and one shoe off. This is what happened when she dropped what she was doing and RAN to the next room when they said Michael Rady was there for his fitting!

Finding out her 'dad' for the movie was Michael Rady...she was beyond words.

First Nikki, now Michael?!!

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Lesley Demetriades, Director for Two Turtle Doves, meets Michaela before filming begins. They review the script and go over how certain scenes will be played.

FILMING BEGINS

AT BASECAMP

Nikki DeLoach and Michaela outside of Hair and Makeup trailer—ready to head to set.

Arrive at base camp. Jimmy, the PA (Production Assistant) keeps everyone on time going from Wardrobe to Hair & Makeup and to set. (We’re drinking our green juice ‘KAMP - kale, apple, mint, pineapple, from the Green Carrot).

ON SET

Filming Christmas scenes with

'Dad' Michael Rady and 'Uncle' Zach Tinker. They could be brothers in real life.

And here’s to the the set decorators for Hallmark! The details and decorations they put into every scene might be one of the reasons Hallmark has many fans who watch every holiday season.

Hallmark Family!

Nikki DeLoach, Michael Rady, Zach Tinker and Michaela.

Night shoots in a town in Canada where the buildings were all made out of limestone. It was the perfect location for filming a Christmas movie at night.

NIGHT SHOOTS

Photo: Producer Kevin Duda, Director Lesley Demetriades and Assistant Director working together to make sure everything comes together with perfection.

Did you know it doesn't get dark out until almost 10:00pm in Winnipeg during the summer? That made for some late call times in order to film the night scenes.

10:00 PM - Hair and Makeup. It might look like the day is just beginning; however, it's after 10PM at the end of a full day of filming.

Michaela has to be wrapped by 10:30PM sharp. It's been a full 8-10 hour day. SAG / AFTRA requires that children have a set amount of time they can work.

Here, they're testing her hair for the following night. With limited time to capture night shoots since it gets dark so late, these talented Hair and Makeup Artists test hair styles to prepare for the next day.

Meanwhile, Nikki is in the chair next to Michaela singing and dancing. It sounds like they're having fun--(and they are!)...but what you don't see is that Nikki is getting ready for the next set of scenes. Michaela goes home after 8-10 hours on set, but Nikki and Micheal are about to head to set to film some more. They‘ll film the rest of their night shoots until the sun starts to rise.

WHAT YOU SEE ON TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA:

Photo credit: Crown Media | Hallmark | Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Hair and makeup by professionals, coordinated outfits by wardrobe experts, lots of smiles and pretty settings.

WHAT YOU DON’T SEE ON TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA:

Photo: Between scenes in the shade trying to cool off after filming a winter scene in the high heat and direct sun.

The Canadian winter hats, gloves, scarves, mittens, boots, sweaters are worn in layers while filming the outdoor scenes in 95 degree weather. It was the hottest day of the year in Winnipeg. Michaela, Nikki, and Uncle Zach had to film in the direct sun, while Michael enjoyed his cup of ‘coffee’ on his porch in the shade. (You can see the scene in the movie). This is what is was like between scenes.

THANKFUL

Michaela is thankful for her Hallmark family. She loved every moment working alongside the entire cast and crew. Everyone made filming Two Turtle Doves so much fun.

And a special thank you to Sarah Montana, the writer. If you haven’t learned about her story, we highly recommend watching her TedX talk and learning more about her.

LOTS OF WORK AND LOTS OF FUN

Here are some more memorable moments while filming Two Turtle Doves:

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UPDATES:

Since this aired, Two Turtle Doves won a Christopher Award, which is presented to the producers, directors, and writers of books, films and television specials that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit".

“First presented in 1949, the Christopher Awards were established by Christopher founder Father James Keller to salute media that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.” Their goal is to encourage men, women and children to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence a mass audience positively. Award winners encourage audiences to see the better side of human nature and motivate artists and the general public to use their best instincts on behalf of others.” www.christophers.org