When Jill Schoelen set out to make her Christmas album, Christmas Is Forever, she called in some wonderfully horrific friends for help on one of the tracks. Friends you'll be very familiar with, dear Fango reader! Our very own Barbara Crampton, and genre friends Judie Aronson (Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter), Krsy Fox (Little Bites), and Diane Franklin (Amityville II: The Possession) joined Schoelen for a recording of “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).”
As for the reason behind choosing this song for the collaboration, Schoelen shared that she specifically hand-picked this track for her friends to join her on. “I have learned so much about people who not only make horror, but also all the fans who love it. They are the gentlest, kindest people. Between all the dark energy currently in the world and the mainstream population, perhaps thinking of horror in a dark way, I thought, why not bring some light! This single idea of bringing light is the sole reason I wanted to record this song. For me, we just simply need more light, more love, and more gentleness and kindness.”
Schoelen described the Gene Autry Christmas classic as “So innocent,” and the goal was to retain and capture “its good-hearted nature, but I wanted to team that with modern musical sensibilities.” When it came to incorporating those modern elements, Schoelen worked with her co-producer, Brandon Jarrett, and, as it turned out, they had both been independently considering a dance/club arrangement. Schoelen describes the whole experience as a joyful one, but the improvised ending in particular is a moment that really stood out.
“There was no story, no script. I just asked everyone to talk spontaneously, as if they had just sung it together and were enjoying the party afterwards. I threw out a few directions, but each came fully to the table; they were one-take wonders! I had Krsy singing ad-lib lines for the ending and did not want to take her off them because she sounded so great. I had all my singing on the back end, so I let Barbara, Diane, and Judie carry the dialogue. They all went into it blindly, so the ending was just spontaneously recorded and put together in the song editing. I loved doing that part.”
Schoelen's friend and collaborator Diane Franklin put it this way: “You can’t buy an excellent work experience. This video comes from love and friendship. It was a pleasure to work with creative professionals who understand it’s not what you get, it’s what you give that makes a project shine!”
With a lineup this epic, you've gotta have a music video to go along with it, right? Right? “I floated the idea of a music video for a day and found out there was literally just ONE day where we were all available,” Schoelen shared. “I was about to leave town, and I said to Krsy almost facetiously, ‘I am leaving town and won't be available until the day of the video shoot, so you'd have to take the lead.' And she did!”
Horror fans will be familiar with Krsy Fox from her onscreen roles in Terrifier 3, Little Bites, and Allegoria. But what fans may not be familiar with is the many hats she wears behind the scenes, from writing to producing and editing as one half of the filmmaking duo One Fox Productions with her partner, Spider One.
Krsy Fox is what I like to call a get shit done girl. Combine that with the powerhouse horror queen/producer Barbara Crampton, and you can bet your last dollar that task is going to be executed. Schoelen left the production of the music video in the most capable hands in town.
“I had an amazing time working with my friends and Queens on this wonderful Christmas song!” shared Barbara Crampton, adding: “Jill Schoelen is an amazing artist and singer. I'm so proud to be included on this album and to celebrate the holiday season with this celebratory rendition of ‘Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)'.”
“This music video is exactly what I want from a Christmas song,” added Krsy Fox. “It's so funny and cute, full of fun and friendship, with a hint of horror for the fans that love our movies. Our little elves, Elle, Aki, Sophie, and Gunnar brought the story to life, and CM Punk was such a charming and hilarious Santa. I'm so proud to have this group on screen together, spreading cheer this holiday season.”
When Schoelen returned to Los Angeles at the end of November, the gang all gathered for the one day shoot, and Fox and director Rich Ragsdale had it ready to go the very next week. Schoelen described the whole experience as “mystical, even spiritual for me” thanks to the support of her friends. “The generosity from these women in every possible way is a testament to the beauty and goodness in humanity!”
And now, as our special Christmas treat for you, we have the exclusive premiere of Jill Schoelen's “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)“ music video. Jill, Judie Aronson, Barbara Crampton, Krsy Fox, and Diane Franklin gather to celebrate the holidays, but some scary little elves pay them a visit. Can Santa Claus (played by CM Punk) help our final girls? You'll have to watch to find out. Enjoy!
Get your copy of Jill Schoelen's Christmas Is Forever right here.
