Casting Director: Oleksandr Pylypenko

– It all began in 2010 when I joined the STB television channel. Before that, I worked in a bank, and in my free time, I participated in various speed datings on the TET channel, played episodic roles in “Family Melodramas,” and attended a theatre studio. Since childhood, I was drawn to television, and eventually, I decided to leave the bank and seek a better fate in a more creative field. My parents were shocked by this decision, as they envisioned me as a financier or lawyer. For six months, I sent my resume almost daily to STB’s email, but I wasn’t accepted for a long time, given my legal and economic education. Eventually, my persistence paid off, and I got in, initially as a casting manager on projects like “Dancing with the Stars,” “X-Factor,” “Everybody Dance,” and “Ukraine’s Got Talent.” Later, I became the host of mass castings in major cities and live broadcasts. It was a vibrant time in my life because I dreamed of becoming a host, and here was the chance to engage and entertain thousands of people before live broadcasts and casting recordings.

Then, STB acquired formats for social projects like “Save Our Family,” “Pregnant at 16,” “Dear, We Are Killing Our Children,” and others. I worked at the channel for over a year and a half, and then I was invited to the “Ukraine” channel as a casting manager for a culinary project. I transitioned and worked for a year on the project “Best Cook in the Village,” traveling across Ukrainian cities in search of real culinary superheroes. Eventually, my dream came true, and I was offered to become the host of the romantic reality show “Love. Waiting.” This program was filmed at the airport, and each episode featured several real-life stories of people meeting or seeing off their loved ones. After filming ended, I returned to casting: there was an opportunity to become a casting director and lead a team, essentially composed of my friends. The projects initially had a social focus, and then series were added: “Real Mysticism,” “Agents of Justice”—and it took off. In total, over ten years, I worked on about 30 projects, plus dozens of commercials and social videos.

– “Love. Waiting,” where I was both the host and partially involved in casting. It was the most emotional, heartfelt, genuine, kind, and bright! For one and a half months, almost every day, from morning till evening, we spent at Boryspil airport in search of incredible stories. It all started with the question: “Who are you waiting for?” And in response, you heard a new story each time about separation across thousands of kilometers, months, and years of waiting. I recall stories of mothers who worked abroad in the USA, Italy, Spain, and hadn’t seen their children for years; stories of women who had unsuccessful relationships here and were waiting for their foreign lovers they met on dating sites; stories of couples who saw each other once a year but had been together for over eight years. This project gave me faith that long-distance love is possible!

– “Real Mysticism” and “Agents of Justice” were among the first large and long-term projects at that time, requiring constant search for episodic and supporting roles, so many actors started with us. About 2,500–3,000 people are filmed in one season. Not all are professionals; many are still studying or have just graduated from university, theatre, or acting school. They honed their skills with us, so there were plenty of discoveries.

One of my recent personal discoveries is the wonderful young actor Zhenya Hryhoriev. Once, I went to the Odesa Film Festival, looking for a “Brad Pitt type sitting in a wheelchair”—a tall, handsome guy with long hair. I tried various options, but upon arriving at the festival, I saw the film “When the Trees Fall,” and I liked Zhenya’s brutal character. I invited him to auditions—he came and performed uniquely, better than anyone. Now he has a storyline, and he’s being invited to another project. There are many such examples. You look at actors who already play regular roles, and once they started in our series—probably about 60% of the current market acted in our projects many years ago and continue to do so now. We have more series now, and many more discoveries ahead.

– I’m inspired by stories where people truly amaze with their talents, skills, and kind life manifestations. Sometimes you look at a person without knowing them, and a certain stereotype arises in your head, but when the person starts talking to you, sharing their life, it turns out to be a completely different depth of personality, soulfulness, and values. This gives faith that there are people with big hearts. I’m most inspired by the goodness in people when they do everything genuinely, from the heart, not to earn money, assert themselves in others’ eyes, flatter, etc. I’m inspired by my city, nature, travels, music, cinema, and art.

– Speaking of professional fears, I fear that due to the pandemic, film and series production might stop again. I have a large team of casting managers for whom I’m responsible, and I really don’t want us all to be left without work.

Outside of the profession, I fear serious illnesses in myself and loved ones: when all strength and finances go into saving a person, so they don’t burn out. I wouldn’t want physical limitations when you stop seeing, hearing, walking. I don’t have standard phobias like fear of heights, enclosed spaces, etc., and I’m not afraid of being betrayed by friends or a loved one—that has already happened, and for me, these aren’t fears—it’s all experience, and I approach it philosophically. But losing health or a loved one—that’s truly frightening.

– I have a dream and goal to return to the screen as a host; I want to meet new people again and uncover their stories. Also, in the future, I dream of living near Barcelona, by the sea, in a house with my beloved wife and children. I think everything will come true; I even know how. I’d like to visit as many countries as possible: go to Asia—Thailand, Bali, Cambodia; travel all over Europe; also to South America—to visit Peru, Argentina. Also to Brazil, but not for long: after the film “City of God,” I understand that a few days would suffice. I try to travel somewhere twice a year. So far, my favorite places are Sri Lanka and Barcelona.

– “Into the Wild” by Sean Penn. It’s a wonderful film based on the real story of a guy who left his family, studies, donated all his money to charity, and went hitchhiking across the States. A story that once motivated me to change my life, quit the bank, and go travel as a wild man in Crimea. The second film is “Fight Club.” I think it’s an important film for a man. It removes socially imposed stereotypes, gives a sense of authenticity and inner strength. I love Woody Allen. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “To Rome with Love,” “Midnight in Paris”—these are films for a good evening with a glass of wine.

– The book “Of Human Bondage” by Somerset Maugham gave me a lot. After it, I changed a lot in myself. I liked Richard Bach at one point. It’s very light literature, and when you become older, you might wonder: “What did you see there?” But “Illusions” and “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” once gave me wings. Now, unfortunately, I don’t read much. My literature is at work. I deal not only with actors but also with real people—each with their own story. I’ve talked to everyone, listened, and sometimes also looked at the news. And after that, it’s hard to come home in the evening and switch to another story or carry this line in the subway on the way to or from work. But it’s okay. We’ll finish the series now, and I’ll return to reading. I really want to read “Shantaram.” There are two parts already. I’m afraid that after that, I’ll buy a backpack and go to another country.

– A footballer. I played a lot of this sport and showed promise. I was taken to the Lviv “Karpaty” sports school, but my dad didn’t let me go. He said I would be a lawyer or economist. As a result, I got a law and economics education but didn’t become one. And not a footballer either.

– Football, Thai boxing, cycling, gym, swimming pool, cinema, music concerts, and various festivals—all this always with my friends who share my interests.

At my age, I’ve already tried everything I wanted, and now I just enjoy what I do.

– I’d like to do casting for a brutal, stylish, masculine film. With a theme similar to Guy Ritchie’s, like in “The Gentlemen,” “Snatch,” or “RocknRolla.” Casting in his films is always top-notch. I’d like a project where real people are needed, to find authentic fighters, talk to real bandits, thieves, pickpockets, burglars.

I once attended a presentation by Serhiy Loznytsia, where he talked about the film “A Gentle Creature.” Their casting director went to a village for a month to find real people, interesting in type, for episodic roles. And as a result—there were such bright types, I watched with admiration. I’d also like to have the task—to find not just actors but heroes who would truly live it and be themselves on screen. That would inspire me.