“I was born and grew up in Sakhalin which is a Russian island in the Pacific Ocean, north of Japan. My mother a teacher of Russian literature and my father a businessman always encouraged me to pursue my passions, set goals and work hard to achieve them. My grandfather was a bear hunter and Grandma was a great cook”, said Subbotta. “I had a very happy childhood, which involved camping, fishing, and exploring the island in the summer with my parents. Winter was quite different with temperatures of minus 25 degrees Celsius! I was snowboarding at the age of 13 in perfect powdery white snow five meters deep or I was ice skating on the frozen lake. My love of fashion and movies started very early. Mum would help me with outfits for the production of fashion shows and plays at home, usually around my birthday. These events continued until I was 17 and as you can probably gather I was a very active child and loved to perform.”
“I arrived in Sydney speaking fluent Russian and not much English. I remember ordering one bear on a hot summer day until it was pointed out it was called a beer. If you can imagine moving to Australia not really knowing anyone and trying to learn the language from scratch, you will have an idea of what it was like”, explained Subbota. “I did the usual office jobs while attending NADA, Sydney drama school, and actors pulse classes after work as well as some well-paying modelling assignments.” Subbota went on to say, “whilst learning my scripts for movie parts I now work as a Protection Officer with New South Wales Transport, my rail safety role to ensure the vast array of people who work on the rail networks in NSW don’t get killed by moving trains so it can be quite dangerous…Read on to know more about her journey.
Q: Can you describe what influenced you to pursue a career as an actor?
I have always found the variety and sense of escapism exciting. I joined a school youth theatre group when I was 7 where my first ever role was to play a tree!
It seems funny now but it was exciting.
I was so happy just to be on stage performing in front of all the parents and children. I continued to be involved in theatrical productions but especially when I got to high school. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else so decided to try and pursue a career as an actor.
Q: What do you feel is more important for an actor, talent, or training?
I think they are two questions.
Can someone with no talent be trained and can someone who is talented reach their potential with no training?
I would say sure, you have to be naturally talented however without training you might only see the tip of the iceberg. On the other hand, I’m sure anything is possible.
Q: Which types of acting do you feel you are most suited for?
I have enjoyed some success in front of the camera as a model and I’ve been told the camera loves me. Dramatic, creative with a sense of humor on film as opposed to on stage for now.
Q: How do you rehearse a scene if the other actors you need to interact with within the scene are not available?
Sometimes, I ask my friends and family to step in for the other actors and read their lines or record myself playing the other actors’ parts and then rehearse using the footage.
I can try to memorise mine and the other actor lines. Sort of look at myself in the mirror. I guess this is the most difficult, but usually the most effective way.
Q: Where do you go to practice loud vocal exercises?
It’s not really necessary, as I have a very loud voice in comparison to the size of my body which most people find very hard to believe until they hear me. Mum was always asking me to speak more quietly, as the neighbours could hear me speaking across the street!
I’m probably more focused on facial expressions, movement, and reviving a memory to achieve an emotion for the scene.
Q: How do you react when you receive a negative review about a performance?
Receiving criticism does make me a little bit upset sometimes but for only a short period of time.
I always try to turn the negative into a positive. It’s an opportunity for me to learn more about the basis for their review, what I did wrong, what they liked, and what they feel I could improve on.
I don’t let negative reviews get me down. I use the information in the review to examine my acting methodologies and identify areas I can improve on and become better and stronger.
Q: How do you maintain confidentiality about plot twists and other developments in TV productions before they air?
Although it is sometimes tempting to discuss the productions I am in with my friends and family, I always resist the urge to do so.
I understand the need for confidentiality in our industry, especially if I’m in a production that is serialised or has several plot twists or a surprise ending.
Even when prompted to do this by my friends or industry writers, I avoid the temptation. My motivation is to preserve the integrity of the production for the audience.
Q: What steps do you take to fully understand the importance of your character to the story?
I take time to read the script to understand the character’s background, motivation, how they relate to the other characters in the story, and other items I can use to help me better understand who they are and how I should portray them.
I could have conversations with the director, writers, and other actors as well.
Once I understand the character, I take time to portray them, even while not on the set or in production.
Sometimes, I will assume the character’s traits for days at a time. As an actor, I need to understand everything I can about the character I am portraying.
Q: Who do you consider to be your acting role model whose career you would like to emulate, and why?
Anthony Hopkins.
I think he is an absolutely amazing actor. He can steal the scene without saying a word.
It’s his expression.
The intensity or the subtlety or the love and compassion he can produce without any apparent effort, or by the use of his eyes.Its my sheer privilege to get interviewed & published by “India’s Best Business, Entrepreneur And Bollywood Magazines – Tycoonmagazines.com
Q: What techniques do you use to create a believable character?
I try to put myself in their shoes. I also think about similar situations in my own life that I can draw from which can bring out the emotion or expression to create a believable character.
I actually “live” the character even offset in my own life and really feel it, so that I believe and in turn the character is believable.
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