From Worst Idea to Career: Inside a Hallmark Movie Writer’s Rise

A single offhand comment at a party, a childhood spent on a Christmas tree farm, and a move to Vancouver—sometimes things just collide in the weirdest ways. Somehow, all of that ended up creating one of the most unexpected success stories in holiday entertainment.

This is the story of how a writer who once felt jaded by Christmas became one of Hallmark’s most prolific holiday rom-com creators. Along the way, he’s helping shape the next wave of screenwriters in British Columbia.

It’s a story about formula versus freedom, commerce versus creativity, and how these cozy movies quietly seep into culture, careers, and even the lives of people facing the end of life.

From Christmas Tree Farm to Hallmark Mainstay

Zac Hug’s origin story? It honestly sounds like the start of one of his own movies. Born on a Christmas tree farm in Ohio, he grew up with twinkling lights, pine needles—basically, the full holiday package.

But when you’re surrounded by that much Christmas, the magic can wear thin. As he got older, what once seemed idyllic started to feel routine, and Christmas just lost its sparkle for him.

That early burnout makes his career trajectory kind of wild. Since 2017, Hug has written 20 films for Hallmark, with 16 actually making it to production.

Most were filmed in British Columbia, which has quietly become a powerhouse for cozy holiday movies.

Finding Joy Again Through Storytelling

Over time, writing joyful stories for other people brought back some of Hug’s own appreciation for the holidays. Immersed in scripts about love, hope, and second chances, he started speaking in the gentle clichés that make Hallmark what it is.

He stopped fighting it and just let the emotional power of those stories wash over him. One thing that really sticks out? His work reaches people at vulnerable moments.

He’s talked about learning that folks in hospice care often request Hallmark movies. That knowledge changed everything for him, turning what could have been just another TV writing gig into something that actually matters.

The Accidental Pitch That Changed Everything

Like a lot of entertainment careers, Hug’s big break didn’t come from some grand plan. It started with a casual chat.

He was working on Shadowhunters when he met someone whose sister worked for Hallmark. At a party, he half-joked that he had what might be the worst Hallmark movie idea ever.

That “bad” idea became Road to Christmas, a story about a TV producer who has to co-produce a holiday special with the son of the show’s famous host. What started as a tongue-in-cheek pitch turned into an actual script—and that script opened the Hallmark door wide.

Breaking Into a Famous Formula

People love to call Hallmark movies predictable, but Hug sees it differently. He gets the rhythm and the tropes, especially in holiday rom-coms, but doesn’t buy that it kills creativity.

For him, structure is more of a challenge than a constraint. After enough scripts, some tropes do start to feel tired—he jokes there are only so many candy cane factories you can burn down before you need a new angle.

He thinks the trick is to find fresh characters, new perspectives, and humor that feels like it belongs in the current moment, while still giving viewers the comfort they crave.

Why British Columbia Became Hallmark’s Holiday Playground

British Columbia isn’t just a pretty place for snow-dusted romances. It’s become central to Hallmark’s production machine, with experienced crews, diverse locations, and infrastructure that lets them move fast.

For Hug, moving to Vancouver just made sense. He’d already finished his master’s at UBC and spent time on sets around the region.

When the chance to teach at UBC came up, it wasn’t really a leap—it felt more like coming home.

The Economic and Creative Ripple Effect

Hallmark productions pump a lot into the local economy, but it’s not just about the money. Regular shoots help build talent across the board—writers, directors, set designers, crew, you name it.

Over time, that’s created a deep bench of professionals who know how to deliver polished, efficient productions. Hug’s own career is proof of that ecosystem in action.

With most of his films shot in Metro Vancouver, he’s both a beneficiary and a contributor to the region’s growing reputation for feel-good TV.

Teaching the Art of Cozy Romance

In September, Hug joined UBC’s creative writing program. He now teaches TV and screenwriting courses, including two five-week classes focused just on romantic comedies.

His goal isn’t just to teach structure, but to make the industry feel less mysterious for aspiring writers. He’s convinced most people already have a story in them—the real challenge is figuring out how to get that story onto the screen.

By focusing on rom-coms, Hug gives students a clear framework. But he also pushes them to find their own voices.

What Students Learn From Hallmark Scripts

Writing for Hallmark isn’t just about holiday charm. Hug really emphasizes discipline, clarity, and emotional honesty. His approach highlights:

• Structure: Knowing your pacing and emotional beats
• Character: Creating people audiences actually care about
• Tone: Balancing humor, romance, and sincerity
• Professionalism: Writing with real-world production in mind

For a lot of students, the appeal is learning a style of storytelling that’s both creatively satisfying and, honestly, pays the bills.

Good Money, Better Meaning

Hug doesn’t hide the financial side of things. Writing a Hallmark script that gets picked up pays pretty well for the time you put in, and in an industry where stability is rare, that’s a big deal.

But money isn’t what keeps him going. What really drives him is the idea that these stories encourage empathy and emotional openness—writing about love helps people imagine how they and others fall in love.

That kind of imaginative exercise, multiplied across millions of viewers, can nudge how people treat each other. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the real magic behind all those cozy movies.

Why Joy Still Matters

At their core, Hallmark movies are about joy. They dig into why certain times of year make love feel closer—almost like you can see it in the air.

Hug sees value in that simplicity, especially now, when life can feel so overwhelming. After decades in entertainment, it’s honestly rare to find a part of the industry that puts warmth and optimism front and center.

Hug’s journey suggests that even familiar stories can hit differently if they’re told with real sincerity. From a Christmas tree farm in Ohio to classrooms and soundstages in British Columbia, his career makes a case that joy, if you do it right, never really gets old.