Iman Vellani & Sana Amanat | The 2022 MAKERS Conference

MAKERS

Iman Vellani & Sana Amanat at the 2022 MAKERS Conference.

Video Transcript

NARRATOR: Please welcome Amanat and Iman Vellani.

[APPLAUSE]

SANA AMANAT: So this is so cool because the last time I was here was many years ago. And I was talking about the comic book series. And speaking of the future, I think it's actually really appropriate that I have-- we have Iman here. Iman Vellani everyone.

IMAN VELLANI: Hi.

SANA AMANAT: The star. The star of "Ms. Marvel."

IMAN VELLANI: It's so Meta. Every time I do like, any type of press with you, like I'm kind of obsessed with her. I still am. But, a yeah. Just from your "Marvel Comics" days.

SANA AMANAT: It's-- it's pretty great. Well, the thing about Kamala Khan, if you guys didn't catch it, is that she's like an absolute Uber fan. She loves Captain America, and Iron Man, and all of the superheroes. And enter Iman Vellani.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. I was obsessed with superheroes. Like to my core. I love these characters and these stories. Just like, picture 13-year-old me, head to toe Marvel merch, like, spending all my allowance on comic books. I would make theory boards that like, I think you said one time, straight out of a beautiful mind.

SANA AMANAT: Yes.

IMAN VELLANI: And I like anything with the Marvel logo. It just had like, a chokehold on me. And I was so spellbound but like, for me and for thousands, if not millions of other people that the Marvel universe just provided such a sense of belonging, and it-- it was my comfort environment. And I felt like, you know, I-- I found where I should be, and I-- I really just admired that. That you could do that for me.

SANA AMANAT: And by Uber fan, like, who are your top three-- your top three people of all time? Who are they?

IMAN VELLANI: Robert Downey, Jr. Wild card Billy Joel. And Kevin Feige who--

SANA AMANAT: Kevin Feige? The President of Marvel Studios? So huge, huge fans. So we didn't really know what we were getting into with Iman. But you saw-- you saw the comics for the first time, like, what was that experience like? When you--

IMAN VELLANI: Yes. I, I was-- I was 15, I was buying more "Iron Man" comics, and I ran across Ironheart. And a-- there was this brown girl in a domino mask on the cover, and I went to my comic guy, and I was like, who is this? And he sold me my first "Ms. Marvel" comic, and a few months later, I was asking my grandmother to sew a giant lightning bolt on a blue dress I drifted for Halloween.

SANA AMANAT: Yeah. I think we have-- I think we have a--

IMAN VELLANI: We do have.

SANA AMANAT: Do we have it? Can we show it?

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. Let me tell you, though. I went into my high school with so much pride. I was like, it's like when you finally find the jeans that fit you perfectly, it's like-- like you've seen, heard my top three. They're all, like, middle-aged white dudes, and I love them.

SANA AMANAT: Yes.

IMAN VELLANI: But, like I finally have this one that was for me, and it was like the most liberating thing ever. And I was so excited, and I walked into school and everyone's like, are you the flash? I was like, so offended. And I went across the street, bought another Ms. Marvel comic, and I held it across my chest the entire day. I was like, this is me. Like--

SANA AMANAT: Yeah.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: Yeah. Oh, there she is.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: How cute. You look so adorable. And I know, you hate it when I say that. You look so powerful, and smart, and intelligent.

[LAUGHTER]

IMAN VELLANI: I'll take it.

SANA AMANAT: So-- so I mean, this is so great. So actually-- actually before I get to that, we announced the show that was going to be on Ms. Marvel-- I'm sorry, is going to be on Disney Plus in around 2019 at D 23.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah, I remember, I was like, live streaming and was screenshotting every single announcement "Marvel" made, and I got to Ms. Marvel and I was like, what? Like this character's barely been alive in the comics for seven years?

SANA AMANAT: Yeah.

IMAN VELLANI: You know, compared to Captain America, who has like, what? 80 years of history under his belt. I could not believe the risk that you guys were taking, and I was so excited.

SANA AMANAT: Me neither. I was confused. I was sitting in the audience, I'm like, did we trick everyone?

