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How to start out as an actor in South Africa

In the past few weeks I have noticed many people with lots of passion looking at how to become an actor. Now this career is not for the faint of heart, so before we go any further, if you are not completely dedicated and given over to the craft – do not even attempt it. If, as my dear friend Rajesh Gopie so aptly puts it, you are more in love with the idea of yourself being an actor than the art of acting itself – go and study accounting. You will not make it.

However, if you are in, here are some tips to follow when starting out.

1.    Get some training

Even though a lot of actors in South Africa do not have degrees in Drama or have not studied at all, I would still suggest you learn some technique. Acting is about learning how to have control over your voice and body in order to achieve certain effects. If you are not trained at all, you will not have the same advantages as other performers with the same amount of talent as you who have trained.

There are many acting courses and workshops available. Try Rajesh Gopie’s Actorwize Foundation course, Steven Feinstein’s Indigo View training academies or Tom Fairfoot who is currently running some actor training courses. All these people also offer one on one training sessions if you prefer to work alone.

The notable casting director Bonnie Lee Bouman also runs workshops occasionally; you can look at her website or Facebook page for more information.

Even as a seasoned actor, it is so important to keep attending workshops and courses. Please keep in mind however, that none of these workshops are free, and it is worthy to note that one should be willing to spend money on one’s craft.

2.    Take some head-shots and create a resume

Before getting an agent, it is important to create an acting resume. This is a short document including your measurements (height, weight, eye colour etc) as well as a professional head-shot of you and a brief history of your acting experience. There are many templates available online. The simpler the better here; agents and casting directors get inundated with these on a daily basis and therefore do not want to have to work hard to get an idea of who you are.

Again, you will have to spend money on getting a professional head-shot taken. Do not be tempted to take a selfie on your phone.

Head-shots need to be natural as well as flattering. It is a common complaint in Casting Director offices that actors do not look at all like the glamorous head-shots they present.

Photographers like Robyn Davie and Justin Lee are brilliant at taking portraits that accurately represent what you look like. Both of these artists can be found online as well as on Facebook. 

3.    Get an agent

An agent is an essential part of working as an actor in SA. Without one, you will not be able to go for castings and auditions. Casting directors usually work solely through agents and it is difficult for an artist to secure auditions without one. Also, agents are there to protect you, as they are responsible for contracts and paperwork and can help with tax.

Usually, agents will request to meet you in person before signing you on. Before that however, they will require you to send them a resume with all your acting experience. This is where training will help, as you can always refer to the courses you have taken. 

A full list of reputable agents can be found online at www.filmcontact.com/directory/actors-agents . An acting agency should NOT ask for a sign up fee, as they are technically being employed by you and not the other way around. Shop around first, and make sure that the agencies you approach align themselves with the type of artist you want to become.

Well done! You are now well-informed. Please remember that acting is a job. It is not for people who want fame and fortune. It is tough but it can also be madly rewarding. Let me know in the comments below if you would like me to explain anything else relating to this topic, or write any more articles like this one.

Break a leg my darlings,

I look forward to hearing your success stories!

Sarah

 Xoxox