“Top Actor” is a new reality television show broadcast weekly on BET (DSTV Premium, channel 129), every Thursday at 19:55 CAT.
The show, hosted by South African film and television star Zikhona Sodlaka ( Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Generations) is putting a dramatic new spin on the reality genre as it aims to find the hottest new actor in SA.
BET handpicked twelve of the best up and coming actors in the country to battle it out on camera in front of big industry names from Hollywood and South Africa. The ultimate prize, aside from the title, “Top Actor SA” is a career-launching prize package that includes R100 000, international management representation and a professional role in an upcoming South Africa television/ movie production.
The contestants include various graduates as well as actors with no formal training who all aspire to be leading actors.
Each week, the contestants will compete against each other in gruelling acting challenges, while living with the constant threat of elimination. Along the way they will be helped and ultimately judged by some of the biggest industry names hailing from South Africa and Hollywood.
In a recent episode in April, veteran Hollywood casting director Kim Hardin (Friday, Think Like a Man 2, 2 Fast 2 furious etc) educated the contestants on what it takes to be a working actor in this cut-throat business and ultimately judged their performances.
Research according to a 2013 study conducted by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) (www.nfvf.co.za) has indicated that the film industry is growing steadily in South Africa. The study shows that the film industry rakes in R3.5 billion annually into the South African economy. Shows such as Top Actor contribute towards identifying and nurturing raw talent.