ELAINA BRAVERMAN

Talented Model / Actress from New York City

Actress and model, Elaina Braverman, at only 22 is an up and coming talent to watch out for. She recently filmed the independent film "Saving Ana" directed by June Daguiso, who also cast Elaina in his TV series "Serial Madness." In "Saving Ana," Elaina plays an emotional role as a girl kidnapped by sex traffickers. Elaina can also be seen in a supporting role, in the upcoming thriller "Sweet 18," playing Kathy James. She has an upcoming lead role; Elaina is shooting an upcoming Spiderman fan film playing Gwen, Peter Parker's girlfriend.

Elaina didn't have an easy life as a child and was abandoned by her birth parents as an infant and left in an orphanage in Russia after spending 6 months in a hospital since she was born very premature. When Elaina was 4 years old she was adopted by her parents Jane and Mark Braverman of New York. Elaina's adoptive parents worked hard with her and a speech therapist to teach her the English language and help her overcome the learning delays she had due to being isolated in an orphanage for her developmental years.

When Elaina was in high school her parents entered Elaina in local beauty pageants to help her overcome her shyness and learn to walk and speak on stage in front of an audience.

Elaina excelled on stage and won a few of the pageants which led to her deciding to move on to more serious modeling and acting. She started doing featured background work on shows like "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" in which she was in a scene with Tina Fey and she was on "Law & Order: SVU" playing a model who was a rape victim. From there Elaina went on to land her aforementioned principal roles in independent films and television projects. With such an incredible start behind her, who knows how far she will go.

RED INK Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Elaina. This is what she told us.

REDINK: Who or what inspired you to become a model and an actress and which do you enjoy doing more?

EB: My Mom's friend, Tony Award winning actress Donna Murphy inspired me to be an actress. She is now starring in the TV series "The Guilded Age." Donna is so amazing and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I enjoy modeling and acting equally. I like to do both.

REDINK: Tell us some pros and cons that you have encountered in being a model and as an actress.

EB: Well the pros in both acting and modeling is that you get to wear amazing clothes, and in acting, I often get to wear period costumes. I've done roles in TV shows set in the 1920's and 1950's and 60's. I played an 1800's girl in the hit movie "The Greatest Showman." I loved my period costume in that movie. Continues...on page 10

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Hugh Jackman was amazing in that and I also got to work with him when I played a high school student in his HBO film "Bad Education" which was shot at the time at my real high school on Long Island. In modeling I also get to wear gorgeous gowns and cool outfits on the runway and walked in New York Fashion Week for several high profile designers. That was really fun. Another pro about acting which I love is that as I am doing more speaking and lead roles in films and on television I get to portray characters who are very different from myself. In real life I am very shy but not when on camera or when I am portraying outgoing characters. Recently for example I played a biker chick in a music video and that character was so unlike me. I also played the character of Kathy James in the upcoming thriller film "Sweeet 18." She cursed a lot, which I never do in real life, was tough and a major flirt. That's too is very different from me in real life. I got to do my own stunts running into trees and through the woods. I had a blast shooting that film and made great friends on set.

In terms of cons, I really don't have any to mention. I've been very fortunate with my acting and modeling careers and have had the chance to work with amazing, nice and talented people. The only con in this business is when you don't get parts you really want. But I've learned to do my best in auditions and let the chips fall as they may. If it's a part that is meant for you then you will get it. If not it wasn't meant to be so I don't take the rejection personally and move on to the next opportunity.

REDINK: Is it hard for you to be in the entertainment business and finding time for family and friends, how do you manage?

EB:I recently got married to the love of my life and he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but is an amazing and supportive man. He understands my career and when I'm not working we spend almost all of our free time together.

I also make time for the rest of my family and friends but it's not always easy juggling work and family.

REDINK: What advise can you give to another little girl who want to be like you?

EB: My advice is to work hard,, study, take acting lessons and perfect your craft and the most important thing is to never give up! I got to shoot a scene with

Sigourney Weaver in her film "Call Jane," and I've heard her say that her drama school once told her that she had no talent and look at her career today. If you are determined to make it in the entertainment business then you can't give up or get discouraged by anyone's negative comments.

REDINK: What are you currently working on now?

EB: I will be playing a high school student and member of the choir in a hit network TV show and I am really excited about that and I will also be portarying Peter Parker's l love interest Gwen in an Independent Spiderman fan film. That's a leading role so it will be a lot of work but I can't wait to start shooting that. Most of the movie is being shot on green screen so that should be fun.

REDINK: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

EB: I'd hope to be a recurring character on a TV show or an establish film actress.

REDINK: What can we expect next from Elaina?

EB: Hopefully just bigger and better things! This concludes our interview with Elaina. All the best to this beautiful and talented young lady. May you find success with all of your endevors.