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: I didn't think we were going to guess--

IMAN VELLANI: I was like, how do I be a part of this? And a my aunt received the casting call. From my WhatsApp forward chain. So that was super perfect and super brown. But no, I-- I threw to my-- whatever in the bin, and then I auditioned. And I didn't think it would happen. Like, I've never acted in front of the camera before, I was still in high school. And I got a call to come to LA, and fly first class.

[LAUGHS]

That was nice. And I met all these amazing people wearing Marvel Studios logos on their hats, and their jackets, and it was just like, my heaven. It was like, top five greatest days of my life.

SANA AMANAT: Not Kevin Feige, yet. Right?

IMAN VELLANI: Not Kevin Feige, yet.

SANA AMANAT: It was a big deal. That was like-- that was very-- what was that whole experience like for you, though. Auditioning, and coming to set for the first time.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. I was trying not to think about it too much. Because I was like, if I think about how crazy it is, I'm just going to explode. So I'm going to go with the flow, and just be as present as possible. Because I didn't know if I was going to ever be in that room again. In that screen test.

And so, yeah. I just wanted to take full advantage of being there, and when we finally got to set, it was first-- well, crazy first week, we did all my stunts on the first day. I came home with like every part of my body bruised, it was awesome, I felt heroic. And a-- someone's like, OK, on Wednesday Kevin's coming. And I was like, OK, Wednesday Kevin's coming. It was Monday, and this man walks up to me, and he's like, Hi, I've heard you've been doing a great job.

And I look to Sana petrified! And I-- I stared at Kevin Feige until he left. And then, I cried in my trailer. But he did come back Wednesday. And I-- I was so prepared, I wrote this four-page letter for him. Because I didn't know if I was going to vocalize words. And yeah, it was like--

SANA AMANAT: It was-- how many questions were there?

IMAN VELLANI: Around 72 questions in the letter. The first page was me gushing over him. The next three was just like, questions I had about him, his life, what type of shoes he wears, and I gave it to him. And then, he called me the next day, and answering like the first 40 over Zoom.

SANA AMANAT: Like yeah?

IMAN VELLANI: Imagine the President of Marvel Studios taking the time to just like, be like, what time do you wake up in the morning? How many hours of sleep do you get? I was just like, the most random questions. I just wanted to hear him talk. It was awesome.

SANA AMANAT: It was-- it was so great, because like when Iman-- when she got the-- of course she got the role. And for us, it was a very emotional thing, the first time we told you-- you got, you got the-- you did it, you nailed it. And she was in the middle of--

IMAN VELLANI: It was my-- it was my last--

SANA AMANAT: You tell the story. Yeah. Because I love this so much.

IMAN VELLANI: It was-- literally, the last day of high school. And my friends and I were out getting burritos. And I got this text from Sarah Finn, who's Marvel's casting director, cast Robert Downey, Jr. Number one. And so she was like, can you get on this call? And I was like, no, I can't, I'm busy.

My-- my friends didn't know I had auditioned. I like, kept it a secret from everyone. My friends still thought I was going to roam with them in University. That did not happen. But, I get out of the car, and I'm on my friend's driveway, and I open my phone, and it's Kevin Feige's face.

And this is my first interaction with him. And I was just hyperventilating. And I know there was other people on the call, but I blinked.

SANA AMANAT: She was spinning, so all I saw-- so there was like a bunch of us, because it was all Zoom those days. And there was like, 15-- no, 10 of us, maybe on the call. And all I saw was Iman being like, Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. And the background just kept spinning in circles. And I was like, is she going to pass out? I was like, I was supposed to get burritos.

IMAN VELLANI: We still got burritos. Celebratory burritos. Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: Exactly. And it was-- it was so wonderful. And I remember-- and I think the thing for me, when-- well, when I met Iman for the first time we met on Zoom--

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: And I remember, thinking OK, that she's very special, and she was asking me a bunch of questions. She was so excited to meet me, because she was like a big fan. And I remember her showing me her room, and she's like, yeah, this is my room, like, oh this isn't posters back there, what's going on? And she like moved her head, and it was like insanity of Marvel had unleashed itself on the walls of Kama-- of Iman, Oh, my God.

Kamala's-- Iman's walls, and I was like, oh, my God, you do really love Marvel, and she's like Oh, no, there's more. And she take-- takes me through the room, opens up a closet, and there's like Marvel paraphernalia like, falling out. She shows me an Iron Man clothes.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah, my dad was at like some warehouse sale, and there was this Iron Man like, cologne set. And I was like, dad I need it. And he buys it actually. And it was like, because it was like a bust of Iron Man's head. The perfume smelled foul, but it was the coolest thing ever.

