It's happened before and now it's happening again. Open auditions for MTV's Shuga: Down South, which has been renewed for Season 3.
There have been seven seasons in the series so far, with two of them set in South Africa previously. The new season will be set in Mzansi once again and the search is on for actors for starring and supporting roles.
In case you aren't familiar with it... each season aims to empower young adults by dealing with issues of sexuality, HIV awareness and prevention, and gender inequality.
The series interweaves the stories of original and newly introduced characters in the various episodes so some characters return in different seasons.
You'll find everything you need to know about the series here:
TVSA Shuga Show Page
Before we give you the lowdown on how to audition, let's name drop for a bit.
Kenyan movie star Lupita Nyong'o headlined the first season before going on to win an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave.
Thuso Mbedu starred in both seasons of Down South, in 2017 and 2019, and so did Samke Makhoba, who landed her starring role as Khensani in the show's 2017 open auditions.
She went on to starring roles in two seasons of SABC1's Rented Family and 1Magic's medical drama series Wounds.
Malibongwe Mdwaba was cast in the second season of Down South after applying through the 2019 auditions and went to roles in Isono and Justice Served on Netflix.
And now it's time for You
If you'd like to audition, you can upload a video of yourself performing a scene.
The scripts have been provided by Burnt Onion, who are replacing Quizzical Pictures as producers of the season.
You'll find the scripts on the application website, which you'll find by tapping here >>
MTV Shuga: Down South Season 3 audition applications.
Application closing date: Tuesday 15 November 2022
Audition Tips
This from the series' casting director Ayanda Sithebe on what he's looking for:
“I am looking for authenticity; actors who are true to the character and themselves”.
These are his tips to assist you with your auditions, now and in the future:
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 camera),
• 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 script 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 your eye-line level and 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
If your audition requires that you engage in dialogue with 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. If you have access to the script, 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.
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Go for it and break a leg! We hope to see you on TV.