New Christmas movie films in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) - The romantic comedy Christmas movie, "Honey's Christmas Wish", began filming in Lafayette the day after Louisiana's historic snow storm. The movie is being filmed at the Historic Givens Townhouse in the hub city.

News 10 caught up with one of the writers on the film, as well as the lead actors and actresses.

"It's about a family running an inn, and there's a little bit of Christmas mystery sprinkled throughout, and all this revealed at the end what goes down, and of course in true Christmas fashion, there is a love story," said Cassie Doyle, a writer on the film.

Doyle says this is her sixth Christmas movie she has written so far. The film, Honey's Christmas Wish, is slated to be a romantic holiday film. As a native of Lafayette, she says it means so much to her to have started filming during the snowstorm.

"Right before our first day of shooting, we got 10 inches of snow, and so we have been shooting in that snow the whole time, and it will be part of our story, and I can't believe Lafayette provided that," said Doyle.

Carter Sirianni, the male lead, will play the character "Jason". Originally from Texas, Sirianni says he started professionally acting two years ago. He says this is his first Christmas film.

"I'm really glad this came when it did because it was just such a perfect time in my career to be able to just fully embrace the Christmas spirit, it's been one of the best experiences ever because you're making a movie but also getting the joy of Christmas even when it's not Christmas," said Sirianni.

Olivia Nice, the female lead, will be playing the role of Brittany. A native of New Orleans, Nice says she's been acting for years and says she has found peace and healing throughout filming.

"For me it's been a treat because I feel like my character gets to find her own inner child like self through the Christmas season, for me as Olivia, I get to go on a similar ride," said Nice.

Ravi Daggula, the owner of the Givens Townhouse, says bringing new life into the home with this film will help uplift others.

"You have to bring people, when people come the area will be revitalized whether its retail or tourists, this will help one at a time, and dry one notch up," said Daggula.

Doyle tells News 10 the film is scheduled to complete filming in February.