Miami Living Magazine features the best Miami has to offer. Click on any magazine below and enjoy. You can download our free app on iTunes. Ideal for iPad and iPhone users.
Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1151945
The whole project is a departure for Vanessa and Laura —it's the sister's first foray into producing a film and their first time —in a long while— taking on such serious roles, especially side by side. It was a scary yet exciting experience, Laura tells me. "We both have played dark characters before. I know Vanessa has really put her foot into drama —there's a point when you're tired, where you're coming up with phrases that aren't real. But...." Laura smiles. "Like, put your foot into drama," Vanessa adds. "I think that's a famous phrase, no one really says it but," Laura continues. "Dame Judi Dench has been known for putting her foot into drama," says Vanessa without missing a beat. Vanessa and Laura are elated to see how their fans react to them in these dramatic roles. The film is not only a departure for them, but for most involved, including the director, writers, and a few of the actors. "We had never produced before, that was a departure for us. Ken Jeong is playing a very dramatic role, that's a departure for him from comedy.... I think it was such a kismet thing, of people really wanting to do something they've always dreamed of doing and do something different than what they had been doing. This group of people got together and were like, 'Let's make something meaningful to all of us,'" says Vanessa. But this is just the beginning for these nascent producers. The Marano sisters have already optioned two more books and are excited to work on those. "We love telling stories. We love telling stories in any capacity, whether it be as actors, producers, maybe as writers someday, maybe as directors someday," says Vanessa. "To get the opportunity to tell a story that's important to you, about a topic you're extremely passionate about —we feel incredibly lucky, and feel an incredible sense of, 'Alright, this is what we should be doing.'" Vanessa and Laura also intend to act in their future projects. Before Saving Zoë, it had been a long time since they have acted in the same project. "Our very first time doing a television show or very first theatrical job, we played sisters together," Vanessa shares. "And then we never worked together again!" Laura says theatrically. "Until now," says Vanessa. "Until now. Yeah, we've had our individual careers, which was kinda awesome," says Laura. The following responses pour out swiftly and comedically. Vanessa: We did do some work together. Laura: We did. This has been our biggest role... Vanessa: To-date. Laura: The background voices in Finding Nemo. Vanessa: That was a big moment. It was a loop group. Laura: LG. Vanessa: That's right! We didn't play sisters in that one. Laura: I'd like to think we did. Vanessa: I don't know. We'll never know, because the story of the baby sea turtles wasn't really explored as much in Finding Nemo. Laura: It was when I was doing it. Vanessa: Laura had a whole backstory. Laura: I had a whole backstory as always —as an actor, you have to have it, damn it! Vanessa: That's right. Their bantery exchange is entertaining and makes you wish you were a part of the Marano clan. Was it challenging to work together? Do you two get along for the mos t par t? "Well, Mom was there, too," says L aura. "She produced the movie as well with us. There was all three of us like, loving each other." "And wanting to kill each other," adds Vanessa. "Wanting to kill each other. Respecting each other," says L aura in a sing-songy voice. "And yelling at each other. And crying with each other and then laughing for no reason, after all of those things with each other. We were so sleep deprived," Vanessa laughs. "I wouldn't trade it for any thing in the world… I think we made something really special and I'm really glad we got to do it all together." Vanessa and Laura have an endearing familiarity about them that makes you feel like you could be the best of friends and that je ne sais quoi (both are quick-wit ted, fun-loving, and charming) that makes people stars. There's no questioning it —they were born to entertain. I mean, their IG story that showed the 14+ ways to watch Saving Zoë definitely demonstrates it. And to think, their mother didn't want them to go into acting. "How it really did not work out for her on that," says Laura. "She