We spoke with Igor Pečenjev, a Croatian actor and producer who has been working professionally in the film and TV industry for more than a decade.
Igor gained his first acting experience in Canada, and upon his return to Europe, he completed his film acting studies in Prague and shot his first film. He acted with famous world stars in Hollywood blockbusters, as well as series for the most famous streaming services. In his native Bjelovar, he recently got the opportunity to be the executive producer of the first play of the new theater, he works on action films as a stuntman, and he also started his own video production.
Igor told us about his experiences on the American continent, his impressions of the filming of the latest installment of "Mercenary" and the details of his new project Stunt Sction Team, read below.
1. You have been working professionally in the film and TV industry for more than a decade, specifically as an actor and in production. How did it all start and how did you discover your love for the camera?
There are paths in life that a person chooses, and there are also those that choose him. That's how I like to say that the film chose me. Even in my childhood, I was inclined towards the artistic, performing side, which later turned into acting and I dreamed of becoming a theater actor, however, in 2011 I went to Canada, specifically Toronto, in order to develop as a person and as an actor, but there everything somehow moved towards film career. Even as a child, I watched movies for hours and adored action heroes. I was mesmerized by great stories and at that moment I probably had no idea that one day I would be a part of creating the magic that film makes possible. Today, when I look back, everything makes sense. I have always seen everything in pictures and in my vision and vivid imagination everything was so clear and strong. Only when I came to the American continent did the puzzle begin to take shape.
2. You lived on the American continent, specifically in Canada. How long and on what occasion?
I thought I would do theater, but already on the first day I was walking around the city I came across a TV set and then I got a very special feeling that only developed during that year when I was staying in Toronto. I started working on film and learned so much there because I had the opportunity to see firsthand how big sets work and how Hollywood blockbusters are shot. In that position where you are in the background and you only have to walk through the frame, you get the opportunity to observe everything and absorb experience that you rarely have the opportunity to acquire through education. Moreover, it only helped me later in my formal education. There, on one set, I met a wonderful friend with whom I still have a strong friendship, in fact, over time we became collaborators.
3. How did you like it in North America? Do you want to go back there again or is that section finished?
I have to be honest, I have always thought globally and about an international career, and somehow that North America was always part of that dream and I can say that I lived my dream. Time will tell if I have achieved that dream to the end, but at the moment Europe is my present for several reasons. I started a family and our home is in my town Bjelovar, where I recently got the wonderful opportunity to be the executive producer at the first performance of a new professional theater that opened in my town after half a century, and I am honored and grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute to my community from I originated. That story has only just begun, but I will always be available for my city and community, and it is a fulfilling "job" on another level.
I'm happy to be living my Hollywood dream on European soil in parallel because a lot of productions are shot here and I've already achieved acting roles in blockbusters, played scenes with stars, and even had the opportunity to work on action films as a stuntman and in production. As for the film industry in North America, it is achievable today on some other assumptions. In those "young" years, when I was free as a bird, I was ready to go to the end of the world to make my dreams come true. Now my family comes first and it would have to be a joint decision. If a specific opportunity were to open up where I could realize my creative potential, then... then that section would be far from finished. There is still fire and fuel in me. Sometimes all it takes is one small spark to start a flame that will lead to a big explosion. Now I'm only interested in quality work, that's the basis of everything, and everything else will fall into place. I don't doubt it.
4. You graduated in film acting in Prague, after which you even shot a film. What would you highlight?
Well, it was precisely this desire to improve my knowledge and profession that brought me back to Europe. I wanted to study acting in London, but it didn't work out, but it was obviously destined to end up in Prague, where there was a film school and where I got the chance to make exceptional progress in film. At some point, someone mentioned Prague and I had something going around in my head and that kind of led me to try Prague and it was a hit. It is not uncommon for Americans to mistake LA for Prague. Honestly, I didn't think about either Canada or the Czech Republic, but somehow it was a game of luck and fate. Studying acting was my greatest desire at that moment, and I found it in Prague because it is a place of great film history and culture, and there, in addition to that wire for acting, another spark related to filmmaking, i.e. production, was ignited. Then I found out about a story that was fascinating to me and I decided to make a short film. It was a pure passion project that later opened some other doors.
5. Actually, you made a movie about agent 007. How long did the filming take and how satisfied are you with the project?
As the crown of my studies, I decided to produce a short film that I ultimately directed and starred in. That's my crazy energy when I'm passionate about something. In a very short period of time, I assembled a team that recognized an ambitious and interesting project about the man who was Ian Fleming's inspiration for the most famous film character, which probably every male actor dreams about, at least secretly. It was a project where my colleagues recognized my immense passion and desire, and which later opened new doors and provided me with new opportunities.
When a person puts his whole self into something, then others recognize it and there are many people who recognize it and support it at that moment. And even later... I pushed that story on various television and pitching events and there was occasional interest, but somehow it didn't develop that a wide audience had the opportunity to see that story. Well, it's already been 10 years, but you never know... Every idea has its time and place. For me, that project is something that I will always be proud of and I will be able to say - I dared!
6. Recently, you have also been involved in video production in addition to acting, and you have also shot numerous commercials. How much is he paid? a job as an actor in commercials in Croatia? Can you give some examples of where you have acted and how long such shoots last?
