StagePool - Latest news from StagePool!

StagePool - Latest news from StagePool! https://en.stagepool.com/ Latest news from the entertainment industry and StagePool! Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:40:37 +0200 https://en.stagepool.com/stories/rss https://en.stagepool.com/stories/8163/billy_got_the_main_part_in_an_ikea_comm_youre_our_star_of_the_year https://en.stagepool.com/stories/8163/billy_got_the_main_part_in_an_ikea_comm_youre_our_star_of_the_year Billy got the main part in an IKEA comm: "you're our star of the year" Having recently moved from Denmark and lacking contacts, Billy Hydar found it hard to find a job in the entertainment industry. He joined StagePool and after only two weeks' membership he was called to his first audition for an IKEA commercial. Wed, 03 May 2017 15:02:00 +0200 2017-05-03T15:18:24+02:00 <a href="#ikea" class="blueButton">Watch Billy in the IKEA commercial here</a> – Hi Billy! You recently moved from Denmark to Sweden, how did you find StagePool? – I heard about StagePool through a former media teacher in Denmark, so I took the chance to join StagePool immediately after moving to Sweden. – How was it to be new to Sweden and having acting ambitions? – It is very hard to find jobs in the entertainment industry when moving to a different country and barely knowing anyone. While starting my private learning process of the Swedish language back then, I was very eager to start building my professional network and my career of acting and doing commercial films. – And shortly after joining StagePool something happened, right? – Yes, I saw the job ad saying "Actors for IKEA commercial". Nothing more, and nothing less! I took the chance right away and applied, without any hesitation, and no fear, rather a huge flow of excitement and eagerness. After approximately 14 days of membership with StagePool, I got my first reply from an agency, and not just any agency, it was IKEA agency!  <blockquote> "Thanks to StagePool and the IKEA commercial film, this wasn’t the only casting I got, and it definitely won’t be the last." </blockquote> – How did the casting go? – I would lie if I told you that I wasn’t nervous at all, but mostly about what the Swedish casting agencies focus on. I did some research on internet beforehand, asked a friend of mine who's a musical singer/actor for advice, and got myself ready mentally and physically for the big day. While I was impatiently waiting in the lobby for my turn, I was visualizing a successful audition, which all helped me to be prepared to convey the type of confidence that will get me the role. Pernilla Olsson, the producer and the project manager of MINT production agency, welcomed me in, with her friendly and kind relaxing character. After finishing the auditions, I was told to accept a call in case I was chosen. – What happened next? – One week later, I got a call telling me that I got a main role in IKEA digital as "Max". To have gotten my very first audition, and my first role in Sweden in just two weeks was positively overwhelming. – Do you remember anything particular from the shooting of the commercial? – Yes, on my last day of filming working with a group of extras, I got the comment "Billy, is our star of the year", which filled my heart and mind with joy and feelings of success. I was, and is still very thankful for the role that I was chosen to. The entire cast were extremely "typically Swedish nice" to me.  – What experience did you make with this production? – Well, I put all my efforts to prove my acting skills, and my group and stress free working abilities. Proving to myself of my capabilities and making the whole agency proud of my work, and mainly representing StagePool in a good manner.  – How did the career develop after this assignment? – Thanks to StagePool and the IKEA commercial film, this wasn’t the only casting I got, and it definitely won’t be the last, as long as I'm a member on this helpful website, I’ll be a non-stop package of energy, competence, and eagerness! After the IKEA commercial I've gotten plenty of different roles, both as supporting actors and extras, and also gotten offers to do modeling, and private free lancing in still photos sponsoring. <a name="ikea"></a> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pqwHATK_-Bs?ecver=2" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> https://en.stagepool.com/stories/5576/our_stagepool_characters https://en.stagepool.com/stories/5576/our_stagepool_characters our "StagePool Characters" Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 2012-12-19T11:59:34+01:00 Dear Catherin, Congratulations on being chosen for our "StagePool Characters" series. Which character do you represent and how does it fit you?  Thanks. I am an actress and a musical singer. The character just fits me because acting is my job and it is my passion. The soul is in the voice and singing is very important for me. When I am singing I feel well. And I also get in a better mood.   How would you describe you and your professional career in some sentences? Well, the theatre has been important to me all my life long. It started in primary school when I played leading roles in theatre plays and when I also took over singing parts, for instance, the moon in Peter Maffay’s “Tabaluga”. Even today my former classmates are very enthusiastic about this part.When I was a teenager I annually took over the leading roles in adolescence theatre projects in Berlin. The director, I am still working with today, pushed me to make my passion to work. Then I had to pass the qualifying exams for acting: tough exams for your nerves and your soul. One day it worked out. And I finally finished my acting education in Berlin. Then I started shooting smaller parts for television and also acted in theatre. In 2009 I was the princess for the film of fairytale “Rapunzel”. This was a great acting experience. A nice team und it was a really good movie. I would like to shoot more roles like this! Right now I also find my way into voice acting.  What has been your most memorable incident during your career so far? Back in my school days I had a small, mute part in a theatre play. When the play was finished, a member of the audience came up to me and said: “The play was awful. But it was wonderful how you ate the strawberries in the background. I liked it so much that I couldn’t keep my eyes of you.” I was really proud and touched by this commentary.    