From Christmas Card to Movie Magic: Fisher Grad’s Script Comes to Life this Fall

For Fisher alumnus Michael Cunningham ’84, an annual Christmas card from a friend imparted more than holiday joy; it sparked an idea for a feature film.

Written and co-produced by Cunningham, “The Christmas Letter” tells the tale of an unemployed advertising copywriter who, after receiving yet another outrageous Christmas newsletter from an uppity nemesis, manufactures an extravagant family vacation that he can brag about in a holiday missive of his own. Hilarity ensues as the character brings his family and friends along for the ride.

“We’ve all been sent those over-the-top Christmas letters,” Cunningham joked about the universality of the movie’s premise. 

A former advertising copywriter himself, Cunningham has been penning screenplays for more than two decades, submitting scripts through a platform that connects writers with producers. He started writing “The Christmas Letter” in earnest in 2011, following the passing of his father. He would churn out a few pages at a time, rewriting and editing as he went along. In February 2022, Angus Benfield, an actor and producer with LAMA Entertainment, asked to read the script. 

After a few months of back and forth conversation, Benfield gave it the green light. In addition to producing the film, Benfield plays the lead character, Joe Michaels.

Because “The Christmas Letter” started as a small, independent film, Cunningham was able to become deeply involved in production matters. The project was filmed in the Mohawk Valley region of Central New York, where Cunningham was raised. With the help of Film Utica, he scouted about 90 percent of the locations used in the movie, from barns and bars to churches and airports. He also helped recruit extras for the film, including a church choir from Albany. Production took place outside of Utica in January 2024. 

A good holiday movie usually includes a heaping dose of family time, and the making of “A Christmas Letter” was no different. Cunningham’s wife, Jan, served as art director; his daughter, Caroline, was on set working as the behind-the-scenes photographer; and his niece, Bridget, lent her acting skills to the film, playing the role of a tennis academy clerk. Cunningham’s brother, Tom—another Fisher grad— contributed hilarious new lyrics to “A Carol of the Bells,” included in the film.

“I felt like George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” said Michael Cunningham. “So many good people came to my aid.” 

Then, a little Christmas magic touched the film. Through a surreptitious conversation with representatives from the Buffalo Film Commission, the movie’s producer was able to convince Chevy Chase’s agent to consider a part in the film. Before long, the holy trinity of Christmas movie comedians—Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, and Brian Doyle-Murray—had all signed on for roles. The three actors cemented their Christmas comedy star status playing Clark Griswald, Cousin Eddie Johnson, and Frank Shirley in the 1989 classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

“It was crazy how quickly it snowballed and heightened interest in our modest little indie comedy,” Cunningham said. “You can dream and dream about things, but when those dreams come true, you just shake your head.”

Cunningham described the experience of watching the actors say his lines as “incredible.”

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Brian Doyle-Murray, and the way he delivered his lines was just as I’d imagined them,” he said. “He was the first of the ‘Christmas Vacation’ trio to be on set and I have to say, it was my best day on set.”

As is the case with Christmas classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” there was a heartwarming lesson attached to Cunningham’s experience.

“I think the main takeaway from all of this for me is to never give up trying. No matter what it is you’re hoping to achieve,” he said. “Don’t let any failure stop you in your tracks. Life is filled with failures. But without them, you never learn.

“I’ve had dozens of ‘close calls’ throughout my life and career, but when you ultimately succeed, the success is that much sweeter because you know you really earned it.”

“The Christmas Letter” is available to rent or buy on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime and Apple TV, among others.