SANA AMANAT: It was a Prada.

IMAN VELLANI: And I showed it to Sana. And we get to set the first day, and she's like, look what's on the desk of-- of Kamala's room. And they had like remade the little Iron Man perfume. Aw. Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: We're-- we're so-- we're so cute.

IMAN VELLANI: It was awful.

SANA AMANAT: But it was-- it was so-- I mean, that was obviously a really emotional day. Like we were-- I was obviously emotional meeting her, and then seeing she's so Kamala in real life.

IMAN VELLANI: I just couldn't imagine like, this is a character she cares so much about like, literally, you brought this to life. And putting it in the hands of some random high school kid? Who's never been on a movie set? Like, I carry--

SANA AMANAT: Scary.

IMAN VELLANI: Scary. Yeah, for both of us.

SANA AMANAT: But you did-- Iman, did this when-- obviously, everything was on Zoom at that point. But Iman did this audition for us where she went from being very like, quirky and like this. Like quirky and crazy, and like lovely and funny to being very emotional and grounded. And someone so soulful within a matter of 60 seconds. Which like, it's so hard for actors to do that. And she had never-- you had never done-- you'd won what? One school play, at that point?

IMAN VELLANI: Maybe three.

SANA AMANAT: Maybe-- oh, I'm sorry. Three school plays at that point. I've been telling everyone it's been one. So I got to update that story. But that was so incredible, and I remember us afterwards looking-- we're talking to the directors and to Kevin, and we were all just silent for like 15 seconds being like, Oh, my God. Like this is-- she's it. Like it was-- it felt so destined to have her play the role. And as you can tell, I mean, she is.

IMAN VELLANI: I was just sad because they told me Kevin Feige might join the call, and he didn't.

SANA AMANAT: Yeah. Sorry. I'm so sorry.

IMAN VELLANI: But it came out through the performance. And here I am.

SANA AMANAT: Yes.

IMAN VELLANI: So.

SANA AMANAT: And now, you've met him many, many times. He's just as awkward and uncomfortable.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. Literally, we're at first-- like-- when I actually started like using words to speak to him,

SANA AMANAT: Yeah.

IMAN VELLANI: I was so awkward, and he's like a huge nerd. And he got really awkward with me being awkward. So Sana here was our conversation moderator.

SANA AMANAT: So--

IMAN VELLANI: She's doing a great job, right now.

SANA AMANAT: Thank you.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. She's like, Iman, you have something for Kevin. Kevin, what would you like to say to Iman? It was like toddler speaking.

SANA AMANAT: It really. Like, it really-- it really was. It was the strangest thing. I'm like, words? Words?

[LAUGHTER]

No? OK. We'll continue. I mean, we're all nerds, we're all a little bit awkward. And you know, Kevin and Iman are über-nerds.

[LAUGHTER]

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: So the thing that struck me, when we would talk about it. So, you know, you grew up in Toronto. And you talk to-- this thing that Iman said to me, like, I guess during the course of production. She's like, I've learned a lot about my culture through this experience. And I wanted you to share a little bit about what it was like for you?

Obviously, being on set. You're acting for the first time. But this is such a distinct show in what it represents, and also how we made it. So what was it like for you? And what was so unique about that experience? And how did you kind of change along the way?

IMAN VELLANI: Well, coming into this, I was so enamored and fascinated by Hollywood and American pop culture. And I wanted to be a part of that world so badly, I would like, make parody videos in my room, and like, little claymations. And we actually used one of them as inspiration for episode one's opening--

SANA AMANAT: Yes.

IMAN VELLANI: --which is crazy.

SANA AMANAT: Iman's a very talented creator, by the way. And she creates-- she makes these awesome videos if you can find it online. I'm not supposed to say that. But you can. And they're really funny-- and these, like, claymation. And so it really inspired us for the introduction of Kamala, who makes her own, also, fan fiction videos, just like Iman does. So it was a nice little--

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: --full circle moment there.

