Helping artists to showcase on a global stage
EVERY year agent Elsubie Verlinden gives youngsters from across the country an opportunity to impress talent scouts in the US.
Verlinden is the exclusive agent for the New York Film Academy and the SA director of the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) International Expo.
Each year East London-born Verlinden and her team travel the country hosting auditions for aspiring actors, models and singers.
Provincial winners go on to compete at national level and successful participants join a group to audition in Florida.
Previous Eastern Cape actors and models who have taken part at an international level include Gino Lee, who won a scholarship to study at the New York Film Academy, and Sibulele Kwake.
Verlinden said it was her love of the entertainment business that saw her creating opportunities for the youth of SA.
She started modelling at the age of 12 in East London and when the opportunity arose, she relocated to Johannesburg. She soon realised she didn’t meet the requirements to be a fashion model and started working on her acting skills. She has made appearances on shows such as
and However, Verlinden said her goal was to help other people turn their dreams into reality. “My goal is to allow South African models and artists easy access to international educational and networking opportunities,” she said.
To help others achieve their dreams, she opened her own agency in 2008.
“My main objective is to know each and every artist I represent and allow them the opportunity to work successfully in the film and fashion industry.”
She said she also wanted to bridge the gap between SA and international markets.
“A great agent needs to have a great love for people with a great understanding and background of what it feels like working on set.
“A personal desire to know each artist and their specific skills is important so as to send them to the right castings and build their confidence based on their brand and their character strengths.”
Verlinden and a group of youngsters from across the country will be leaving in July for Florida to attend the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) Convention.