In the new Netflix film Family Switch, which released this month, Vanessa Carrasco played Ariana and attended her first red carpet premiere alongside a cast including Brady Noon, Ed Helm, Jennifer Garner and Emma Myers, with the film being directed by McG. Last year, Vanessa was cast as her first series regular character, playing Ximena in the Apple TV+ series Life By Ella, and she’s had previous guest roles in New Amsterdam and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Recently, Vanessa answered our questions about playing Ariana in the new Netflix film Family Switch, attending the red carpet premiere and her time as Ximena in Life By Ella for Apple TV+.
Can you tell us about the new film Family Switch and your character Ariana?
Family Switch is a sweet, funny, and overall feel-good movie with a few dramatic moments. Ariana is the ultimate girl-next-door. She’s the “perfect” girl at school, who seems unattainable to Wyatt – the typical school “nerd”. Little does he know, they have so much more in common than expected including having a crush on each other!
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Ariana and how was it reading the script for the first time?
Reading the script for the first time was really cool because you have to transform into another individual fully, with a different personality, style, and mind. I would say I am different from Ariana in the way that she is so sweet and understanding (Don’t get me wrong, I am sweet, but not as sweet as her).
How was it filming opposite a cast including Brady Noon as Wyatt, Ed Helms as Bill, Jennifer Garner as Jess and Emma Myers as CC?
Seeing celebrities in real life is an insane experience, especially when you’ve known them long before they’ve known you. Jen and Ed are absolutely lovely to work with, and so easy-going, it’s insane how good of an actor they are! Emma is genuinely the sweetest ever, and so cutesy – I love her style, and Brady is super funny, he can light up a room.
What was it like on set of the film and how was it being directed by McG?
Set was a really comfortable, no judgment zone, which is really important as an actor if you want to perform raw and real. McG had really amazing ideas, and he knew exactly how to put his visions into fruition on set. Also, I loved the food from crafty.
How does it feel now Family Switch has been released on Netflix and who do you think will enjoy watching it?
Viewers finally seeing what months of hard work was put into is so unbelievably exciting, I couldn’t stop looking at articles and reviews and rankings on my phone the day it came out. It’s surreal that now the entire world can see all of us with just one click. I think that people of all age demographics can watch this and have a good time, because there are characters of all generations in it. The whole family will definitely have a laugh!
How did you find the experience attending the red carpet premiere?
The red carpet premiere was my very first red carpet, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was definitely an experience to pose in front of cameras, answer interviews, and be treated like a full-on celeb when I was there. My heart was racing the entire time!
Last year, you played Ximena in the Apple TV+ series Life By Ella, what was the show like to be part of?
Life By Ella had a pretty deep concept… and being on set was a learning experience for all of us. I personally relate to Ximena, so when I was filming all my scenes (most regarding cancer), it really hit hard.
What did you enjoy most about playing Ximena and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role as your first series regular character?
Being a fresh actor means every role you get counts. It’s even better when you book a series regular because your name really gets put out there. I’m not even going to lie, besides the pure excitement from playing Ximena, the best part was her sassy lines and cool attitude.
Do you have any favourite memories from your time on set of Life By Ella that you can tell us about?
My favourite memories from Life By Ella was whenever Lily (Brooks O’Briant), Artyon (Celestine), and I would have scenes all together. We really bonded over the course of filming, and made a pretty damn cute trio, with believable chemistry on camera.
You’ve previously had guest roles for episodes of New Amsterdam and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, what were they like to film?
Like I mentioned before, every role is important to a new actor, and getting roles in Law & Order, New Amsterdam, and Irreplaceable You was like a dream come true for a little kid. I got to experience what being on set was like, and I think it really made me realise that acting is what I want to do for my adult career.
What do you remember most from working on short film Sleeping Beauty and feature film Irreplaceable You at the start of your career?
From Sleeping Beauty, I remember crying a bunch on set because the material was very heavy, and I think it was a lot for my 11-year-old brain to handle. Also with Irreplaceable You, Sleeping Beauty was a film that I could see everything behind the cameras come together. From the makeup, lighting, and the crew working.
How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do?
I started by modelling when I was a baby, and my agency suggested I get a theatrical agent so I could work on commercials. Over time, they started sending me on films/TV and I booked and booked, and the rest is history!
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I like Shameless, Interview with the Vampire, Jane the Virgin, and Survivor (haha).
How do you like to spend your free time?
Besides school, I like to call my friends, play with my cats, and watch reality TV with my parents.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping the next year brings for you?
I’m hoping I can book some really good work next year, and go back to LA since it’s soooo warm there!
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