A Stranger in the mirror by Sydney Sheldon

 

A Stranger in the Mirror by Sydney Sheldon

 

Let the Camera Roll ....Click, Click

Hi there and welcome to the Tuesday book slot again.

As promised, once a month we will be paying tribute to one of the greatest writers ever lived.

 

Getting ready.... At the presenting, acting classes at Talent Coaching Academy

Yes, I am a Sydney Sheldon’s collector and fan.

 https://mubi.com/en/cast/sidney-sheldon

 As you can read this blog or you are someone who has been following me on my social networks, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok you will know by now that the art industry has always been in my heart.

Amazon picture of Sydney Sheldon's collection

Today’s Read; A stranger in the Mirror is a work of fiction, was first published in Great Britain in 1976 by Hodder and Stoughton Ltd.

                                            practising tv presenting skills with coach Nonhle Tema, founder of TCA 

The two main characters- Toby Temple and Jill Castle early days of hustling to get into Hollywood.

Sydney Sheldon -stranger in the mirror. Picture from the internet 

 reminded me of my days when I first started hustling for screen Jobs in Egolihood.

Nelson Mandela Bay Media interviews... Now on uMhlobo Wenene FM

The day I met a dodgy acting agent, who was Zimbabwean national. I am not sure how I found him but I was really active knocking and going to audition places that somehow either someone referred me to him or he approached me after one of the auditions. 

Taking pics with  ladies outside the Camphor Cream TV auditions at the Melrose Arch

The guy was charging R850 for professional screen pics. He was also working with the Generation the Legacy crew and provided them with extras and some of his artist.

practicing for Generation the Legacy auditions

 According to his website some of the famous actors started with him so he was a real deal. So rhere I was trusting him my money, I gave him the R850 trusting he will deliver.

 

TV auditions... having fun outside another tv audition with a collegue

The only thing he ever delivered on was the  audition script  of  Generation the Legacy. I think this was aired on the show before lock down. 

The workshop held by the South African writers Guilt 

No, I didn’t get the part even though I did pitch for the audition at the SABC building in Auckland Park. But I did practise though and even roped in my coach from TCA at the time, Nonhle Tema to help me with the lines.

 

Comphor Cream TV Auditions

It was one of the most confusing scripts ever, I mean if you do watch the clip. It talks about Vutha. The Vutha I know is related to witchcraft.

Dance lessons Johannesburg CBD Mary Fitzerald square in Newtown 

 That is if someone really hates you sends a magic spell that can either burn you physically or your house/ any of your property. But in that clip, Vutha was a disease. Very confusing.

At the 10th anniversary of the Feather Awards

But anyway, I was so active. I went to Talent Coaching Academy (TCA) for presenting lessons, social media lessons etc and acting lessons in their Fourways based school. To sharpened my craft as well as go to countless of TV ad auditions.

 

At the Glamour event

I remember an audition in Alexandra Township where after I have revealed to the casting director that I left journalism and now at school doing the law and focusing on building the business. 

At the GQ event

The young director was so intimidated by my presence and embarrassed that I responded to their job advertisement that she sent me out on a story out in Alexandra Township.

in Sandton with the Adze Ugah Fillm workshop classmates

 Now the rudeness and show off came thinking I was desperate for a job as a journalist.

extras at the Ifalakhe set

 But I politely responded that, I have done my fair share of investigative journalism for Ilizwi, The Herald, Mail and Guardin’s AmaBhungane Centre and the last paper, The Sunday Times now I was really looking for something light.

A role on Ifalakhe

She kept making blunders after blunders trying so hard to prove her superiority. Which I was really not there for and at the end of all the rudeness. She told me I was going to get a call. They never did and I was ok, not sure if I was going to fit in their production.

 

Actor spaces event

Anyway, back to the book. It was hard to put down the 348 pages of the 37 chapters in two days. I could have finished the book earlier if I had lights on and Kuhle didn’t disturb or demanded attention from me.

 

Being interviewed by Naija TV on a play xenophobia directed by Adze Ugah

True to the critiques, the story of triumph of two stars who turned into tragedy. Sheldon has a way of writing about greed, lust, love, jealousy and ambition.

 

MCing sister Christine's bridal shower

The book keeps the reader turning the pages from page one till the last page. 

                                  Dr John Kani and Mr James Ngcobo had phenomenal woman at the market theatre

Through Tony’s ambition to be a star. The author does give clues to any artist that you can fall but rise up again and become a superstar.

James Ngcobo and Dr John Kani's phenonal woman

As a parents there are also some lessons that one can draw from Tony’s mother. 

At the market theatre where  Dr John Kani and Mr James Ngcobo put up a show, Phenomenal woman

That is to take an interest in what your child is doing or interested in and constantly affirm him/her. Toby’s mother married a hopeless writer whose business only succeeded once the mother took full control of it.

 

At the Saga workshop

In this book, both the male and female characters have German backgrounds. So we get a glimpse of the Germans are and their lifestyle which is not far from who we are as Africans. There are many similarities in their religious beliefs, and an African way of raising a child.