Brennan Elliott Talks About The Gift of Peace, Bringing Comfort Through the Gift of Film

Brennan Elliott stars with Nikki DeLoach in Hallmark Motion pictures & Mysteries’ The Reward of Peace.

It is a transferring movie that includes characters coping with loss and grief through the vacation season.

Brennan was form sufficient to share his ideas with TV Fanatic about how Hallmark’s development is benefical for viewers and expertise, what it was like digging inside himself to precisely painting a personality experiencing profound grief, and the way he hopes the movie touches individuals and supplies consolation for these needing it most.

The Reward of Peace is so stunning. Inform me how you bought concerned with it.

Yeah, there have been a few scripts that got here throughout my desk, and this was one which I learn, and it scared me, to be completely trustworthy. After I first learn it, I believed, wow. It is a testomony to Hallmark’s diversifying content material, going deeper on sure motion pictures and never shying away from actual feelings and what individuals will or have skilled.

In the event that they have not, they may expertise ache and grief in some unspecified time in the future of their lives. I really had my spouse learn it, and he or she informed me, ‘you actually ought to do that. There are individuals on the market going via actual struggles and coping with quite a lot of ache, and this may function a therapeutic device and provides them a bit hope.’

I believed, wow, that is likely to be particular. Clearly, individuals know what I am going via with my spouse, so every thing lined up, and I made a decision to go after it.

Speaking to Nikki DeLoach, who has turn out to be a very good good friend and anyone I love as a human being as an actress, we each determined that when you do it, I am going to do it. We each determined to leap off into the ocean of grief collectively, so to talk.

Did you’re employed collectively earlier than?

No, we really have not. There was a venture a yr or two in the past that did come throughout to me that had her connected, and I used to be probably going to do, however it simply did not transpire as a result of I believe I used to be on one other film, and the dates did not work out.

So we have been circling one another for just a few years and know one another pretty nicely, however not in addition to we do now. We actually wished to work collectively. She is an unimaginable human being.

There have been some actually tough days with the content material and the work we’re coping with, and he or she held my hand via a few of that stuff and mentioned, look, no matter Brennan wants, take a second, and vice versa as a result of she had some deep locations to go to.

It was quite a lot of enjoyable. It was a deep and private expertise for all of us. I do not suppose I have been on a present the place an ensemble had grown that shut. It was nearly like we have been residing on this film for 3 weeks collectively. It was quite a lot of particular moments that I am going to take with me without end.

What was your first thought while you learn the script?

I do not need to do that. It scares the life out of me. I used to be like, oh wow. I am the form of actor that tries to make every thing very trustworthy and human and three-dimensional and actual and all the remainder. I am positive all of us do.

However I work very personally with selections in my life. And so I knew what Michael was going via as quickly as I learn it. I knew what it was prefer to lose somebody and to be in grief. I do know what it is like even to be confronted with the concern of anticipatory grief.

Clearly, as a caregiver for my spouse’s sickness, it hit dwelling in some ways in which scared me. However on the identical time, these are those you need to do. It challenges you to face a few of these emotional issues that you simply contact, you attempt to repress and run away from.

I keep in mind assembly with the director, Fred Gerber, who was a stunning, beautiful man and a proficient man. And Beth Mitchell, our govt producer, after which Nikki. And we simply learn it collectively. And that was the second I knew we have been going to be on this collectively, and I might belief that I might go to these locations and vice versa for Nikki.

We actually wished to inform the story from an trustworthy place. We did not simply need to make a film, or a Hallmark film, no matter that is likely to be; we wished to make an trustworthy expertise of individuals going via grief as a result of all people’s going to undergo grief or has gone via it.

If you have not, you are going to in some unspecified time in the future in your life, whether or not it is the lack of a job or a cherished one or no matter, an sickness or no matter you need to undergo, God forbid. However while you undergo it, nobody talks about, nicely, how can we get to the opposite facet? How do we discover some sense of therapeutic via this very painful expertise?

These 4 or 5 characters are going via very totally different experiences, however ache is common, and grief is common. So how can we inform this story from an trustworthy place?