What are you most looking forward to in the shooting? I love being in front of the camera and trying new things. I am looking forward to this work! I am really excited! And I am looking forward to meeting the team and lots of nice, new people!    ------------------------- Charlotte Lam ------------------------------------     Liebe Charlotte, Congratulations on being chosen for our "StagePool Characters" series. Which character do you represent and how does it fit you? Musical artist: as a musical artist I can present my versatile talents in just one role. Singing and dancing is my great passion, I like being on stage and my colleagues and I really enjoy presenting a good show. How would you describe you and your professional career in some sentences? After a four year study in Amsterdam I finished my education as a musical artist. I gathered my first experiences as a revue dancer and singer in the big revue show “Andre’s Nieuwe Revue”. Moreover I’ve worked as singer for smaller productions. I also work as lecturer and choreographer for dancing. What has been your most memorable incident during your career so far? One of the greatest memorable incidents in my career so far was the theatre touring in the Netherlands and Belgium. Especially the teamwork and the nice and big theatres were very fascinating, just fantastic! What are you most looking forward to in the shooting? I am looking forward to the shooting. At the same time I am very excited about the ideas of the team, the making of, location and of course, the final results of the shooting. ------------------------- Christine Gerstenberger ------------------------------------   Dear Christine, Which character do you represent? I am an actress or musical artist like in real life! How would you describe you and your professional career in some sentences? Even back in school, I had the dream of being on stage. When I was a teenager I took part in singing projects or I attended several castings and got a role in television once in a while. First time I was confronted with giving autographs, was in a casting show in 2008. Then my colleagues and I were on stage with our own cabaret program. Next to my actress’ training, that I started in 2009, I am also regularly shooting smaller parts for television like commercials.The aim I am working and “fighting” for is just one thing: find my way into HOLLYWOOD :). What has been your most memorable incident during your career so far? Being recognised in public and being asked for autographs. Also the sold out cabaret program of my colleagues and me. What are you most looking forward to in the shooting?  A professional make-up, a nice team and “ramba-zamba” in front of the camera! More about Christine, you’ll find under <a href="http://www.christine-gerstenberger.de/" target="_blank">www.christine-gerstenberger.de</a>. ------------------------- Brandon Delagraentiss ------------------------------------ Dear Brandon,  Congratulations on being chosen for our "StagePool Characters" series. Which character do you represent and how does it fit you? I am a character lead.  I enjoy playing different characters, whether they are in a feature or lead role and whether the show involves music or not. How would you describe you and your professional career in some sentences?   I am an artist.  I act, sing, write, direct and do commercial print modeling.  I love being a part of the creative process.  For me, the work I do is therapeutic.  It is my intention to influence every person I meet in a positive way. What has been your most memorable incident during your career so far? My most memorable incident so far was forgetting to bring a (prop) gun onstage in a scene that climaxed with pointing the gun.  I didn't realize I forgot it until I pulled an empty hand out of my pocket.  The scene changed immediately from a dramatic one to a comedic one with me taking a "bad karate kid pose" instead.  The audience laughed and we brought the gun out later and saved the story :) What are you most looking forward to in the shooting?  I am most looking forward to the actual photo shoot.  I like taking pictures and I enjoy being in them in a controlled environment. More about Brandon, you'll find under <a href="http://www.brandondelagraentiss.com/" target="_blank">www.brandondelagraentiss.com</a>. ------------------------- Aviva Joel ------------------------------------ Dear Aviva,  Congratulations on being chosen for our "StagePool Characters" series. Which character do you represent and how does it fit you? Like in real life, I am the sensible, open-minded, loving and caring woman (role of actress). How would you describe you and your professional career in some sentences? I was born in Israel, wanted to start a dancing career, had the chance of going to N.Y. to the Balanchin. However, my mother was an opera singer and knew an artist’s way of life. That’s why I was supposed to get my university entrance diploma first. After school I still had the passion for being on stage and I decided to become an actress. What has been your most memorable incident during your career so far? My most memorable incident was shooting in Isreal and acting in my mother tongue, especially after have been acting in foreign languages for years.   What are you most looking forward to in the shooting?  I am looking forward to making new acquaintances and also for the creative work itself.   