Isidingo warns of recruitment hoax
'Isidingo' and its production company Endemol have warned hopeful South African actresses to not trust romanticised messages about acting opportunities randomly sent to their phones.
File picture: South African actor from local SABC3 soapie, Isidingo, Darlington Michaels known as the corrector of “Papa G”, 19 March 2013, during an interview with The Citizen Newspaper at Phefeni recreational center in Soweto, Johannesburg. Picture: Ayi Leshabane
Channel24 reports that the production house caught wind of a bogus message being sent via BlackBerry Messenger, and urged women to be wary of requests for nude photos as part of an ‘audition’ for a possible opportunity to land a role in the soap opera.
The message reads: “Want to be an actor in Isidingo!!! Females 14 to 21 year old White Indian or Colored required for leading role in the series. Ping me if interested!”
Clarifying the correct and professional channels to go through in order to land an audition for a TV show, Endemol South Africa says: “When a character is developed for the soap and an actor for that part is needed; there is an audition process that takes place. We work with reputable agencies with standard processes that are followed.”
Echoing this sentiment, ‘Isidingo’ casting coordinator Khanyisa Jali said: “We only deal with reputable casting agencies that have been in the industry for years, we never deal with individuals.
“We would like to advise people; especially young girls; to take note and be cautious when responding to casting advertisements. Isidingo is a family show and will never ask individuals for nude pictures. We advise you to please contact reputable casting agencies in future.”
– TEAMtalk Media
