When I had the opportunity to screen Christmas In Angel Falls, the Rachel Boston/Paul Greene film that premiered this past holiday season on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, I noticed an actress who had a brief moment on the screen, but her role was quite memorable. Upon further investigation, I discovered that actress’ name is Giovanna Moore, and I had seen her previously in another Hallmark production. When I reached out to interview her, she was quite willing to answer a few questions about her career and her work with Hallmark. While the holidays have passed, I am pleased to introduce my readers to the actress who brought an integral woman to life in that most special movie.

RH: Why did you decide to become an actress? Please tell us a little of your story.

GM: As a child, I always wanted to be an actress, but living in Sudbury, Ontario I knew–or at least I thought–that it would only be in my dreams.  In 2013, I was asked to stand in for Mireille Enos in the movie The Captive.  I had no idea what a stand-in was but I thought it would be something very interesting, so I went for it.  From there they had asked me to follow them to Niagara Falls to continue as Mireille’s stand-in, but because I had my husband and three kids, the youngest only seven at the time, I really didn’t want to put the stress on the family, so I declined. It is probably one of the things I regret not doing, but I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.

It was from that moment that I realized I wanted to learn more about the industry as the film industry was starting to grow in Northern Ontario. I started to receive calls to do background work and was loving it.  I was meeting new people and felt very comfortable doing background.   After doing background for a year, I was asked to take acting lessons, but I thought to myself, “ I am happy doing background and I don’t think I have what it takes to be an actress.”  But after my husband encouraged me to take a class, I figured, “Why not give it a try?”

Well, I sure surprised myself because I just loved it.  I am a quiet, shy type of girl, sometimes finding it hard to get on stage, but for some reason, I loved the acting part of it and felt very comfortable in front of the camera. I started getting auditions and within seven months, I had become a full member of ACTRA.

What was your first professional role once you become an actress? 

My first professional role was the role of a cashier in Flower Shop Mystery; Mum’s the Word starring Brooke Shields.

With that movie being you first official Hallmark film, what was it like working with that cast and crew? What do you like about working with this network?

I have to say with that being my very first time with a speaking role, even though it was a very small role, I was nervous. But once I got on set, I felt very comfortable.  I had worked with a lot of the cast and crew in the past doing background, so it felt good.  They always made sure I was okay, asking me if I needed anything.  Working on Hallmark Productions is like being part of a family.  Everyone makes you feel so comfortable. As a child, I loved Brooke Shields and to actually spend time with her was a dream come true.

You have a couple TV credits listed–Cold and What Would Sal Do? What can you tell us about these shows and where/when they were/are released? What did you enjoy about working on these?

What Would Sal Do is a Canadian television comedy series which premiered on HBO Canada and Crave TV and was released in 2017. It’s about a lazy-mouthed underachiever named Sal who for the first time in his life is challenged to be a good person when he is told he is the second coming of Christ. I played the role of Gloria. What I loved about my role was the fact that I had to have attitude and disgust.   In my scene, I was having breakfast on my own and Sal and his mother were having breakfast in the booth in front of me when Sal’s mother insisted he pays for my breakfast.  Well, seeing that Sal {relieved himself} in my mailbox years ago, I was pretty disgusted with him.  Everyone still asks me how I didn’t laugh during my scene, but when you get into character it’s easy not to laugh. I loved my lines in this series.

Cold is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Isla Wallis who receives the shock of her young life when she discovers that her real father is in prison for killing the mother she never knew. Furious at having been lied to, Isla runs away to the remote mining town where she was born. There, she learns of a series of horrific murders of First Nation women that may be tied to her mother’s death. Isla starts to uncover the shocking truth behind these brutal crimes. This movie was released in the USA in 2016.  I am hoping it will be available in Canada soon.  In this movie, I played the role of a waitress which again, I felt very comfortable as I worked as a waitress for many years. What I loved the most about working on this set was seeing how the stunts were created.

Hallmark viewers got to see you on Christmas in Angel Falls as Alice Lake’s mom. While the role was small, it was very memorable. What was it like working on that movie? Any special memories of working with the two leads?

I loved working on Christmas in Angel Falls.   I met a lot of wonderful people on set.  Again, I knew a lot of the crew so that makes it pretty easy as well. Loved spending time with the cast as they were all so friendly. Bayley Corman, who played Alice Lake, (my daughter) is the same age as my oldest daughter so we got along very well.  Playing the part of her mother was quite easy as in my real life, my daughter lost her father when she was twelve.  Paul Greene and Rachel Boston are wonderful people.  Both always so happy and easy to talk to.  It’s great when you work with a wonderful cast.

Anything else upcoming you can mention?

Nothing yet as it is somewhat quiet in January but hopefully something soon.

As one who is just getting started in film and TV, what is your best advice to those who are trying to break into the industry?

My advice to those breaking into the industry is to not give up. If you really want it, go for it, do it and give it your best. Rejection is difficult, but don’t let that stop you from your dreams coming true.

What is your favorite season of the year? Why?

My favourite season of the year would have to be summer as it is the time of year where I am able to just let go and be free of everything.  Work and school.  The children are home from school, and my husband has holidays so I get to spend all my time with them whether it is having meals on the patio, going to the beach, lounging by the pool or just going for a run.  Our winters are extremely cold, so spending time outdoors in the summer is everything.

Wishing you all the best.  Take care and thanks for having me.

Although Giovanna’s work as an actress has been limited at this point, I find her an inspiration for a variety of reasons. First of all, she is a team player who gets in and does whatever she can to ensure an excellent production. She recognizes her place within the cast and crew and takes every opportunity on set to learn more about the industry and hone her craft. There is no doubt that her talent, work ethic, and appetite for acting is something that radiates from within her on every set where she is honored with a chance to utilize her gifts.

However, the thing that impresses me the most about Giovanna is that as an older adult, she took a chance and entered the acting profession even though it was a completely new experience for her. While she was a bit nervous to take the leap and follow her dreams, her success thus far is incontestable proof that the words spoken by C.S. Lewis so many years ago still ring true. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” (That is one of my all-time favorite quotes, by the way!)

Therefore, if you have not had the opportunity to see Christmas In Angel Falls, even though Christmas is past, there is the chance that you might find it still on your DVR or you can wait till Christmas in July when Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will be almost certain to rerun it. However, the network does often replay the Flower Shop Mystery series, so you may have a chance to catch a glimpse of Giovanna there. Regardless, as we await the next work from this divinely talented lady, be sure to check out the links below and consider investigating her other movies and shows as well. While Giovanna’s credits are currently limited, the fact that she has the drive and will to follow her passion is something that I am honored to support, and I hope that many of you will join me in this endeavor.

FOLLOW GIOVANNA