Do you want to follow a career in acting?

Isidingo actor Stephen van Niekerk provides some insight into the world of acting.

It is a very exciting time in SA and I think the big players in the film industry are really starting to see the value in South African actors. I’m often asked why I have not gone over to LA. My answer is: “The grass is not always greener on the other side." There is something to be said about being at the top of your game in your hometown before you go to start again in another country. If I had to go, I would like to make sure that I am well-missed in SA. Missed enough that if I do come home, I am not forgotten. Besides, with all this international interest, you could just as well crack the international market from SA.

On making it as an actor
This gets me thinking about what it takes to make it big as an actor and I guess you could say that it takes at least ten years to become an overnight success. So often people, and by "people" I mean the audiences and fans, only see you once you have already had your big break; they very rarely see the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice that lead to your success. Often a fan will approach me and say: “I want to be an actor, how do I do it?” When I break out words like study, hard work, long hours, sacrifice, thick skin and rejection, there's more often than not a blank look. Then they say: “OK, but how can I become a celebrity like you?” and then they realise that either way they look at it, there is no shortcut to stardom, especially in SA, because we don’t have “stars” in the Hollywood sense of the word.

On celebrity status
When it comes to celebrity status, SA certainly has it all wrong. It’s not all about who sponsors you and how much free stuff you can get out of it, because trust me, based on my experience, it is nearly impossible to get anything free as a celeb. If you truly want to be taken seriously as an actor, you are going to have to prove yourself to a very fickle and easily dissuaded group of people, known as the viewers/audiences. As fast as you climb is as fast as you fall and as fast as you are forgotten.

On reaching the top
Getting to the top and staying there is more about the volume of work you have done as an actor, but at the same time, because our industry is so small, you can easily overexpose yourself and BANG you have to start again - after the audiences and producers feel they are ready to see you again, of course.

To sum up my journey so far, it’s a very delicate balancing act between being busy, being marketable, being taken seriously and maintaining longevity and popularity.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are purely based on my opinions and observations.