Tanja Franzsen’s star keeps rising.
The Pretoria east actress, singer and voice-over artist will be performing in front of industry giants later this year after she was invited to perform at the prestigious New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.
Speaking to Rekord, Franszen said: “It gave me a solid platform for my career [and challenges you] to see how my talent can measure up to the international level.”
Franszen said she had previously performed at the academy.
Here is a video of Franszen international performances:
After being scouted by international talent scout, Kim Myers at an event at Silver Star Casino in October last year, Franszen’s career took the right turn, literally she said.
“I performed at the International Applause Rising Talent Showcase in Florida in July where I won an award in the improvisation category, and was later offered a scholarship to attend the prestigious New York Film Academy.”
Locally, Franszen has appeared in Afrikaans TV soapie, Binnelanders, and in various South African stage productions.
“I regularly perform in and around Pretoria as a singer and musician,” said Franszen.
Franszen has arranged vocal pieces for ATKV Universiteite serenade (sêr) since 2010 and also sang in the choir.
She has done voice-over work in national and pan African radio adverts.
Franszen said it was important for locals to know that they can chase their international dreams.
“It is very much possible for performers in South Africa and specifically for those from Pretoria East to showcase their talents on an international scale,” she said proudly.
Franszen said she was encouraging young people who dream of international success and stardom never to think it was impossible.
But like most talented people, Franszen’s star did not just shine bright, it took some polishing, and some doubts too.
“Performing has been an integral part of my life since I was born, said Franszen who admitted she never thought she would take up a career in the arts while still young.
“I always did school productions but never considered acting and performing as a career until I finished school.”
Until she got the opportunity to study contemporary dance at The School of Creative Arts in Sydney, Australia, that is.
“Whilst studying I got the opportunity to be part of many productions on many levels from production to performance and fell in love with the craft,” she explained.
Since her return to South Africa, Franszen has become involved in the performance industry from singing in the backing group in an episode of Idols in 2014 to writing and arranging for University Residences competition and doing countless radio and adverts.
“My love for film and TV came when I got cast in Binnelanders last September,” she said of the role she got shortly after completing the acting for film workshop with Jacques Bessenger and Lelia Etsebeth.
Franszen is now interested in learning about film-making.
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