For Hallmark’s A Paris Proposal, Alexa PenaVega returned to the town of lights to movie for the primary time since she starred in Spy Children 3.
The film is not filmed in its entirety in Paris, however simply sufficient to lend it the genuine taste essential to deliver it to life.
Alexa stars as Anna, an promoting government who travels to Paris along with her coworker Sebastian (Nicholas Bishop) to land an essential account.
When the shopper, who owns the famed Durant Diamonds, mistakenly believes they’re a contented couple, Anna and Sebastian imagine they haven’t any alternative however to associate with it to make the deal.
Alexa was thrilled to return to Paris. “It is wonderful. Paris is such a particular place. The final time I used to be there, I used to be a lot youthful, and I did not actually get to understand it the best way you do while you return as an grownup.
“The structure is unreal, the meals. I perceive why it is the spot that everyone desires to go to for his or her honeymoon as a result of it’s simply such a romantic place. In every single place you flip, it simply feels simply charming and delightful.”
Alexa and her husband Carlos not too long ago signed a multi-picture take care of Hallmark Media, however not solely did not he star along with her in A Paris Proposal, the household did not make the journey to Paris, both.
She admitted it was tough to be with out her household and advised Carlos they’d a very good excuse to return for one thing extra intimate, however she actually loved taking just a little time to herself personally and professionally.
Her freedom allowed her to attach socially with the forged, and it led to her favourite second of the go to.
“I really took a stroll on my own and located this little cafe, and I simply sat alone, consuming just a little sandwich outdoors beneath an awning whereas it sprinkled. And this was at evening, and the lights had been twinkling. It felt like I used to be in a film on my own. It was simply wonderful.”
That is a a lot totally different expertise than she had as a baby. “After I was youthful, I all the time liked structure. So I used to be at the very least very conscious of and impressed by how attractive the structure and historical past was of Paris.
“I went to Versailles, and I keep in mind that blew me away, simply being so shocked by how unbelievable Versailles was. Now I did not get to return this time simply due to our schedule, which did not actually enable it. However I do hope to go to Versailles once more as a result of I keep in mind as a baby that actually simply was the good factor. I imply, it was a fort!”
Navigating a tough filming schedule whereas additionally attending to household may be arduous, Alexa stated, however whereas she actually missed her household, she discovered the silver lining.
“It was the primary time in a really very long time that I used to be in a position to actually deal with my work and never have to come back dwelling after which all of the sudden care for three youngsters, and also you’re working on no sleep and going to set the following day and dealing these lengthy hours after which going again dwelling and repeating till the film’s over.
“This was simply such a particular expertise as a result of I used to be in a position to actually sink into that function, and after we had been carried out filming, the forged would all exit to dinner after, and we’d really go over our strains for the following day collectively.”
Alexa stated it was good to have the ability to match into the group even when she did miss her household, the best pleasure in her life.”The eager for your partner and your youngsters was all the time there. However the filming was such a enjoyable course of.”
A secret to filming A Paris Proposal comes from the truth that most of it was filmed in Bulgaria. She loved the method a lot that she thought, “we should always shoot each film in Bulgaria.”
“This was simply such a very good expertise. Actually. The forged got here from throughout Europe,” she stated, complementing the group. Many had come from London, together with her costar, Nick, who she stated is simply “so pretty.”
“Most of all of them communicate three or 4 languages, French being certainly one of them, which made me really feel tremendous foolish. We communicate Spanish and English in our family, however my Spanish is just not one of the best anymore.
“I actually need to step up my sport, and it simply cracks me up that these folks in these different international locations are talking so many languages. It was very spectacular and simply such a very good group to work with.”
After I requested how she got here to be flying solo after the multi-picture deal she and Carlos signed, Alexa stated, “I do know! That is simply the way it labored out as a result of they’d these offers in place the place every did our solo one, and we received one collectively.
“So that they’re nonetheless type of determining what undertaking is subsequent. However we do have a pair extra coming, and we are going to get to see you guys a complete lot extra with Hallmark motion pictures.”
They have three photos with Hallmark, one outdoors of the community, and Carlos is heading to South America to tour earlier than he begins an American tour. They’re very busy however “past blessed,” Alexa stated.
However don’t fret in regards to the couple discovering time for one another or their household. Alexa was knee-deep within the ocean as we chatted on the telephone, her household simply an arm’s size away.
