Lights, camera, Independence: Community prepares for Chiefs Hallmark movie debut
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - In just over two weeks, Kansas City and the City of Independence will be on the big screen for the new movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
Two Independence women were behind the scenes this summer, helping the movie magic come to life for the town.
“I was actually screenshotting like parts because I could see my house in the background when they’re sitting outside in the magic happens in the snow comes down. And I was probably a crazy person. I think I watched it like 12 times yesterday, trying to see all the things that I know,” said Angie Judy, whose home was used as set in the film.
We first met Judy back in August after she and her family went through a few days of filming chaos.
“I literally got to watch the whole thing be made. And then now it’s just like amazing to see what they have put together for the trailer,” said Judy. She added, “So I have a funny t-shirt that was given to me about my Christmas wish is to live in a Hallmark movie, and I get to so I love it. So it’s so fun. Yeah, my wish came true.”
Cindy McClain owns over a dozen businesses in Independence Square.
She got the nickname ‘set mom’ during filming as she had a key to every building in use.
“It was kind of the cast and crew type thing. I don’t know that anybody else knew it,” said Independence business owner, Cindy McClain.
She said she is still fascinated by the moving-making process.
“It’s like everything everywhere, cameras and booms and all the things,” said McClain. She added, “The tracks for the camera and you see it, but to actually stand by it while it’s happening. It’s so smooth and it’s so cool. And so to actually understand now how those long shots moved through the street was just really cool.”
Now that the trailer is out, the two women and many others are excited to see the full film.
“I want to see more of the conversations like that happened in this room. I think that will be really fun to see. Because I didn’t I didn’t come into this set because I wanted to respect what they were doing, and I respect their craft and that they’re actually working. They’re not playing and trying to get things done. So I didn’t come in and watch them, so I’m anxious to see what they actually did in this,” said McClain.
“To see our streets look so alive. And just, you know, the amount of people that came up here and sat here and watched it from behind the scenes, we’ll get to see, like, how the magic actually happened,” said Judy.
Whether you catch the movie at home or at the one-time invite-only screening at Pharoh Cinema 4 in the Square, they hope this gives people a reason to be proud of the metro.
“My hope is that people will have that pride in Independence, that Independence deserves. I feel like sometimes we kind of get knocked, and I’ve never understood it as a transplant. I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the people,” said McClain. She added, “It will create these warm memories for people and that Kansas City pride that Independence pride that is just really cool that the Hallmark and Chiefs both hometown corporations’ franchises came together and created something that everybody can enjoy across the world.”
They feel their town was truly captured when Hallmark came to the Square.
“We hope that people come up and see what the magic was all about,” said Judy. She added, “It is so cool that everyone around the world will get to see a little slice of Independence.”
They are taking Christmas to the max this year in Independence with multiple events to celebrate the holiday season:
- Saturday, November 30
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 113 West Lexington Ave., Independence, Mo. 64050
- Find some locally made gifts while enjoying snacks, drinks, Santa, and more
Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays
- Tuesday, December 3
- 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- 501 N. Dodgion, Independence, Mo. 64050
- Come give back while decorating gingerbread houses, bring your own kit, or buy one for $15. RSVP to [email protected]
- Friday, December 6
- 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Independence Square
Private screening of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
- Free invite-only, private screening of the movie
- Saturday, December 7
- Pharaoh Cinema 4
- The only time the movie is shown in a theater. It can be watched at home
- Donations benefit Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays
You can watch the new Chiefs Hallmark flick on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, November 30 at 8/7c.
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