In just a few short years since bursting onto the scene, Toronto-based actress Ann Pirvu has already played everything from high school queen of mean Rebecca in the Netflix comedy ‘Total Frat Movie’ with Tom Green to a therapeutic clown in Global TV’s hit drama series ‘Remedy’. Ann has also starred alongside Riley Keough in the Steven Soderbergh produced callgirl series ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ (STARZ). She now stars in the new romantic comedy feature ‘Learning to Love Again’ on the W Network. We had the opportunity to catch up with her to discuss acting, current projects, and more!
Hi Ann, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. Please tell us more about how you got into acting
My absolute pleasure, thank you for giving me the opportunity to chat Occhi Team! For me, acting is not just a passion. It’s a way of life. I was one of those annoying kids that always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Or rather, that my purpose in life must involve the creative arts, in any capacity. My mom says I had an amazing memory from a very young age. WHAT happened, mom?! (Kidding!) I grew up in Romania, steeped in European arts and culture. Reciting poetry.
Periodically breaking out into song while out for a walk with my grampa, or riding a bus, or pretty much performing at any opportunity for anyone who’d listen (laughs).
By the time my family and I moved to Canada, I was 12 and starting to understand my own ability to… create. My dad bought us a camcorder to document our adventures settling into a new life, which I immediately commandeered and started making my own projects: silly videos, short films, an episode of the show “Biography“ commemorating my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary, complete with commercial breaks and impersonations of our closest family friends sending their well wishes… yup…it was elaborate! (Laughs)
I actually learned how to speak English from watching English-speaking cartoons with my brother, so my fascination with the cinematic medium was fuelled by a deep appreciation of its powerful impact, the potential for mass reach, and versatility as a communicative tool. By the time I made it to high school I discovered a Movie Works Club existed in our school! I went to my instructor excitedly proclaiming, “I want to make a movie!” His response was less enthusiastic than mine, pointing out that we would need a script first and I obviously didn’t know much about writing. I should probably stick to making short promotional videos for our school and steer clear of the cinematic “road less traveled.”
Naturally, I came back from spring break with a 120-page script and eventually convinced our school to fund my feature 🙂 shot in our final year of high school — and my determination to make it stemmed from the fact that I wanted to act in it (laughs).
I ended up directing and wearing a whole bunch of other hats out of necessity during production, but it was all for the best — it’s remarkable what you discover you’re capable of when you act from a place of inspiration — I consider those early experiences my film school. And it genuinely helps to periodically remind yourself, as you navigate the ups and downs of this unpredictable industry, of the fearless attitude you can always access within. That fearlessness that nurtures creativity and ushers in growth.
Since then, I’ve been acting professionally for the past 15 years and have a broadcast journalism degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, where I learned about writing and explored well-rounded storytelling techniques. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry so versatile, collaborative, connective… and I honestly don’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Your career includes starring alongside Tom Green in the comedy feature Total Frat Movie, portraying a therapeutic clown on Remedy, and working alongside Riley Keough in The Girlfriend Experience. To date, what have been the most fulfilling aspects of your career, and why?
The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know. But I love people. Learning about their journeys has always been a fascinating pastime for me, an activity I could never get bored of. I’ve been an observer, an analyst, a storyteller since I can remember. I’ve followed that instinct so far, making acting and filmmaking my life’s work but I feel like I’m only getting started, in many ways.
What never ceases to amaze me is the variety of perspectives we can have, based on our past experiences. And that there is a common thread between the lessons that we learn, regardless of our circumstances. Acting taught me so much about life and myself. I can honestly say it’s had a pivotal impact on my resilient, open-minded, and optimistic mindset. I think the diversity of the projects I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of, with all of their intricacies, is in and of itself the most satisfying aspect of my career…so far :).
Your new romantic comedy feature ‘Learning to Love Again’ made its premiere on October 10th on the W Network. Please tell us what audiences should expect.
Working on this project will always have such a special place in my heart, partly because it marked a fun milestone in my career—my first leading role in a romantic feature! Something I’d been working toward for a while. And being able to share it with all of Canada, on Thanksgiving weekend featured as part of Hallmark Channel’s Fall Harvest Lineup on W Network…is genuinely a dream come true.
