At the center of the media is the everyday experience of these people: their habits, relationships, memories, desires, and view of those around them. How does a shop assistant remember regular customers? What does a security guard notice during a shift? What does a cloakroom attendant dream about while a performance is happening in the theater? Through specific situations and personal stories, the project invites us to see the person beyond their usual role.The title reflects the organization of our attention: the person who seems secondary in someone else’s story remains the main protagonist in their own life. The project’s goal is to encourage the audience to pay closer attention to everyday encounters, avoiding both pity for the characters and the idealization of their work.The materials are presented in the format of illustrated posts, articles, photo series, and audio interviews. They are unified by attention to detail, a calm tone, and the visual language of documentary photography.

You know her. What’s her name?

She works at the shop near your house. You know what hours it’s open, which pastries are left by evening, and whether you can pay via transfer.

Perhaps she also knows a few things about you. What you grab on your way to work. That you sometimes come home late. That you once came in crying.

But what is her name?

«Secondary People» is a media project about those we encounter regularly but seldom get to know deeply. Here, the shop clerk talks about driving lessons, a security guard talks about his first pastry, and a delivery driver talks about a group that can never gather for rehearsal.

Let’s start with introductions.

Valentina, please

«I said I would bake it myself. So I had to bake it.»Sergey works as a security guard in an office building. On the weekends, he tries baking recipes and sends his daughter photos of the results.How did it all start?
My daughter visited, and we bought a cake for tea. I looked at the price and said I would make one myself. She sent me a recipe a week later. I had already forgotten my promise, but she remembered.Did it turn out?
It was burnt on the outside and soggy on the inside. I sent her a picture of the top. She wrote, «It looks beautiful.» I didn’t show her the cut.What do you make best now?
Apple cake (Sharlotka). I already know how many apples to use and when to take it out. But I still sit in the kitchen for the last ten minutes, just in case it finishes earlier.Who do you treat?
I brought it to work. A colleague said there wasn’t enough sugar. Then he asked if there was any left. Next time, I’ll put sugar in a separate portion for him.What would you like to try next?
My daughter asked for a cheesecake for her birthday. I told her, «Choose an easier recipe.» She sent me three. Now I’m studying them.

Card 1. Cover
What is in the courier’s phone besides deliveries
Anton shows his notes, messages, and photos.Card 2. Note «Titles»
«Quiet Hour»
«The Second Door»
«After Nine»
«Title Later»Anton is playing the guitar. His band is currently called «Title Later.» It was supposed to be temporary.Card 3. Photo Album
Seventeen photos of one amplifier from different angles.«I wanted to sell it. I changed my mind while taking photos.»Card 4. Reminder
«Call Dad, ask about the size.»«I want to buy him a jacket. He says: regular size. It really helps.»Card 5. Pinned Chat
The group chat. Last message: «So, can everyone definitely make it on Sunday?»Below that are three different replies.

«At first, I checked to see if they had noticed.»Irina works as a cleaner. A week ago, she muted notifications in the family chat.«There are fourteen of us there. In the morning, you open it—and there are already eighty messages. Pictures, the weather, who has what ailment. Then Mom asks, ‘Ira, did you see it? ’ And I didn’t see it; I was working.»I turned off the sound. But at first, I still checked every half hour. I checked to see if they had noticed my absence.My sister called in the evening: «Why are you being quiet?» I said I was tired of reading. She replied, «I turned it off last year.»We talked for about forty minutes afterward. About her neighbor, about my new glasses. I even made tea a second time.Now I check the chat in the evening. I scroll through the pictures. If anyone needs anything, they should message me separately.»

Day off before six in the eveningNikita works as a waiter. On his day off, he planned to take a trip out of the city. Here is how the day went.12:18. Kitchen
Scene: a plate with scrambled eggs, bread in packaging, a window.
«I woke up at eleven. While I was lying there, the train I wanted to take had already left. I decided to eat first.»13:42. Bicycle Repair Shop
Scene: a bicycle leaning against the wall, a mechanic’s hand near the front wheel.
«The brake had been squeaking for a month. Everyone at work told me I needed to take care of it. I finally did today.»14:56. Park
Scene: a bicycle by a bench, a bag with a pastry.
«I cycled to the park. I didn’t feel like going out of town anymore. There are trees here too.»16:10. Bookstore
Scene: an open book about house plants.
«I wanted to understand why my plant was turning yellow. I forgot the name of the flower. I didn’t buy the book.»17:48. Home
Scene: a plant on the windowsill, a bicycle wheel near the edge of the photo.
«Mom said in the photo that I was overwatering it. I won’t water it tomorrow. That’s a very convenient thing for tomorrow.»

Can we skip the photo?

When asked about the photoshoot, Asya answers before we can even explain the idea: «Just no pictures with a cup near my face.»

Asya works as a barista. The coffee shop has photos of her on their phone for publications: holding a drink, smiling by the espresso machine, or showing the seasonal menu. She hasn’t saved a single one for herself.

She dislikes the moments when she has to freeze. While someone is choosing an angle, Asya has time to think about her hands, her chin, and where she should look next. A smile starts to feel awkward, but it’s strange to take it away.

