As with the “High School Musical” trilogy, “Read It and Weep” and “Return to Halloweentown,” the newest of the Disney Channel Original movies to hit the small screen will feature many scenes familiar to Utahns.
The yet-to-be-named Christmas special movie, based on the Disney Channel hit show “Good Luck Charlie,” was filmed in locations throughout the state, from the themed pizza joint Pirate Island in Orem to the borderland of Skull Valley.
Film sites changed so often cast members were frequently left with their whereabouts unknown.
“Last week we were up on a mountain top in the middle of nowhere," said Leigh-Allyn Baker, who plays mother Amy Duncan on the show. "I don’t even know where we were, but the snow sure was coming down.”
Perhaps the disorientation was just what Baker needed to prepare for her role in the film. The movie follows the Duncan family on their Palm Springs Christmas getaway, which goes awry when daughter Teddy makes a last-minute decision that separates the family and sends parents and children on a crazy race to be reunited before Christmas day.
“The film is very ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles,'” said Disney Channel publicist Jean Woo, referring to the 1987 film starring Steve Martin and John Candy.
With just three days to go before Christmas and no flights available, family members take any mode of transportation they can get and overcome crazy obstacles to get the family back together.
Utah’s diverse landscape is just the place for filming so many varied settings in such a short amount of time. The crew transformed the Salt Lake Convention Center into the Denver Airport and Pirate Island pizza into a Las Vegas all-you-can-eat buffet.
Even when the weather wasn’t behaving as desired, the crew stepped in to transform an unusually sunny day into the winter weather needed for the film, sprinkling the grounds of the Salt Lake Convention Center with fake snow and winds.
With the exception of Jason Dolley, who plays oldest son PJ on the show, "Good Luck Charlie" cast members said it was their first time visiting Utah.
Though on the show the Duncans are experienced skiers from Denver, the actors didn't take advantage of "the best snow on earth" while staying in Salt Lake City.
"I've never snow skied a day in my life," Baker said. Even if the quality powder was tempting to Baker and her castmates, the Los Angeles actress said they were required to sign an agreement saying they wouldn't ski during filming of the show or movie.
"They know we'd just come to the set with broken arms or limbs," Baker said. "It would be kinda hard to hide a cast on the screen."
Despite not being able to hit the slopes, the cast said they've enjoyed a warm welcome during their time in the Beehive State.
“I’ve met great people all within walking distance to the hotel, which has been fun,” said Eric Allen Kramer, who plays dad Bob Duncan on the show.
Kramer said he spent his nights catching live bands and enjoying good food in downtown Salt Lake and claims Lamb’s Grill Cafe as his local breakfast spot. The cast also spent days off together, paintballing and visiting Park City shops on Main Street.
Kramer, best known as for his role as Little John in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," said he is often recognized out in public — "You can't be this big and goofy-looking without getting recognized for something," he said — but doesn't mind when people approach him to talk about his role on the Disney Channel show.
"I'm amazed at how many adults come up and tell me how much they enjoy the show," Kramer said. "There really are jokes for the whole family in there."
Bradley Steven Perry, who plays younger brother Gabriel on the show, said the movie and regular episodes of "Good Luck Charlie" are full of references to old rock stars that fly right over kids' heads (including his own).
Indeed, the show is the first of the Disney Channel offerings targeted toward adults and kids alike, rather than children exclusively. The show's writers rely on witty and circumstantial humor instead of gimmicky slapstick jokes to generate laughs.
The tactic has proved successful — the series premiered to 4.6 million viewers, making it the highest-rated series premiere for a Disney Channel Original series since "The Suite Life on Deck" in 2008.
"'Good Luck Charlie' is different from all the other Disney Channel shows because it's so relatable," Perry said. "Everything that happens on the show can happen to you and your family."
Brooke Brown is a writer with a love of fashion, cooking and music. Her fashion advice appears on DeseretNews.com every Monday. She also blogs daily at www.keepfashion.wordpress.com. Email questions or comments to brooke.k.brown@gmail.com.