Learning To Love Again tells the story of a childhood crush that gets a second chance at true love, and highlights the wonderful way that life sometimes brings you exactly what you need, when you need it. In the most romantic way!
It follows my character “Pinky” Jane Lane (keep an eye out for the delightful significance of the nickname) as she reluctantly heads home for the holidays after losing her job and breaking up with her long-time boyfriend. As fate intervenes to reconnect her with childhood nemesis Chris (played by the talented Kjartan Hewitt), a stroke of inspiration compels her to recruit Chris in a pretend relationship that would appease her family for the holiday weekend. But will their pretending be so good that they …might actually fall in love? Get ready for an unforgettable Thanksgiving trip down memory LANE (see what I did there?)
Expect breathtaking fall colors, more pie than you can handle, and guaranteed barrels of fun with colorful performances from Come From Away star Steffi DiDomenicantonio, the incredible Karen Robinson (Emmy winning Schitt’s Creek), Richard Clarkin, Barbara Gordon, Tyrone Savage, Winny Clarke and the lovely Sabryn Rock, directed by the masterful Adam Swica.
It’s a feel-good, romantic comedy for the whole family that I’m proud to say I hope will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. Especially in a year like 2020, where we can all use a little more love in our lives. My heartfelt congratulations to our incredible producers Christopher Giroux and Jesse Ikeman, and the entire Vortex Words+Pictures Production team that worked so hard to bring this little gem to the screen.
Please tell us more about your weekly talk show called Soul Sunday
Thank you so much for asking. In so many ways, the talk show was an evolution of my intention to connect and have meaningful conversations using social media platforms. And it happens to be one of my most treasured initiatives because it combines my journalism background with my love of acting and making a mindful, positive lifestyle a priority. I call it the emotional intelligence training ground for young leaders (as a great deal of my fanbase is comprised of young sparkly minds from all over the world.) Each week there are different topics related to demystifying emotional intelligence, teaching youth how to think. Not what to think.
Understanding our emotions by accessing and harnessing our inner resources. Discovering our personal voice – our spark and the confidence to share it openly with the world for all of our greatest benefit — genuinely something I wish they taught in schools today. My aim was to use my platform to create an open, safe space for self-expression— a judgment-free zone where participants would feel free to comment and voice their opinions in real-time, in an interactive and collaborative environment I call the “bouncing up place” recorded every Soul Sunday on my Instagram Live and PepMag Twitch Channel. The ultimate goal is to educate, empower, and elevate one another — with kindness, sensitivity, and curiosity. And I’m so proud of our growing Pep Squad!
Feel free to join the conversation and find us online @pepmag ️ There are new topics of conversation introduced each week!
What other projects are you working on that you can tell us about?
I’m finding myself drawn to writing again, and I’m actually developing a few ideas I can’t wait to share in the new year! My boyfriend and I just literally bought a new house, so we’re very excited about the new chapter but it’s all moving very fast (laughs). I have a whole new set of creative skills to activate in the home stretch of this year, so if you’ve got fun interior design ideas send them my way!
I also teach youth acting classes at Armstrong Acting Studios here in Toronto. Our faculty has transferred to virtual classrooms over the course of the pandemic, which has been such an incredible learning curve for me as well… and a tremendously rewarding process. I’m so inspired by the brilliant young minds I have the pleasure of working with, and I look forward to helping them attain their hopes and dreams and celebrating growth every step of the way! More than anything— what a year this has been! I’m so genuinely excited to bring some feel-good family fun into your living-rooms this Thanksgiving weekend Canada! And very soon for our American and international friends!
Looking forward to being able to share some exciting news. Until then, I’m enormously thankful for the wonderful chat and wishing everyone a beautiful Thanksgiving! Hope wherever you are, you’re surrounded by love. Because you deserve it️
Where can our readers find out more about you?
@annpirvu on all socials, but I’m most active on Instagram. DM me any time! All the best guys!
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