More about Aviva, you’ll find under <a href="http://www.avivajoel.com/" target="_blank">www.avivajoel.com</a>. https://en.stagepool.com/stories/2290/fabrizio_levita https://en.stagepool.com/stories/2290/fabrizio_levita Fabrizio Levita Well Fabrizio – your career until now was amazing… we are curious and would like to ask you a couple questions… Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0200 2016-05-02T14:53:29+02:00 How did everything start? Apparently you sang in public when you were only a child… Did you have a special role model back then? - When I was a child I already noticed that I loved nothing more than listening to music and to sing along with it – and since my fellow people did not run away I carried on singing – one of my ideals is George Michael, whose qualities as a songwriter and as a singer are unexampled. He inspired me musically in many different ways… Then in 2003 the POPSTARS season on a famous German TV-channel. Which were your motives for your application? What did you feel during the time of the castings and each of the shows? Did you learn a lot or was there a lot of farce as well? - In this time I had recorded a lot of demos, many studios called me the fastest jinglesinger of Hessen, only the record-industry did not really want to notice me – so I chose the castingway. I learned and profited much, of course what one sees on TV is only a little mosaic-part of what happened really in the camp. But: I was able to took a lot of dancing skills from there, as a singer I rather had to withhold. There were sayings such as: You are in a band now, you have to hold yourself back when singing which I, as a bullhead, did not really want to hear at that time… Many things were just “made”, the format functions after a certain principle. There is good and bad and those parts are distributed. But I was able to forge contacts in this time and as I said, I learned quite a lot. You did not make it into the band at the end but you were a finalist and you got your own recording contract. What did you feel then? What meant the recording contract to you – would you have succeeded without it as well? - I was in the band for three weeks – and I am sure that without this show I would not have gotten a solo-deal – at least not so quickly. It is just the biggest thing if you have dreamed already as a small boy to perform a self composed song on tv – and then it becomes true! The major-deal did in fact not really become what I expected it to be – if you do not have the whole company until the very highest management-level on your side a major-deal will not be useful at all. You only recognize the whole system after having stayed in there and after having learned to walk in there – and to fall as well. So I think that Indie-Labels, whose members are putting their hearts into every act – can have much more advantages – which I am enjoying at the moment. You took part in a casting-show from the beginning to the end. Should young artists use a chance like that or would you rather discourage them? - On that topic I could philosophize the whole evening, even more, write a whole book on it: it CAN be a spring board - but for me a “raising” in short time excludes a long-term career. Especially since the viewer outside only watches the show for the format – he does not care who finally wins, even less he cares what happens with the winner afterwards. The best current example: Monrose (Senna sang background for me three years ago) have not even started their tour and the work for the sixth season for Popstars already began… You really have to be conscious of the fact that all of this is not about you, not about the question who the winner of the season will be, but that all of this is just entertainment on TV for the viewers. Since then a lot has happened… You have recorded many CDs, i.a. with the No Angels, you have had many international performances and many singles have been released. Tell us about this time. Which projects do you like to remember the most? - I loved for example to sit on the grand piano for the video recording of “Do they know it’s Christmas”, to accompany the No Angels and to joke around with them – or to compose the song &bdquo;Hope“ with many other artists for the Tsunami-victims which returns we sent to Sri Lanka to accomplish a tiny part of the recovery work – or lastly the many live-performances in front of thousands of people, on summer-open airs or the interviews that I had as a T-Mobile-reporter on the TV-music-channel “recorder” with the Guano Apes or with Jimmy Tenor. Thanks to StagePool you have received two great jobs. What kind of jobs were those and how did you get them? - First there was a casting for a 12 cities Europe-Roadshow for a jewellery-company, a musically time travel. They were looking for a singer with a huge repertoire – I had a regular audition (I like to say that the whole life is a casting) and I got the jobs after three days. It was a nice experience with many professional dancers and singers. It was nice to perform on stage and to present the show – even in my home country Italy. Then I had an audition for an a-capella band “yeomen”. The result was that we worked closely and that we feature each other live on stage – for example we did that successfully in Berlin (May 29, 2007) or in Braunschweig (June 15, 2007). In how far is StagePool helpful when looking for a job – even for a very successful artist? - Well, I do know one or two in this business but you can never know everybody – and to close this gap it is awesome to use StagePool! Ironically I have been a StagePool member for two years now – in the first year there was barely a job for me – in this year it looks really good for me. So the motto “to keep on it” relates to StagePool as well! Do you still have a private life despite so much stress? If you have a minute for yourself, what do you love doing the most? - Well indeed there is not that much private life. If there is a minute I like to relax with wellness or I go out to eat, to the movies, meet with friends and do some sports. What is going to happen now? Which projects are planned? And what are you looking for the most? - The most exciting project at the moment is to work on my solo-album with a famous label in Frankfurt – it will not be published until 2008 since we want the songs to grow. And the fact that I met the Caster of the Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin by chance (even this is indirectly thanks to StagePool!) is just amazing: after two auditions I will now play the main part for the next season (September 20 – November 7, 2007) in the play &bdquo;Rhythm Berlin“, which makes me really happy. Of course I still have many live-acts, with and without the band, I write songs for myself and other artists (for example I have written an Italian text for Nevio, whose album just got GOLD) and I will let myself be surprised about what the future will bring. THX 2 STAGEPOOL & and keep on going like this! :)