Ukrainian actress Mary Vysnevska chatted about her acting career and being a part of the digital age.
What motivates you each day as an actress?
The opportunity to share the story with the world. With the stories I tell through my acting, I believe I help viewers discover something new. What is more, by doing my job right, I can inspire people, help them find answers, love, or make important decisions.
With my job, I can impact people’s lives around the globe, and, hopefully, in the best possible way.
What is more, acting helps me to understand myself better. With every new role I play, I open something new about myself. So it’s like discovering new worlds inside me, and that’s exciting.
How does it feel to be a part of vertical dramas?
It feels new. Verticals are still a pretty new thing here in Ukraine, so it’s exciting to discover new niches and opportunities.
So far, it feels pretty great, as verticals provide me with various and diverse characters and stories to play.
To say at least, there are pretty much no limits to who you can be in vertical stories: a vampire, a princess (or a vampire princess), a mafia boss’s daughter, or CEO of the prestigious company.
You can be a good girl or a bad girl. You can be anything in a vertical world, isn’t that wonderful?
How does it feel to be an actress in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
I’d say it’s easier and wonderful since I got access to so much content around the world, and can learn from it as well as get inspired.
Social media is such a powerful medium to get in touch with your viewers and even (or my God, can’t believe I’m actually saying that) fans.
Digital era, I think, is about better, borderless connection, and what can be better than that?
What do your plans for the future include?
Oh my, there are so many roles I’d love to play, so many directors I’d love to work with, and stories to tell. I’d say it’s both about vertical and horizontal film worlds.
But also, I hope I’ll keep on enjoying my profession as much as I do now. I want it to keep on bringing joy to me.
One of the biggest joys I’ve had in my life, I think. So the plan for the future is to keep it in my life
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
I’d say the war in Ukraine brought so much pain in my life that it helped me to see many more things in the world that I used to miss.
I’m sure that the more you see and notice in this world, the better actor you become.
What is more, every time I work on set with my colleagues, I learn something new and become a better actress.
So, making sure to watch those wonderful people while working and being bold in asking them questions about their experience truly defines my career, bringing it to a completely new level
How have your Ukrainian roots helped mold you into the person you are today?
Well, I can cope with any difficulties and challenges. That’s like the first thing about Ukrainians – we’re strong and never give up.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Oh, that’s a juicy one. I’ve been in acting for some time, and by now I have realized that a true success in my profession is being able to….enjoy. To have fun.
To feel true happiness after “and cut” is said. After every shooting, my husband always asks me: “Kaifonula?” – which kinda means in Ukrainian, ‘Did you enjoy it?’.
If my answer is yes, well, I guess I’d consider myself a successful actress. That’s how simple it is.
What would you like to say to your fans?
Dream big, see beauty in anything you do, and, of course, support Ukraine.
To learn more about Mary Vysnevska, follow her on Instagram.
