Kim Matula Teases Ghosts of Christmas At all times: It is Not What Anybody is Anticipating

Films with some supernatural ingredient are at all times a deal with, and Ghosts of Christmas At all times performs like a modern-day model of A Christmas Carol.

Kim Matula stars as Katherine, a Ghost of Christmas Current, and he or she and the ghosts of Christmas Previous (Lori Tan Chinn) and Christmas Future (Reginald VelJohnson) are tasked with serving to Peter (Ian Harding) rediscover his Christmas spirit.

However this case is not like all of the others, and Katherine has to work additional laborious making an attempt to determine why.

I had the prospect to leap on the cellphone with Kim to speak in regards to the film, and you will discover our dialog, which has been edited for content material, under.

I’ve already had the chance to observe Ghosts of Christmas At all times, and I cherished it.

Properly, thanks. I am so glad. I am excited to observe it when it airs on Sunday.

It is simply cute. It is humorous. And it is shifting. I used to be laughing out loud at one level, after which I used to be tearing up later.

Good. And that is what I did after I was studying the script. So then which means we did our job.

How did you get entangled with it?

The script sort of discovered me. My supervisor reached out and he or she mentioned, “Hey, you have obtained a suggestion to do that film. Would you like to check out the script?” And I mentioned, “Sure, please.” And I learn it.

And such as you simply mentioned, I felt all of the issues that you simply simply mentioned. I used to be laughing. I used to be so pleasantly stunned to see that there was some actually good comedy. After which I used to be crying studying this script.

That is so shifting. And it was sort of a no brainer for me. I knew that I needed to be part of it.

Are you a fan of A Christmas Carol?

I’m a fan of Christmas Carols particularly. I just like the Invoice Murray Scrooge. I do know that one will not be beloved by everyone, nevertheless it’s 1000% beloved by me. And I additionally am an avid watcher of the Muppet Christmas Carol. That was an enormous in my home rising up.

So what’s it prefer to get to be one of many three ghosts of Christmas Eve?

I by no means thought that this was a personality that I might get to play. What an obscure alternative to play this. I simply by no means thought that I might. And it was actually enjoyable. It was actually attention-grabbing.

I believe should you had given me a alternative — previous, current, or future — I would not have picked current as a result of, in my head, I am like, “Oh, I get to do this on a regular basis. I am already within the current, however let’s do one thing extra attention-grabbing, previous or future.” However I’m so happy with what I obtained to play.

And I do know that this film was positively a distinct journey than what my character was used to. So perhaps her abilities weren’t used the best way that she usually would. Nevertheless it was actually enjoyable.

It was actually enjoyable, particularly attending to do all the lovable little transitions in several places. I am excited to see how these results prove within the closing product.

They give the impression of being fairly good. They’ve somewhat whirring impact within the house the place they had been. After which, as they’re disappearing, there’s like somewhat flutter of some type. That is actually cute.

That sounds proper. That sounds proper. Cool. I am excited to see it.

I used to be going to ask you which of them one you’ll have needed to play previous, current, or future. However is not it attention-grabbing that this story would not simply tie you to your position?

It’s extremely true. I get to play every kind of various methods; I get to go to the previous.

She will get to play together with the opposite ghosts, which is like, it simply would not occur.

Yeah. It is the very best of each worlds. I get to be two ghosts, primarily.

Yeah, it was actually enjoyable.

It was actually enjoyable to do. My expectations had been met after I obtained to set. I used to be actually, actually pleased.

Properly, I used to be excited as a result of I at all times suppose films which have ghosts in them or angels or one thing from the previous or someone from the long run; they’re at all times simply actually enjoyable to me. So I at all times have excessive expectations. And this one, fortunately, met and exceeded my expectations, to be trustworthy.

I am so glad to listen to that. I am unable to wait to see it. I imply, we had been simply such foolish giggly whereas we had been taking pictures this. We simply had the very best time that I knew that it was going to be a mission that I might be excited to observe. And I’m so excited to get to see it lastly.

When the ghosts first go see Peter, he is so excited. He is like, “Oh, it is the ghosts!” Had been these scenes enjoyable to movie? As a result of that is how I believe I might be. “Oh my gosh, it is simply my night time. What is going on to occur?”

I do know. As a result of clearly, this particular person doesn’t want any assist discovering his Christmas spirit. Taking part in that basically sort of childlike pleasure about can we’ve got this enjoyable journey,’ simply accepting that that is what’s taking place and going alongside for the journey. Yeah, it was actually, actually enjoyable.

And Ian and I obtained alongside so effectively in actual life. We’ve numerous mutual buddies, however we had by no means really met. So getting to satisfy lastly was seeing an previous buddy. We obtained on so effectively, and I hope that that comes via as a result of, yeah, as I mentioned, we had been similar to giggly youngsters.

It actually comes via. You each appear actually pure with one another on display screen.

