STEPPIN' INTO THE HOLIDAY

MOVIEMAKERS MEET MULETOWN — LOVE ENSUES

By William Harwood

Spoiler alert: It's a love story with a happy ending. And, no, we're not just talking about the script for Steppin' into the Holiday, the movie filmed last spring in Columbia. (Although it's also a love story with a happy ending.) The first love story we're talking about here is from real life, about how a group of moviemakers unexpectedly find a town, fall in love with the town, then film in the town. A story full of actual twists and turns by actual key grips and gaffers, all working as part of a team to create an uplifting work of art and, in the process, positively impact our local community.

Our story begins in early 2022. Franklin, Tennessee, has been the setting for many movies and Joni Wheeler, a location scout for director David Kendall, is given a mission: find the perfect location for filming the dance-rich, romantic comedy Steppin' into the Holiday, preferably one within a reasonable, half hour drive from the Franklin hotel in which all cast and crew are staying. And, like Noah's dove returning with the fresh olive leaf, Wheeler returns with reports and images of Columbia aka the “Dimple of the Universe” — its friendly folks, its historic homes, and its picture postcard-perfect town square.

Kendall was thrilled. "It was the ideal setting for filming," he says, "and we just kind of fell in love with the whole thing. Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, came out and welcomed us, and everyone's been terrific. Our film needed a stage in it, and Feek’s Farm Homestead Hall has a stage. It was perfect for us, and this town was perfect for us. I think a lot of times for filmmakers you need to get lucky, so we just got lucky."

The film’s stars as well as its executive producers, Jana Kramer and Mario Lopez, also share Kendall's glowing assessment. "The people have been nothing but awesome," Lopez says, "and we look forward to showing Columbia off. We look forward to future projects here." Kramer was even more effusive. After all, this is her own neck-of-thewoods; she's a Franklin resident. "I've really fallen in love with Columbia," she says. "I'd never been to Columbia and it’s so charming. I saw the craziness of Mule Day, and I definitely have to come back and experience it with my kids. I also loved being able to film the finale at Rory Feek's farm. It's nice to bring some holiday goodness and cheer and light to a sweet little town."

As for the holiday goodness, cheer, and light to which Kramer refers, Steppin' into the Holiday is the story of Billy Holiday (Lopez), a Hollywood producer who created a show called America Celebrity Dance Off. Fired from his own show, Holiday decides to return home and meets Rae, (Jana Kramer’s character), a local dance instructor. She's putting on a show for Christmas Eve, and Billy volunteers to help. Rhythm and romance — and comedy — ensue. "When he meets Rae," Kendall comments, "Billy finds his groove again, and they fall in love through dance. The story is definitely a romantic Christmas movie about a guy and a girl who find themselves and the little town they came from and realize that Hollywood is good, but maybe supporting local talent and searching for talent in these little towns is also cool."

Searching for local talent in Columbia is not hard to do. In fact, the movie, which began filming on March 29 and finished April 16, relied on a lot of it. Local resident Eric McCandless, for example, owner of AMPED Sound and Lighting, was definitely in on it all. "My company did the theatrical lighting around the square and the Christmas trees," he points out. "They also asked me if I would be interested in being a background character during the shoot at the Feek’s farm for the finale. Of course, I said 'yes' and it was a lot of fun. It was nice seeing Columbia finally getting the attention that it deserves." Kellye Murphy, Visit Columbia's Tourism & Marketing Director, agrees with McCandless. “We really enjoyed working with the cast and crew on the Lifetime movie," she says. "Everyone involved was so complimentary of our town and our friendly community. We will benefit from the exposure for Columbia as the backdrop for this holiday movie as well as the economic impact.”

Of course, not everything was puffy clouds and gentle sunshine. After all, these were folks making a movie in Columbia, Tennessee, in late March and early April, a time in which the weather often changes its mind more times in an hour than a five-year-old deciding what items to order from a fast-food menu. "Y'all have some wacky weather," Lopez admits. "It was nice, and now it's 35 degrees. The crew is dressed like they're in Chicago, and I have to be in this little, thin shirt." Tough work, no doubt. Still, there's a silver lining to Lopez's dark, cold cloud. "The storms here do make for some nice, romantic elements," he admits.

So there you have it. To enjoy this nice, romantic entertainment, settle into your own most comfortable element and tune in to Lifetime. Sometime after Thanksgiving, Steppin' into the Holiday — Columbia, Tennessee, style — will make you smile and feel good during the holidays.