Casting Director Oksana Masnyuk

– I’ve been involved in this beautiful process for 15 years now. I started as a casting manager, then worked as a casting director and producer in advertising. By education, I’m an artist. How did I get into casting? It was a coincidence. A friend called: “There’s this thing — my acquaintance has a production company, and they need someone to do casting. Come over.” I had no idea what that even meant. Back then I was working in graphic design, but I was craving movement and communication. This job had all of that. Plus, I had to learn editing and new software, which I found exciting. Everything was new and different. Each project was unlike the previous one

– A truly special actor is a great piece of luck. I enjoy meeting charismatic people — those who love themselves and others. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a man, woman, or child. I value every actor — each one is unique. The key is to see them properly, discover them, and release them into the magical world of cinema. Right now, I’m casting for a full-length Ukrainian film, and it involves actors from age 17 to 80. I keep discovering more and more new faces. I don’t hold open castings — I search, select, and invite people myself. Sometimes I invite someone “blindly.” For example, I see a bright actress on Facebook who’s changed her hairstyle, and I instantly know: this is a perfect match for the character type. The actor’s portfolio is also very important — I’m thankful to those who update their photos in time.

– The answer is simple. Some actors believe they fit every type a casting director is looking for. Others see themselves only in one specific role. My task is to find that one person who becomes the core of the project. Before a project begins, the director tells me exactly what they’re looking for. Besides age, hair color, and so on, there’s also the character of the role. It’s my responsibility to choose the perfect match — someone who fits harmoniously into the visual story.

Sure, open castings are great — they’re fast, and you get flooded with responses. But I prefer to know the person personally. That way, I can truly see and feel the actor more deeply.

– Of course. The death of an actor. When you call — and the person is no longer alive…

– I read and watch films. I love the Ukrainian author Lyuko Dashvar. It would be amazing to make a film based on her work. She has a wonderful book, Milk with Blood. I really enjoyed the film The Platform — the casting was unreal, and the story was captivating.

Sometimes I write. Not often. Only when there’s silence. I paint with watercolors.

– Anything! Abstracts, for example. I love all colors, but what matters most are symbols. I’m originally from Uzhhorod. It’s said that the Transcarpathian painting school is very bright — the nature inspires it, as well as the blend of cultures. Lviv, on the other hand, is more about the color black. Kyiv has a lighter tone.

– Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin.

– I love dreaming about everything. Like going somewhere beautiful: Spain, or beyond the Arctic Circle. Or just escaping to the mountains.

– The genre doesn’t matter — I love filming stories about love. I’ve worked on a big war film, on historical projects, on modern youth stories. And even though there was love in them too, it wasn’t as central as I would have liked. Right now I’m working on a big full-length film — a love story. And I’m getting the exact kinds of projects I’ve always dreamed of.