My nature is such that it's best when I'm busy and when there's a lot going on, that's when my energy is the best and I'm in the best position to create. I started my own video production because the guiding thought was that, when I'm not in front of the camera, I want to be behind the camera and create and tell stories instead of "from the inside", but to tell them with another eye or "from the outside". The idea is to engage in independent production and create content, but by far I enjoy the most (and therefore can give) when I am in front of the camera and when I am in the role of a performer. Of course, I like shooting movies and TV the most, but commercials are also an interesting format that allows for good earnings. As an experienced colleague says, commercials use your character and run for several months, and at the very least they should be paid at least a minimum wage for the time they run you. I think my colleague said and summed it up nicely.
Commercials are always filmed for a short time, in a day or two. Films and TV projects last for a long period and it depends on your role and position. I had the opportunity to shoot blockbusters, both in Croatia and Europe, up to series for the most famous streaming services. Filmography is available at IMDb and I can say that I am proud of everything I have achieved so far, and especially where I started from. My parents are wonderful people who belong to the working class and always fought for their children to be able to develop and have everything they need. They were supportive in key moments and thanks to the support of my family and close people, I was able to achieve great success. Now there is a spark inside me that tells me that I can and must do more. That acting and creative reservoir is inexhaustible and now I am in a period of my life when I feel that I can and must give a lot... but even when I think about this I have to ask myself if this is just a spark or if it is already burning inside me. For me there is no doubt, I want to play strong and impressive characters and tell great stories. We already talked about passion… haha.
7. With a quick glance at IMDb, we can see that in addition to acting, you have also become a stuntman in films.
"That" friend from North America is responsible for that part! My dear friend Goran Stjepanović has enormous experience and knowledge of film work. After all, he lived in Miami, Los Angeles and Toronto where we met. He met me as an actor, but considering my passion and interest in action, he also recognized me as a stuntman and slowly introduced me to that job. And not only introduced, from project to project he gave me more and more work and I always tried to make everything as high quality as possible and he gave me more and more work. Both as an actor and as a stuntman and in production. Somehow it all led to today's moment and now we have become collaborators and founded the stunt team Stunt Action Team. It is a great pleasure for me to be Goran's assistant, both on a private and business level, because he has always had a strong mentoring role for me.
8. Tell us more about the Stunt Action Team project?
Goran has worked on really big films both in North America and in Europe both as a stuntman and as an actor, but I think he is the best as a stunt coordinator. He really has a feeling for this job and on every project I had the opportunity to be convinced of his great knowledge and experience, but more importantly, he really knows how to deal with people and it was wonderful to work with him and be part of his team. It's always a relaxed and good atmosphere, but it's done seriously and with quality.
He cherishes that "American" approach, after all, he gathered experience there, and that is especially appreciated today. Professionalism and quality must come first. But it is no less important to have satisfied people who believe in what we do. Moreover, Goran was always open to new people who want and who know, so for those who are interested in stunts, I invite you to look at the page at link, so if that's interesting to you, get in touch.
Follow the Stunt Action Team on social media to learn firsthand about the preparation process for big projects.
9. By chance, we had the honor of participating in the premiere of The Mercenary in Zagreb, where members of your team acted and dubbed the main characters. Can you tell more about that adventure and filming?
At the invitation of the famous Slovenian stunt coordinator Roko Cvetkov, with whom Goran often cooperated, we had the opportunity to participate in the filming of the latest installment of Mercenaries in Greece and Bulgaria. Our team was the basic stunt corps and it was a special experience.
Members of our team dubbed for Dolph Lundgren, Andy Garcia, Randy Couture, to name a few, and I got a role opportunity as they added some roles during filming. With one change in the script, since he knows me as an actor, Goran recommended that I play a character and thus I got the opportunity to act in such a big movie. Sometimes it's important to be in the right place at the right time and that's how the right opportunity is born.
As you accompanied me during my first short film about the real agent 007, I wanted you to be with me at the premiere of a blockbuster like this. Obviously good stories attract good stories. Thank you for inviting me for the interview, I am honored and grateful that you remembered me. I have no doubt that this portal will develop like the projects you have done so far.
10. What are the plans of the Croatian stuntmen and your personal plans?
The first and basic plan is to cooperate with domestic productions that are in need of professional stuntmen, and our goal is to be at the level required for international projects during the preparation, work and performance of the project. We have experience working abroad and on foreign productions in our country, and we believe that this level must be the standard and minimum. First of all, that our work looks great on the screen, and it is equally important to us that this work is accompanied by a high level of professionalism and work ethics. The film business is a serious business and that's how we approach it. We are open for movies, TV series and commercials. When we ourselves look at IMDb what we've been doing, somehow we're not even aware of how much experience we have. I feel that I still have a lot to give as an actor, and as an assistant to my dear friend Goran, who, apart from being an excellent stunt coordinator, has also achieved notable acting roles. And if you ask me personally, I want to continue doing quality work because I believe that only a job well done opens further doors. Whether it's work in production, or work in front of the camera, I think there are no shortcuts and that you need to go step by step. From the acting aspect, I am in a creative period when I want to do interesting characters and strong stories, and for me, quality comes before quantity.
Photo: Private collection
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