We Speak Actors

From stage to screen: the versatility of actress Anna Silverman

Published

3 years ago

August 2, 2023

Anna Silverman is an Israeli-Russian theatre and film actress based in London, who is known for her strong, emotional portrayals of often tragic heroines. She’s played the lead role in the Chekhov plays ‘Three Sisters’ and ‘Uncle Vanya’ on stage, as well as the much-loved Anna Karenina. Anna performs in both English and Russian, and is now moving into the film industry. Here she talks about learning from her grandfather, being part of a team and exploring new genres.

Anna, can you tell us about your beginnings as an actress?

“My love for acting began at a very young age. As a child, I was always drawn to storytelling and make-believe. I vividly remember putting on impromptu performances for my family and friends and reenacting scenes from my favourite movies and TV shows. It was in those moments that I realised how much joy and fulfilment I found in bringing characters to life and connecting with an audience.”

Who inspired you to become an actor and why?

“I was introduced to the stage from an early age by my grandfather, a famous theatre actor back in Moscow, who used the Stanislavski method. It sparked an interest in performing, so I spent my childhood growing up in the theatre, starring in productions and dreaming of leading roles in plays and movies.”

You’ve acted in a lot of theatre projects, including several lead roles?

“I had the pleasure to be part of incredible performances in leading roles, including the Anton Chekhov masterpieces ‘Three Sisters’ and ‘Uncle Vanya’. I aimed to fully inhabit the mannerisms and realities of every character.”

What has been your favourite acting project to date?

“Playing the lead role in ‘Anna Karenina’ was a dream come true for me.”

Anna is a complex and fascinating character with a rich emotional journey. As the enigmatic Anna, I had to delve deep into her psyche to understand her motivations, desires and struggles. She is a woman torn between societal expectations and her own yearnings for love and fulfilment. Her forbidden romance with Count Vronsky adds layers of passion and intensity to the character.”

What was the most challenging part of playing Anna Karenina?

“Conveying the depth of her emotions and the internal conflicts she faced. I had to embody her emotional highs and lows, from the initial excitement of falling in love to the torment of her isolation and eventual tragic fate. The role demanded a lot from me as an actress, both physically and emotionally. I worked closely with the director and the rest of the cast to bring Anna’s story to life authentically. The audience’s response to the production was overwhelming, and I felt truly humbled by the impact the performance had on people.”

How is it different working on film projects?

“I have had a great experience working on short films, which has been an incredible journey for me as an actress. These projects may be shorter in length, but they offer unique opportunities for storytelling and creative expression. One of the short films I had the privilege to be a part of was about an emotional break-up, betraying the feelings and trust between people. One of the things I appreciate most about working on short films is the close-knit nature of the production. The teams tend to be smaller, everyone involved is genuinely passionate about the project, and this fosters a strong sense of camaraderie.”

What are your plans for the future?

“I still have many dreams and aspirations! One of my biggest goals is to take on a challenging lead role in a feature film that allows me to delve into a multifaceted character.”

I’m also eager to explore different genres, from drama to comedy, and even action roles. I’ve always been passionate about social issues, and I’d love to use my platform as an actress to be part of projects that shed light on important topics and make a positive impact on society.”

www.annasilverman.co.uk

Featured photo credit: Allan Jenkins Photography

We Speak Actors

Actress Marta Svetek talks ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’, ‘VALORANT’, and expanding her career from Games to Film

Published

5 days ago

April 13, 2026

Anna Sutton

Slovenian actress Marta Svetek has been building an impressive international career across both video games and film. Known for her work in major gaming franchises including ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’, ‘VALORANT’, and ‘Battlefield’, Svetek has become a familiar presence in the world of video game acting. Her performance work also spans major titles such as ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ and ‘Destiny 2’, where motion capture plays a crucial role in bringing complex characters to life. Alongside her work in gaming, Svetek has also appeared on screen in films including ‘I Am Rage’, with upcoming projects such as ‘Savage Prey’ and ‘The Death of Us’ set for release in 2026. In this interview, she speaks about her journey from Slovenia to London, working inside some of the world’s biggest game franchises, and why motion capture is one of the purest forms of acting.

