—… Aly, where are you off to? — Mom fixes me with that stern look of hers, the kind she reserves for moments when, in her opinion, I’m doing something that clashes with her idea of what a proper, obedient daughter should be doing.
— I told you I’d be on set this Saturday and Sunday, — I try to keep my tone from sounding too sharp. — You know how important this is to me. It’s real acting experience, even if it’s just background work…
— But this ‘experience’ of yours won’t help you get into college, — Mom presses on. — You should be focusing on your entrance exams and preparing for the competition… And one more thing, — she locks eyes with me. — Have you thought about a backup plan?
— Mom, I’m not going to study economics or law, I’ve told you that already! — I start to lose my cool. — I’m almost eighteen. You can’t keep making decisions for me!
My parents are always like this… They’re obsessed with “backup plans.” And those plans always have to align with their vision of my future. Their vision? A degree in economics or law, studying right here in our hometown of Kharkiv, under their watchful eyes.
— But you still need to prepare for the entrance exams in economics and math! — Mom’s voice rises, her frustration bubbling over. — We’ve invested so much in your private school, in tutoring… You can’t just throw it all away… What if you don’t get into acting school?
Go ahead, jinx it some more… I bet you’d be thrilled if I didn’t get in. Just like Stas’s parents. None of you think about what we want… This is our life, not yours. We’ve worked toward this dream for years…
— Are you serious? — My eyes sting with unshed tears. — I’ve been working toward this for years, and now you, my own mother, are telling me I won’t make it? Shouldn’t you be the first person to believe in me? — I finally slip on my jacket and sling my backpack over my shoulder.
Mom opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off, not letting her get a word in:
— Stop. Don’t answer. — I pull on my hat and grab the doorknob. — It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure it out on my own.
Two seconds later, I’m racing down the apartment building stairs.
I practically run to the subway. I’m not sure why, but I just want to get as far away from home as possible, as fast as I can.
Suddenly, I feel a vibration in my pocket. The screen lights up with “Stas.”
Stas is my friend from acting class. We’ve been training together for over five years, ever since I switched from a theater studio to Act-2-Cam, a program focused on film production rather than stage performances.
To be honest, I’ve had a crush on Stas since the day we met, but between constant shoots and his side gig with a music band, he’s got no time for relationships. So, I’ve never even tried to confess my feelings…
Truthfully, neither of us has time for romance right now. This year, we’re both applying to college. Both Stas and I are aiming for the Kyiv National University of Theater, Film, and Television named after I. K. Karpenko-Kary. Neither my parents nor his are thrilled about our choice.
Stas is great at math and science, and he’s a straight-A student despite dedicating so much time to acting. He performs with a youth improv theater group and even trains seriously in various martial arts.
My phone buzzes again. I crack a small smile and finally pick up.
—… Hey, yeah, I’m on my way.
— You’re not gonna be late, are you?
— Even if I am… You know they’ll spend at least two hours on setup, costumes, and makeup. Fifteen minutes won’t make a difference.
— I think this shoot is at some restricted location, so you’ve gotta be on time just to get in. Who’s gonna bother opening everything up for a background actor?
— Seriously? — I glance at the time. — Dang it, then let’s stop chatting! I’ll try not to be late. See you in about forty minutes.
— Cool, see you soon.
— Bye.
I shove the phone back into my pocket and start sprinting to the subway.
I nearly knock over a few people on the way but manage to swerve at the last second. The train arrives quickly.
On the ride, I’m thinking that even if I make it, it’ll be by the skin of my teeth. But I can’t give up now...
***
— Last minute, but you made it, — Stas whispers to me.
—… So, as I was saying, we’re heading onto the location now, — Max, the casting director and background actor manager, scans the group with his eyes. — We’ll go to the costume department first, then makeup. Today, you’re playing desperate, hungry people. You live in a city with almost no work. We’re shooting a scene where you’re blocking the entrance to a factory. You’re shouting, demanding to be noticed. Some of you will get resumes to hold. — Max waves a stack of papers. — If you get one, your job is to try handing it to the security guards blocking the entrance. Imagine that whether they take your resume or not could literally determine your survival. When the main actors and the steadicam operator move through the crowd to the entrance, let them pass. But not like you’re clearing a path—do it subtly, just to avoid damaging equipment or messing up costumes! For now, everyone—off to makeup!
Most of the background actors here today are people I know. The same crowd usually shows up for these gigs. Honestly, background work isn’t easy. You’ve got to be tough and adaptable, enduring cold, hunger, or thirst because no one steps away until the director yells “Cut!” or “That’s a wrap!”
