Via Zoom: Director Jack C. Newell Spends ‘Christmas with Felicity’

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CHICAGO – The challenge of creating a “Christmas Romance” TV movie, in a field that is saturated with contenders, would perplex even Orson Welles. But Chicago-based director Jack C. Newell was up to the task, as he took a script from Rebecca Weaver and put his spin on the holiday rom-com “Christmas with Felicity,” now available on the AMC+ app.

The film has familiar tropes in the genre. Felicity (Sarah Brooks of “Chicago Med”) is a “city mouse’ gal from Chicago whose fiancé has left her and her bakery business has failed. On to snowy Wisconsin she goes, to escape the situation and rest at her parent’s home. Unfortunately for her, it’s the holiday season, and she’s not in the mood. Enter James (Herb Porter), a Christmas loving optimist who also happens also to be a Christmas tree/dairy farmer. Will the sparks fly?

’Christmas with Felicity,’ Directed by Jack C. Newell
Photo credit: ACM+/Nicely Entertainment

HollywoodChicago.com has portrayed Jack C. Newell through his filmmaker journey. From his beginnings at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival with ”Typing” through his feature films ”Close Quarters”, ”Open Tables” and ”42 Grams” the director continues to evolve. Currently, he continues to influence Chicago culture as Director of Digital Entertainment at The Second City film school, in addition to facilitating art events like the Wabash Lights and ”Destroy Your Art,” with wife REBECCA FONS.

In an interview Via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Jack C. Newell talks about the origins of “Christmas with Felicity,” how to stand out in the crowded genre and how to get Scrooge the watch the film …

Trailer for “Christmas with Felicity” …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com