Casting Director: Karolina Medvedeva

— I hold a higher education degree in music; I am a “Conductor of an Academic Choir.” I grew up in the small town of Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytskyi region. Devoting all my time to music, I believed I would pursue it for life, never considering directing as a path. Upon moving to the capital, I enrolled in the music faculty. Even then, I was encouraged to try directing due to my active nature, but I chose to obtain a formal music education. In my second year, I joined the concert department under Mykhailo Mykhailovych Poplavskyi. We traveled across Ukraine, organizing concerts with famous artists, visiting schools, and inviting students to our university. Upon graduating from “Kul’ka” (as alumni affectionately call it), I gained extensive knowledge and experience in concert event organization. After graduation, I worked in event management. My pinnacle achievement was organizing Kyiv City Day on Khreshchatyk. However, things slowed down during the 2009 crisis. During that period, I met an actor and became his agent, which introduced me to the other side of my current profession. The idea of working in casting gradually formed in my mind. I aimed to be a casting director approachable to every actor, ensuring easy and comfortable communication. Back then, without platforms like Facebook, communication was primarily via phone calls or, less frequently, emails.

I began visiting production companies seeking work and landed at Kyivtelefilm. They offered me a role compiling editing sheets since there were no ongoing series or films. There, I met Tanya Shlyapina, Ukraine’s most experienced casting director. We became close professionally, and during one of our meetings, she suggested I become a casting director. That moment solidified the idea that had been brewing in my mind. A casting director should possess qualities like communication skills, empathy, and sensitivity, which came naturally to me as a musician. Tanya Shlyapina is like a godmother to me, and I took her recommendation to heart, though I needed time to embrace the idea fully. In 2009, I started working at “Positiv Pictures,” focusing on photography without delving into video. Over time, I built connections and contacts. After eight years, I left the company. The fear of the unknown was daunting, but my family’s support helped. Often, when one door closes, another opens. Gradually, we received video shoot orders, and my team and I began working on video commercials, music videos, and short films.

— Yes, we officially founded the casting agency “Flash Casting.” Our focus is on creativity, uniqueness, and originality. We aim to create something beautiful and extraordinary.

— We have a Telegram group, “Flash Casting” (https://t.me/flashcastinggroup), where we announce test castings. A test casting allows actors to choose a date and time to meet us personally. We then add them to our database, and in the second stage, we invite them for a callback with the director. Our system differs from others; we dislike lengthy mass castings, so we devised this approach.

We also have a second group, “Flash Casting,” on Facebook (https:// www.facebook.com/groups/743636682510541/). It’s a closed group featuring only current castings.

— In film, the director primarily makes the selection. In advertising, the choice involves the client, agency, and director. Additionally, the casting presentation differs significantly from that in film.

— It varies; sometimes between thirty to a hundred. For callbacks, we usually have two to three people per role.

— Personally, I love discovering new faces. I’m constantly searching and often message young actors directly on Facebook.

— A creative machine or a 3D printer!

— I’d like to be a dolphin with the ability to communicate over distances. For instance, if I need someone, I could instantly send a thought to their mind, prompting them to come to me. It’s very convenient. However, I wouldn’t want to read minds; everyone should have their personal space.

— Overall, I don’t have specific dreams; I have everything I need. Regarding goals, I hope to be involved in as many exciting projects as possible that bring joy during their creation.

— I don’t have favorites; I like them all. We strive to remain a “niche” agency, allowing us to choose teams, directors, and producers with whom we have a highly professional working relationship. From advertising, I particularly enjoyed a dynamic project for Foxtrot. I’m someone who always watches commercials. I feel happy for colleagues when I see excellent casting. It’s also gratifying to see an actor in a commercial whom I once discovered. I have a knack for that.

— For nothing to change; let everything remain as it is! To have the opportunity to see the world!

And for my desires to align with my capabilities!

Honestly, I’m a very calm, happy, and harmonious person who loves what I do and feels a sense of inner freedom. Therefore, my foremost wish from the goldfish would be for everyone to experience inner freedom and happiness.

— I enjoy fishing. On rainy days, I love wrapping myself in a blanket and reading a good book. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I can’t indulge in this pleasure often.

— I didn’t have specific career aspirations, but I had a strong desire to leave my small town because I felt confined there. However, returning now, I see how much has changed. Perhaps if these changes had occurred during my childhood, I might not have wanted to leave. I had a strict routine: practicing piano for six to eight hours and reading extensively. At school, I faced bullying, which toughened my character and prepared me well for life in the capital. I moved to Kyiv at 18 to attend university.

— Not anymore. At some point, I realized that playing the piano no longer captivated me as much as organizing processes did, especially when someone from a small town becomes part of a star-studded backstage environment. After university, many doors opened for me, but I chose casting.

— I like Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” Its creation history is fascinating.

— G (Sol). It’s one of the seven notes and quite stable. I dislike drastic changes in my life but can adapt quickly. Every time I think changes are for the worse, they turn out to be for the better.

— I prefer vibrant places and active vacations. For example, I like Norway—the atmosphere, people, and nature resonate with me. When projects are on hold, and I have the chance to relax, I opt for camping, gathering around a campfire with a guitar among close friends. To me, happiness lies in simple things and connecting with nature.

— It’s also related to relaxation. Every weekend, my family and I went out into nature. The most enjoyable part was preparing for the trip, traveling, spending time together, and fishing. My dad taught me how to fish.

— Never give up, stay eager to learn, believe in yourself and your abilities, continuously develop, strive, and self-educate. Always move forward. Update your materials timely. Gain experience, work on camera, and don’t fear starting small. Keep yourself disciplined, and success will follow.