Hollywood set up shop at a familiar barn on Highway 52 between Steinbach and La Broquerie last week. Cast and crew were filming a movie at the Rustic Wedding Barn for some scenes in an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie.

The barn was the final filming location for a movie called "Merry and Bright". The movie cast and crew came in on Wednesday and wrapped up filming at 5:30 AM on Saturday. Co-Owner Elisabeth Schalla says she was

Elisabeth and Ron Schalla pose with a movie prop.pleased with the inaugural film shoot.

Schalla explains that The Rustic Wedding Barn has already been on Hollywood’s radar for a while. “A year ago they came and were going to film a different movie here, but because we didn’t have a horse barn the film company found a different location.” Then, around three weeks ago, Schalla says Hollywood came calling again, only this time she had exactly what was needed.

“They needed a fancy barn,” she notes, “and I said, ‘Well, I have a fancy barn!’”

Schalla’s husband Ron, who is the other co-owner of the barn, says it was incredible to watch the professionals transform their wedding venue into a set. The production team decided to do the majority of their filming on the second floor as its authentic appearance best fit their vision. Still, he says, they made a lot of alterations.

“They changed everything, every single light bulb was taken out because they were all LEDs and they can’t film with LEDs because they flicker.”

Though crews were moving through the barn and changing its appearance, the Schallas felt it was all done in good nature.

“The whole group makes you feel very welcome and you get to talk with a lot of different individuals, so it makes it very exciting,” comments Ron. “Of course, the really exciting part will be seeing it when it’s actually on the screen.”

Schalla agrees with her husband: “They were so professional and so friendly, it just was a really nice experience. Even in the way they treated us and our staff was amazing.”