Director and Executive Producer JASON WINER goes in-depth in this exclusive interview talking making Christmas magic and putting the ho-ho-ho in THE SANTA CLAUSES Season 2.
Sleigh bells are ringing for THE SANTA CLAUSES Season 2! It tickles the nose and warms the heart with nostalgia and some of our most beloved cinematic characters.
SYNOPSIS: In this second season, “the Calvin family is back in the North Pole as Scott Calvin continues his role as Santa Claus after retirement plans were thwarted when failing to find a worthy successor in season one. Now that Scott and his family have successfully saved Christmas, Scott turns his focus towards training his son Calvin to eventually take over the “family business” as Santa Claus. The second season of the series stars Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Devin Bright, Austin Kane, Matilda Lawler, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and Eric Stonestreet.’
Season One of THE SANTA CLAUSES was perfect as we followed the continuing journey of Scott Calvin aka Santa Claus, picking up years after the last “The Santa Clause” movie and introducing us to his now teenage kids, Calvin (whom we last saw a baby named Buddy”) and his daughter Sandra, and their life at the North Pole. Grounded, funny, and relatable, it was inevitable that we would see a season two. And what a season this is! Upping the ante and tackling some new themes, not only pertaining to Santa and his inevitable trials and tribulations that come with the holiday season and the North Pole, but also the growing pains of a family. Impressive is that Jason and his team didn’t let the series or the characters stagnate. Scripts are tight and every character experiences growth while staying within the structure and story progression of the series.
While Scott/Santa will always be who he is, the real interest comes in watching Calvin and Sandra as they deal with the angst and growing pains of moving into adulthood that all of us have faced at some time in our lives. Calvin has his own ideas for his future, but Scott is determined to turn him into a successor Santa. Sandra is not only facing teen angst girls everywhere can relate to but it’s amplified by her ever-increasing magical powers that come from growing up at the North Pole. And, of course, the inevitable mother-daughter battles ensue between Sandra and Carol, particularly when Sandra turns to LeBefana not only for magical training but a motherly ear. Not to be overlooked, Carol aka Mrs. Claus is taking on more responsibilities overseeing the E.L.F.S. security. Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol is really the unsung hero of THE SANTA CLAUSES.
Adding to the family dynamics, we meet the legendary Mad Santa, a 12th-century Santa who has been imprisoned as a nutcracker all these centuries and who is now hellbent on reclaiming the North Pole. Joining Mad Santa is his right-hand gnome, Olga. Also added to the mix is the Christmas-loving Chris who runs “Santopolis” somewhere in North America. Not to be overlooked are some of our favorite series elves, Noel, Betty, and Gary, plus some longtime friends of Santa who pop in for a visit.
Making THE SANTA CLAUSES a real treat for the entire family comes with the writing which not only makes it fun and entertaining for kids, but fun for the adults thanks to some sophisticated double-entendre jokes. Noteworthy is that season two also goes to a darker place than what we saw in season one or any of the three films, but it fits the storyline and still remains family-friendly.
Adding his own directorial flourishes, Jason delivers some beautiful visuals involving the Mad Santa plotline that is influenced by none other than “The Godfather Part Two”. Nice cinematic touches with slo-motion, dissolves, and even a barely perceptible sepia tone for 12th-century flashbacks. Color pops and the North Pole brings that familiar warmth and joy we’ve come to know in the franchise. Bringing everything together though is the music, both Ariel Reishtag’s score which incorporates Christmas classic motifs with new score as well as a couple of pop classics with an elfin twist.
Chatting with JASON WINER in this exclusive conversation we cover everything that went into the ho-ho-ho of THE SANTA CLAUSES, including:
- comedy timing and beats but balancing stakes and danger with comedy and ensuring a satisfying payoff
- incorporating cinematic elements in a limited streaming series, with a focus on story development, character growth, and comedy
- story and character development
- music
- casting
- touchstones
- visual design
- and more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 10/25/2023
THE SANTA CLAUSES is now streaming on Disney Plus.
