Casting Director: Oksana Bordan

— I entered casting 11 years ago, though I started working in this field right after high school. I have a degree in directing, I’m also a theater producer, and I graduated from Karpenko-Kary University. I worked for a long time at a children’s creative center, then moved into event management. In 2009, I was invited to join the 1+1 project “Family Melodramas,” and I’ve been in casting ever since. I fell in love with the film industry—it’s exciting, always something new, and never boring or stable.

— Every project has been a favorite in its own way at the time I worked on it. For example, my first big project, “Khozyayka” (The Mistress), which had 24 episodes. We had almost four months for preparation, two of which we spent on casting. There was an opportunity to meet many actors. Nowadays, we lack such full-scale and cool castings because everything is done through self-tapes or inviting just two or three actors.

— When I started working at 1+1, all my castings were open. Once during the GogolFest at Dovzhenko Studio, I set up a table outside with a sign that said “casting.” We photographed people, handed out cards, and took down phone numbers. Word spread that we were holding a casting, and within a week, we had about 500 people in our database—many of whom ended up acting.

So open castings are great for building a base. But once you have a clear list of roles, it becomes a waste of time for both the casting director and the actors. Everyone comes, and you can’t offer them anything. Sometimes actors call and say they want to come in, and I invite them. Occasionally, someone shows up unexpectedly—and I don’t know them—but that’s fine. But ideally, an actor should come for a specific role. They need to prepare and know what they’re auditioning for. When you write “looking for people aged 0 to 70,” it’s just too broad. I like things to be organized—files sorted by age and categories. Even during open castings, I used to build the database step by step: first men or women aged 20–30, then later older or younger actors. You don’t need everyone at once—you can get overwhelmed and lose great talent. Now everything’s moved online—actors send their portfolios, photos, resumes, showreels. We add them to the database and then invite selected candidates to casting.

— Quite a few. For example, Katya Varchenko, who I worked with on “Khozyayka.” She’s very gentle, multifaceted, and I loved how quickly she could compose herself and understand the task. She’s a natural-born actress and knows how to use that gift. Ivan Sharan is also incredibly talented—both in comedy and drama.

— I always wanted actors to have a platform where you could view their photos, videos, and filmography. Newcomers can always find platforms to upload their materials, but established actors usually don’t have time for that.

I remember how Galya Belyk, one of the first casting directors, used to go to every theater, record actor slates, and compiled a huge list that was passed on to many casting directors—including me, because I started working with her. Many actors would ask me to represent them. At first, I said no. It’s hard to combine casting and agency work—you’re responsible for actors, their schedule, their image, their information.

When I was on maternity leave, I came up with the idea of creating a website to promote my exclusive actors and attract more attention to them. I couldn’t stay away from casting completely, so I created the agency to stay in the profession. I first invited actors I already knew and had worked with. Then others started joining on their own. Now I have about 30 actors. In the future, I dream of having a beautiful office overlooking the Dnipro River, where actors could come, have coffee or tea, chat—a place with a separate room for auditions or slates.

— Yes, because not all of them work at the same time. Some don’t want to do TV series and are waiting for different projects. Some won’t work on Russianlanguage projects. If all 30 worked at once, it would be difficult—but I’d be very happy!

The agency works in two directions. First is my work as a casting director with actors. Any actor can join the database by emailing their portfolio (contact info, resume with all data, appropriately sized photos, video materials—slates, showreels, etc.). I often post this information on my Facebook or Instagram, including the email address. And you can be sure I look at every message—because this is my job, and the success of the casting depends on it. I’m interested in having as many versatile actors in my database as possible. So I’m always happy to receive your emails.

