Vanya Bratovanova was born in Ruse in 1965. She is currently not working due to health reasons and the situation imposed on our country. Vanya has an education in electrical engineering, which is unrelated to her interest in and training at the Film Academy for Talents. But as she herself says, education does not determine a person’s natural and emotional intelligence, moral worth or knowledge!
How did your story with the Film Academy for Talents school begin? How did you hear about them?
Vanya Bratovanova: I found out about the Film Academy for Talents when I read an audition announcement on Facebook and sent a little text message...
What made you go to an audition, if you did, and what happened there?
Vanya Bratovanova: I went because of an inner, natural need (years ago I did theatre, singing, modelling and dancing), a secret wish to be a performer, and a years-long longing for the stage and filming that finally won out. At the audition, I was asked to invent and act out a situation on the spot with a girl I didn’t know. Apparently it worked, since I was accepted for training J
What makes Natalia and Tsvyatko such appealing company and keeps you coming back to the school?
Vanya Bratovanova: Natalia and Tsvyatko really are appealing company, which we experience during the short breaks and after training. Charismatic and verbally energetic, we talk about all sorts of things and develop an affectionate friendship... But that comes from the esteem and respect we feel during the training itself.
Because we are different people of all ages and occupations, guided by a love of art and a desire for self-improvement and new forms of expression**. And that is exactly what they give us: knowledge and how to learn to be a performer. That is also exactly what keeps me coming back to the school.**
What films, adverts or videos would you like to appear in?
Vanya Bratovanova: Adverts, films, videos: yes, I would like to appear in them! I prefer ones with moral value that are entertaining; in other words, comedy or historical portrayals of royalty from past centuries.
Do you personally dream of the big screen?
Vanya Bratovanova: I dream, yes... the child in me dreams of the big screen... but not everyone has the artistic potential to capture a viewer’s attention through themselves: the acting, the performance, putting your soul into every character... it isn’t easy! Few have managed to captivate people and establish themselves... but who knows, perhaps one day... And Natalia and Tsvyatko teach us exactly that with every word and movement.
What have you learned, and what are you learning, from the Film Academy for Talents team?
Vanya Bratovanova: You can learn at the Film Academy for Talents only if you have THOSE who can teach you! You can give something only if you possess it yourself! And that is exactly the kind of people they are! Fate brought me to Natalia and Tsvyatko: wonderful teachers, performers and friends! There is so much to learn from them, from where to stand under the spotlights to phrasing with punctuation and clear articulation, and how the body can speak even without words.
Who do you work best with?
Vanya Bratovanova: It turned out that I work best with Teodora Petrova. We became good friends and partners. We complement each other and both work hard, and it comes together... We made several homework videos together that we’re very proud of. And partnering: sensing one another, feeding each other lines and even covering for each other when there’s a slip-up.
Do you have plans for yourself and for appearing in future productions?
Vanya Bratovanova: I would be happy to be invited to future productions. That would be confirmation, for me and for the teachers, that I had succeeded in my training.
How would you use this training in real life? How does it inspire you?
Vanya Bratovanova: I wouldn’t say I use the training in real life, because I’m already endlessly emotional and artistic. The training is just for the stage: that is where the character I embody becomes specific, whereas in life you can’t be an actor. If you are a genuine person!!!
What motivates you to keep going?
Vanya Bratovanova: Of course there is motivation to keep going. There is still so much knowledge to absorb from our teachers, because you don’t become an actor in a few months. Yes, talent is necessary, if you have it, but it also takes a lot of work to make it.
And the friendships formed at the school matter too. I look forward to going to training!