What I appreciated about it was that not solely is Michael right here to assist all people get via their journey, the irony is he wants probably the most assist in quite a lot of methods as a result of he is been in denial and suppressing it. And I do know of that very nicely as nicely.

So it was a few issues that basically hit me. And I believed the pedigree was clearly working with Nikki and Fred and simply Hallmark alone. I believed, ‘I am in a secure place, and let’s all go to this place and be open and susceptible and let’s hopefully contact some individuals.’

What was it like on set through the extremely emotional scenes that you simply have been filming? How totally different is it on set while you’re doing one thing that requires emoting that sort of ache for the digital camera? Do you utilize the identical ways for different motion pictures, or do you need to draw from a special place?

Each film is totally different for me for some purpose. I by no means actually method the position the identical. I imply, clearly, it is from a private place and in your creativeness. However this one, as you already know, since you’ve interviewed many, many Hallmark stars. we shoot these motion pictures in 15 days, and we shoot them with possibly two takes when you’re fortunate. you do not have quite a lot of time to fiddle.

So the folks that do a plethora of those are ready. They’ve labored laborious to convey one thing to life. And for me, on this one, the laborious half was I simply wanted to verify I had a quiet house. I wished to be sure that I might go to an area the place there weren’t crews or grips or noise or buses or automobiles going by.

All people works in another way, and I used to be fairly quiet quite a lot of the time and was rubbing my nostril emotionally in sure issues in order that once we go to set your emotional life and every thing’s turned on, and also you’re able to go.

However this one was robust as a result of I actually wanted to focus emotionally on being open and susceptible. You tend at occasions to chitter chat or speak to different actors. On this one, quite a lot of us have been fairly centered.

I perceive. It is very transferring, and also you do an excellent job.

Oh, you are so form, Carissa. Thanks a lot. It means lots. I had an interview in New York — we have been doing the Countdown to Christmas there, and it was a stunning time for all of us to hang around. I keep in mind one interviewer who requested, what sort of motion pictures do you need to make?

And I mentioned, nicely, I am probably not , and I simply got here off the tongue, I mentioned, ‘I am not occupied with simply making fairly footage. I need to make touching footage.’ You need individuals to be affected. You do not need individuals simply to go, ‘oh, I really like that swimsuit, and his hair appears to be like so nice. I do know the subsequent second earlier than it occurs. They meet; they kiss.’

You need them to be shocked. You need to be taken on an emotional journey and notice that we’re mirroring life to them ultimately, to allow them to be entertained however, on the identical time, be taught one thing and be touched.

There’s humor on this film, there are household parts, there’s friendship, there’s goofiness, there’s romance, there’s denial, there’s ache, there’s spirituality, there’s quite a lot of parts that have been on the web page that we really wished to intensify much more.

I have never seen it, however you could have, and your response is, ‘it makes me really feel heat inside figuring out that these individuals might be touched and affected; it is a totally different sort of film.’

I’ve performed the rom-coms, and this can be a very totally different sort of film, and we knew that getting in. I believe that is a testomony to what Hallmark’s doing; they’re diversifying the kind of content material.

They are going to locations that possibly they have been scared to up to now. And it actually stretches you as an actor to have the ability to attempt to play totally different roles.

I have been fortunate sufficient to play very, very numerous characters all through my profession and never do the identical factor. And this was one which was very totally different than what I used to be used to. And I used to be like, let’s inform this story.

Hallmark hasn’t embraced actually faith-based vacation motion pictures. It is at all times been a bit overarching what Christmas has turn out to be versus what Christmas began as within the first place.

Completely.

In that regard, does it really feel totally different telling a faith-based story?

I method each venture in another way when creating the character and telling the story, however it’s all from an actual place.

There are parts which can be on the nostril about spirituality, and there are parts which can be very delicate, however this was a Day Spring manufacturing at the side of Hallmark. They have been beautiful and gave us free rein to inform the story spiritually, however not banging you over the top each second with it.

