A couple of years ago, I had the honor of interviewing the lovely Fiona Vroom, and watching the trajectory of her career since that time has been a veritable treat. Recently, this busy artist made some time to answer a few questions for me about what she has been doing since we last spoke, including her most recent Hallmark offering this weekend, Sailing Into Love.
Photo by CBR Photography
RH: Since we last chatted you have appeared in a handful of Hallmark movies. Viewers will remember you fondly from Moonlight in Vermont. What did you enjoy about your character in that film? Any Behind-The-Scenes moments you’d like to share?
Moonlight In Vermont
FV: I loved working on this film because I got to meet Lacy Chabert. She is one of the loveliest actresses I’ve ever met, and she always had a smile on her face. Our hours on set are long, It’s not an easy job. We were shooting in February, and at first, it was supposed to pass as spring. But the snow that winter had stuck around well into February, so we changed the season. I think we even had to mention it in the script; we added in “oh, can’t believe there’s already snow on the ground…” something like that. It’s tricky filming in Canada in those cold conditions. It’s ONE of the challenges. But we laughed our way through usually. I’d tell Lacey horror stories and make her laugh, and she’d talk to me about what it was like being a new mom, or being on Broadway. Her career is amazing. It was really a treat working with her.
You’ve made a few Hallmark Christmas movies that have been very popular. What was your first Hallmark Christmas movie, and what do you enjoy about making these movies?
Once Upon a Holiday was my first Christmas Hallmark film. I love being a part of these types of stories because of all the nostalgia around the holidays. Except we usually shoot them in the summer. So….we use our imagination. Hahaha.
You were also in Runaway Christmas Bride for Ion. Both Cindy Busby and Karen Kruper mentioned you quite fondly as a part of that film. What was the best part of filming that movie and playing your role?
With Cindy
Filming on the island was super. Vancouver Island is a really magical location. And meeting Cindy Busby and Karen Kruper was a highlight, for sure. Cindy has become a great friend of mine. So I really am grateful that film brought us together. I can’t wait until we get to work together again. That would make me very happy.
with Jason
Another notable appearance included Psycho Wedding Crashers, where you were again paired with Jason Cermak. You two have such a great chemistry on screen. Why do you think that is?
Jason is a great friend of mine. We know each other through the Vancouver acting community. And YES, we have played husband and wife on screen together, more than once. He’s the sweetest, kindest guy. You just feel safe and taken care of when you act with him. It’s easy. I would love to work with him again.
With Elizabeth Banks
I believe you were a part of the Power Rangers movie. What was different about doing that film as opposed to the TV movies you have typically done?
Working on a feature film is different, I’d say the most noticeable difference is TIME. I got to work with Elizabeth Banks. And we did the same scene all day long. In a TV movie, sometimes you can shoot six or seven scenes in a day. So you have to move a lot faster.
Marcus Rosner mentioned that you were a producer on a recent short film. He credited you with bringing everything together. Please tell us about this short film and how you got involved with it. If you have any updates about the status of this film, that would be great too.
Yes, Marcus and I studied film together in Vancouver. I’m so glad he was available to be in my film. It’s called Dance With a Demon. It’s about a mother suffering from depression, and she is trying to be there for her family but can’t be. Her daughter imagines what it’s like to have inner demons and we follow the imagination of this young girl as she’s trying to understand what her mother is going through. The story is told through dance. The film is doing the festival circuit at the moment and is scheduled to premiere at a festival in LA On June 15th. The festival is called Dances With Film, and we are very excited to show the world this extremely important story. Mental health is important, and I want to continue the conversation and make people aware that they aren’t alone.
Sailing Into Love
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
Sailing Into Love is my most recent film. We shot in March on Vancouver Island. It’s probably my favourite film I’ve ever done. I’m a bit of a boat girl, and we got to shoot on a 65-foot sailboat. It was a dream come true of mine.
The True Heroines
You can also see me in a new Amazon series called Upload and in September, the TNT series Snowpiercer starring Jennifer Connelly.
Are you planning on doing any more writing/producing/directing?
I’m always creating something. Since I first got a taste of producing in 2010, I co-created a web series called The True Heroines; you can watch it on YouTube. I realized I enjoy the business side of this industry almost as much as the creative side.
In regards to young women in the film/television community today, indeed, Fiona is one who exemplifies everything one could ever want in an accomplished actress, dynamic producer, gifted writer, and more. All too often, the younger generation tends to expect success to drop into their laps with little or no effort on their part. Not so with the vivacious, skilled, perky Fiona! In the time I have known her, her dauntless passion has driven her to invest herself fully in all of her endeavors, and even in the midst of obvious success, she continues to expand her horizons. As a genuine creative artist, she is one who can do it all, and her humility and work ethic continue to propel her towards every dream and goal within her heart and soul. While we rarely see her often enough on Hallmark, I fully comprehend the fact that her versatility makes her a hot commodity in so many different genres and networks in the business. Therefore, we reluctantly share her with everyone else in the entertainment universe, but when she comes back to Hallmark, it is as though she has come home for a long (and hopefully extended) visit.
I hope that everyone tunes in to Sailing Into Love this weekend (May 18th) for the Hallmark premiere of this “Countdown To Summer” film. Thankfully, our Canadian friends can join us at the same time for the W Network premiere! Additionally, please visit Fiona’s links below and consider following her on social media if you are so inclined. Her signature red hair and beaming smile always light up any screen on which she is privileged to appear, and I am thrilled to get to witness her prowess and beauty on display again this weekend. (We recently saw her in Flip That Romance as well!) It is my sincere desire that one of these days we will see her in a more significant role on the Hallmark Channel. (Lifetime has already bequeathed her with a lead role that she impeccably characterized in Psycho Wedding Crasher.) Notwithstanding, no matter what role she has the opportunity to play in Hallmark and elsewhere, it is consistently a joy to support her career every step of the way, and I hope that many will join her on this exhilarating path.
FOLLOW FIONA
Teagan Vincze, Leah Renee, Fiona Vroom Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Owen Strongman
Garry Garneau, Fiona Vroom, Leah Renee Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Owen Strongman