You have worked across both voice acting and motion capture for some of the biggest video game franchises, including ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’, ‘VALORANT’, and ‘Battlefield’. What first drew you to performance work in the gaming industry, and how did that journey begin for you?

I’ve been mashing buttons on controllers since before I could walk! I literally grew up with video games, and it turns out they would also become the thing that changed my life in the most amazing ways. I’m from Slovenia, a small country where having an acting career is challenging — although, isn’t it everywhere? I originally chose the “stable job” route in technology that made my family happy and ultimately brought me to London, but I always kept one foot in acting. It was actually my tech job that gave me the break I needed to start working in games. It was a case of opportunity meeting my fairly unique set of skills — acting, martial arts, technical understanding, and a lifelong love of games — that gave me the start I needed.

You made your debut in the ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ franchise with ‘Security Breach’ and continued working on the series with Steel Wool Studios. What was it like stepping into such an iconic gaming universe and becoming part of a franchise with such a dedicated global fanbase?

It’s always amazing — and always a little terrifying! I was aware of the franchise at the time, but I had no idea how big it had become. When the ‘Security Breach’ trailer came out and reached 2.4 million views in just 24 hours, it really started to sink in. The reaction to the characters I was trusted with was just… wow — especially for Gregory and Roxanne Wolf.

“The feeling of having your performance reach so many people in such a meaningful way is hard to describe and always fills me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.”

It’s why I chose to become an actor — to connect. Now I also get to connect with fans in person at conventions all around the world.

Your motion capture work includes major titles such as ‘Destiny 2: The Witch Queen’, ‘Horizon: Forbidden West’, and the official F1 games. What is the most exciting or challenging aspect of performing through motion capture compared to traditional acting?

Motion capture is like Marmite for actors — you either love it or hate it. But if you ask me, it’s also one of the purest forms of acting. You’re in a big empty room wearing a Velcro suit, surrounded by infrared cameras. You have minimal props and maybe some tape on the floor to represent objects, and you still have to deliver a completely truthful performance, no matter how outlandish the circumstances.

“Your imagination has to fill in so many blanks. And I absolutely love it. It’s a space where I’m not limited by my appearance or by fitting a certain archetype. It’s pure performance.”

In ‘Destiny 2’ alone, I was an alien queen, an augmented human sorceress, and the literal embodiment of a dark hive mind!

In addition to gaming, you are also appearing in films including ‘I Am Rage’ and the upcoming projects ‘Savage Prey’ and ‘The Death of Us’. How has working across both film and gaming shaped you as a performer?

Acting is always about finding the truth of the character — the choice, the story. But jumping between these two very different worlds has undeniably made me a different calibre of actor. I started in games and later moved into film, and I’ve really enjoyed leaning into the subtlety of film performance over the past few years. At the same time, my voiceover and motion capture background made things like ADR and stunts so much easier. Particularly on ‘Savage Prey’, I needed to bring a subtle and intense performance for the camera while also performing my own stunts and practically setting a new speed record for ADR. That hugely benefited production — and it all comes from the crucible of video game performance.

With your career spanning major game franchises and upcoming film releases, what kinds of roles or projects are you most excited to explore next?

Even though I still have so much I want to explore in both film and games, my dream project would actually be joining the cast of a TV adaptation of a game — something like ‘Fallout’ or Henry Cavill’s upcoming ‘Warhammer’ 40k series. I’m such a hardcore 40k fan that I absolutely need to be part of that universe — whether as a Sister of Battle, an Eldar, or maybe an intrepid Cadian. Just don’t kill me off too quickly! As an actor and artist, I feel like I was meant to tell those larger-than-life stories of hope, heroism, and impossible odds. I’m getting fired up just talking about it — that’s exactly the kind of storytelling I’m most excited to explore next.

Featured photo credit: Urban Bradesko