Concept
In the previous module, as part of the studio photography elective, I worked with a graduating class of actors from the Cinema Institute at HSE. I completed seven commercial shoots for posters and social media posts for the students. For the course «Photography in the City, ” I became interested in continuing my collaboration with them and exploring the behind-the-scenes preparation for the graduation production of „The Cherry Orchard, ” based on the work by A.P. Chekhov.
The core value of my three-month project isn’t the volume of photographs, but capturing a moment of memory that will never be repeated.
Within the scope of our three-month collaboration, I completed six photo shoots; two were omitted from the final presentation because they did not align with the project’s core concept. I had the opportunity to connect with every student individually and gain insight into the very heart of the performance—the backstage atmosphere following the premiere, capturing the master’s words of encouragement. The photography process and the work on this project helped me develop skills in working within environments where many people are under stress and high emotion due to the preparation for the show.
The images feature future film stars and prominent actors from the Russian stage who once studied at the same university, the Higher School of Economics, and shared the preparation and premiere of their collective work: a graduation performance.
The project narrative is divided into several sections: Pre-Premiere Preparation (Backstage), Premiere (The Performance), Valuable Words (The Director), Life Offstage.
Behind the Scenes of the Performance
Performance
Valuable words from the director
Life Offstage