Casting agency FILM CASTING BG is conducting a series of interviews with people who have roles in “Lying Rhymes”. Everyone receives the same questions, and the answers are published unedited. Subscribe to the “Lying Rhymes” YOUTUBE channel, where you will be able to watch the series online – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMPCTqcf5dUdVy8y-FYayTQ Interview with Ivan Ivanov – appearing in “Lying Rhymes”. 1. Tell us briefly about yourself. My name is Ivan Ivanov. I was born in Dupnitsa, where I live and work. I am an actor at the Nevena Kokanova Municipal Drama Theatre. I studied Acting at Lyuben Groys Theatre College, where I was in the same class as Yulian Vergov, and at New Bulgarian University. My studies lasted quite a while, but I was lucky to be in the class of the great Bulgarian actress Tsvetana Maneva, who taught at both institutions. I wanted to see what both places were like. I also wanted to study at NATFA, but I was not even allowed to apply because the age limit then was 25 for men and 23 for women, and I was 26. I turned to acting rather late. Before that, I studied Industrial Electronics at the Technical University, and the years passed. So far I have had over 30 theatre roles and have mainly appeared in foreign productions. My only episodic role in a Bulgarian series is in “Sofia Residents in Excess”. 2. Was this your first casting, and did you think you would be selected? My involvement in “Lying Rhymes” happened quite by chance. My colleague Viktoriya Yaneva sent me a link to apply online, with a deadline. Time was running out and I completed the form at the last moment, with about ten minutes left. I simply decided to try my luck. I generally do not attend castings because I am convinced there is no point. I did not expect to be chosen at all; it was a surprise. 3. What do you think about paid castings, and have you taken part in any? To be honest, I was a little worried, but I told myself, whatever happens, I will see it through now that I have started. 4. What do you think of the reports by “Gospodari na Efira” that tried to tarnish the series’ name, and what would you say to people who believe them? I wanted to check the claims of “Gospodari na Efira” for myself. To those who believe them, I would say it is their loss. They could be in the series now. 5. What emotions did you experience at the casting and during filming? I really enjoyed it. 6. How would you describe the organisation of the casting campaign and the filming of “Lying Rhymes”? Very professional. 7. Why do you think the same familiar faces appear in most Bulgarian productions? Because productions rely on established names instead of creating new ones. 8. From your experience, do you know of many cases where Bulgarian producers give new and unproven faces a chance? Very few producers give ordinary people an opportunity to perform. 9. Would you recommend the casting agency Film Casting BG, and why? Yes, wonderful people and professionals! Look out for the first Bulgarian hip-hop series, “Lying Rhymes”, in September 2018. The production is produced by Plovdiwood Ent. and Devil Cinema. You can apply for the new productions, the reality show “I Am Becoming a Star” and the children’s and teen series “Talent Academy”, at www.akademiazatalanti.com. These productions are produced by Exclusive Media Entertainment.