International Actor Serj Avakian Talks Role In King of Kings Movie

When did you realize you wanted to be in the film industry?

Becoming an actor has always been my dream since my childhood. I grew up watching American cinema, and I was absolutely amazed by the talent of directors and actors. MY mentor has always been Jim Carey, the versatility he possesses is unfathomed. Making people laugh has always been something engraved in me. Coming from a very poor family, I saw my mother struggle like no one, working 3 jobs and having a visually impaired husband and two kids to support. I would always try to make her laugh as much as I could with my funny jokes and imitations. I am a very emotional person and the slightest drama scenes can also make me cry. And I am not embarrassed to say this.

What made you come to America all the way from Russia?

After Greece, we moved to Ukraine where I studied in the field of philology at the translation chairs of the State University. After graduation I started working for an Italian company as an interpreter, where I managed to learn Italian on my own, because learning languages was also something I was fascinated with. When I moved to the capital where I started doing small gigs, as an extra and insufficient small role. After a while a friend of mine had recommended me as an English speaking actor for an animated movie.

I remember buying in the cinema when i got the message with the invitation, and i said to myself, why not go for an audition now, I texted back and they were ready to see me, i left the movies midway, i turned to the screen, i was watching Avengers, age of Ultron, i turned around to the screen and i said “ see you on the set guys” I went for the audition and i was offered the part of the motion capture/reference reel actor, on the spot, the filming took 6 years and had. Great box office success domestically.

How did you get your start in the film industry?

While filming, there was a guy in the studio working on a video game, he saw my acting skill, and my language skills and the way I work with the script and offered to work with him on a new game he was creating. I couldn’t believe my luck. After that, lots of offers dropped on motion capture projects, and I was building my skills and technique more and more.

Describe your involvement with the King of Kings movie and how much it means to you.

After uploading my acting skills on Youtube, I drew the attention of the Korean studio Mofac, who were looking for a motion capture actor with perfect English and ready to work with a big script. They reached out to me and I agreed to travel all the way to Korea. On the spot, I had no second thoughts. I packed my stuff and I was off to Korea. Which has truly touched my heart and I fell in love with everything there!
The Korean team was very specific with what they were looking for in the creation of the film.

The producer and CEO of the studio, a very religious man, was very worried and wanted someone who could understand him in acknowledging what this movie meant for him, because they had spent about ten years making it. The responsibility I was granted was of a magnitude that I believe many, not understanding what acting for animated films actually is like, would not be able to take, Especially;;y when I learnt about the star studded cast that would voice the characters I gave life to. I couldn’t believe I was part of it.

What skills were needed for your role?

After working with the director, he was so relieved knowing that he found the person he was looking for, and he assigned me as the acting coach of my fellow actors, there were 6 of us making this film, because i was the only one who could deliver the text in the English language with precision and also i had the gift of the acting skills without having any acting school background. So i had to learn a script of about 100+ pages, because I executed the body movement of the lead characters and of the rest character + the facial capture of the characters which is totally different from body capture, because in the face capture sequences I had o be concentrated only to the delivery of the script with perfect emotions and facial expressions.

What does this movie mean to you?

This movie means a lot to me, because some things in my life, made me lose faith for a period of time, I have had my ups and down, i have never done any harm to anyone, i am a workaholic i love my family, but sometimes i felt i was ready to give up because nothing hits hard like life. Had it not been for this movie I would not have my wife or have a beautiful baby boy. This movie means Everything to me. Ms, we started talking about my trip to Korea, which was a bit complicated but she offered to help with the visa interview and what document I should prepare. As far as i know, at that time she was an office clerk in the immigration office.

After the Korean side sent a letter to the embassy, which was unclear why i was travelling to Korea, because quote “we didn’t completely understand the field of activity you are involved in” The Korean studio explained the Embassy in Ukraine and i was granted the visa. After the movie came out, I was completely by accident coming across pastors that would tell me they would be delighted to invite me to their church to discuss making the King of Kings film and what it meant to me. I was absolutely stunned by the change of events in my life. I am not losing faith and I know that better days are coming for me, my wife and our beautiful son.

How was your experience at Wondercon?

When I met the producers and the director at Wondercon in Anaheim, my heart was filled with joy and amazing memories from the studio and the 3 months I spent there filming the film. We met after 5 years in LA and it was something I couldn’t describe. They told me that I became part of the family during filming, because the producer was very happy that they found the actor they were looking for and I delivered 110% to fulfill their need. We shared about the great days during filming and how great the film was doing urging its premiere. We discussed the future projects, and that they could count on me in delivering the best performance for the projects to come. We are always in touch and they know my attitude towards them and towards what they do. I respect them and their efforts very much.

I was excited to see the team and especially the producer Seongho “Jay” Jang. I am happy knowing that the film is so successful, and the fact that people will have a different look at the film, will learn a lot about the greatest story ever told from the master of storytelling Charles Dickens. That people know about our Lord our Savior Jesus Christ. That he loves us, he is there for us and he protects us. And it makes me happy too seeing parents go see this film with their young children, this is correct parenting, when they teach their children learn and understand about Jesus Christ especially nowadays when young children are exposed and vulnerable with all this garbage, degeneracy and lack of sacredness on social media. I praise such parents.

What are you most excited about when it comes to King of Kings?

I am truly hoping this film will put my name on the map, because I have a lot to offer to the table, and I really want to make my name a household name. There are projects in the making currently and I am rooting for their success and fulfillment. I’ll be ready to talk about them when we kick start. But for now, don’t miss the amazing King of Kings film in cinemas and coming soon on streaming platforms.

To learn more about Serj Avakian follow him on Instagram @kianofficial_la.