Since December I’ve made no secret of my love of the movie Two Turtle Doves, starring Nikki DeLoach and Michael Rady. It’s my #2 Hallmark movie of all time and I doubt it will be unseated from that position any time soon (and if you go by raw score, it’s actually my #1 Hallmark movie). When I posted my final rankings for the 40+ 2019 Countdown to Christmas movies, I posted a link on Twitter. Over the next week or so I discovered that the post became very popular as people came to see my results. Those visits exploded when the Executive Producer of the movie, Stan Spry, retweeted my initial link and single-handedly sent thousands of people to HFAS to see that his production was my favorite for the entire year.
With almost 15 years experience in “the biz,” Stan is a Founding Partner of the Cartel (which is a combination of Cartel Entertainment and Cartel Pictures) as well as a Literary Manager and Producer. The Cartel has been behind the scenes for several of my favorite Hallmark movies, such as Love to the Rescue, Love Takes Flight, and Pearl in Paradise, among many others.
At the time he sent so many folks to HFAS, I wrote to thank him for the retweet, then broached the idea of an interview ahead of his next Hallmark project. He graciously agreed and we didn’t have to wait too long! I’m happy to present this interview in advance of this weekend’s movie, “Fashionably Yours,” starring Kat Graham and Kendrick Sampson (which will be previewed here tomorrow).
Jane: Good afternoon, Stan! Thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed for my website. First of all, for those that may not know, what exactly does an executive producer do? Is that even a question that can be answered in 30 seconds?
Stan: Executive Producers have different roles based on the medium. EPs in theatrical films tend to be financiers or help in putting together or packaging a film. EPs in TV series are usually the show runner and the highest level writer/producers on a show. There are also non-writing EPs which could range from creative producers to packaging producers to physical producers. For Hallmark movies the EP tends to be the lead creative producer, the production service producer and often the co-financier.
You’ve been in the entertainment business for a while now but it looks like in 2017 your relationship with Hallmark kicked into high gear with the “Fixer Upper” mysteries on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. How did that relationship come about?
It started by staffing clients on Hallmark’s shows and selling them movies. My company represents a lot of current and former Hallmark writers and directors, so we have had a long-standing professional relationship with them. We started producing when I sat down with Hallmark’s SVP Randy Pope. I’ve known Randy for many years and he is an incredible executive and producer. At the time, Randy took a chance on my company, which up to that point had produced about 40 films but never a Hallmark film, and it was a great experience and the movie did well. From there, more opportunities came our way and we focused our development on trying to create projects that fit with the Hallmark brand. We made a conscious decision to invest our time, resources and money to build our Hallmark business and service our Hallmark relationship.
Since the previously mentioned “Fixer” mysteries you have gone on to produce at least 20 movies for Hallmark Channel in the past 3-4 years, primarily working with the same handful of directors such as Gary Yates, Steven R. Monroe and Lesley Demetriades. Do you find that you gravitate toward projects that allow you to repeatedly work with the same teams, and if so, why those teams in particular?
Not especially. We work with a lot of different directors. Gary and Steven are two of our go-tos because we know that they can deliver great movies. But we also have worked with a lot of other directors like Lesley, Martin Wood, Lee Friedlander, Mark Rosman, and Kevin Connor. This year we already have several movies lined up with new directors.
I know you began your career as a production assistant working on such movies as “Spider-Man” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” – what made you take the leap to start Cartel HQ, your production company?
I actually have two companies: Cartel Entertainment and Cartel Pictures. CartelHQ is our website for both companies. After working in production I worked as a development executive, a literary manager and an agent. I always wanted to represent talent, and package and produce content. I started the company about 9 years ago as a management, production and finance company.
How do you pick your projects to do for Hallmark?
We either develop them internally with our development executives, or we identify and option intellectual properties to develop from books or magazines. We hear pitches from writers – both our clients and clients of other companies – or often Hallmark hires us to produce a project they have been developing internally
In addition to Hallmark you also produce a lot of thrillers for other networks. Which do you prefer – thrillers or romances? I imagine they are both hard to make, considering how important tone is to both of those genres.
That’s like asking me to pick between children. I can’t do it. I love and adore my relationship with Hallmark and the projects we get to make for them. We also produced an animated series for Netflix last year, we are producing the horror series “Creepshow” for Shudder right now, and we do independent films and series. I love all the projects we do, and one of the best parts about my job is being able to do so many different things.
You happen to have been involved in many of the Hallmark movies that I love. “Two Turtle Doves” is the most important to me, given that it is my #2 Hallmark movie of all time, and was my #1 for 2019. What drew you to that project in particular?
An executive at Hallmark I work with a lot developed it with Lesley and they brought my client Sarah Montana on to do some writing on it. That’s how we became involved, as the network asked us to be the production service company on it. I wish I could take more credit for that movie but the real credit goes to Hallmark, Lesley, Sarah, and the incredible cast of Nikki DeLoach, Michael Rady, Michaela Russell, Zach Tinker, Heidi Fielek and all the supporting cast. Also our incredible crew in Winnipeg, Canada.
You did two other movies with Nikki DeLoach that are near the top of not just my list but many other Hallmark fans as well. “Love to the Rescue” was fabulous, and “Love Takes Flight” was lovely. It seems you and Nikki DeLoach are a dream team! Any potential new projects with her in the works? Please say yes!
Absolutely. Nikki is one of the best people on the planet to work with. She’s so giving and present as an actress. She brings tremendous positivity and joy to a set. The cast and crew all adore her and I really think that shines through in her movies. Nikki and I are always looking for more to do together.
You’ve been able to produce movies with such Hallstars as Nikki, Paul Campbell, Kris Polaha, Jill Wagner and Andrew Walker. Are there any other Hallmark actors out there you hope to work with in the future?
Honestly, I’m yet to meet a Hallmark celeb that I haven’t loved. Candace Cameron Bure, Danica McKellar, Taylor Cole, Tricia Helfer – they’re all so amazing. I really want to work with Fiona Gubelman on a Hallmark movie soon. We did an indie thriller together. Brooke D’Orsay is another who I’ve met at Hallmark events who seems amazing. I’ll admit that Hallmark does attract the best and most wonderful casts. They’re not only extremely talented but also great people.
And let me just conclude by saying that when I look at the list of movies you’ve produced for Hallmark Channel, a LOT of them are near the top of my Hallmark Ranking spreadsheet. “Pearl In Paradise” was just FUN FUN FUN and I know a lot of people want a sequel to that one, where Polaha and Wagner research another book together. You have a great eye for good Hallmark projects and I look forward to seeing more of what you bring to our TV screens in the future!
Thank you, but in all honesty most of the things you’re giving me credit for, is all Hallmark and their executives’ doing. They do most of the heavy lifting on their movies and my job is to help their visions get through production. The creative vision of these films is always Hallmark. Our job is to make sure we represent their brand in the most positive way and make the best movies possible. I’m extremely fortunate to be in business with such great people at Hallmark and to be able to make these projects for a living. Thank you and all the fans of the network for watching the movies and series. Without all of you I wouldn’t have a job, so I’m grateful for both the network and the fans for giving me this opportunity.
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Thank you, Stan Spry! Coming up tomorrow is the preview of his latest production, “Fashionably Yours,” which airs this weekend. Keep an eye out for it!
Very informative interview! Well done!