Newsletter
- August 2024
LATEST NEWS by Jennis Williamson
Hi all
As we step into August, we are thrilled to celebrate Women’s Month, a time to honour the incredible achievements, contributions, and unwavering spirit of women around the world.
From trailblazing leaders and entrepreneurs to dedicated mothers and community advocates, women continue to inspire us with their resilience, creativity, and strength. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives and reflect on the progress we’ve made towards gender equality, while also acknowledging the work that still lies ahead.
This month, we highlight the amazing women keeping all the men at the Talent-Etc™ offices at bay. We appreciate and celebrate you Thulani, Katie, Alicia, Kristy, Fundi, Tania, Lara & Tania.
As we enter the final stretch of 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our goals and reignite our motivation to finish the year strong. Here are some words of encouragement to keep you inspired:
Embrace Challenges: Remember, challenges are opportunities in disguise. Embrace them with a positive mindset, and you’ll discover your true potential.
Stay Focused: Keep your eye on the prize. Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and tackle them one step at a time.
Cultivate Positivity: Surround yourself with positivity and supportive people. Your environment plays a crucial role in maintaining your motivation and energy levels.
Celebrate Progress: Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress will fuel your drive to keep going.
Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of your mental and physical well-being is essential. Make time for relaxation, exercise, and activities that bring you joy.
Let’s make these remaining months count by staying committed, motivated, and focused on our aspirations.
Wishing you all an empowering Women’s Month and a productive, fulfilling remainder of the year!
Love and light
Jen
CREW-ETC by Frankie Opperman
We’ve begun walking down our new pathway at a leaner and meaner Crew-Etc and it’s an exciting time that lies ahead of us. Less is more as we navigate the winter months that lie ahead.
Whether its narrative, reality, commercials or studio, our freelancers are ready to jump your productions. Stay tuned on social media for updates and highlights from our talented lineup of freelancers.
CAPE TOWN-ETC by Thulani Ndzotyana
Are you a region-based actor or a South African-based actor? Understanding this distinction can significantly help you establish your footprint in the industry. Many productions prefer booking artists based in the city where the production shoots, especially for long-format telenovelas.
As a storyteller, it’s important to consider: do you see yourself as a regional artist or a national artist? Identifying your focus can open up more opportunities and better align your career with industry demands.
VOICE-ETC by Kristy Suttner
Dubbing is still the order of the day this month with 15 artists being cast in a new production, and many moving between different studios as they hone their skills. Well done to new additions Larissa Jordaan and Dihan Keun for joining the Dubbing fold!
Corporate work has also been plentiful with Yule Oswald booking a nice campaign, and Lerole Phakoa doing some fun stuff in the booth for Chicken Licken.
Our first Accent Neutralisation graduates have completed the course and we look forward to hearing their neutral accents going froward. Look out for the next intake if you’re looking to neutralise your accent, this also helps enable learning foreign accents for both On Camera and Voice work.
LIFE-ETC By JC Snooke
Embrace the Hustle: Finding Freelance Opportunities
Freelancing offers the freedom to be your own boss, but it also requires a proactive approach to find opportunities. Here are some strategies to help you get started:
1. Leverage Online Platforms: Websites like [Upwork](https://www.upwork.com/), [Freelancer](https://www.freelancer.com/), and [Fiverr](https://www.fiverr.com/) are great places to start. These platforms allow you to showcase your skills, bid on projects, and build a client base.
2. Network, Network, Network: Tap into your existing network and let people know you’re freelancing. Use LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and join relevant groups. Websites like [Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/) also offer opportunities to meet like-minded professionals in your area.
3. Create a Strong Online Presence: A professional website and an active social media presence can attract clients. Use platforms like [Wix](https://www.wix.com/) or [Squarespace](https://www.squarespace.com/) to build a portfolio site, and maintain a blog to showcase your expertise.
4. Pitch Directly: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Identify companies that could benefit from your services and send them a personalized pitch. Tools like [Hunter](https://hunter.io/) can help you find email addresses.
5. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends and continually improve your skills. Websites like [Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/) and [Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/) offer courses to keep you ahead of the curve.
By actively seeking out opportunities and leveraging these resources, you can build a successful freelance career. Happy hustling!
