INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (LESALA MAMPA)

I was chatting with my friend Shiraz Reddy- a publicist and host in Cape Town, South Africa about coming to SA to model. I felt as though I also would need to take a break in his gorgeous country while exploring my roots. I had tons of questions about modeling and the entertainment industry there, so he suggested I chat with a model he has worked with, Mr. Lesala Mampa. After Instagram stalking this gorgeous and statuesque model I asked if he would be willing to share his experience as a model in SA as well as his advice to any aspiring models in general.

“... being a model really pushes you out of your comfort zone. From taking a powerful shot with live lions to becoming a completely new character for a TV commercial...”

R|A: First I must thank you Lesala for agreeing to be a guest on my entertainment blog. I have always enjoyed the art of entertainment in all its forms. To start- how old are you and for how long have you been modeling?

L|M: Thank you for featuring me, a true pleasure. I am 29 years old and this will be my 7th year of modeling professionally.

R|A: What are 3 things you love about modeling and 3 things you hate about modeling?

L|M: 3 things I love:

1. The creative process– coming up with incredible concepts/story boards, the set designs, the amazing locations; the art.
2. The cast and crew – I have had the pleasure of working with incredibly talented people; photographers/videographers, designers, stylists and makeup artists, all with fierce imaginations and passion for their work.
3. Growth– being a model really pushes you out of your comfort zone. From taking a powerful shot with live lions to becoming a completely new character for a TV commercial, it always requires more from you. In order to be convincing, for the shot to have depth and dynamism, you really need to embrace each character entirely and by doing so you discover a whole new layer to your personality and skill set.

3 things I dislike (I try not to hate lol):

1. Fake- The superficiality and pretentiousness of the industry.
2. Struggling artist- The instability and at times bipolar market.
3. Mental growth- How the industry can make models feel extremely insecure about themselves. The way you look, walk, talk, carry yourself, from the way your hair curls to how your foot lands on the floor, all of it is judged the instant you walk into any casting. If you’re not comfortable in your own skin, have not made peace with who you are and love your crazy quirky and at times awkward self, it can be very discouraging and damaging to the developing soul.

R|A: It’s important to have a supportive foundation in an industry that can be very disappointing, who would you say supports you most and in what way?

L|M: I would have to say my friends and family. It can be a very emotionally draining and disheartening industry at times and having some encouragement and loving support from time to time really helps. I don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to give up and just follow a stable career in Physiotherapy (what I studied and ended up lecturing at the University of Cape Town) but every time I make that decision, I get a message from a friend praising a new shoot I featured in or a random passer by stops me and compliments my look and suggests I model. Words are powerful in more ways than we can fathom, and if spoken in kindness and love can truly move mountains.

“Words are powerful in more ways than we can fathom, and if spoken in kindness and love can truly move mountains.”

R|A: Who are some of your favorite models in the industry today?

L|M: I really like connecting with people I work with, and I’ve always been inspired by models around me in the industry who have done incredible work locally and internationally but have remained humble and true to themselves. Elodie Venece, Happy Umurerwa, Warwick Denman, Thane Williams and Jimi Ogunlaja, to name a few, have always kept me inspired and pushing harder.

R|A: Do you feel the modeling industry in South Africa is racially biased as it is in say Europe and America?

L|M: For the most part there is a balance as can be seen on TV commercials and print. A lot of the black international models I’ve worked with have said they find they work more in South Africa. But it all comes down to your look. South Africa has a very strong commercial market as such if you have very editorial or high fashion features it will be difficult to break it into the market here. It’s all about networking and marketing yourself well.

R|A: What’s something you just can't live without?

L|M: Music– soothes the soul and centers me. And tea– a liquid hug.

R|A: How do you train to be a model? Did you take any runway classes or study posing?

L|M: I did drama club and music in school which really assisted in gaining confidence when performing to a crowd. When I started out modeling I was lucky enough to be sent to a casting and ramp walking class where I was taught the basics. It’s a learning process. Each shoot, each job is a chance to push boundaries and better your skill. You just need to be open to learning.

R|A: I’ve learned some great techniques from photographers I’ve worked with. What is a good modeling tip you can share?

L|M: Modeling is just not striking a pose, it is acting. You have but a moment to show the exact emotion, mood, dynamic and power the designer and/or photographer has in mind. So keep good open communication with the designer, photographer and/or director in order to be on the same page. Find out what they want and need from you. Get into character and become the James Bond, warrior, rap artist, hero, athlete, boy or girl next door they need you to be.
 

“Modeling is just not striking a pose, it is acting”

R|A: What agency are you signed with and can you tell readers when you signed, what the feeling was like, and the steps following?

L|M: I’m currently with Fusion Model Management in Cape Town. It’s always exciting when signing up to a new agency as again it’s an opportunity to grow and excel and better your career. Most agencies have an online form you fill where you can submit your pictures and details. I suggest that you apply to three or more agencies you have an interest in and once you’ve met up with all of them, choose the agency you had the best connection with, the one which was most excited for your look and most aligned with your goals.

“Most importantly remember that as soon as you become a model you become a brand, so network and get your face out there as much as you can. ”

R|A: Finally- what advice would you give readers who are aspiring models?

L|M: Do not model for the glitz and glamour, that kind of goal is short lived and not sustainable. Instead become a model for the love of creating art and acting. Allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself into the infinitely fascinating world of creativity and performance. Most importantly remember that as soon as you become a model you become a brand, so network and get your face out there as much as you can. The agency can only do so much; the rest is up to you.

