Stefan Lysenko
Born to European parents, Stefan Lysenko spent time on both U.S. coasts growing up. He graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Theater/Business and spent a few years thereafter traveling the globe. Returning to the U.S in the late eighties, Lysenko set out to make a name for himself in Hollywood.
Working on the stage under the direction of Stella Adler for several years, the famous Playhouse West became Lysenko's next creative haven. During this period, he worked with such actors as Ashley Judd and Jeff Goldblum. After several New York productions, Lysenko continued his creative work with Academy Award-winning actress, Shelly Winters at The Actor’s Studio and with Lonny Chapman at the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theater.
Lysenko went on to star in several feature films, including Disney's MAFIA!, THE LAST WILL (opposite Goran Visnjic, “ER”), INTERCEPTORS (opposite Ernie Hudson, “Oz”), and THE STRAY (opposite Michael Madsen and Angie Everheart.)
After a chance meeting and discussion with Gena Rowlands, famous for her work with the late John Casavetes, Lysenko set out to shoot his first feature film, BETWEEN CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S. Similar to Casavetes’ style, the script was entirely improvised, and was shot on 16mm film over 7 days, for under $5000 using Lysenko's 10 Commandments Of Bliss. The technique Lysenko created to shot his films is defined as "Blissing" which is when an artist creates by using what he/she has at his/her immediate disposal thus letting the creation create itself. Art is created by using what exists in one's consciousness and immediate environment.
Having won multiple awards for his films, Stefan Lysenko is currently in pre production on his fourth feature length independent film while he continues the second year of his masters program.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117904333.html?categoryid=33&cs=1&query=stefan+lysenko
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0529263/
www.blissing.com