Casting agency FILM CASTING BG is conducting a series of interviews with people who have roles in "Lying Rhymes". Everyone is asked 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 Stoyan Lyubenov, who appears in "Lying Rhymes". 1. Tell us briefly about yourself. My name is Stoyan Lyubenov, and I’m 43. I work as a singer, actor and presenter. My acting résumé includes twelve television and film productions, among them a short film by Vreme Studios awarded by the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers. As a singer, I have performed in shows in several Western European countries, most often in my beloved United Kingdom, where I had the incredible privilege of stepping onto stages at Covent Garden and Wembley Arena. And, of course, in many high-quality programmes at Bulgaria’s best venues. I’m a fan of good cinema, interesting conversations, good bars, sunglasses, pointed boots and a few particular people… but more about them another time. 2. Was this your first audition, and did you think you would be selected? No, my first audition, which we called a competition back then, was way back in 1983. I applied to join BNR’s Children’s Radio Studio. Auditions are part of everyday life in show business, so I try to like them as much as I can. I hope to be selected at every audition I attend, but experience tells me that cannot happen. So my usual approach is to mix hope and desire with a little healthy realism. 3. What do you think of paid auditions, and have you participated in any? Paid castings and auditions are a fact and were not invented in Bulgaria. Most good work platforms worldwide charge fees. All agencies receive a percentage of the artist’s fee. Yes, I have attended paid auditions in Bulgaria and paid showcases in Western Europe. 4. What do you think of the reports by "Lords of the Air" that tried to tarnish the series’ name, and what would you say to people who believe them? I like "Lords of the Air" as an entertainment and comedy show, which is what its concept is supposed to be. Some of the country’s most talented actors work on the production. At the same time, I cannot accept a sketch show as the standard for investigative journalism in Bulgaria. That is somewhat insulting to the work of real investigative journalists and the viewer’s intelligence. For example, programmes such as "60 Minutes" and "Frontline" spend months preparing their episodes. How long does "Lords" take to prepare an "investigative" report: one phone call? And to those who believed it, I would suggest looking forward very soon to Season One of the "non-existent" series "Lying Rhymes". 5. What emotions did you experience during the audition and filming? The mood at the audition I attended was, hmm, unusual, because a small but revolutionary-minded "Lords of the Air" crew decided to storm the venue and, while making their own report, tried to disrupt the process for several hundred people, applicants and organisers. Unfortunately, they succeeded to some extent. I say unfortunately because I suspect that among those who left that day we might have seen some of our future favourite actors, and not only in "Lying Rhymes". I mentioned healthy realism earlier. Personally, I chose to trust it, and the result was being selected to play one of the principal roles in the series. As for filming, I try as much as possible to contain my emotions and save them for the takes in which I am needed. /Editor’s note: Stoyan Lyubenov attended an audition in Plovdiv. That same day, a Lords of the Air crew appeared and interrupted the organised event without permission. This caused some applicants to leave, while others stayed despite everything, waiting for hours. After an inspection by the authorities called to resolve the situation, they found no violations and the casting continued. This took place well beyond the previously announced hours. Despite everything, Film Casting BG’s team stayed until the very end so everyone still present could audition. Stoyan Lyubenov was one of those candidates./ 6. How would you describe the organisation of the casting campaign and filming of "Lying Rhymes"? I won’t attempt to comment on the organisation, but I imagine it was not easy for the producers. I remember filming with pleasure because I met interesting, young, talented people who took their tasks very seriously. 7. Why do you think the same famous faces appear in most Bulgarian productions? Because that is the recipe, and it is not used only in Bulgaria. Television and cinema are expensive, slow businesses where the risk of a product failing is enormous. Add to that the fact that we live in the "golden age of television", with more and more money and time invested in productions. Of course, nobody has guarantees, but hiring famous faces is a form of insurance against failure. 8. In your experience, do you know many cases where Bulgarian producers give new, unproven faces a chance? Yes. Look, in Bulgaria, 90% of us in show business are "unproven faces". It is no coincidence that "known in the industry" is one of the most common phrases in conversation. The organisation and structure of the business here make the leap from "known in the industry" to "recognised by everyone" very difficult. 9. Would you recommend the casting agency Film Casting BG, and why? My personal experience with Film Casting BG is wonderful and entirely trouble-free, and believe me, I have very substantial experience in this area! Find Stoyan Lyubenov on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoyanLubenoff 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’m Becoming a Star" and children’s and teen series "Talent Academy", at www.akademiazatalanti.com. These productions are produced by Exclusive Media Entertainment.