Alexa is happy for folks to see A Paris Proposal as a result of it is a contemporary tackle the normal rom-com. As an alternative of American actors, she’s surrounded by European expertise, for instance.
“The forged that we had for this movie was unbelievable, I imply, extremely skilled actors, the kindest folks. Simply had a lot enjoyable with them. And I believe it will be enjoyable [for fans] too as a result of, for Hallmark, it offers it a really totally different look.
“I do know they’re used to seeing acquainted faces, which we love a lot as a result of I imagine in working with the identical folks again and again as a result of it creates a very nice household dynamic.
“However what I did like about this was there are some new faces that you’ve got by no means seen on Hallmark earlier than, and it should give it a really cool feel and look. Total, the standard is simply unbelievable as a result of they actually introduced their A-game.”
There’s something about contemporary faces in a film that provides surprising layers to the story, Alexa and I agreed.
She stated, “Here is what made it nice, and this is the reason I actually appreciated it. After we’re working, particularly once I’m working with Carlos, plenty of instances, I do know what he is able to. I understand how far I can push him.
“So when a scene is over, we preserve taking part in. We do not cease. We preserve operating our strains. We preserve ad-libbing and saying extra issues. Quite a lot of instances, these are the picks that we use as a result of it simply retains it actually actual and enjoyable.
“After I work with different co-stars, I do not all the time get to try this as a result of they’re like, ‘Wait, this is not a script. What are you doing?’ And you do not actually get to play that a lot. Whereas right here on this set, I used to be shocked.
“All people was down and prepared to play, to ad-lib, to type of give it greater than what was simply on paper. And I believe that is the place plenty of the moments that actually shine got here in. As a result of as an example, there was only one scene that we had been filming the place I depart, however I am sporting this very pink outfit.
“And as I stroll off the scene, my costar yelled out, ‘By the best way, I liked you in Legally Blonde,’ as a dig. And it was hilarious. And so they saved it as a result of it was simply so humorous. It was such a ridiculous line that he simply randomly threw it on the market.
“And that is the gem, that is the gold that you just get while you get to movie with actors who’re comfy to play and discover.”
As I used to be prepping for the interview, I noticed how many individuals on the earth really feel they’ll weigh in on her life, and I requested her: What’s your favourite factor about dwelling within the public eye, and what’s your least favourite factor? Alexa did not hesitate earlier than answering.
“My favourite factor can be that you’re given a platform to actually be simply love and light-weight on this world, which we want so badly, particularly with the whole lot that simply goes on.
“It’s darkish and heavy at instances, and I like that I get to make motion pictures that entertain folks and that deliver them plenty of pleasure and preserve them entertained no matter what is going on on of their life.
“They’re in a position to escape for an hour and a half to 2 hours. However then, on prime of that, having a platform to have the ability to love folks and be a lightweight to folks. And I suppose to be considerably of a job mannequin, if that is smart.
“So what I do not like, and I’ve to be taught to not care about it, however I suppose there’s going to be plenty of criticism.
“However finally, what I’ve realized over these years, particularly as I’ve gotten older, is you are by no means going to have the ability to make all people glad, regardless of how arduous you strive. And in case you stay your life as a folks pleaser, you are by no means going to search out pleasure. So I needed to be taught to be actually assured.
“I needed to be taught to be actually assured and cozy in who I’m, what I imagine in, and issues that I need to take a stand for.
“The second I discovered that — it sounds loopy, however you nearly really feel invincible as a result of it is your superpower. Folks can say no matter they need, however you realize who you might be. And when you realize who you might be, it does not matter.”
Rising up within the leisure enterprise does not all the time result in happiness and success, however Alexa has discovered each.
For now, she’s keen so that you can see A Paris Proposal, and he or she’s received a pitch to your viewership.
“There are some unbelievable, humorous moments. After which there are some deep, very actual moments that I believe can hit dwelling with lots of people, particularly needing validation out of your mother and father and actually eager to really feel accepted by your loved ones.
“I actually suppose that this film has plenty of coronary heart and has some depth, that Hallmark is permitting us to go deeper in these storylines. And it is actually simply fantastic.”
A Paris Proposal premieres tonight at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a employees author and critic for TV Fanatic. She’s a member of the Critic’s Selection Affiliation, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of tv and movie with anybody who will hear. Observe her on Twitter and electronic mail her right here at TV Fanatic.