So I believe it is a religious film, however I believe, looking back, it is for everybody, no matter your spirituality or faith, your creed or your sexual orientation, or who you’re. It is all a couple of story at Christmas, heal via grief and to come back collectively and that you simply want individuals that will help you. You want individuals to like you, and also you want individuals to hope with.

And that is the religious factor that all of us want in our lives, particularly these days. You bought to imagine in one thing outdoors of your self, or you are going to be on a bumpy trip.

You do.

You actually do. I’ve bought two younger children, and it is a scary world on the market in quite a lot of methods. In case you have one thing you may maintain onto that makes you are feeling such as you’re a bit safer going via the storm, which this film efficiently has that factor, I believe you may converse to everybody.

We want that on some degree, whether or not it is this faith or this perception system or this sort of spirituality — no matter it’s, we’d like one thing to maintain us once we’re going via actually tough occasions.

I believe the one factor concerning the film I really like probably the most was it does say — you may’t do this stuff by yourself. You want pals, you want household, you want spirituality, you want individuals to come back and love you from a selfless place and be there for you. And you do not see quite a lot of motion pictures like that.

No, you do not.

And that is one factor I appreciated as a result of it’s a scary factor not solely to creatively dive into as an actor or as a producer or a author or no matter, however I believe it is a factor that is left unsaid; you do not need to do a film about this as a result of possibly that is going to rub individuals the fallacious manner.

I believe — I am hoping — we’ll see it once we’re in New Jersey on the Con, however I am hoping it is a film that may be for everybody, and so they all can get some sense of being touched in peace and be taught one thing about their very own private journey.

And I do not suppose that anyone would watch and never have an thought of what it is prefer to lose anyone. All people has misplaced anyone totally different, a grandmother, a mom, or a companion. There are every kind of various grief. And I believe that it was a large sufficient beginning that individuals will discover one thing that speaks to them.

And, in addition to I do, that there are folks that have not actually possibly skilled a degree of grief, of a loss like that.

I do know I went many, a few years till only in the near past, shedding my grandmother ten years in the past. I have been via totally different ranges of grief at totally different phases in my life, and the grief I’m going via now could be very totally different with Cami’s sickness.

However that being mentioned, if you have not gone via any grief, you’ll. It’ll occur in some unspecified time in the future in your life, and nobody will inform you navigate it.

This film offers you hope. that it will likely be painful, however there can be life on the opposite facet. I believe one of many worst issues that occurs is when anyone does get sick, you spend a lot time worrying about what life goes to be like once they’re gone.

Sure.

And hopefully, this may give individuals an concept that it’ll be robust, however you will get via it.

Sure, and that was our predominant motivation for doing the film. That was the principle motivation I mentioned sure to it as a result of I believe all of us want that. I’ve had moments of hopelessness with Cami’s sickness the place I am like, I do not know get via this, to be completely trustworthy.

And I had to attract upon that for the film. And so that you return to your lodge room, and also you sit there, and you are like, okay, after a 15-hour day, and you bought to stand up in 5 or 6 hours, and also you simply go, ‘I’m emotionally performed.’

However that is what going via grief seems like. You get extra exhausted by performing like every thing’s okay, by strolling round, saying, I am tremendous. It is all proper. Yeah, I am nonetheless in ache, however it’s okay. No, it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to be in ache.

And that warms my coronary heart Carissa, as a result of, ultimately, we wish individuals to snicker and cry and thru the gamut of feelings, however on the identical time, have a bit little bit of hope on the finish. To go, you already know what? It is Christmas time, and with individuals round me supporting me, I can get via one thing.

There’s one thing that is simply so emotional, simply listening to faith-based Christmas songs, too.

Oh, yeah.

The attractive songs which can be sung on the present and that play within the background, it put a lump in my throat whereas watching.

Aww. Nikki and I have been telling the director and the producer once we have been doing our little learn via — I might hardly ever performed a learn via Hallmark film for a very long time, and it was really helpful for us as a result of it is such deep materials — I mentioned, let’s not shrink back from this. Let’s actually go for it.

You probably did.