We suggest shooting her while she is working.

«Then I’ll still know you’re taking pictures.»

Ultimately, we agree to just talk first.

Asya explains that she recently moved. In her new apartment, the window faces the wall of the neighboring building. She was looking at listings in the evening and missed the wall. However, from the window, you can see a neighbor’s windowsill with a huge lemon.

Now, Asya sometimes checks to see if it has been photographed or not. She doesn’t know the neighbors across from her yet.

When the conversation ends, we ask what could still be photographed. Asya places her cup on the edge of the counter and steps back.

«There. My coffee. I made it today.»

This piece does not include a portrait of her. The photograph of the cup suits her.

«It failed again.»

Sound: Kettle switches off, mug is set on the table.

Host: This is «Subsidiary People.» Today we are in Sergey’s kitchen. He works as a security guard, and on weekends he practices baking. Sergey, what do we have in the oven?

Sergey: A sponge cake, according to the recipe. We’ll see.

Host: How long have you been doing this?

Sergey: In the winter. My daughter visited, and we bought a cake. Expensive, small. I said, I’ll make it myself for that price. She said, «Well, do it.»

Host: And you made it?

Sergey: Not right away. I said it and forgot. Then she sent me a recipe a week later. I had to buy a baking pan.

Host: Remember the first attempt?

Sergey: Of course. It looked done on the outside, but was raw inside. I put it back in. It looked even more done on the outside.

Host: Did your daughter try it?

Sergey: No, she lives far away. I sent her a photo. Of the successful side.

Short pause. Sergey opens the oven.

Sergey: Maybe I shouldn’t have opened it.

Host: Why?

Sergey: The recipe says not to open it. But how am I supposed to know how it’s doing?

Host: Do you bring baked goods to anyone?

Sergey: I brought Charlotte cake to work. The guys ate it. One said it had too little sugar, but the second one took a piece.

Host: Do you like sweets yourself?

Sergey: I prefer the process more. Setting everything up, weighing things. First, I clean the kitchen, then I get the ingredients. Though, after me, I have to clean up again.

Host: What is the hardest part?

Sergey: Waiting for it to cool. Everyone writes that it must cool completely. But it already smells good.

Host: You mentioned you wanted to buy a mixer.

Sergey: Yes. I’m using the manual one for now. You stand there, holding it, thinking: it seems like it’s enough. Then another minute. I want it to whip on its own.

Host: Does your daughter know about the mixer?

Sergey: She knows. She told me not to buy anything until my birthday. Now I’m waiting. Maybe she meant something else entirely.

Sound: Timer.

Host: Is it ready?

Sergey: Let’s check.

Pause. You can hear them setting down the molds on the table.Sergey: It’s a bit dull.Host: Is that bad?Sergey: For a photo—yes. We’ll have to fix it.Host: What are you going to try next?Sergey: The same thing. I want to understand where I made a mistake. But I won’t open the oven again.Sound: knife touches the plate.
Host: Those were the «Secondary People.» Sergey doesn’t recommend the recipe yet. He says he needs to check it one more time first.

Title later

Anton works as a courier and plays guitar. His band has been trying to record one song for three months. So far, their best collaboration has been through messaging.

An hour before rehearsal, the drummer texts to say he will be late. The bassist replies that he will also arrive later. Anton is already on the subway. He reads the messages without responding—he had to postpone last week’s session because of him.

The band meets on Sundays. They rent the rehearsal room for three hours. Part of that time is spent setting up, talking, and trying to recall where they left off last time.

«We have a recording on the phone, ” Anton says. „But in the middle, someone opens the door and asks whose car is blocking the exit. You can’t hear the music during that part.“

Anton started playing at sixteen. A classmate loaned him his first guitar. Six months later, he asked to return it and had to buy his own. It is still at his parents’ house. Here, in his rented room, he has a different one—a used guitar with scuffs near the volume knob.

A courier backpack usually sits nearby. Anton tries to put the guitar in its case, and the backpack—as well as he can.

The band has one nearly finished song and several fragments. He likes the beginning of one song, but he dislikes everything else. Another bassist suggests scrapping it, although Anton considers it the best piece.

When asked about the genre, he first lists the names of several bands, then asks them not to write it down.

„It will be too loud. We’re just trying to play together for now.“

They haven’t decided on a title either. The group chat is labeled „Title later.“ When they booked the room, the administrator asked how they planned to record the group. The drummer showed him his screen, and that’s how they were listed.

Anton suggests listening to the demo. He warns that the vocals are missing, the drums are barely audible, and the recording cuts off abruptly at the end. While the music plays, he stares at his phone. At the fortieth second, he lifts his head:

„Right here. Can you hear it?“

He then rewinds a little.

By next Sunday, he wants to come up with a second guitar part. On weekdays, he sometimes records short melodies in his voice recorder and hums them softly so he doesn’t forget. He sometimes can’t even decipher some of those recordings later.

At the end of the conversation, a message appears in the chat from the drummer: he is on his way.

Anton puts his phone away.

„Okay, we’re definitely getting together now.“