Sdumo Mtshali relishes the big apple
By Martin Chemhere, in Johannesburg – New York Film Academy agitation has clasped inaugural Class Act winner Sdumo Mtshali, and the exceedingly capable actor is delighting in the looming big time and the Big Apple.
By August this year he will be attending classes, interacting with the world’s finest film prospects at the eminent US institution.
Sdumo Mtshali
Exposing his fervent feelings recently, he thought: “I feel awesome, awesome, and awesome! I get to go to a school that’s regarded as one of the best in the world in the field that I love. And it’s an honour.”
For 8 weeks in the US, his mark would be “to collect as much knowledge as I can.” And he anticipates the coveted Class Act crown would convert to success during and post NYFA. “It better be, it’s all up to me and of cause I can do everything alone.”
Presenting his modesty at the prospect of being compared with home talent that have passed through the world’s best film programme, he said, “I don’t worry about things like that, at the end of the day you can only do what you can and be honest about it.”
Reflecting on the television series that exposed him, he hailed its emergence, saying: “You know one thing this show did besides finding a leading man, is that it’s bringing people to the cinemas and support to south African movies. Hope the government takes a look… and I think about that all the time.”
While he has confirmed class in his acting, he bared his love for directing and is already resolved to practice both roles. “I will pursue directing and acting. The director has the eye and the vision of film and the actor has to forefeel that work hand in hand.”
Among his future plans are to target schools, talking to kids, thanking them for voting and watching Amstel’s Class Act and about the worth of supporting and creating our home grown films.
The 27 year old hot actor admires the works of Vusi Kunene, and he says of the hugely talented actor,“…it’s in the way he loves to get better at his craft… and we had long chat during my last shoot for Class Act.”
This takes him to the standard of acting in South Africa, which has impressed him. “We have a lot of good actors in South Africa, under MLA of cause and I wish that every actor in South Africa has what we had with Class Act, getting critiqued for everything that you do. In that your acting craft grows.”
Among some of his concerns in the South African film industry are the need for good script writers, lack of support and preparedness in productions.
Represented by top acting agency Moonyeenn Lee South Africa, Sdumo has since been hectic as he is also set to star in a South African new movie titled Ghetto Dangerous and reported to be released later this year. He described his sentiment at the prospects: “It’s nerve wrecking!…I cant wait!…”
Prior to being exposed by Class Act, he worked in theatre in schools – teaching kids climate change, performing in two plays titled ‘Man Up A Tree’ and ‘Impisi’.
He imagines one day making a US$14 million film assimilating comedy, drama, action, thriller and suspense, an “all in one taking place some where in South Africa.”