IMAN VELLANI: And so I-- but I feel like all the Brown people I was used to seeing in mainstream media, just, were lacking soul and basic human complexities. And I think because I was so used to seeing, like, this caricature version of myself on screen all the time, I internalized it, and kind of subconsciously thought that being Brown wasn't cool, for lack of a better word. And so here I am on a Marvel set, the coolest thing in the entire world, my world, in front of me.

And then suddenly, I'm with, like, all these Brown people, all these cool Brown people, and creatives who just, like, were so in touch with their culture. And I think, like, watching our directors, our female South Asian directors and cinematographers, and our costume designers, everybody on set, like, they just had this unspoken understanding for each other. And it was the most homey environment, even though I was, like, so out of my comfort zone. I was, like, living away from home for the first time ever, like, still a teenager. And I had, like, the greatest people around me. So it made it so easy.

SANA AMANAT: It was very special. The coolest thing was seeing you wear-- shalwar kameez is a traditional South Asian-- you wear to weddings, or whatever. And we did-- in episode three, Iman kicks butt in a shalwar kameez.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: And as we're filming it, I was like, this is crazy!

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah, like, if I sent a photo of myself from set to, like, my family members, I'd think I was at, like, some gathering or a wedding, or something. I was doing a Marvel fight scene. Like, how cool is that?

SANA AMANAT: It was wild. And I mean, you did such a great job. But it was so special to have that connection with everyone I made you do a dance.

IMAN VELLANI: Two dances, two dances.

SANA AMANAT: She was really upset about it. But you know, it was such a special experience. So I mean, what do you hope-- considering, obviously, we'll say representation, inclusivity, we can say it all day. But what does that actually mean? Having been in this experience, what do you hope people are going to take from this show? After having been someone who was on the other side of it, now you're delivering it. So what does that mean to you?

IMAN VELLANI: I just hope people can, like, see what I saw when I picked up those comics and like, feel how I felt because it was like, literally I opened a page. And there was a mirror, as cheesy as that sounds. But I, like, literally felt seen for the first time.

And losing my anonymity aside, as annoying as that is because I'm, like, overthinking everything I do now, but it's so cool when people come up to you because it shows that they've watched the show. And when you have so many different people from so many random places all over the world coming up to you like that, that's how you know you've really made something bigger than yourself. And you, like, realize the sheer scale of Marvel and Hollywood, and the power that it actually has to make a change and inspire people.

SANA AMANAT: It was really funny because I remember you coming up to me when we were in Disneyland, where there was-- people were coming up to her. And for me that was really incredible. But she was like, oh my god, Sana, white people watch this show! And I was like-- I was like, yeah, oh shoot, that means people are going to actually watch this show!

IMAN VELLANI: Like, I get offended when Brown people don't watch the show. And then when white people come up to me, I'm like, audience!

SANA AMANAT: Yeah, we expect Brown. But we're going to guilt the Brown community.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah. Like, you have this one thing, one job. Come on.

SANA AMANAT: We're so tired! And it was really great. And speaking of-- so being at Disneyland, we just went like a month ago.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: And I would see people-- we turn the corner. And I would see people recognize her. And their mouths would-- just, their jaws would drop, and be like, oh my god, that's her, that's her. I'm like, this is crazy to me that one, Iman Vellani is being recognized. That's a huge thing, and that Kamala Khan, this Brown Muslim girl, is being recognized, this Muslim superhero is being recognized-- crazy to me. And I remember this one young mother comes up.

She's a South Asian mother. They're a young family. She has a daughter in a stroller. And she comes up. She's so nervous. She's trying to ask for, like, a photo and for your autograph and stuff. And Iman's like, yeah, of course. Iman turned away. And she didn't notice this. But the mother just starts crying. And she's like, you don't know. And she keeps looking at her daughter.

She's like, you don't know. You don't know what this means to me. This means so much to have you out there, crying. And you just don't realize how much of an impact that you're making. And it's silly. I mean, our show is so silly and quirky and fun. But it has a lot of heart. And it is about connection with your history and your legacy.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah, even when we were filming it, we didn't really realize the scale of all of it and how enormous this was all going to be. It felt like a little indie project. It was like I was at a family gathering. Literally, all of our extras were like, Brown people. It was--

SANA AMANAT: Yeah.

