By: Lana Hills
Diana Gnedina was born and raised in Russia. By the age of 23, she had become recognizable in theater circles and had good prospects in the acting profession. However, Diana decided to continue her professional development in the United States. America opened up completely new facets of the acting profession for her.
Diana, tell us a little about your career in Russia. How did you come to the acting profession?
– I have been a creative child since childhood. My parents took me to dance classes and acting classes. I graduated from a modeling school and even won a beauty contest at 9. The conscious decision to become an actress appeared at 14 when I got into the acting group of a children’s camp. Soon, I passed a rigorous audition and enrolled in the theater studio “Turandot” – the best in my city. Its teachers are the most talented graduates of theater schools and universities.
So, did you start acting in the theater at 16?
– Yes, I quickly became the leading actress in “Turandot” and was involved in the main theater productions. I wanted to develop in this direction. Despite numerous rehearsals and studying at school, I attended acting courses and master classes from leading teachers in Russia. Five years of work in the theater turned out to be very productive for my career and helped me learn a lot.
In the USA, you became an actress in the advertising industry. Why advertising and not film or theater?
– I always knew that my destiny would be connected to acting. But in the USA, I am a new face. I needed to make a name for myself and showcase my skills. I started with small advertising projects, gradually immersing myself in this industry and learning how everything works. After a while, I suddenly realized that the advertising industry inspires me. New projects allow me to transform into new characters, experience new emotions, and visit new locations. Each subsequent shoot is an adventure that I immerse myself in. I fully dedicate myself to the work. A special pleasure is interacting with talented people. Creating advertising is like a large mechanism where everyone knows their job and is responsible for their results. In the end, it results in an aesthetically beautiful picture.
There is a lot of competition in the advertising business. How did you manage to attract the attention of producers?
– I suppose it was because of my acting skills. There are many beautiful models, but not everyone can express the right emotion with the help of facial expressions, poses, or gestures. Acting is essential here. I can’t say that luck just fell into my lap. I was diligent and persistent. I went to many auditions. After several commercial projects, I was invited to join the SAG-AFTRA union (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). It was my golden ticket. Some actors wait for an invitation for years! Since then, I started working on larger projects.
Yes, I remember your commercials with T-Mobile and Toyota. What other brands have you worked with?
– In just a few years, I was lucky enough to work with AMEX, Lancome, Dolby, AT&T, Dave & Buster’s, Audi, Delta, Verizon, Nissan, HomeGoods, Infiniti and others. However, one of the most memorable projects was a Christmas commercial for T.J. Maxx, one of the largest retailers in the United States.
It was a national project. Getting it is great luck. Were you nervous?
– That’s an understatement! The casting for national projects is huge: there are usually more than 1,000 submissions for a role. After all, this is working with a large company with a good budget and very interesting projects. You can imagine how I felt when I got the lead role! I couldn’t believe it. The commercial was broadcast on network channels throughout the United States for two years. This event became a turning point in my career. Projects of this level help you realize your professional value and believe in your talent – after all, you are chosen by the best casting directors.
Passing a casting, especially for such a project, is a whole art. Do you have any secrets?
– Often, at castings, everything comes down to improvisation. You need to be prepared for this. The professional skills of the theater school helped me a lot because we learned to improvise a lot. One of the key rules of casting is to come in a character that matches the role. If you need to play a couple or friends, showing how you interact with each other is important.
But the most important thing is to find out about the casting and get to it. Your agent plays a key role here. A good agent increases your chances of getting work with big brands. My priority is to sign a contract with an agency that will represent me.
Advertising is a fairy tale of colors and beauty, but the shooting conditions can be difficult. How do you cope?
– That’s true. Sometimes filming starts at 4 a.m. and lasts 15 hours. Sometimes we film all night. I remember we had a barbecue scene by the pool. It was raining, and we pretended that it was warm: we turned on a special lamp with “sun.” I had to film in a swimsuit in winter, feigning sweltering heat. You put on something warm between takes and try to warm up. Christmas shoots, on the contrary, take place in August. The heat reaches 113 degrees, and you stand in the shot in a winter jacket. How do I cope? This is what acting is all about—being ready to deliver the necessary emotion on cue when you hear ‘Action!’
Published by Zane L.