The second direction is my work as an agent with the actor. This is when I take an actor on an exclusive basis and post their profile, photos, and videos on the website. We sign a contract. You can also join this list, but the approach is different. I need to know the actor personally—I need to be interested in them as a person and as a professional. We need to share the same views on development, understand and be honest with each other. This work is based on partnership—where both sides are invested in growth and success. Even if the actor hasn’t had lead roles yet—if they have charisma, a strong look, and something magnetic—then with the right development, everything will work out! Some people think that once you get an agent, lots of jobs will come right away. That’s not always the case, and I warn them about this. There are many factors involved. Some actors only get episodic roles and haven’t broken through to main roles yet. Yes, I have actors who do only episodic roles. I’m still learning and experimenting —taking actors and watching how they grow.

— When a new project begins, I always worry about actor availability—especially when the director has specific people in mind. I used to get very anxious, now I’m more at ease. You give it your all—and in the end, you make it work. I always try to do my best!

— A bride! When I was about five, my dad asked me what I wanted to be, and I said that. Later, I wanted to become an actress. I loved singing and studied vocals for five years, dance for ten. I came from Berezan to apply to an acting school but didn’t get in—I had no experience, no connections, and didn’t study with any coach. So I applied for directing instead. We had an acting department too, and I played all the main roles there. Later, I was told I had stronger organizational skills than acting skills.

— Yes, quite a lot. I had lead roles in “Family Melodramas” about six times—they still show them on TV. Even three years ago, kids would recognize me and run up. I remember walking with a stroller once and heard girls whispering: “It’s her!” – “No way!” – “Let’s go ask.” Once, on a flight to Israel, a girl said to her grandma: “That lady was on ‘Family Melodramas’!” It was funny and unusual for me. Now I sometimes do small roles. It lifts me up—I feel inspired. I like how I look on screen. And when the character is close to me, it works really well. For me, acting is stepping out of myself, slipping into someone else’s skin. It energizes me.

— I dream of developing a successful agency that’s known not only in Ukraine—I’d like to expand internationally and help our actors land roles abroad.

I don’t want to take work away from other actors, but I do dream of playing one great lead role in a film. Probably something dramatic. I’m always imagining my ideal character and her story. I used to want to play a warrior, like Xena: Warrior Princess. Now I’d love to portray a mother—women experience so many dramas in life!

Right now, I’m reading Maye Musk’s A Woman Makes a Plan. Her story shocked me—her husband abused her, she suffered for nine years. She raised three children, and all of them became mega-successful and wealthy. What a woman and mother—to raise someone like that! I’d love to play such a role.

I also want to finish building my parents’ house. I dream of having a little home by the sea, where I could go in summer with my kids. I want to go on a road trip with my family

— Right now, my biggest passion is my child. She takes up a lot of time and attention —she’s so interesting and curious, always showing me something new. Sometimes I take dance classes. I enjoy classical choreography. I also did plastic movement—it’s feminine and beautiful. You should never forget that you’re a woman. In our fast-paced world, that’s easy to overlook.

I’m also very interested in understanding how to develop charisma in an actor— how to unlock natural charm. It’s different for everyone, and I approach it individually.

— Brad Pitt. I never used to admit it, but now that he’s older, I realize—yes, he’s the embodiment of all my fantasies (smiles).

— I watched all the seasons of Outlander. It’s romantic and feminine. I didn’t think I’d like it, but it turned out to be a beautiful love story across centuries. It’s set in the post-war 1945, and the heroine is transported 200 years back into the 18th century, where she falls in love with a Scottish warrior. The plot is complex and very engaging.

I don’t watch thrillers or mysticism—I’m very impressionable and tend to attract those kinds of events. I noticed this back in school. When I read The Master and Margarita, weird things started happening to me. So I’m very careful about what I read and watch.

I just finished City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert—about a girl who starts working in a theater. While reading it, I thought, “It would be great to make a movie out of this.”

— Love, grow, and live in harmony with yourself and the world. Then everything will fall into place! Voici la traduction en français de l’interview d’Oksana Bordan, directrice de casting ukrainienne, dans le cadre du projet photo « Directeurs de casting d’Ukraine » :