At the media conference for Laruan, which LionhearTV covered on November 24, Viva artist Franki Russell wished that her upcoming Vivamax movie was her launching film.
Russell explained that Laruan showcased a different side of her acting capability.
“So this is my second movie with Vivamax. My first one was with Diego [Loyzaga] sa Pabuya. Pero, it’s one of my launching ones–for sure. I actually feel like– I don’t know if I should say this, but I wish this [was] my launching movie. I feel like this [really] showed a different side that’s even when I worked on teleseryes before, it’s such a different– like I can express myself, I don’t know.”
She admitted that she felt intimidated at first by her co-star Jay Manalo, which changed while filming Laruan.
“Working with Jay was awesome. When I [first] met him, I was nervous [to meet] him, di ba? Because when I met him, he could be intimidating, but once you talk to him, he’s such a fun person, but when it comes to work, he’s so serious. So it’s very inspiring.”
As for the director Yam Laranas, she described working with him as ‘refreshing.’
“With Direk Yam it was so refreshing because I felt the passion for the movie and the character and for everything to go as best as it [can.] So it’s really encouraging, and I feel like it [really] brought out my best side when it comes to work, so I’m very excited for this to come out because I think it really showed a different side of me that even I [haven’t] seen before.”
She then expressed gratitude for the chance to work with the cast and the director.
“But you’ll see in the movie, my character, Camille, she’s very twisted and crazy. So I feel very grateful to work with such a great cast and director, and I was a fan of Direk Yam [Laranas] work before. And I asked a lot about his approach [when it comes] to work, and so yeah, everything has exceeded my expectations, and yeah, it was [really] fun [with] working on set with everybody.”
She confessed feeling nervous showing her skin for the first time with the Vivamax film.
“Sa una, medyo kinakabahan siyempre kasi it’s my first time to experience something like that, but I think credit to the– everyone on set, Direk Yam, they made me feel so comfortable and so confident that it works di ba? The part of the role–and necessary to the [role,] I am more than happy to give my best.”
Russell’s first Vivamax movie is Pabuya which included her fellow Viva artist Diego Loyzaga.
Laruan features a powerhouse Viva cast with Franki Russel, Ava Mendez, Kiko Estrada, and Jay Manalo.
The suspense filled Vivamax movie, directed by Yam Laranas, premieres via Vivamax Plus on December 12 and streams through Vivamax on December 16.
