LAUREL MARSDEN

When did you realize you wanted to become an actress?
When the major franchises of the 00s were being released in theaters, my Mom would take my older sister and me to the midnight releases of all the films. I remember thinking I was so cool for staying up late and going to see “big kid” movies like Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games. The energy of the midnight release cinemas was indescribable. I remember walking out of the theatre at 2 am, way past my bedtime, and thinking “I have to wait a whole year until the next one?!” My love for cinema only grew from there. I knew I wanted to be a part of those stories any way I could.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I was in children's theatre and trained at Second City Improv in Chicago throughout high school. My favorite part of my job is reading scripts. There’s nothing as fun as reading an amazing script!

Who is your biggest inspiration or whom do you most look up to?
I admire Greta Gerwig so much. She’s directed some of my all-time favorite movies and has such an earnest quality to her films. I’m so inspired by her and hope to channel that into my work as well.

What is your favorite movie?
Other than Greta’s masterpieces, my favorite movies are “Dead Poets Society” and “The Virgin Suicides.”

What genre of movie is your favorite to play in?
I love making horror movies. here’s something so unique about them. It’s not every day you get to show up to set and work opposite someone who’s got 6 hours' worth of prosthetics on their body making that person look (literally) out of this world.

What types of characters or roles would you like to play as in the future?
My dream is to be in a Regency-era period piece or to be a pirate, Argggg.

What was the most important thing that you learned from playing Zoe Zimmer in “Ms. Marvel?”
Working on Ms. Marvel was such an incredible experience all around, and I learned SO much. Not only about acting, but about Pakistani and South Asian culture as a whole. All of our directors, cast, and crew poured their hearts and soul into this project. Being a part of something with so much love and passion behind it was so inspiring and made me fall in love with film all over again.

What advice would you give to someone your age or younger wanting to get in acting?
Never forget that feeling that lit your fire in the first place. Cultivate it, and let it grow. Watch movies, join the drama club, and get out of your comfort zone. Keep loving it! And when you feel like quitting, watch that movie that made you fall in love with film again.

Which film, “The Pope’s Exorcist” or “All Fun and Games,” are you most looking forward to coming out?
I’m so excited for both in different ways. “All Fun and Games” was such a blast to film. Asa, Natalia, and Ben were some of the best co-stars you can hope for. And under the guidance of our incredible directors, we made a really fun yet somehow still very scary movie. “The Pope’s Exorcist” was my most challenging role to date. This movie is intense and scary. Russell Crowe is an absolute master at his craft and I learned so much from him, as well as everyone else on set. It was such a relief walking into such a daunting project and being met with so much love and support from everyone.

What is the hardest part of being an actress?
Reading that once-in-a-lifetime script, falling head over heels in love, and not getting the role. I mourn each one like a breakup. But I firmly believe that when the time is right, it will come. Being patient is all you can do.

What is a goal you have?
One day I hope to go to culinary school! I love to cook and make cocktails for my friends and family. And anything I love, I must obsess over it so that it seems like the next step! Plus on the off-chance Florence Pugh one day asks me to cook with her, I gotta be ready.

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Caroline Allegrante
Talent: Laurel Marsden
Stylist: Elanur Erdogan
Hair: Yu Nakata
Makeup: Miki Ishikura
Lighting: Liam Murphy
Set designer/prop Stylist: Jessie Coleman
Assistant: Eliana Roseen
Location: Ideal Glass Studios
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Nichole Masterson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

SHOP LOOK: LAUREL MARSDEN

1. CowCow Womens Starry Night Moon Stars Space Constellations Planets Mrs Frizzle Knee Length Skater Dress with Pocket
2. Hair Ties 20 Elastics Ponytail Holder Set No Crease Ribbon Bands (Pink)

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