With its third season around the corner, the multi-award-winning drama series MTV Shuga Down South is conducting a nationwide online search for aspiring actors to join its roster of previous seasons’ “alumni,” which includes Lupita Nyong’o, Thuso Mbedu, Malibongwe Mdwaba, and Samkelisiwe Makhoba, to name a few.
The public audition submission period began on Tuesday, 1 November 2022, and will end on Tuesday, 15 November 2022, on https://mtvsd3auditions.co.za/how-to-audition/. The online auditions give all South African actors an equal opportunity to star in this ground-breaking series.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Paramount Africa and MTV Staying Alive Foundation Board Member commented “I encourage local industry hopefuls to grab this opportunity to be part of African storytelling excellence and grow their careers. MTV Shuga’s track record in developing local talent’s careers is phenomenal. Our online auditions are testament to Paramount Africa’s commitment to minimizing barriers, and opening up the industry by creating new opportunities for underrepresented talent through MTV Shuga’s Down South castings”.
The international television drama, MTV Shuga Down South 3 will be produced by the young, vibrant and award-winning local production house, Burnt Onion. The last two seasons opened up the industry for Samkelisiwe Makhoba, MTV Shuga Down South 1, who went on to secure a role in two seasons of Rented Family on SABC 1 and Malibongwe Mdwaba, MTV Shuga Down South 2, who went on to star in award-winning film Umama and BET’s Isono. You could be next!
Performers who make the cut for the online public audition phase, will be given exposure through MTV Shuga’s 360-multimedia campaign rooted around a fictional television drama inspired and influenced by true life stories of South African youth. The series has been incredibly impactful in educating youth on many social and health topics including sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV prevention choices, substance abuse, mental health, Tuberculosis, gender-based violence and LGBTQIAP+ issues.
So, how can you nail your audition?
When asked what auditioning actors should focus on in order to make the cut for MTV Shuga’s Down South 3 production, Casting Director Ayanda Sithebe said, “I am looking for authenticity; actors who are true to the character and themselves”.
Here are Ayanda top tips for aspiring MTV Shuga Down South 3 actors to nail that audition:
1. Read and understand the brief carefully.
Follow the specific directions of the brief. Every casting office has a different way they’d like to have self-tapes uploaded, so be sure to double-check any notes.
•Did they ask for specific framings, like a full-body shot or just from the shoulders up?
Did they ask for you to upload the videos in a specific format?
NB: Read the directions thoroughly.
2. Equipment you need to shoot a self-tape
If casting directors click on your tape, and the sound is too low or they can’t see you well, they might just as likely click on the tape of the next actor. To produce a self-tape of “quality”, your basic equipment should include the following:
• A cell phone (or a DSLR)
• A tripod
• A ring light (or basic lighting)
NB: Video must be shot in Landscape, from the waist up, not portrait. (Unless requested differently) Background noise must be kept to a minimum. Only the actor auditioning should be in the shot.
3. Get off-book before recording
Memorize your sides before taping, it is imperative that you give a performance and not a “read” on video. If you have multiple characters in your scene, place them on opposite sides of the camera. Keep you’re eye-lined level as close to the camera as possible and don’t find ideas on the floor (do not look down). That first impression is all you get!
NB: Be prepared and immerse yourself in the material so you can give the best performance.
4. Pick a good reader
When picking a partner, make sure it’s someone with good diction and ask them to stand on either side of the camera, do everything in your power not to focus on yourself, but instead on your scene partner. Have a good connection with your scene partner:
• having a clear objective and focusing on your scene partner will massively lift the quality of your tapes.
• is your partner affecting you?
• is your partner changing you with their words?
NB: Working with great actors is the biggest acting hack in the game.
5. Have clear intentions!
The performance is all in the choices that you make, be intentional. If you’ve received the audition, it’s because they already like you and think you fit the role. What matters is what separates you from the other actors and what you do with the script. When shooting your self-tape, show a little of your personality to the person who will be watching. Then, give it your all.
NB: Remember, you are both the actor and the director, having a“short film” shooting approach will help you tell the story.
6. Character
Know the character. Read the entire script beforehand to pick up as many clues as possible. We know about a character by the following:
• What they say about themselves
• What other characters say about them
• What the playwright or screenwriter says about them
A bonus would be to submit your self-tape before the deadline, set to be Tuesday, 15 November 2022. The earlier you submit the better your opportunities are! Remember to give yourself time before the deadline to upload the video, especially for file-sharing links (e.g. WeTransfer links). A good headshot goes a long way and selfies are not recommended. Don’t forget to check out the online audition site www.mtvshuga.com and @MTVShugaDownSouth social media pages and follow the hashtag #MTVSHUGADOWNSOUTH. Good luck and bring your heart to that performance!