KZN By Fundi Zwane & Justin Nanak
July is celebrated as #FilmMonth in KwaZulu Natal, and this year’s Durban Film Mart 2024 was a testament to the power of storytelling as filmmakers and creatives from around the world gathered in Durban. Talent ETC was proud to be part of The Producer’s Lounge, hosted by KZN-based production house Dragon Productions. This event allowed us to form valuable synergies with a myriad of producers and investment houses from across South Africa. We extend a heartfelt thank you for including us in these crucial deliberations about the future of the film and TV landscape.
We are thrilled to announce that our very own acting legend, Mam’ Thembi Mtshali-Jones, won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Film at the prestigious Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards. Hosted by the KZN Tourism and Film Authority in collaboration with The KwaZulu Natal Department of Economic Development, this accolade is a testament to her immense talent and dedication to her craft. Congratulations, Mam’ Thembi!
As we move into August, we want to wish every woman a wonderful Women’s Month. Your incredible contributions to our talent family and the entertainment industry are invaluable, and we celebrate you today and always.
Stay tuned for more updates and exciting news on our social media channels as we continue to support and showcase our talented artists.
Warm regards,
Fundi & Justin
SAGE WORDS by Sean Munday
August serves as a reminder of resilience and perseverance. The colder months can be challenging, but they also provide a unique opportunity for introspection and growth. Just as nature rests and rejuvenates in winter, allow yourself time to recharge and reflect. Embrace the quiet strength within you and use this time to prepare for the vibrant energy that spring will soon bring. Stay motivated, stay warm, and let the stillness of winter inspire you to achieve your goals with renewed vigor.
Wishing you all a strong and reflective August!
THEATREby Katie Groves
Hello hello,
Hope you are warm and well in this icy July!
The theatre division has been continuing its running start, with a record-breaking month of bookings. The division has been filled with discover, connection and inspiration. The big lesson for this month is to treat yourself as a South African artist. Providing and pushing yourself into different spaces in order to access opportunities is crucial—don’t let travel be a barrier to your success. My advice would be to start a savings account dedicated to your craft and invest in your future.
The highlight of this month was a trip to Cape Town, where we uncovered incredible talent and engaged with passionate theatre practitioners and creators. The vibrant theatre scene and the dedication of local artists were truly inspiring.
I am also thrilled to spotlight the incredible artists currently working and rehearsing: Ntshikeng Matooane, Dihan Keun, Alicia Badenhorst, Jermain Johnson, Dante Du Plessis, Larissa Jordaan, Bongiwe Jiyane, Nozi Tamia, Bulelo Landman, Kaitlin-Anne, Priya Bandu, Evanca Moolman, Brendan Moorcroft, Yahto Kraft, Oliver Kelfkens, Nana Bulabula, Kirsten Dickinson, and Erin Blieden. Your dedication and passion light up our stages and hearts.
Stay inspired, stay adventurous, and keep the spotlight shining on your amazing talents!
With theatrical love and (spot)light
Katie
TRAINING HUBwith Tiaan Kelderman
Training Hub is booming!
First off, just a huge thank you to the dedication that you’ve put in your training hub submissions. We’ve seen more and more of you participating and diligently coming back each month.
I am hopeful that this is an indication that you are all valuing the sessions as much as we are. I am learning so much from each one of our artists and spending the last few months with you has truly crafted stronger relations.
I look forward to more artists participating and walking a journey with us to truly master your unique style in performing, creating the best self tapes you can and to fully immerse yourself in each character.
Together we will create a stronger and more proficient agency, where all casting directors can know they will only receive top quality from Talent-ETC.
Blessings
Tiaan
LAST THOUGHT by Pierre Ball
August is the month when many great inventions, works of art, and scientific discoveries were first patented, trademarked, or copyrighted. August is a very special month to me as it is my birth month as well as a reminder that the year is almost over but not quite, so we still have the opportunity to make something big happen before the year ends. A little more persistence, a little more effort and what seemed to be a hopeless year for some, may turn to be a gloriously successful year. No matter what we do this month, also remember, a little more effort goes a long way. I encourage you to get up and make it happen and I wish you a blessed month filled with many opportunities.
