Could you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Samoel Ovanesyan. I’m originally from Burgas but live in Sofia. I like doing creative things in the arts. Many years ago, I took part in the dance reality show "Dance with Me" on Slavi’s Show. I’m currently a member of the band "SInyo", I spent several years doing improvisational theatre, and screen acting is one of my great passions.
Samoel’s profile HERE
What is your role in the film?
I play the manager of a mobile phone repair shop who happens upon some very interesting and important information. That’s all I can share for now.
How did you prepare for it?
Since this was my film debut, I initially focused very seriously on the script and my assigned lines. We also rehearsed with the director, Nasko Mihaylov, who laid the foundations of the characters and their respective objectives in the scenes. Then I practised my lines at home for about a month, finishing with a dress rehearsal with the director the day before shooting the scenes. But the actual filming was completely different from rehearsals, quite emotional: a new experience for me.
Did your experience at the Film Academy for Talents help you during filming?
Definitely. Before that I had no experience of screen acting, which has its own specifics compared with theatre. Working with the Film Academy for more than a year was very useful. The Academy teachers’ advice is entirely practical and aims to prepare the right psychophysical expression and emotional approach to different kinds of scenes based on personal feelings. For me, that is invaluable.
How did it feel working with everyone else on the team during filming?
Knowing many of the people we were filming with certainly helped things run more smoothly. But despite everything, I would describe the feeling in two words: tense bliss. When we began filming, I immediately realised how difficult and multilayered acting is. It is tense because it demands every part of you, to the absolute limit, every single second. And everything must look natural, as it does in life. Every reaction, word and gesture must be measured while you are burning inside. It is hard. But when the shoot ends successfully, you hear "And cut, we’ve got it", and the director says "Well done", you feel bliss and indescribable satisfaction with the work you have done.
What’s the coolest thing you’ll remember about filming?
There are two things. First, the very interesting methods the director uses to bring out the most appropriate emotion in you at a particular moment. The other is teamwork. What the audience sees is a tiny part of all the preparation and activity quietly going on behind the camera during filming. An actor’s performance depends as much on the people they work with, who help them be their best, as on the actor themselves. Special thanks to the entire crew, because over 20 people worked as one during this shoot.