Liana Giniatullina is originally from Kazan, Russia. She spent her high school years in Leysin, Switzerland and moved to Los Angeles to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree at Antioch University Los Angeles, while working and pursuing a career in acting.
I am (use a max. of 3 words to describe yourself)…
A
human
being
My last acting gig taught me… That anything can happen if it is a non-union film. For example, you arrive on location and the 2nd AD tells you to go home because they did not book the location and the police is already there…
Proudest performance moment… Happens whenever I feel that I am fully present and connected to my choice(s).
Most embarrassing audition… Happened when I was auditioning for a theatre major in different colleges and had to record video auditions. I had never auditioned before and had no idea how to do it. It took me and my theater teacher at school five hours to record the monologues that I memorized just the day before. I simply did not have time to prepare because I had been constantly studying for exams. The most awkward part was when I had to tell something about myself, for my English back then was limited and I was awfully tired. I was really glad that my theatre teacher, Ms Swanson, was helping me with all of that, but later I decided to audition in person for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked more on those monologues and was accepted as a result.
Most challenging part… If you mean a role, then I would say that each role I played was challenging to some extent. My dream role is Miss Julie from «Miss Julie» by August Strindberg. It might seem like a very complicated and challenging part for my age, yet I am already working on a monologue from this play.
The most challenging part of my life is living far from home. I virtually applaud to people who return to LA from their families excited and without any signs of sadness. Even though I have been living outside of my home country (Russia) since I was 16, I still miss my family a lot and feel better whenever I hear someone speak Russian to me.
The moment I knew I wanted to be an actor... It was not «a moment» exactly. Something had changed in me when I was a teen and I suddenly became awfully shy and depressed. To help myself open up, I signed up for acting classes and realized that I enjoy being on stage, enjoy expressing myself through characters, enjoy giving life to a written text.
If I weren't an actor, I'd be... An economist, just like my parents. Actually, now I am getting a degree in something not acting related, which, I believe, will later help me to realize myself in another field too (along with acting, of course ;) ).
Dying to work with... Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Kate Winslet, Tom Hanks, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Brit Marling and many many British actors (sorry, guys, for not naming you separately) because they are the most diligent in their work and you can learn so much from them! I also would love to work with independent film directors because independent films dive deep inside human nature and break the rules.
Was born to play... A woman that fights for happiness in her life.
Learn lines by... Writing them down. Then write them down from your memory. If there are mistakes, do that again. If there are no mistakes, start saying them out loud, but without any particular intonation.
Get into character by... Exploring what the character is fighting for and what her dreams are!
Acting is… Being in the moment, experiencing. You may or may not do character work and exploration, but you have to be in the moment, listen and be involved with what is given.
Special skill I wouldn't put on my resume… Being funny when I do not intend to… Successfully failing driving tests…
Movie I can’t stop talking about... It is not a movie, but I have been obsessed with “The OA’’ <3
Top three Netflix / Amazon shows in my queue… I have just added something to my list, so now it starts with “Shameless,’’ “Big Friendly Giant,’’ and “Better Call Saul.’’
Currently reading… I have always been guilty of reading more than one book at a time. Currently I am reading: “No Acting, Please’’ by Eric Morris, “A War’s Unwomanly Face’’ by Svetlana Alexievitch and I have also started “Anna Karenina’’ by Leo Tolstoy. Plus, I am also reading shit tons of textbooks (pardon, my language).
Car karaoke tune... Don’t have a car (see “special skill’’ section)… But if I had one, it definitely would be “Here’’ by Alessia Cara.
Star Wars character that best represents me... You tell me because I have never seen Star Wars!
If they made a movie about my life, I’d be played by… This actress was not born yet! :D
Actor crush... I have been getting this question a lot, but to be honest I do not have an good answer. I think that Ralph Fiennes is simply fascinating and Juan Diego Botto (“Good Behavior’’) is awfully handsome. And can I just say that Mia Wasikowska and Brit Marling are insanely beautiful??
Sign… Leo, and proud of it, of course! :)
If I were a color, I'd be… Lilac or dark green.
Fave travel destination… I am in love with Florence and Istanbul. My other favorite destinations are Lausanne, Dubai and Munich.
LA spot that inspires or relaxes me… Downtown LA! I love taking a walk from Grand Park all the way to El Pueblo or Japangeles! :)
The best advice I ever got… Whenever I am about to do something important, I just remember what my mom once told me, which is «You’re not buying a cow.» This sayingbasically means that your life is not going to be ruined if you fail.
You can find me at… Website: lianaginiat.com | Instagram: @liantus | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liana.giniatullina | Backstage: Liana Giniatullina