Let’s not maintain again. Let the concept converse for itself. Let’s expertise this in order that individuals are actually affected and may discover some hope. All people was on board, even all the opposite characters within the piece.

I’ve by no means performed one thing this private earlier than, the place it was like, there actually wasn’t quite a lot of room to breathe. I imply, I had lumps in my throat simply doing scenes with these individuals.

I can think about.

It was a wonderful journey, one which I am nonetheless affected by and stay up for sharing in New Jersey with all of the individuals which can be going to be on the Christmas con to observe it, and, clearly, on December tenth when it airs. However you aren’t getting many occasions in your profession the place you may actually possibly assist individuals via some creative content material.

Hopefully, this has a bit bit for anyone on the market. And if one particular person goes, ‘you already know what? I used to be prepared to take a look at on quite a lot of issues, and I noticed this, and it made me notice if I stick with it, as painful as it’s, possibly, with assist, pals, household, and remedy, if I would like it, possibly I can discover some peace as a result of life’s robust, not a straightforward recreation.’

It is not. So what would you want Hallmark followers to find out about this film earlier than watching it?

That you’ll be touched in your coronary heart and your soul, hopefully, sufficient to appreciate that it doesn’t matter what painful factor you are going via, have gone via, or will undergo sooner or later, there are messages and issues on this film that can provide you a way of hope, a way of peace, and a way of optimism that you may get via it.

Guilt and grief and nervousness and concern and melancholy, these issues are legit. They’re actual. Thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of individuals cope with it on totally different ranges each single day. We want assist to get via sure issues. There are messages on this film that I believe can profit.

I do know it benefited me in my journey. Clearly, I am unable to attest to Nikki, however we have all gone via it, and if we are able to discover one thing that may make us watch it and, going away, say, ‘okay, possibly I am not going nuts. I am in quite a lot of ache, but when I proceed doing what I am doing, I am going to discover some sense of peace and grounding.’

I imply, one of many scenes on the finish of the film with the balloons and letting go, simply the entire group of individuals. I have never heard the music, however I’ve heard the music is absolutely touching and actually even amplifies the emotional life.

On that day, I keep in mind there wasn’t a dry eye in the entire place, even with extras. Folks weren’t even positive what film we have been making however realized that you need to let go typically to be free, and it takes a journey to get there.

One among my cousins misplaced his youngest son two years in the past, and we did that at his funeral, the releasing the balloons factor. I imply, it simply brings on the waterworks.

Oh yeah, there’s nothing heavier.

It’s such a significant factor that you simply’re doing, and it appears unattainable. However the best way that it performs on this film, to,o is precisely what it does. It offers all people who’s there that feeling of catharsis. That we’re all on this collectively. All people has one thing that they are going via, and we do not have to hold that burden.

Precisely. That is how yow will discover therapeutic. You must get to that time of eager to let that go to get to that time. That is a painful journey.

One of many issues — and Carissa, you have in all probability seen so many Hallmark motion pictures, you may attest to this — however clearly, it is a model, and there are these parts and these Hallmark issues it is advisable to hit, these little tropes, and the rom-coms, and there is a little little bit of heightened actuality, and also you escape and every thing else.

What I additionally love — and so they’re doing it with all of their content material — however this can be a film, and so they need to do extra of those varieties of flicks the place you may escape with one thing grounded in reality. I imply, actually, actually trustworthy. It is not at all times concerning the glitz and the glam and the shining lights and the Christmas bushes, which could be very, essential.

On this film, it isn’t a backdrop; it is an essential character, however what’s essential is the spirit and the soul and the center of those characters going via their grief and that, at Christmas, actually coming collectively can actually assist them. And I discovered that throughline of the story actually stunning and trustworthy.

I stay up for seeing extra of those. Hallmark has positively upped their recreation with significant, inspirational content material. The system is disappearing.

Sure.

And with that, all people will get an opportunity to develop from individuals behind the scenes to individuals on display screen and to these of us watching it. I am actually excited to see what else is coming.

