Alexandra Harris and Sean Koetting star in the new UPtv Christmas movie Christmas at the Amish Bakery, premiering December 10 at 8/7c. We at Survived The Shows had the incredible chance to chat via email with screenwriter Jennifer Snow. She teased what viewers can expect from UPtv’s Christmas at the Amish Bakery and more. Check out the full interview below!
“Christmas at the Amish Bakery” blends elements of urban and rural life. What challenges and opportunities did you find in juxtaposing the two settings, and how does it contribute to the narrative?
JENNIFER SNOW: I really enjoyed this element of the movie. I was excited to contrast Christmas in the city and the holidays in the Amish community because while both are very different on the surface, the true meaning of Christmas. Love, family, togetherness and forgiveness is the same in both settings. I loved that I could balance scenes of Christmas decor and lights with the simplicity of Amish holiday decor and the slower pace on the Amish farm. My goal was to highlight both ways of life in a positive light and accentuate the positive elements of both. I hope we achieved that in this film.
The film explores the theme of saving a family bakery. How did you approach incorporating the Amish culture into the story, and what aspects did you find particularly enriching to explore?
JENNIFER SNOW: I had to do a lot of research for this one and I learned a lot about the Amish way of life that I incorporated into this script. One thing I learned was how they use middlemen to sell their homemade items. It became an important element in the movie as the family has lost one of their most lucrative ‘middlemen’ bakeries. They need to find a way to recoup that lost revenue in the new year. Being private people who are slow to trust outsiders, that isn’t as easy as it sounds. So Sarah helps her family find another way to support their family business. It was also very fun to research the different Amish desserts and incorporate them into the story in meaningful ways.
The character of Dean, an outsider in the Amish community, plays a significant role. Can you discuss the dynamics of creating a character who bridges two different worlds and the impact this has on the storyline?
JENNIFER SNOW: I loved writing Dean’s character. He’s so fiercely protective of the Amish community and his commitment to helping out around the farm (even though he’s more of a hindrance than a help) was such an endearing trait. I fell in love with Dean writing his character. I hope viewers love this single dad who finds a second chance at love and learns the importance of forgiveness (most importantly forgiving himself) along the way.
The protagonist, Sarah, faces a journey of rediscovery on her family farm. How did you navigate the character’s personal growth, and what message were you aiming to convey about the importance of roots and identity?
JENNIFER SNOW: Sarah has always loved her family farm and her roots. She wasn’t trying to escape the Amish community when she left. She just wanted to expand her world and explore things that she never had an opportunity to. Because she hadn’t committed to the Amish faith and had left during Rumspringa, she was free to come and go and still be a part of her family. But still live her life on her own terms. She definitely struggled with that as she didn’t want to feel like she was ever taking advantage. But her family has such love for her that they welcome her with open arms whenever she decides to visit. There’s definitely a message about coming home and finding that comfort in the familiar and in the people who love you most.
The film incorporates a romantic subplot. How do you approach developing authentic and heartwarming romantic connections within the context of a holiday-themed narrative?
JENNIFER SNOW: As I’ve said a milllion times to anyone who will listen lol. Christmas is the best time to fall in love. So writing a love story set during the holidays is my favorite! I think this one was definitely a balance between the romance between the leads and the connection with family that made the story a very heartwarming one to tell.
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Chiara
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