Our director Wealthy [Newey], was actually unbelievable in letting us mess around with the dialogue somewhat bit and letting us discover what got here naturally to us as actors and what we thought this character was pondering and feeling. We did not have to stay solely to the script.

I imply, we positively caught to the script, however he allow us to play and discover somewhat bit, which we by no means know should you’re going to have the ability to try this whenever you get to a set. And that was actually superior.

What sort of preparation do it’s a must to do to play a Ghost of Christmas Current?

Oh God. Properly, I referred to as so many ghosts. [laughs] I did so many seances simply to get that ghostly perspective.

[laughs] Good for you!

Properly, thanks. Thanks. I actually dabbled at the hours of darkness arts. [laughs] There wasn’t a complete lot of prep that I needed to do to be a ghost. I knew there was going to be some extra heartfelt scenes and a few humorous scenes. And I do know that I can try this.

And a lot of it’s assembly the opposite actors that you simply’re attending to work with and seeing how they are going to play the half, after which assembly the director and seeing how he needs to shoot it. And all of it got here collectively. All of it got here collectively actually properly.

So how would you describe Katherine out of your perspective?

Oh, Katherine, she’s such a candy soul. She actually is. And I believe she would not have a complete lot of expectations for her. I imply, I say life, however she was lifeless. She had already carried out the dwelling a part of her life and accepted the position that she was enjoying now.

Now she is the Ghost of Christmas Current. And she or he loves her job. She has a extremely good time doing it. She has good buddies and coworkers, and he or she has accepted this actuality. And so when this very attention-grabbing man exhibits up in her life, I simply do not suppose she was anticipating it.

So she actually accepts this nice shock in her life. And I believe that, typically, individuals have a tough time accepting change or issues they weren’t anticipating. And she or he ultimately actually embraces it. And I like that about her.

What do you want about this completely different spin on this traditional story?

This isn’t what anybody is anticipating. I believe everybody expects a Christmas Carol to go as deliberate. We’ll present you your previous and your current and your future the place you are lifeless. After which you are going to really feel dangerous, and you may be taught to like once more. Your coronary heart will develop three sizes just like the Grinch, however this one would not take itself too severely.

It will possibly deal with itself and what the story thinks the story is meant to be. It will possibly sort of poke enjoyable at that, and it completely turns it on its head. The second that you simply understand that this particular person doesn’t want his Christmas spirit restored and that the Ghost of Christmas Current is now capable of tag alongside, why would she have the ability to tag alongside?

And I believe from the start that one thing goes to disclose itself. And I do know after I was studying the script, I used to be so curious to seek out out what that was.

So that you mentioned it was a extremely enjoyable shoot, and also you had numerous room to maneuver inside the script. Did it really feel prefer it was going to be magical whilst you had been making it?

Yeah. I did suppose it was going to be magical. And I do not precisely know why, however I knew that. I do know the units had been so lovely. I knew that our costumes had been so lovely. And I believe whenever you’re having enjoyable with someone that you’ve got by no means met earlier than, it is at all times of venture.

You go in to work on one thing new, and also you simply actually hope that you simply perceive one another, that you simply work in comparable methods, that your humorousness is analogous; you hope all these items, however you’ll be able to’t make sure that is at all times going to be the case.

And when it occurred, I imply, actually, that in and of itself feels magical. It actually does. And so having the ability to work alongside individuals who all needed the identical fantastic expertise, and we’re so giving as actors and as individuals normally, they had been simply additionally beautiful to spend time with.

And that makes you need to watch the ultimate product, that makes you need to do it once more. We might joke, Ian and I, like we’re prepared for the sequel. We’ll signal on to do one other one simply because we had been having such a good time.

And sure, that’s magical whenever you get all the correct items collectively to create one thing, and it simply blooms. It is one thing nice.

Is that this your first Hallmark film?

Yeah, that is my first Hallmark film.

What a very good film to begin with.

I agree. I give it some thought, and I am like, “Oh man, if I do one other one, how am I going to prime it?” This one was simply so nice that you simply hope the following one can be as effectively.

Will you do extra, do you suppose?

I might like to. I’ve no plans to do one for the time being, however I might like to.

And what are your favourite Christmas films? We already established which Christmas Carol you watch. What do you do along with your family and friends for Christmas? What films do it’s a must to watch that make it Christmas for you?

It is a Fantastic Life. That was one rising up that we watched on a regular basis as a household. We at all times watched It is a Fantastic Life. In order that one lives in a really nostalgic pocket of my mind, so it positively would not really feel like the vacations till I’ve watched it.

And Elf can be simply such a feel-good traditional. Oh, and yet another. And The Polar Specific, that is a more moderen movie, clearly. It got here out within the final ten years or one thing. However I learn that guide as a toddler on a regular basis. So when the film got here out, all I needed to do was watch the trailer, and I burst into tears like, “Oh my God, it is a film.”

