And action!
Acting is fun, but becoming a soapie star is hard work.
In part 1 (in the 14 September tvplus), we looked at getting a job behind the scenes of a soap opera. Now it’s time for a close up on getting in front of the camera. tvplus investigates what it takes to become an actor, with a little inside help from industry experts. Lisa Modisane, the co-owner and acting agent of Joburg-based Legends Actors & Performers Management, knows what it takes to find stars – her agency’s client list includes Khanya Mkangisa (Aphiwe on Isidingo, 1998- current) who made her debut in 2014 on the SABC3 soapie, Nina Marais who played Elrita in 2014 on SABC2 soap 7de Laan (2000- current) and Rami Chuene, best known as bad-girl Khomotjo from 2013 on Muvhango (1997- current).
LEARN THE CRAFT
Formal qualifications aren’t the be-all and end-all, but they are of help, says Lisa. “These courses can sharpen the actor’s skills, teach them about the entertainment industry as well as teach actors how to interact with co-workers, because team-playing is very important both on and off set.” Not sure where to start? AFDA (the South African School Of Motion Picture Medium & Live Performance), universities and colleges around the country offer various courses and there are also informal training programmes from theatres, like the Market Theatre in Joburg, and private acting classes, often with working industry professionals. Lisa adds that her agency also does finishing workshops that help actors and actresses with preparing for an audition, pronunciation and how to handle their financial portfolios.
REPRESENT ME
After getting a qualification or attending a course, it’s time to find an agent. Zane Meas, who played fan favourite Neville Meintjies in 7de Laan between 2005 and 2012, says that finding an agent “is easy because there are several agents available in the country – they can be found online or through word of mouth, but a good agent will continually send you to auditions for a number of soapies. In a day, an actor should do five to seven auditions”.
Zane adds that most soaps do closed castings and will only allow actors with agents to audition because agents can vouch for and coach their clients. Lisa says that “having an agent is great but the actor must be disciplined and put a number of hours into attending auditions because it’s a long process and they need to show an understanding of the basics of acting”.
ONE-MAN SHOW
Acting agents do charge a fee for representation and not every actor can afford that fee, especially when they’re starting out, so how can you get to soapie auditions with your own representation? e.tv soapie Rhythm City (2007- current) did an online open casting in April 2016 where hopeful actors from around the country without an agent were allowed to audition. Twentytwo-year-old Nomalanga Jessica Shozi nabbed the role of mining magnate daughter Nomalanga on the show in May 2016 after a successful call-back and according to Rhythm City casting agent Nolwazi Shange, “The open casting call was a success and the decision to go that route was because Rhythm City was on the hunt for fresh and raw talent.” However, open casting calls are few and far between and occasionally they’re scams, so be wary of being asked to pay money to audition for a role – it’s probably a trick!
Former Isidingo actress Karin van der Laag, who played Maggie from 1998 to 2010 and is now an acting coach and casting director for soapie Skeem Saam (2014- current), says that you should only get into acting if you’re absolutely sure that this is the career you want. “It’s tough and actors deal with rejection daily. If you don’t have an agent, make contact and network with the casting director and go to soapie events where you can mingle with the people behind the camera. If you can’t get the casting director’s attention, send digital monologues of your performances to the soapies.”
REALITY CHECK
The best advice that Lisa can give is to “have thick skin and persevere” – in other words, to be prepared for rejection. She adds, “The TV industry looks glamorous but we can’t all be stars from day 1. There will be 15 auditions before finding a role. The hours will be long. And actors must be willing to be versatile and always persevere.”