It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in August as Saint Jean Baptiste’s iconic Roman Catholic church was transformed into a festive film set for a new holiday movie slated to air this winter.
A film crew spent a week in the community shooting scenes for one of those popular made-for-tv Christmas movies.
Raymonde Dupuis, a resident and member of the parish, was one of several locals who helped coordinate with the crew.
“Someone just called the parish asking about filming in our church,” Dupuis said. “We thought it was a fantastic idea! Our church is so beautiful.”
After initial site visits and discussions with the diocese, the production team moved ahead with the location, decking the church out in Christmas magic.
Decking the halls
Dupuis explained, more red curtains were added at the back of the sanctuary, creating a crimson wall of drapery. The interior was also frocked with artificial poinsettias, glowing electric candles and holly. The team, added Dupuis, even transformed the choir loft.
"It's something we've never decorated before. They had two Christmas trees up there and twinkle lights all along the edge of the loft. So, that was really pretty and gave us an idea for our Christmas decorations. They really made it look magical."
The parish's sacristy, the room where a priest prepares for a service, was also transformed into an office for the pastor in film.
"They had lights all over the place. Candles, flowers. It was just unbelievable," added Dupuis.
The production crew also left behind a few Christmas props — candles, trees, and a decorative cross — as a token of appreciation.
“They were very generous and respectful. They cleaned everything up perfectly. You’d never know they had been there by Sunday morning.”
A community effort
The film's pivotal Christmas Eve Mass scene was shot one Friday night with the help of around 70 local volunteers who filled the pews as extras.
“We were there from 7 p.m. and didn’t get into the church until 9:30,” Dupuis laughed, adding she had been to a previous movie shoot and had an idea of what to expect this time around. "I knew it was going to be hurry up and wait. They refilm a scene like five, six or seven times before they get it and they get all their angles."
Once inside, the team placed the volunteers in the pews and handed out instructions on what to do and when.
"Then they filmed the same scene, I don't know, maybe seven times and then we were done. It was close to midnight when it was over," explained Dupuis. "But even with the waiting and retakes, everyone I spoke to had a great time.”
The evening shoot even left an impression with a member of the crew, she added.
"He told me that when he saw everybody walking in on Friday night, he got emotional. He said normally, they have about ten people and they have to make them look like 100 when filming, but he said here they didn't have to make up anything. There was already a lot of people in there."
When can we watch it?
Though the official air date and final title may still change, Christmas at Midnight Clear is expected to premiere this holiday season on the Great American Family channel in the United States.
For viewers here at home, broadcast details haven't yet been confirmed but Dupuis says the production team said they'd notify her when that information was available.
According to Dupuis, the film's story follows a high-powered real estate developer who arrives in a struggling small town with plans to modernize everything — until she meets the local pastor, who’s fighting to save the heart of the community: the church. In true holiday romance fashion, sparks fly.
One thing is certain: Saint Jean is ready for its close-up.