If you’re reading this, you know all-too-well how sweet of a town Franklin is. We’ve watched fictional places like Stars Hollow and Mayberry captivate viewers for years, instilling daydreams of moving to a small town riddled with friendly faces and beautiful places.
Well, folks, Franklin may be far from fictional, but it shines brighter than the Christmas tree on the square in the new holiday film, A Little Women’s Christmas.
Director and producer Brandon Clark was struck with inspiration during his first visit to Franklin. “I got the vision immediately. My parents moved here four years ago, and while I was shopping on Main Street for gifts, I was having these visions,” he says. “I thought, ‘I’m going to shoot a movie here.’”
Clark's a seasoned filmmaker, known for TV movies like Just Jake, The Engagement Plot, and The Happy Camper, but when he connected with a screenwriter who had an idea for a modern adaptation of Little Women with a holiday twist, he knew Franklin was the perfect backdrop for the film. He partnered with local production company Third Coast Film to get the project off the ground.
Despite the project not yet being funded, Clark started filming in and around Franklin last December. He captured the actual tree-lighting event that took place in the town square, then contacted the city to ask if the Christmas tree could stay up a little longer. That decision, and the city’s cooperation, would result in one of the most stunning shots of the film.
"In the movie, everyone’s going to assume we hired extras for the Christmas tree lighting. But that’s the real ceremony, with the real town coming together," says Brian Williams, co-founder of Third Coast Film. "It’s such a special moment, so be on the lookout for yourself."
During last year’s massive January snowstorm, Clark deployed a videographer to capture film of the snowy street and the twinkling tree while most locals were cozied up indoors. Seeing an authentically snowy Franklin only added to the allure, charm, and believability of the story’s holiday setting, and this footage, Clark says, is what sold the team at Great American Family (GAF). "We saw that GAF was doing a Little Women book club,” he says. “I took a Zoom call with [GAF President and CEO] Bill Abbott, and within two minutes, he said, ‘Let’s green light this.’ GAF has a delightful holiday movie series each year, and A Little Women’s Christmas would be a perfect fit. So it was time to get to work."
"We shot this entire thing in just 14 days with an ensemble cast,” says Clark. “You have to really know what you’re doing – know where your value is, what’s essential, and when you have to move on."
During the filming in July, the production team set up shop at the Harpeth Hotel, which Clark now feels is a home-away-from-home. While the Harpeth team took great care of the crew, Clark noted that the Southern hospitality didn’t stop there. "The experience of this for me was much better than any place I’ve ever shot before,” he says. “From the love of the community to the people – it’s a testament to this town, how it operates, and the culture."
From the decorations to the police support and even a community press release that encouraged onlookers to steer clear of the crew during filming, the town took good care of the film team, and in turn, became a star of the show itself.
"The town comes alive right away in the movie,” Williams adds. “It’s not just b-roll and music. We show the tree lighting, the bubbles, and all the things going on in town. I wanted Franklin to represent home and bring a presence and peace."
As you’re watching this holiday season, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some recognizable locations in the background. Many “walk and talks” were filmed down Main Street itself, and scenes took place inside shops like Philanthropy, Stable Reserve, Schuff’s Music, and the Franklin Mercantile.
"A lot of discussion went into how much of the actual stores and shops we could show without blurring or cutting away," Williams says. "We wanted to put Franklin out there in all its glory—it opens and closes the film, and the characters spend a good deal of time on Main Street. It really does function as a character."
The film debuted on GAF on November 23 and will air throughout the season. GreatAmericanFamily.com
Starring Jillian Murray, Trevor Donovan, Laura Osnes, Jen Lilly, Julia Reilly, and Jesse Hutch, with a special appearance by Gladys Knight, A Little Women’s Christmas is a modern-day adaptation of the original Little Women story. Taking place in the fictional town of Alcott Grove, (played by Franklin itself), the story follows the tale of writer Jo March as she returns to her hometown for the holidays. With plenty of chaos, love stories, and holiday charm, it’s a recipe for a holiday classic.
"We wanted to put Franklin out there in all its glory." -- Brian Williams
"The experience of this for me was much better than any place I’ve ever shot before." -- Brandon Clark