My Acting Debut: How To Get On Netflix

according to the Cambridge Dictionary; Fame is the state of being known, recognized, or talked about by many people because of your achievements, skill, etc.

I'm famous now, Lmao! ask around. I will take you through my experience of debuting my rookie skills as an actor. Added to this are practical tips on how to get on Netflix as a character for one of their shows.

"Where I am in my life journey is high key flex worthy. Actually! Let me make a toast, here's to being doubtful, anxious, scared, and confused buuh still moving forward." - Molefi

Tip #1 - Ambition Is Priceless

My aspiration to build a personal brand started shortly after I secured my first corporate job. This was around 2017 when I decided to consult an expert (I was in deep conversation with myself, to myself about myself) and it hit me. I cannot depend solely on my salary, going from broke to poor is guaranteed. I'd like to believe that we all devise elaborate schemes to get rich. For me, it was every day when I was seated in my cubicle.

How am I going to get rich? Then my mind would start presenting options because you have to filter all the ideas and narrow down on the most viable. I figured that if I could start with branding myself, my moves would dictate value. I did not know how I would start buuh I knew where I wanted to be in the future.

Fast forward to 2021, I registered online to be part of a dating show titled Too Hot 2 Be Single that airs on SABC 1 (South African Broadcasting Corporation on Chanel 1). I will get into the details of the events that transpired during this period at a later stage. I feel that this story deserves its own piece. Long story short, I got a call from Urban Brew Studios to pull through and audition for the show.

I killed it BaayBee! They loved my vibe so much that they chose me to be the Hot Single. When I got the call, about 3 days later, that I would be the bachelor for one of the episodes on the show... [Gets up from the chair, and walks outside to scream - WOOOOOOOOOOOH!] Mind you I am a virgin in the entertainment industry.

Nevermind the background work I've done for local shows like Generations -The Legacy, Diep City, The River, and Uzalo. I would've been cool with just being one of the contestants. THIS WAS IT FOR ME!!!

Tip #2 - You Need Representation

One of my followers on Twitter/X is the reason I even registered to audition for the show. I owe you everything for randomly asking me to participate in what, at the time, seemed like was reaching. She said that after I submit my application for the show, I should contact someone called Mandisa and let her know that I have made the submission.

I had no idea that she would become my Manager. Mandisa was in close proximity to the production team due to her experience in casting. She dealt with it all pertaining to me as "the talent" for the purpose of fame. I knew nothing other than +50million people will be tuned in to watch me lead an episode for 60min.

I did say that I would elaborate further some other time. I had to make you aware of where and how I started. Still waiting for SABC to resume airing the remaining episodes of Season 2 [deep sigh] so that I can see myself too. This is the longest production break ever.

So I have a manager... I don't know how to behave, what to expect, just a clueless rookie trying to make a name for himself. It was on the 1st of September 2022 when my manager informed me of a project that she'll be working on. After a brief conversation, she sends me a script! [initial confusion]. This is novel in all ways for me. She then says "Please send me a self-tape asap!" [further confusion]. I froze for a good minute trying to gather myself. I reply like "Cool cool, you'll get it in the afternoon" [cues Eminem - Lose Yourself]

[Verse 1]

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy

There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti

He's nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready

To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting

What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud

He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out

He's chokin', how? Everybody's jokin' now

The clock's run out, time's up, over, blaow

Snap back to reality, ope, there goes gravity

Ope, there goes Rabbit, he choked, he's so mad

But he won't give up that easy, no, he won't have it

He knows his whole back's to these ropes, it don't matter

He's dope, he knows that, but he's broke, he's so stagnant

He knows when he goes back to this mobile home, that's when it's

Back to the lab again, yo, this old rhapsody

Better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him.

Tip #3 - Find Out

Bruuuh I teleported myself to YouTube and searched "How to do a self-tape". I got bombarded with +30 videos on the topic and I went through all of them, 1 by 1, and couldn't leave room to miss anything vital. As I'm watching, I realize a common theme. The format of self-tapes seldom changes.

Mind you! My manager is waiting on me to deliver so that she can submit my audition tape to the production team with the intent to vouch for me of cause. BRUUUH!!! [elevated pulse] I'm paniking... Sometime passes, feeling a little calm and ready for my 1st take.

FYI, I'm at the family house. Lil Bro is in the lounge with his friends doing homework. Lil Sis is playing R&B/Soul music in her room, right next to mine. Mom is cooking supper and Dad just arrived playing oldies in the car, door wide open. He usuallly sits about 3min listening to his music before he gets out the car.

I'm rearranging my room, bed is diagonally facing the door, posters and sticky notes falling off the wall. I even started sweeping the room because the nerves had me good. I open up the curtains to let in that natural light. 15 minutes of YT videos, and I know all about natural light.

I set up my tripod, do a proper mic check 1-2-1-2, and position myself correctly. Standing still, I look at my nervously confused a** on my phone screen. Then it hits me "Script Bruuuh" ooh shiii. I get out my laptop, open the script and zoom it up so I can browse through it as I record my audition tape.

1st Take: Why am I out of breath?

2nd Take: I forgot the line as I was reading.

3rd Take: It did not record!

4th Take: No audio!

Ao Bathong Ba Molimo! (Sesotho - People of God). I think it'll be a good idea to step out of the room and let everyone know that I'm trying to record an audition tape. I do so, they settle down. Thank you Fam! [Gets back inside] I sit on the edge of my bed and give myself a little pep talk, I get hyped up and lock in.

5th - 10th Take: Amazing!

I was so impressed with myself. Now, I need to go through all those 5 takes with a fine-toothed comb. I'm such a perfectionist, and it's my best and worst trait. I am self-critical to the core, almost deleted the recording that made it possible. I gather myself, choose the best recording, and send it through to my Manager. She says nothing for a good minute and then replies with "Thanks, I'll check it out". That's when the voices in my head started: "You forgot the lines, Your expressions were flat, Your internal dialogue was fast, Your voice lacks projection".

I convinced myself that my audition tape was wack, and the production team tossed it aside and my Manager is formulating some kind of a polite approach to let me down easy. On the 3rd day after submitting my audition tape, my Manager says "relax! the team is analysing each tape, yours is good".

I think, "If they don't pick me, I'll take it as an opportunity to improve". Roughly 2 weeks have passed, and I'm eagerly waiting to hear what's good. On the 13th of September 2022 at 13:17 on a random Tuesday...

Mpho Sebeng DOB 1 Dec 1993 DOD 5 May 2024

In loving memory of Mpho Sebeng

"He made me feel comfortable around other cast members".

Ebenhaeser Dibakwane DOB 24 Jan 1994 DOD 07 Mar 2025

In loving memory of Ebenhaeser Dibakwane

"He prepared me for my 1st scene".

To be continued...

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