A South-side model now making films in New York
Lethabo joined a modelling agency in the South which helped groom her confidence and introduced her in the world of fashion and she is now at the New York Film Academy.
LETHABO Mokgatle was born in Atteridgeville, a small township in the West of Pretoria, and while studying at the National School of Arts, Lethabo joined a modelling agency called Espoir Model Management here in the South.
This move helped groom her confidence and introduced her to the world of fashion – rightfully so, as she is now successfully making her mark at the New York Film Academy.
The 22-year-old was accepted into the New York Film Academy to study her Bachelors of Arts at their Universal Studios Campus in Los Angeles.
“When I received the great news, I gathered some funds towards my tuition fees and living expenses in Los Angeles. I have so far approached about 34 government organisations and funding bodies, but most have been unable to assist me. Unfortunately, due to financial problems I was unable to process any fees for my tuition. I tried applying for bursaries and sponsorship to most foundations, but was unsuccessful. The academy decided to hold my application until I have a sponsor. They awarded me two half scholarships from two departments: The first one is a talent-based scholarship, which means it is based on my short films that I have worked on for over two years; the second one is a needs-based scholarship, which means it is based on my need for financial funding,” said Lethabo.
She said that the Academy accepted her application to study at their Los Angeles campus in February 2016 after she had been looking to study there for over two years. She has now been personally congratulated by the senior director of the academy on her acceptance to their institution.
Why did you choose to study film in Los Angeles?
“Well besides being a movie fanatic, I have always wanted to visit the world’s incredible movie hub, which is ‘Hollywood’. Growing up, a kid’s dream career would be something in the corporate industry, but because I grew up in a family of dancers, my dream was to take a career in the arts. As a teenager I always saw myself as a storyteller and having my stories showcased on a big screen. I also dreamed of being ‘career shadowed’ under Hollywood’s best directors, and after discovering that the Academy invites industry professionals such as Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park) and Ben Stiller (Night at the museum) to host workshops for the students, I instantly saw this as an opportunity. It is the opportunity of a life time to experience this whilst studying.
I have always been fascinated by the arts and took on ballet dancing with Monnyth Dance House at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, in 2010. I then went and auditioned to major in Fine Arts at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, which is where I matriculated in 2013. My passion for the arts made me decide to study a new medium of creativity through motion pictures, at the AFDA Film School, in 2014. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in film production which saw me take part in over 13 student-produced films throughout my first year of study.
Fortunately, one of the student films I helped to create as an editor made its way to a screening in France at the International Cannes Short Corner Film Festival that took place in May 2015.
Unfortunately, in June 2015 I had to drop out of college due to financial problems that I was facing and was forced to stay home. I decided to take a break and raise money to go back to school this year (2017). I have been awarded a $5 000.00 half scholarship to further up my studies at the New York film academy, this September. The Academy awarded me with a second scholarship based on my talent audition profile which amounts to $1 000.00.
What motivates you to study this course in Los Angeles?
This course will enable me to learn the fundamentals of film making and I will gain skills and knowledge of film making on international level. Through this international and cultural exposure I will be able to bring back what I have learned to South Africa. I believe that I will be able to introduce a new medium of film craft in South Africa which will help those who want to learn more about the film and television industry. I would like to return to South Africa and provide ‘career shadowing’ opportunities for those wanting to study in this field.
I will cater for the next generation of innovative film makers in our country.
Visit: https://thundafund.com/project/help-lethabo
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