Newsletter
- November 2024
LATEST NEWS by Jennis Williamson
Hi all!
Can you believe we’re already in the final stretch of 2024? Only one and a half months left before the year wraps up, and now’s the time to crush those goals. It’s been a whirlwind, and for many of us, a rough year in terms of mental awareness. If there’s one thing I’ve seen over and over again, it’s that we need to TALK to each other. Silence only leads to inner turmoil – it festers, it poisons. This year reminded me more than ever how vital communication is.
On a brighter note, we’ve just kicked off shooting the second season of Stralend, and I’m so excited about what’s ahead. We’ve broken records this year, and at this pace, I can hardly imagine what 2025 will bring for all of us.
The success of my first book, Finding Your Spotlight, has opened doors beyond anything I could have dreamed. Now, I’m gearing up for something equally special – my second journal launches on 1 December! I’m beyond thrilled to share it with you all.
Let’s finish 2024 strong. Keep pushing, keep talking, and let’s make every moment count.
Love an light
Jen
CREW-ETC by TANIA DE VILLIERS & FRANKIE OPPERMAN
As we step into November, the Crew-ETC team is excited about the opportunities this month brings! We’re here to support your creative endeavors and ensure your productions shine.
Stay Connected!
As we embrace the energy of the new month, we invite you to connect with us! Whether you have inquiries, ideas for collaboration, or simply want to chat about your upcoming projects, we’d love to hear from you at crew@talent-etc.co.za.
Wishing you a productive and inspiring month ahead!
Happy November from Crew-ETC!
CAPE TOWN-ETC by Thulani Ndzotyana
It has been an incredibly busy season here in Cape Town, with the city buzzing with productions and casting calls. As opportunities continue to rise, now is the perfect time for all actors to take their craft to the next level.
1. Urgent Casting Calls – Get Ready to Audition!
Cape Town’s film and television industry is thriving, and we are urging actors to stay alert for up-coming auditions. Casting agents are on the lookout for fresh faces, and this is your chance to shine. Keep an eye on the latest casting opportunities and ensure your profiles are updated and ready to go!
2. Polish Your Accents – Versatility is Key!
With more international productions choosing Cape Town as their filming destination, actors with versatile accents are in high demand. Wheth-er it’s nailing a flawless American or British accent, or mastering regional South African accents, this is your moment to stand out. Now is the time to invest in accent training and make sure you’re ready for roles from all over the world.
3. The Stunt Advantage – Add to Your Skillset
Physicality is becoming a key component of many roles, especially in action-packed productions. Actors with stunt training are gaining an edge in the industry, and we strongly encourage you to consider investing in stunt work. Whether it’s stage combat, wire work, or martial arts, being able to perform your own stunts can open doors to more diverse and exciting roles.
Cape Town is buzzing with opportunity, and we want you to be fully prepared. Don’t miss out on these chances to elevate your career, expand your skills, and stand out in a competitive industry.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
SOCIAL-ETC by Thulani Ndzotyana
At Social ETC, we are passionate about seeing brands extend their influence beyond just social media content curation. While curating captivating content is es-sential, the most exciting growth happens when brands take it a step further by involving influencers in more dynamic roles – like hosting events, becoming MCs, and engaging in deeper brand-related work.
When brands collaborate with influencers in these roles, they elevate their au-thenticity and reach, creating meaningful, real-world connections with their audiences. It’s an approach that allows influencers to use their platform and person-ality to bring the brand’s story to life in fresh, engaging ways. These collaborations demonstrate the value of treating influencers as partners who embody the brand’s identity both on and offline.
We love watching influencers evolve into key figures in brand activations, helping brands build not only online presence but also a physical and emotional connection with their target market. Whether it’s hosting, leading campaigns, or being the face of an event, these roles showcase the true potential of influencer partnerships.
At Social ETC, we encourage brands to think outside the box and leverage influencer talent in innovative ways that push their engagement beyond social media. Let’s continue to explore these exciting possibilities!
VOICE-ETC by Kristy Suttner
This month saw two more Binnelanders on set VO’s, well done Sasha Strobel for landing the first – we await news on the second!
Yule Oswald continues to book up a storm across various campaigns – we are proud of you, Yule!
Dubbing is still massively busy with many artists across many projects and studios. I would like to make a shout to all the dubbers who continue to work very hard in a tough industry. Well done!
Please note that the Voice-Etc books are currently closed unless we are al-ready in conversation. However if you are keen to hone your skills, look out for the above mentioned classes, or contact Kristy for her to connect you with excellent voice coaches.
KZN By Fundi Zwane & Justin Nanak
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead!
As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the immense dedication and hard work that goes into creating the unforgettable characters we see on stage and screen. The quiet, creative spaces you as artists occupy are where the magic truly begins. We want to take this moment to thank every one of you for your passion, resilience, and creativity. Your dedication is what makes the arts come alive, and we’re incredibly proud to represent such remarkable talent.
Exciting News for 2025!
We’re thrilled to share that the Durban Playhouse has officially announced its 2025 Community Theatre Festival! This festival is a cornerstone event, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and passion on a professional stage. For those looking to make a mark in the industry, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant theatre community. We encourage you to start preparing now and take full advantage of this platform to shine in the year ahead!
