Laura Marano Discovers “Unknown Desire” With ‘Above & Below’ Experience

Actress/singer Laura Marano talked to Deepest Dream about her latest feature, the action thriller Above & Below. Directed by first rate filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson, the feature stands out in Marano’s varied resume. Marano, who made her New York stage debut this summer on the Off-Broadway play The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is open to new creative avenues. And with Above & Below, Marano ventured into entirely different waters . . .

Read more: Laura Marano Discovers “Unknown Desire” With ‘Above & Below’ Experience

An Action/Thriller Shark Film For Laura Marano

Laura Marano stars in Above & Below as Tatiana, part of a group of friends who take part in a Mexican shark dive. After the discovery of cartel cocaine leads to tragedy on the boat, Tatiana and her friend Kaley (Christina Ochoa) are trapped in a shark cage. Antonio Banderas co-stars as the leader of the crew, with Louis Mandylor serving as one of the boss’ hot-headed assocates. Jesse V. Johnson, whose credits include the underrated Boudica: Queen of War and Avengement, directed the feature.

“There was so much about this project that I was so excited about, but I was really nervous as well,” said Marano. “I was especially very anxious about the physical aspect and the safety of everything. So before I agreed to do the movie, I had a call with Jesse, and instantly I knew I was in good hands.  He made me feel so comfortable. We got to talk about the character, we got to talk about the movie and we got to talk about the actual logistical aspects, which was very important to me. So right away I knew I was gonna have a great time with him. He truly is so lovely.”

Co-host Eric Holmes and I review (and recommend) Above & Below on CinemAddicts:

New Acting Perspective Gained For Laura Marano

Working on Above & Below was a pivotal experience for Marano, as know she is open to working in more action oriented features. “This very much awakened an unknown desire of mine to do these movies and to physically really challenge myself to the point of complete and pure exhaustion. Jesse and I have been talking about what we could do next together because it is so fun to do and it’s a different level of fulfillment when you just feel like that physically exhausted. It’s hard. There were so many challenges that I think definitely made me a better actor. I really loved doing it.”

Working With Co-Star Antonio Banderas

But did she love singing “Baby Shark” to co-star Antonio Banderas?

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 ”(Antonio Banderas) is so wonderful and so lovely,” said Marano. “I cannot stress that enough. I was already a fan and became even more of a fan working with him. He is so prepared, so I feel facing off with him in front of the camera is intimidating because, he is a pro, so you better come to work and you better come prepared and be on your absolute A-game.”

“So that was definitely intimidating,” added Marano. “But behind the camera, he could not be a sweeter, more lovely individual. So that’s why I very much had this Baby Shark idea and I was like, ‘Let me see what the vibe is and if I feel like this is gonna be too much,’ ’cause, we only had so much time with him. And instantly in talking with him I was like, ‘Oh, he’s super cool. Let me sing Baby Shark to him.’ And he was great with it.”

Full interview with Laura Marano:

Above & Below is now available on Digital and VOD.

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