And so something that basically makes me really feel nostalgic for childhood Christmas time. I am all in. I need it. I find it irresistible. So that is what we’re doing.

I do know. I am the identical manner. And I am manner past my years, at this level, to be infantile when a Christmas factor occurs, however I am unable to cease myself.

That is what the vacations do. You need to return to that childhood time when, I imply, God, you simply bear in mind counting down the months till it will lastly be Christmas time. And now it feels, as an grownup, life strikes so rapidly, and also you blink, and it is the vacations once more.

And you are like, wow, they did not simply do that. However having the ability to return and participate in these traditions that you simply had whenever you had been a child, it brings again so many good reminiscences. And that’s what makes the vacations so particular.

What had been a few of your favourite vacation traditions?

Oh gosh. Making cutout cookies with my mother and my sister. Listening to the John Denver and the Muppets Christmas album was one other actually good one which we at all times did. And we used to drive round and take a look at Christmas lights, after all, on a regular basis. We would all get within the automotive and take a look at Christmas lights.

We used to depend the angels the individuals would put within the home windows. And in order that was at all times a factor. It was sort of like an I spy sport. “Ooh, we discovered one other angel.” And if it was shifting, if it was an digital angel, that was even higher. You bought extra factors for locating these angels. So each time I see an angel in a window, I at all times return to these reminiscences.

And that matches rather well along with your love for It is a Fantastic Life.

I do know, each time a bell rings, an angel will get its wings, precisely.

You have obtained a complete factor going along with your Christmas. It is all interconnected. I prefer it. And a Fantastic Life can be similar to the Christmas Carol.

Yeah, it’s. I imply, there is a ghost displaying him what his life might be. Yeah, completely. Completely. And I am an enormous decorator.

I like the vacations. And that is one thing that I obtained from my dad and mom. My dad would at all times go all out on the surface of the home and my mother would go all out on the within of the home. And as me and my sister would at all times assist in any manner we may.

And I actually carried that with me as an grownup. I simply find it irresistible. I like adorning up the surface and yearly, developing with one thing new, me and my man, we made Christmas balls to hold from our tree within the entrance yard that we made out of rooster wire. And we wrapped it with Christmas lights, and we had a pulley system of a rock on an enormous extension twine.

And we pully them up onto the branches of the tree, and all of our neighbors will cease us and be like, “Wow. How did you make these? We love them.” And I really feel like that is my manner of giving Christmas spirit to individuals round me.

I am picturing you hovering over blueprints.

You are proper. [laughs] You aren’t unsuitable.

Plotting the place the following decorations are going to go. And this yr, you’ve spherical rooster wire balls. What are you able to do subsequent yr?

How can we prime it?

That’s so good.

It is at all times about topping it for the following yr, the following season. We simply find it irresistible.

How early do you get began?

I like to begin adorning the week earlier than Thanksgiving or perhaps two weeks earlier than Thanksgiving. I do not activate any of the lights, however we at all times exit of city to New York for Thanksgiving.

So after we get again to our residence in California, I like to only have the ability to activate the lights. And now Thanksgiving is over, and it is Christmas time. So I haven’t got to scramble to get all of it carried out earlier than December 1st. It is already put up, and I can simply flip the lights on.

Do you invite everyone over so you’ll be able to have a lighting?

No, I do not, really. I do not actually do a Christmas Trip-style lighting ceremony.

You may take into consideration that. It could be a pleasant technique to spend a while with your folks.

It might be good. You are proper. It might be.

The thought you place into it.

It is true. I am so sort A that I considered having a traditional tree trimming social gathering the place my buddies come over, and we might all embellish the Christmas tree collectively. However I do know that the second all of them depart, I might rearrange the ornaments. I might put some the place I need them as a result of I am so particular about the place they go.

You would want a second tree.

Oh, completely.

Have your principal tree that might be yours, after which you could possibly have one thing particular that everyone decorates. That manner, you won’t really feel like it’s a must to change them.

Yeah. It is a good factor to do with all of the ornaments that do not make it onto the primary tree. I at all times find yourself with numerous ornaments that did not make the reduce and that might be good.

So what else is developing for you?

Oh my gosh. I am very open to something proper now. I haven’t got loads developing within the pipeline, however I am very excited for everybody to see this film.

Properly, I am unable to wait so that you can do a second one. I am simply saying I like my Hallmark individuals to go in and make magic for me on a regular basis. All of the seasons.

I do know they do not do Christmas sequels, however I might find it irresistible in the event that they did.

Have they ever carried out a Christmas sequel? I do not know.

I do not know that they’ve. I used to be speaking to one in every of our producers; he was like, “Yeah, we do not actually do Christmas sequels.” And I mentioned, “Possibly you must rethink that.”

After you see Ghosts of Christmas At all times, you may be longing for a sequel, too. Welcome Kim to the Hallmark household whenever you tune in to Hallmark Channel on Sunday, October 30 at 8/7, to seek out one in every of your new Christmas favorites!

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