INDUSTRY TALK: Q&A (SHAMIEL HAGEE)

I met Shamiel Hagee through social media as the norm today and I must say I'm pleased by his work. Shamiel is signed with Cover Model Management in Cape Town South Africa. He does a lot of commercial and print modeling which I'm not mad at. Any model in the industry will tell you that commercial and print pays more than the coveted runway. So readers scroll below and let's chat with Shamiel about being a model overseas in beautiful Cape Town.

R|A: Shamiel how were you first introduced to modeling? Was that your first introduction to the arts?

S|H: Well I come from a family that does modeling actively, one of my cousins being Miss South Africa, my mom and her sisters used to do beauty pageants and model as well. My cousins and even my niece are doing it now Haha, so my introduction was at a young age and then obviously watching FTV when getting home from school, I would always fantasizing about being a model on the runways of Paris, but thought it was mostly a job meant for females, when I grew up and got scouted I was quite chuffed and sort of just fell into it as well :)

 

R|A: How many years have you been modeling?

S|H: I've been in the industry for about 8 years, but I was always been doing it on a part time basis. It was only a few years ago that I decided I wanted to apply myself and do it full time, and put more focus on something I actually enjoyed. You automatically excel in your craft when you are passionate about it. I took time off to give modeling my focus and been doing well ever since.
 

R|A: Being a black/colored model in America is sometimes difficult because most of our campaigns feature European or ethnically ambiguous models. Being that Cape Town is so diverse and you yourself are bi/multi-racial would you say that's an issue in South Africa as well?

S|H: Definitely, I think our industry is based on the blond hair/blue eyes- and that's seen as perfection. The one thing I don't understand about the Cape Town Culture is that they base their market on the European market. For fashion week you need to be the minimum height of 184cm where as the average South African's height is 164cm, America's runways are based on a height of 180cm. South Africa's criteria doesn't make sense as we are very westernized, otherwise we have our seasons where it will be race dependent in some sense, summer will be more blond hair blue eyes and the rest of the year more of the rest of everyone else LOL.
 

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE NEXT FRAME

R|A: What are your goals with modeling, will you transition into acting, or are there any other forms of art you love?

S|H: I think you read my mind :) . I'm planning on doing acting this year, I'm looking at various places where I can study my new adventure, add more crafts to my basket :) and I'm planning on releasing a clothing line. It will be based on a fused men's and women's range, I'll send you some pictures so you can get an idea otherwise you free to check Instagram: @shamielsham I'll be updating as I go along starting in the next few weeks.
 

R|A: How important would you say self-esteem is to be a model? Like do you ever have self conscious thoughts? If so how do you get over that?

“Confidence is key to being a great model, you can be shy in real life, but once you get in front of the camera you need to tap into your confidence factor and feed off all that energy and own it.”

S|H: Confidence is key to being a great model, you can be shy in real life, but once you get in front of the camera you need to tap into your confidence factor and feed off all that energy and own it. It's really easy to fall into the trap of self conscious thoughts. But you just need to remind yourself why you're there, and that you are an individual, and you can't compare yourself to anyone else. Remember that you are requested to be there there's a reason they asked for you and just own up to your own expectations. Sell yourself not the person next to you. You will get rejected a lot- just know it's not because of who you are or your looks it's because you are not the person that fits the role they want or envision. 

 

R|A: I know you do more commercial and print modeling but you have the height to do runway. Have you done any runway, shows and if so which one was most memorable?

S|H:  I have actually done quite a few runway shows, it's not my ultimate favorite but it's very enjoyable, most memorable has to be Cape Town Fashion Week and The Fedisa Fashion Show for Markhams and the CPUT shows are also really good. But the rush of Fashion Week is always memorable. 
 

R|A: I always ask what the best piece of advice an artist has gotten upon entering the industry, what advice did you receive that you would say has helped you for the better?

“...it doesn’t matter where you come from its more about how much you are willing to work for what you want.”

S|H: Be patient it will come- once you start out, and you're not getting it straight away you start doubting yourself and start giving up hope, if I just gave up I wouldn't be where I am now.

R|A: What do you want your legacy to be? At the end of it all what do you want people to remember most about Shamiel Hagee?

S|H: The fact that I took nothing and turned  it into something. I grew up with a single parent, and she did the best she could and wasn't always able to provide me with everything, but she made sure I got my education and was surrounded by family and love. So the fact that I can show someone else that it doesn't matter where you come from its more about how much you are willing to work for what you want. I want that to inspire other people like me. 
 

R|A: If you could sit in a room with anyone in the world to talk (dead or alive) who would it be & what would you ask them?

S|H: Grace Coddington, I'd like to ask her what inspires her? I think she has a wonderful mind, she thinks outside of the box and I love how she made her passion her ambition. She always thinks outside of the box and pushes boundaries.
 

R|A: When we spoke before you mentioned how the industry has helped you grow and taught you so much. What top four lessons have you learned from the industry?

S|H: 1) Patience (I used to be a really impatient guy I couldn't even wait for a song to end on time).

 2) Self-Love and Appreciation (You lose focus on yourself as you become so caught up caring about other people you forget about yourself). 

3) Confidence (Thinking back how shy I used to be, it was bad).

4) Focus! I used to believe I have self diagnosed ADD haha, but this industry has taught me to remain focused and reach my goals and work hard. So stay focused!