Finding his rhythm

Dmitry did not originally plan to become an actor. He studied engineering at university, specializing in mining and natural gas. "It was a very technical and logical world," he said.

But art had always been part of his upbringing in Russia. Music, painting, and theater surrounded him from an early age, and at 18 he started teaching himself classical vocal performance, an experience that later helped him develop his voice, stage presence, and acting skills.

"That early exposure to art became an outlet that helped me balance the rigidity of engineering," he said.

His interest in Chinese culture deepened after he watched a Chinese stage performance in Moscow.

"It was completely different from what I knew," he said. "It was subtle, restrained, almost like an ink painting. It didn't explain everything, but it made you feel everything."

That impression stayed with him. Years later, Dmitry came to China for postgraduate studies. Then, in 2019, a friend working in media production offered him an unexpected opportunity: a small role as an extra in a television drama being filmed in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

"That was my first time on a film set," he said. "I stood quietly at the edge with no lines, thinking, 'Where am I, and what am I supposed to do?'"

But as soon as filming began, the atmosphere changed.

"The director called 'Action!' and the set suddenly came alive," Dmitry recalled. By the third take, he began to understand the rhythm of filmmaking."Even without any lines, I felt like I was part of something meaningful."

Over the next six years, Dmitry gradually built a career in China's entertainment industry, moving from extra roles to supporting parts and more complex characters in television dramas and films.

The work, he said, has often been physically demanding. He remembered one film shoot that lasted 21 hours, with long periods of waiting in the makeup room and only brief moments to rest.

As his experience grew, Dmitry began collaborating regularly with agents, casting directors, and production companies.

Most of his roles, he said, come through in-person auditions, online castings, or self-taped submissions. Sometimes, production teams contact him directly after seeing his portfolio.

Language skills and cultural understanding, he added, have been central to his progress.

"I don't really feel like a laowai anymore," he said, using the Chinese term for "foreigner". "I understand how Chinese sets operate, how directors communicate, and how emotions are expressed in Chinese storytelling. Maybe I've become more of a laonei — an insider."

For Dmitry, acting is not only about speaking lines. Costumes, lighting, and the surrounding environment all help him connect with a character.

He recalled filming at Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, where he played a French envoy in a historical drama.

"The moment I put on the costume, the entire environment brought the character to life," he said. "A chair, a lantern, a beam of light — every detail helps you step into the role."

Working with experienced actors has also deeply influenced him. Earlier this year, he acted alongside Mei Ting — one of China's best-known actresses and a national first-class performer — in the film Heart of Gold.

Four years earlier, Dmitry had watched Mei's performance in Blind Massage (2014) and was struck by her precision and professionalism. On set, he said, he saw that same mastery up close.

"She is extremely focused and has a remarkable sense of the camera. In one scene, she conveyed complex emotions through very small movements, with perfect timing," he said. "That is not acting — it is living in the moment."