Watch: Director Mandla N’s inspiring masterclass

Mandla N is one of the most accomplished filmmakers in South Africa. His directing, writing and producing credits include the multiple SAFTA winner Diep City, the acclaimed movie Loving Thokoza and hit series Lockdown.

As part of the Actor Spaces x Showmax masterclass series on YouTube, he shares his secrets.

“We are mining the truth – believability is everything”

Mandla N

The art of directing is about bringing real life to the screen. Telling stories about the world and our people through the eyes of a camera. To be a director, it is your job to create, instruct and guide the stories that will be told as accurately and as authentically as possible. Here are some tools and tips for the art of directing.

1. Know Your Audience
2. Working with Actors
3. Decode The Script
4. Remember The Goal
5. Don’t Limit Yourself
6. Keep Learning! Keep Believing!

Keep doing! Shoot every day. Whether it is your phone or a film camera, go out and shoot. It is important to keep your director’s muscles moving and working.

Also watch the masterclasses with The Wife’s Bonko Khoza on Character Development and actor and casting director Ayanda Sithebe on The Art of the Audition.