A Huge Congratulations to Our Hooked on Books Cast!
We’d also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the cast who recently wrapped up the Hooked on Books tour in KZN. This production plays a vital role in keeping literature alive for young audiences through the magic of theatre. We are so proud of the immense talent and hard work poured into this project. Your efforts have inspired countless young minds and demonstrated the transformative power of storytelling. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey.
As we enter the final stretch of 2024, let’s continue to push forward with creativity, purpose, and passion. Whether you’ve been on set, on stage, or working behind the scenes, remember that your work is shaping the future of the arts in KZN and beyond.
Here’s to a strong finish to the year and an exciting 2025 ahead!
Warm regards,
Fundi & Justin
LIFE-ETCby JC Snooke
Stralend returns with an exciting Season 2, a transformative makeover show focused on “Kop, Hart en Siel” (Mind, Heart, and Soul) transformations. The new season will launch on 5 January 2025 on KykNET, promising inspiring journeys of personal growth and renewal. Production kicks off on 18 November 2024, and we are thrilled to bring this season to life. Currently, we are in the pre-production phase, finalizing details to ensure an even more impactful and uplifting experience for viewers.
If you would like to participate, visit the KykNET website to enter:
https://www.dstv.com/kyknet/af-za/program/stralend
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THEATREby Katie Groves
Theatre-ETC: November Spotlight
As the year begins to wind down, we’re still racing along, fueled by the incredible drive and dedication of our talented artists. With productions kicking off, debuts being made, and rehearsals in full swing, our artists continue to prove what hard work and passion can achieve.
This month, I want to spotlight two exceptional individuals who embody the spirit of commitment and resilience: Brendan Moorcroft and Brett de Groot.
Brendan Moorcroft
Brendan is one of the most committed and hard-working artists I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He never misses an opportunity—whether it’s replying to audition calls, engaging with the material, or sending in self-tapes for almost every single brief I send him. On top of that, he balances his schoolwork, takes singing lessons to prepare for each audition, and somehow still found the energy to perform in productions five times a week for four months straight! His dedication to growth and development is awe-inspiring, and I’m incredibly proud to have him on our roster. Brendan’s journey serves as a testament to what perseverance and hard work can achieve
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Brett de Groot
Brett had his debut as Mickey Mouse in The Magic Box at Artscape late October, a milestone that highlights his incredible fortitude and adaptability. Although he has always considered singing and dancing his strengths, this role has pushed him far beyond his comfort zone, and the results have been extraordinary. Beyond his performance, Brett’s nurturing and giving nature make him an invaluable presence to his colleagues, often taking on a parental role within the cast. His approach to holistic giving and mentoring is the essence of what we value at Theatre-ETC. He’s truly a beacon of hard work and resilience.
As we push toward the end of the year, I encourage all of you to stay strong and committed to your craft. Keep honing your abilities, but also remember the importance of self-care. Finding the balance between growth and rest is essential to sustaining long-term success. Let’s make sure we’re not only prepared for upcoming opportunities but also looking after ourselves in the process.
Finally, I want to send some good vibes to a few of our artists heading into rehearsals: Dithabe, Sam, and Yahto as they gear up for The Addams Family, Duandre who starts rehearsals for Aspoestertjie the pantomime, and a huge congratulations to Jock for successfully completing a full month of panto rehearsals!
Here’s to finishing the year strong and setting ourselves up for success in 2025.
As always, love and light,
Katie
SAGE WORDS by Sean Munday
It’s November which means the year is almost over. Can you believe it?! November also marks 2 years of me working at Talent-ETC so on a personal note I’d like to thank everyone for allowing me to work with and get to know you all.
The end of the year often leads to people getting into a December mindset prematurely but there is still work to be done! While others go on holiday mode you have an opportunity to stand out and get work. It’s the final push, keep going and always put your best foot forward.
All the best!
Sean
TRAINING HUB with Tiaan Kelderman
It is an absolute blessing to have the opportunity to sit one-on-one with each artist who submits to the Training Hub. As an agent, not only do I get to catch up on a personal level, but the actor in me also engages in in-depth conversations about our craft.
The insights shared and the growth in skill that I’ve witnessed from our artists have been a true pleasure. The number of submissions and the diligence we see from our artists clearly prove that this is an exercise worth investing in.
Thank you for all the hard work and the understanding that, as artists, we are constantly honing our craft. This is an art we all deeply love and strive to perfect, and engaging in insightful conversations and workshops is the ideal way to achieve that.
November will be our last Training Hub for the year, and I look forward to ending it on a high note.
Thank you again!
Tiaan
LAST THOUGHT by Pierre Ball
What is your definition of success? How do you feel when faced with failure? Let us take a moment to view Mr Churchill’s definition : “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” In order to master success, one must master failure, or should I say, at least know failure well. Many have said, failure is the stepping stone to success. Coaches say a loss makes a fighter come back stronger. Let us walk into November knowing where and what we have done to become the person we are today. Let us walk with our heads high, straight into our next audition with no fear of failure. Let’s leave imposter syndrome in the back of our thoughts and embrace all opportunities placed before us.
