Gergana Sirakova

She played in Paul Inman‘s That Feeling Dollar Baby film as Rental Agent.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Gergana Sirakova: First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity.

My name is Gergana Sirakova. US has been my loving home for the past 18 years but I was born and raised in Bulgaria. I am a mother of a 13-year-old son who is a mini version of me, and our life is full of adventures.

I have been in healthcare for the past 17 years and I am currently an emergency room nurse. I do love and care for people very much. I am fascinated with the body and the way it works but my biggest passion has always been the human mind. I am also an artist and love music and dance. In my past I have played the piano and did ball room dancing. I am into sports as well. I played basketball and ran track. Nowadays I do a lot of outdoor activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking and I travel a lot.

I am not done exploring and I hope to inspire people to live full lives, do the things that scare them and make them uncomfortable because it is the only way we grow.

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?

Gergana Sirakova: I loved theater since very young age. I remember when my brother and I were little we did plays for our family. We even had homemade costumes and a stage. I liked reciting poetry and read many books. When I was in elementary school in our town theater, they had children’s play on Sundays at 10 am and I went to it every single week for a year.

I took part in all school musicals and went to our local music school.

SKSM: How did you become involved in That Feeling Dollar Baby film?

Gergana Sirakova: What happened was… It is one of those stories. A very good friend of mine tagged me into Paul’s Facebook post. He was looking for a stand-in for the lead actress and the description fit me. I sent him a message. He was very kind and responded right away and let me know that he will discuss it with the casting team. Honestly, I did not think much of it. Next thing I know there was a contract in my email. I thought to myself: “OMG, what did I just do?!”. It was scary and exciting.

Then he asked me if a knew someone that can play a car rental agent. I asked what he had in mind and coincidentally I had a picture of me in my pone that matched that description precisely.

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Gergana Sirakova: I can tell you what attracted me to the story. I can relay to it. Since the movie is not out yet I am not certain that I can explain exactly how but what I can share is that there is a phrase that just hit me: “Do something, do anything!”. Hopefully when you watch it you will understand. Have you ever had that feeling that you know exactly what is happening with your life, you know you need to act…but you do not act and your world crashing, and you see it coming… and you do nothing at all to stop it and just watch it happen?

SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?

Gergana Sirakova: It was written for me; they just did not know it at the time lol. I did have to audition. I sent them a short video with my bio as well as few pictures and I had an online interview with Paul.

SKSM: You worked with Paul Inman on this film, how was that?

Gergana Sirakova: Paul is a very kind and easy to talk to man. He always conducts himself in a very professional manor and tries to accommodate everyone’s needs. Very soft spoken and with good sense of humor. I appreciate the fact that he always answers questions, calls and message promptly.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Gergana Sirakova: We had a great time making the movie and we laughed a lot. I have to say I did have a lot of fun working on the scene with the car rental agent with Ian. He is such a kind and respectful man and the part he had to played was not him at all. It is hard to put it into words and at the same time I do not want to spoil it but think about it when you watch that part of the movie. He did do a great job.

We also ended up having to put one of the guys in a dress and wig but that is a picture you would have to see. We will talk to Paul to release some of those funny moments after the movie are out.

Oh ha-ha. One thing that was funny to me, but I never really brought it up to their attention. At one point the main character had to throw a shoe as part of a scene. To my surprise they have somehow gotten hold of my nursing shoe. All I could think about was that I do not even wear those shoes in my car, and they are holding it. lol

SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?

Gergana Sirakova: Yes, I do talk to Paul on occasion. He had sent me some pictures and scenes. I am very very excited about seeing the movie. Everything I have seen so far is great.

I also built a great relationship with Cait Salvino. She is wonderful young woman who is a very mature, very driven, focused on her carrier, kind, polite and funny. A great actress. She does call me on occasion to catch up and I will visit her in Nashville. We do hope that all of us can get together and watch the premier of the movie when it comes out.

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Gergana Sirakova: I am going to do couple of projects with some photographers in near future. I stay busy with my son because my time with him is very important to me, so I do not really have big plans for acting but I did not plan on being part of this movie either. It just happened. So… lets see what life has in store for me and what I involve myself in. Meanwhile I will play my role of a mother and a nurse.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Gergana Sirakova: I have been a fan of Stephen King since childhood. “Cujo” weas the first scary movie I ever saw, and I watched it on VCR it was that long ago. The movie is special to me because it brings memories from my childhood. Of course, I read “It” when I was little too. It was that scary book they told you not to read and along with “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was one of my favorites.

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Gergana Sirakova: That I was a part of a movie. I surprised myself on that one too. Life is an exciting thing. Never a dull moment. I encourage everyone to the things they never though they could. The feeling is incredible.

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Gergana Sirakova: I think that everyone will be able to relay to the story in one way or another. It will keep your attention. The plot in very dynamic and thrilling. The actors did a great job. Since it was a teaching project there were lot of young people working on it such as the camera crew. I was pleasantly surprised how focused everyone was, how hard they worked and how good they are at what they do. Keep that in mind when you watch the movie. And p.s. the camera man… great young man and totally belongs in a Stephen King movie.

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Gergana Sirakova: I am very grateful to Paul and the entire crew for this amazing opportunity and all their kindness. They were a true pleasure to work with. I also want to say that I have a new respect for actors and everyone in movie industry. It is long hours of work and is exhausting in many ways. I think that we should all walk in each other’s shoes on occasion. It will make us more respectful and appreciative.