IMAN VELLANI: It just felt so comfortable of an environment, something I knew so well. And then suddenly it's all over the world on Disney Plus for anyone to watch. Disney

SANA AMANAT: Plus, it's on right now, FYI. Watch it. Spread it. We want a season two. Wait, what do you want-- what do you want people to feel? Like, what message do you want people to take from this show? Having been on it, you know it. Sometimes you know it better than me, right? She would sit next to me on the chair in the Producers Village.

IMAN VELLANI: She's like what issues did just happen? I was like, number 17.

SANA AMANAT: Yeah, she had a lot of notes on the show. But having-- notebooks of notes on the show.

IMAN VELLANI: We had a three hour meeting on my first week because I was like, I have some questions-- pull out the script. The back side of all the pages of the script had just questions on it. I was like, why are we doing this? And you sit through the entire thing.

SANA AMANAT: Right, it was fan. That's what fans are. Fans are very intense, if you've ever been on a Reddit page. She's one of them-- and very, very intense. And I took all of her questions because I'm so good to you. But again, serious question, what do you want people to take from this experience? Having known what it means, the work we put into it, what does it mean to you? And what do you want people to take away?

IMAN VELLANI: I had such a wonderful, I don't know, re-connection with my culture. And it just, like, makes me feel so much closer to my parents as well. We were talking about this necklace earlier. So Kamala wears, like, a little necklace with her name on it--

SANA AMANAT: In Arabic.

IMAN VELLANI: --in Arabic. My mom had one in English. And Sana always wears hers. And my mom got this made for me. And like, I love it. Like, I won't take it off. And it's stuff like that where, I remember in high school, I was just so kind of embarrassed at being Brown. I would lie to my friends whenever I had to go to mosque or whatever. And so being proud of this is just, like, so liberating.

And I really hope kids can go back and just reconnect with their culture, and find the pride in it because it is a really powerful thing, especially when you live in Western countries. It's sharing your self with, like, your community, and letting people understand who you are on a very cellular level. And I think we can do so much of that through film and television.

SANA AMANAT: Yes, it's a celebration. That's what I felt like.

IMAN VELLANI: And I hope this, like, inspires more South Asian creatives to kind of tell their story because obviously, this is just about one girl and one family. And there's two billion Muslims and South Asians in the entire world. That's one in four people. And we cannot represent everyone, obviously. So hopefully--

SANA AMANAT: Yeah.

IMAN VELLANI: Yeah.

SANA AMANAT: I think the other question is, now that we've made this show-- because this show is a first on many levels. What do you think-- you are also, because you're a creator. She's probably going to be a producer, writer, et cetera, one day. How do you think the industry is going to change, needs to change, after this? What's next? We're talking about future here. So what do you think is next? I like to have a theme. I'm a producer. I got to wrap it up in a bow.

IMAN VELLANI: God, I mean, I really do hope we're humanizing and normalizing seeing Muslims and South Asians in these types of roles, and kind of taking on very powerful characters that make changes and aren't just a generalized side character given a random b-plot. The show has so much heart and soul. And it kind of shows that you can make good content with these types of characters in the forefront.

And I really hope people see that and put prejudice aside. And just watch it because it's also fun. And you can watch something without it always having an agenda or pushing some narrative or whatever. It's a superhero. She has powers. Like, they're purple. It's cool, you know? Yeah, that's my message.

SANA AMANAT: You're shrinking into the chair as you say that. She got a Best Newcomer Award yesterday, yay!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

But she's walking up-- she's walking up on stage like, OK. And I just remember, I'm like, oh yeah, she's a teenager. Oh, I guess I got to do this.

IMAN VELLANI: And like, from the back, mom here is like, smile, smile more. And I'm like, thank you for this award. OK, bye.

SANA AMANAT: Well, there's these pictures that are going around of, like, Iman posing with fans. And then there's me all the way in the background staring. And everyone's like, hashtag-- Sana is really #momenergy right now. And I was like, oh man! And I don't have kids of my own. So I was not hoping to ever get that hashtag.

IMAN VELLANI: I call her my godmother all the time.

SANA AMANAT: You call me what?

IMAN VELLANI: Godmother.

SANA AMANAT: Godmother, oh yes, yes, yes. Anyway, Iman, I love you so much.

IMAN VELLANI: I love you.

SANA AMANAT: You're the future. And I hope that everyone here gets to know her and watches our show. Please do. And spread it. And thank you so much. Thank you.

[APPLAUSE]