The new complications in “Sturm der Liebe” begin: The dream trio speaks in an interview about how lucky they were to have been cast.
This Monday afternoon (November 27th, 3:10 p.m., the first) begins the series of complications between the first “Storm of Love” dream trio in the history of the popular telenovela. After a surprising confession, Ana Alves (Soluna-Delta Kokol, 26) finds herself between Philipp Brandes (Robin Schick, born 1994) and Vincent Ritter (Martin Walde, 36).
The news agency spot on news met the two young actors Robin Schick and Soluna-Delta Kokol as well as the former “Lindenstrasse” star (2016-2020, Marek Zöllig/trans woman Sunny Zöllig) Martin Walde for an interview. They talked about how they got their dream series job and revealed how they deal with the enormous text load on “Storm”.
How did the casting go and how did you find out you were accepted?
Robin Schick: For me it was a classic casting process. The caster contacted my agency. Then I first sent out an e-casting, then I went to the live casting. What was particularly exciting was that the live casting scene had not been sent to me. Completely clueless, I prepared a completely different scene and when I wanted to get started on location, they suddenly said that it wasn’t the right scene at all. Of course that was super uncomfortable because I actually thought I was particularly well prepared.
How did you resolve the situation then?
Schick: I had to learn the new text within half an hour. I briefly considered canceling it. But then I took up the challenge – with success, I actually got the role. That made me very happy because in the acting industry you always get more rejections than acceptances.
Soluna-Delta Kokol: I was contacted by Bavaria Film Production on an actors portal and invited to the e-casting. Because I’ve done something like this so many times, my best friend and I just quickly shot one in my bedroom. I took it seriously, but on the other hand it was just another e-casting. Then I sent it off and was invited to the live casting. There I played the prepared scene and a spontaneous scene with my series mother. Everything went great and I was invited to another casting in the real series setting – this second casting loop is always done like this for the “princess role”.
And how did that casting appointment go?
Kokol: Unfortunately, when the appointment was supposed to take place, I had an extremely cold. I was pumped full of medication and very excited because this time there was also a director, sound men, lighting technicians and many other employees. Plus, as I said, we were in the original setting.
A few days later, my agent called me in the morning – I was making coffee in my pajamas. He then hypocritically asked me what my casting was like and whether I could imagine working with these people. I said: Yes, of course, they were all so nice, that would be a dream. He replied: Then I wish you a lot of fun in the coming months, you got the role. First I sank to the ground and cried with joy. I was so happy.
How was it for you, Martin Walde?
Martin Walde: I came out of the previous year feeling a bit frustrated because I had a few unsuccessful auditions for series lead roles. When the next rejection came, I decided to concentrate on my coach training. It has nothing to do with acting, but rather a therapeutic approach – since I’ve been in “Sturm der Liebe”, my training has been on hold, but I’ll definitely continue with it.
After I made the decision to coach, I developed a no-matter-what attitude towards acting. It is precisely this attitude that always brings you into an energy in which you get everything. If you broadcast that you don’t need it, you’ll get it. We also know this from relationships. Singles who really want a partner quickly seem needy. On the other hand, you often seem particularly attractive when you’re newly in a relationship.
And in this condition did you encounter “Sturm der Liebe”?
Walde: Exactly. When the offer for e-casting came, I sent one. Actually it was for another role in “Storm”, which I couldn’t accept because I had landed a tiny role in “Forbidden Love” in the meantime. This daily is filmed in Cologne and would have overlapped the Munich offering by 14 days. That annoyed me extremely.
Somehow those responsible for “Sturm” kept me on their radar. A few months later they called and offered me the role of Vincent Ritter. I didn’t even have to audition again. It was so beautiful that I couldn’t believe it at first. I absolutely screamed with happiness on the phone when my agent told me.
Which of you moved to Munich specifically for the “Sturm” role – and what was the search for an apartment like?
Schick: I moved from Berlin to Munich for the role and initially slept in a hotel. Afterwards I was able to take over the apartment from an actor colleague. The new city and the high filming workload initially meant that I was missing something, even though I was able to pursue my dream job. I now know a few people, including from the set and other places, and have a bit more everyday life. I can say that I’m slowly settling into Munich, which is really nice.
Walde: I also moved from Berlin to Munich and stayed in a shared apartment.
Kokol: I live in Munich, but I can say that “Sturm der Liebe” requires a somewhat special living situation. After a strenuous week of filming, you need a real retreat where you can be left alone. Not everyone can understand that. For me it works best with people from the film industry or other artists.
What was the welcome like on the first day of filming “Sturm der Liebe”?
Schick: On the first day of filming, everyone welcomed us extremely friendly and nice. I was very grateful for that too. Because when you come into such a big universe and don’t know anyone, it’s not always easy. Above all, our fellow actors welcomed us with open arms. That was great. When the atmosphere on set is right, it’s much easier to play.
Kokol: Especially those who had been there for a long time immediately gave us great tips. That was very caring and really nice. Everyone wants you to feel comfortable and arrive well – also because they know exactly how much you have to manage in the first few days and weeks.
Walde: The last time I experienced this warmth was when I started at “Lindenstraße”. I played the trans woman Sunny Zöllig, previously Marek Zöllig, in the series from 2016 until it ended in 2020. It was very special to play that because the role was so far away from me personally. I learned a lot this way. In contrast to “Storm”, it was a weekly with a somewhat more relaxed shooting schedule.
Good keyword: The text load in “Sturm der Liebe” is very high. Did you expect it to be that much?
Schick: To be honest, I didn’t expect it. You definitely don’t have time to shoot other projects. We shoot every day from Monday to Friday. The workload is very high, especially when you also have to look at the texts for the coming week at the weekend. But you get used to it…
Walde: …and you also get faster. The brain adapts to it. That doesn’t make it much, much, much better, but it saves maybe one of the initial three hours it took.
Kokol: We shoot, go home, learn the next lines and start shooting again the next morning. Yes, it’s a lot.
Schick: Sometimes a little bit less would be nice to be able to go into the scene in even more detail. In the end, the joy of being able to play definitely outweighs it.
What do you currently enjoy doing most in your little free time?
Chic: sports, going out with friends, sometimes talking about something else and clearing your head. The main thing is to collect new impressions.
Kokol: I really enjoy going into nature and taking long walks in the forest. Get out of the city, breathe in the fresh air, everything is nice and green or colorful – that’s a great way to recharge my batteries.
Walde: I really enjoy doing sports to balance things out and prefer to go to the gym. Just lift iron (laughs).