Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Gratskaya.
Elena, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am an immigrant from Russia who is fortunate to live in the United States, do what I love and combine my two passions (that at the first glance, do not seem to blend) – chess and film industry.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think anyone’s road is smooth, is it? My road to success is still going and it is full of ups and downs and unexpected turns. I happened to chose to work in two industries where men are dominant and it is not always easy to be a young woman, leave along an immigrant. For chess it’s been a challenge in the beginning because I was new in the country without any connections and had to gain a reputation and respect. In Russia it is pretty normal for young women to play and compete in chess but here it is, sadly, not that popular. Because of that I would often find myself in the center of attention that was not always wanted. It was specifically stressful when I started to help directing chess tournaments because if I made a mistake it would be a confirmation that this young blond girl does not know what she is doing. I have a few funny moments to look back to, one of them: I was helping to direct a US Masters competition in North Carolina and I came into the tournament hall when a gentleman approached me and asked me what I was doing here and when I looked at him and said “excuse me”? He asked me if I got lost or if I knew how the pieces moved. I find it so funny that he thought I got there by mistake or got lost. I’m very grateful for situations like this one as it taught me to not pay attention to what others think and just do my own thing, be strong, be stubborn, work harder. After that I became a female state champion and started directing tournaments nation wide so I think this gentleman now knows that I do know how the pieces move.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I play and teach chess and work as a tournament director for the United States Chess Federation. I was a Female State Champion of Georgia in 2015 and 2016. I teach chess in groups and give private classes, direct tournaments on a state and national level. One of the most memorable tournaments I helped to direct was in 2018 in Atlanta for High School National competition, where we had over 1500 kids signed up from all over the country.
I am also an actress and a production assistant who worked on multiple film sets, TV shows, and commercials. Among them are Lens Crafters, Kubota, Merck Pharmaceutical. I have done a lot of work as a stand-in and photo double on Marvel show “the Gifted” for both seasons 1 and 2, I worked as a stand-in for “Avengers, Infinity War”, “Star” season 2, “Dumplin” film. I day played on Ozark, MacGiver, Dynasty, Queen America and more. I am very fortunate to be able to work and learn from a lot of well-known actors, producers, and directors. The film industry is demanding and rough, we work really long hours (12/14hour work days), nights, sometimes weekends, therefore, if you do not love what you do, you will not be able to continue working in this sphere. This is why I am surrounded by passionate, sometimes a bit crazy (but we all are, aren’t we) people who dedicate their lives to this craft. Their drive is contagious.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think we create our own opportunities and we just need to make sure we prepare for success, study hard, work hard and have no expectations from anyone. Most importantly, we need to believe and trust ourselves and not let self-doubt affect our dreams and actions. It is a good time for women to become bosses, open their business, inspire and direct. The time is now.
Contact Info:
- Email: elena.gratskaya@yahoo.com
- Instagram: misselena0505
Image Credit:
Tony Guerrero, Jay Musselwhite, Leah Roth, Elena Gratskaya, Georgia Chess Association, Victoria Pavlov
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