Jacques Bessenger on acting

Local actor Jacques Bessenger (35) outlines the career of an actor.

The Blairgowrie resident will play a lead role in the upcoming film Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling.

He has also appeared in various TV series – 7de Laan, Generations, Erfsondes, Isidingo, Binnelanders and Donkerland. According to Bessenger, in TV acting there are two paths to choose from.

You can work as a freelance actor. Or you work as a soap actor. Bessenger recommends that one should study drama after school and then first work as a freelance actor.

“Freelancing is challenging,” he says.

It includes commercials, ‘promos’, and temporary performances.

Your income is inconsistent, you have to save your money, and you will have to accept roles you may not enjoy, for extra money.

But there will be more time for leisure, and you can act in movies.

For soap acting, you will be “there at work all day, even if you are not in all the scenes.”

Long contracts will also mean that you cannot act in movies while in a soap.

But you will have financial stability.

Bessenger is not completely against soap acting, and recommends that actors try it at least once.

According to Bessenger, although acting is “pretending” and not “actually becoming”, you must be honest and sincere in your performances.

“People think acting is outside of yourself,” he says.

“But it is linked to who you are as a person. You must become the greatest version of yourself. You must be in touch with who you are and your feelings.”

He says that if your motive for acting is to become famous, that is fine.

But you must be honest about your motives.