Yeah, me too. And from an actor perspective or a producer perspective, to see the form of content material that they are doing in all areas, whether or not it is with sexual orientation, whether or not it is bringing a variety of coloration, I imply, all this stuff.

All of it ought to have occurred years in the past, however that is simply the best way the world’s going; all people has a voice, and all people has one thing to say, and every thing that individuals need to say and do and really feel is essential. They’re making an attempt to have a bit bit for everybody. And I discover that encouraging.

Agreed. You had three Hallmark motion pictures this yr. How are you going to beat that subsequent yr?

Properly, really, I am glad you simply mentioned that. I used to be simply telling my spouse that we took the primary half of the yr off as a result of she was going via some surgical procedures, and I needed to be right here with the children and handle her and stuff. However she’s doing nice now, and he or she’s like, ‘you are my husband, I need you out of the home.’

She’s had sufficient of this togetherness.

Yeah. So I mentioned, ‘nicely, I am going to do 4 or 5 subsequent yr if I can, no matter.’ However no, I really like working for Hallmark, and that is why I keep round. And nicely, in the event that they need to preserve me, I at all times say sure to them. And this was one which I am going to cherish for a very long time, for positive.

Yeah, I hope you get to do one other couple that may problem you a bit bit to take you out of your consolation zone and away from the system. You probably did an excellent job.

Oh, you are so form, Carissa. We have been doing ADR, simply going over a few of the strains as a bustler and purchaser, you already know, that complete routine within the studio, and also you do ADR.

And there was a man there, an previous burly biker-looking man, tats in all places, large beard. I imply, beautiful, beautiful man. And he was the sound mixer, and he was watching a few of the scenes, and he goes, ‘is that this a characteristic? What is that this?’ I’m going, ‘no, it is a TV film for Hallmark.’ He goes, ‘this can be a Hallmark film?’ As a result of he was unaware.

Proper. I really like how individuals have this concept of Hallmark, and so they’re actually off the mark as of late.

And they’re. I mentioned Hallmark is making nice motion pictures. It is not only a Hallmark film, it is a Hallmark film. And people tropes must be there, and it is bought a sure model, however they’re actually taking dangers and doing actually attention-grabbing stuff.

It is a actually nice time to be an viewers member and watch, and likewise to be part of the inventive group, like me. So I am excited for the longer term on what they need to convey to the followers.

Earlier than there was Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Motion pictures and Mysteries, there have been Hallmark Productions that aired on broadcast and have been tremendous particular. Households gathered round to observe these significant movies, and now they’re lastly bringing a few of that again, and I like it.

It is thrilling to see the expansion and see the place we’re going as a community. And that is a testomony to clearly Wonya Lucas and [her team].

All people over there that is actually listening to the followers and going, ‘we need to be identified for making not simply this A plus B equal C sort of film. We would like individuals to observe it and go, this might be a film that would rival an actual characteristic.’ They usually have Hallmark drama, they’d Hallmark Motion pictures & Mysteries. Every part’s bleeding into one another.

In our film, there are humorous moments, actually enjoyable, playful moments, and comedy, rom-com, and romance. There’s ache, emotion, and life; there are all of these issues. Each film ought to have that, for my part. So it would not must be relegated to a sure channel.

It is life. Folks at all times need to name one thing both a comedy or a drama, however in life, there’s comedy and drama.

Completely.

Your life throughline has a bit little bit of every thing.

There needs to be all of the feelings within the rainbow, in everybody’s efficiency, and in each film, as an alternative of simply listed here are personalities, and we love them, and so they’re telling a narrative. Oh, there’s that trope. Now they’ve the massive kiss; here is the meet-cute. All that stuff is there, and I get all that, and there is a place for it.

I’ve performed a lot of these and can proceed to do these. However it’s additionally good to see that you are able to do that and nonetheless be trustworthy and three-dimensional and human and actual, and folks can actually connect with that versus the trope itself.

The Reward of Peace accomplishes all of that and extra, with transferring solid performances and a wonderful story. You’ll be able to watch The Reward of Peace Saturday, December 10 at 10/9c.

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