Sometimes it takes so little to turn a ‘NO’ into ‘You’re flying to Budapest tomorrow’. Or, to put it simply, how I became part of King C. Gillette’s global advert.
Luck is that thing we all need at just the right moment, but when fate favours us, it’s our turn to show that we deserve the chance. Looking back, it all started as a casting call, much like many others – you send in your portfolio, complete photo assignments, go through a pre-selection process, then there’s another assignment, and two days later you’re told: ‘We’re sorry, but you haven’t made the cut.’ The end. Or so I thought…
This is a phrase every model or actor has heard time and time again. Not because we aren’t good enough, but because the director simply didn’t see their character in us. In this profession, you can sometimes give it your all and still not be the right person for that particular story.
I accepted the rejection and moved on. However, the story clearly wasn’t over yet. The day before the planned flight, the director changed his mind. My phone rang, and this time the news was completely different – he’d chosen me for the role. I went from ‘you haven’t been selected’ to ‘you’re flying to Budapest tomorrow’. That was the moment of luck – unexpected, almost unbelievable, and it came just when I’d already decided that door had closed. That’s when you realise just how relative a ‘no’ can be in our profession. And after that stroke of luck comes the responsibility to prove why you, of all people, deserved this second chance.
A night flight. Landing at about 2.00 am. I stepped out of the terminal and, amongst the crowd, spotted someone holding a sign with my name on it. I’ll admit it – it’s an awesome feeling. It might be a small detail, but at that very moment you realise the adventure has already begun. The driver took me to the hotel, I checked in, had a few hours’ sleep, and off we went.
Day one – the people behind the scenes
The first day was devoted to preparations – getting to know the directing, acting and film crews, as well as the make-up artists, hairdressers and stylists. We had fittings for costumes, make-up and wigs, finalised the looks and went through the schedule for the upcoming days of filming. That’s when you start to realise what a massive mechanism goes into just a few seconds of final footage. As for the people? What a brilliant team! Everyone knows exactly what they’re doing, exactly when they need to do it, and why. That rare combination of absolute precision and creative freedom. It’s a privilege to work with people like that.
After the working day was over, we went out with some colleagues. It was time to get to know each other away from the set and immerse ourselves, if only for a few hours, in the indescribably beautiful city of Budapest. However, discipline is discipline.
10.00 pm – off to bed.
5.00 am – the alarm goes off.
Day two – camera, set, action!
The driver was already waiting for us. We got in and set off for the film set. There we were met by our assistant – the person who was with us all day and acted as our direct link to the directing team. When do I need to be on set? When’s my make-up? When do I go to wardrobe? Do I need any water or food? Everything went through them. Behind the apparent ease of it all lies organisation right down to the last minute.
And then the moment arrives… Everything is ready. Cameras, lighting, set, crew. Now it’s your turn to unleash your potential. A quick chat with the director. We finalise the positioning in relation to the cameras, the movement and the key elements of the feeling we’re aiming for.
Camera. Set. Action.
We’ve seen huge film sets in the movies – hundreds of people, equipment, lighting, effects, everything organised right down to the last second. And this time, I was right there in the middle of it all – in one of the four leading roles in King C. Gillette’s advertising campaign. Let’s not kid ourselves – the treatment was more than flattering. The whole team made sure I felt like the leading man. Being part of a production on such a scale was a huge pleasure, but also a serious responsibility, because behind the glitz and glamour, the real work begins. The first day of filming wrapped up around 7.00 pm. A quick dinner and straight to bed around 9.00 pm. The next start was at 3.00 am. It’s cold outside. We’re all sleepy. But we’re there to create something unique. I step into the make-up trailer and, with the widest smile I can manage, say ‘Good morning, gorgeous people!’ because when you give a smile, you usually get one in return. That’s also part of being professional. The atmosphere on set depends on all of us. We work under pressure, sometimes sleep-deprived, in the cold or in difficult conditions, so everyone can do their bit to make the stress a little less and the experience a little more positive.
Smoke. Wind. Light rain. Bonfires. Horses.
And fifteen hours later, I was already on my way back to the hotel, ready to treat myself to a well-deserved rest. And is there any sweeter sleep than the one that comes after a job well done, a satisfied team and a dozen shared smiles?
Day three – Budapest
After the hectic schedule of the previous day, this day was all mine. I woke up around 7.00 am, jumped out of bed, drew back the curtains and took a deep breath. With my first sips of coffee, I was already making plans for what I wanted to see. And so, almost imperceptibly, whilst I wandered the streets, taking in the architecture, the sights and those little moments, the final day of my ‘royal’ adventure slipped by. Yes, our work has its difficult moments – weather conditions, specialised skills, endless repetitions and scenes that sometimes push you to the limits of your physical and mental endurance – but there’s another side to it too. The moments that broaden our horizons, introduce us to incredible people and take us to new places. They teach us. They help us grow. And after every such project, we return home a little richer – not just professionally, but as people too. Working with world-class directors and crews inevitably helps you develop. But it also showed me something else that’s important: here in Bulgaria, we’re no less talented. We’re no less capable of telling stories, getting into character and mastering the art of transformation. Sometimes we just need the right stage to show what we can do.
Behind all this, for me, lies something else that’s incredibly important – my agency. From the very first day I became part of the Alia Models’ family right up to now, I’ve felt assured that there is a team looking out for me, protecting me and that there is someone there to stay up until three in the morning just to make sure I’ve arrived and settled into my hotel. So the next time you hear ‘You haven’t been chosen’, don’t take it as a verdict. Perhaps it just wasn’t your role, your director, your moment. Or perhaps the story simply isn’t over yet. I’d already been told ‘no’ when the director changed his mind. A day later, I was on a plane to Budapest. So sometimes, between ‘You haven’t been chosen’ and ‘You’re flying to Budapest tomorrow’, there’s just a single moment. One chance and your readiness, when the moment comes, to show why it should be you under the spotlight.
Believe in yourself. You can do it!
Thank you, Alia Models, for having my back and for conquering new horizons together with me!
Link to the advertisiment: King C Gillette // Launch Campaign - Smelly Beard
Author: Panteley
Translator: Teodora Maude
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