You also have to ignore uncomfortable costumes or shoes that often don’t fit right… But that’s only half the battle. The worst is shooting historical films. Those costumes aren’t just awkward—they’re usually freezing. Take today, for instance: they’ve got us in soft leather slippers over thick woolen socks, and it’s barely above freezing outside. The newbies are shocked and complaining… Meanwhile, I’m layering up as usual, slipping on two extra pairs of tights and warm socks under the issued clothes. March this year is way too cold…
And I get sick all the time as it is. Constant colds are just another reason my parents disapprove of my passion for acting. They think these outdoor shoots do more harm than good. To them, it’s not worth it… But I believe the opposite. These background roles, even if they’re small, are the real training ground every actor needs. You’ve got to tough it out in the crowd scenes to be ready for a big role someday.
***
— …Alright, Stas, you’ll be assisting the blacksmith. You’re his apprentice, so stand by the forge, — Max directs Stas. — Olya, you’ll help sell fabrics… And remember, no looking at the camera! — he adds to my friend Olya, who I finally got to greet properly during makeup. Today, they didn’t smear our faces with black grime, which I’m beyond grateful for. Just a little dirt on our hands, and that’s it… — Aly, you’re dressed pretty fancy, so you’ll be a buyer. A young, wealthy lady… — Max continues. — Alena, you…
And so, Max goes around assigning roles to everyone.
We’re all on a first-name basis with Max, even though he’s at least ten years older than us. Like most people on set, Max is head over heels for filmmaking. That’s why I always find it easy to talk to him, despite the age gap.
Now that roles are handed out, some people head to their spots even before the full breakdown—mostly those who aren’t really actors but representatives or owners of shops and workshops who provided materials for today’s market scene.
There’s a pottery workshop, a basket-weaving stall, and even a shop with antique musical instruments. The vendors are played by real craftsmen who, right in front of us, shape clay pots, weave baskets, play instruments, and shoe horses… It all feels incredibly authentic.
And then there are the animals. Horses being shod, led around, and fed. Sheep and goats munching away nonchalantly. Geese, ducks, and rabbits sitting in handmade wooden cages that must have taken ages to craft…
The scene is massive but feels alive and believable. Every background actor plays their small part. Some sell goods at stalls, others shoe horses, weave baskets, or wander between the stands, browsing or even buying.
This market is packed with food stalls: fish, vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, and nuts… The kids on set, also part of the shoot, keep sneaking pears or apples to munch on.
There are just three little ones, around six or seven years old: twin blonde girls with long braids and a slightly younger, dark-haired girl with almost black eyes. Despite the uncomfortable costumes and shoes, the smallest one acts like a total pro. Unlike the twins, she doesn’t whine and takes the shoot incredibly seriously.
This tiny girl reminds me of myself when I first started at acting school, and I can’t help but smile.
Though, my first role wasn’t in a background scene—it was in a commercial, and I wasn’t even in acting school yet. I tried so hard back then. At the time, Mom still liked my interest in filming. I didn’t join acting school until after modeling school, so even at eleven, I already knew how to carry myself in front of a camera.
— Alright, good, everything’s good, but attention to those in the camera’s focus! Don’t look at the camera. Please remember that! — Vova, another background manager, emphasizes. — We need to shoot this scene from three different angles, one after the other, so everyone memorize your path and stick to it each time! Get to your starting positions…
— Background actors! Get ready. Background actors, let’s go!
— And… Action!
***
— Man, I thought we’d starve to death out here! — a blonde girl behind me screeches, smacking her lips loudly.
— It’s already four in the afternoon! And we got here at nine! Do they even think we’re human?! — her friend chimes in just as loudly.
I glance at my friends—Stas and Olya—and my set buddies, Katya and Alena, and flash them a grin.
— You can spot the newbies from a mile away, — Olya whispers.
— Bet they won’t get called back… One shoot, and they already think they’re hotshot actors. Neither Max nor Vova puts up with that attitude, — Stas mutters under his breath.
— They don’t even know we’ll be shooting until at least six, not like they promised, — I smirk at my friends.
— Yeah, they always keep us at least two hours longer than they say upfront, — Alena confirms.
— By the way, did you hear about the new TV casting? — Katya changes the subject.
— What casting? — I perk up immediately. — With all this prep, I’ve got no time to watch TV…
That’s the honest truth. For the past six months, I’ve spent all my time on three things: school, shoots, and acting classes, plus studying for entrance exams. I genuinely haven’t had, and still don’t have, a spare moment to watch mindless shows… The only thing I allow myself is one or two good movies a week. Even then, I don’t watch as a casual viewer but as an acting student, a future actress. I focus on the performances and analyze them…
— A casting for a new show, ‘Blockbustar’! — Katya says excitedly.
— What’s this ‘Blockbustar’? — Stas jumps in, intrigued. — I’m all ears…
— No, it’s ‘Blockbustar,’ like ‘star’ in English! — she clarifies. — It’s gonna be an elimination show. Kind of like those dating reality shows, but this one’s professional, for actors! I heard they even brought in some American director to Ukraine to design the concept! And get this—the winner gets to star in a lead role in a new Ukrainian film and a chance to audition in Hollywood! — she adds. — The Kharkiv auditions are in just two weeks! Are you guys going?...