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Johannesburg – Hendrik Cronje, famous for his role as Lukas Mulder on 7de Laan, has become the first South African to be awarded a full scholarship to the New York Film Academy.
Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino, Robert Downey jr, Val Kilmer and Pierce Brosnan also attended the academy, as well as kykNET presenter Tammy-Ann Fortuin.
It is the first time that the New York Film Academy has visited South Africa in order to award an unlimited number of scholarships to the value of up to $10 000 (R86 000). The academy offers courses in film editing, acting, cinematography and producing as well as game design and 3D animation. A scholarship holder is able to choose which course he or she would like to follow.
"This is the best news that I could get, it's unbelievable," a dazed Cronje said when the director of Just You Model & Artist and the academy's South African agent Elsubie de Lange gave him the news.
Cronje plans to use his $10 000 scholarship to improve his acting skills.
Broaden horizons
"It was pure luck that I landed the role in 7de Laan. I always wanted to study drama, but I was slightly embarrassed about it," he says.
"I completed a communications degree in Bloemfontein, but secretly did a short drama course in Johannesburg that didn't teach me much. At an open audition for 7de Laan I unexpectedly got the job – and while I've been acting for four years now, I am still very inexperienced.
"I want to broaden my horizons. One day I want to return and make films here."
Cronje was one of a large group of hopefuls that went for the open auditions at the Pop Art Theatre in Johannesburg.
Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino, Robert Downey jr, Val Kilmer and Pierce Brosnan also attended the academy, as well as kykNET presenter Tammy-Ann Fortuin.
It is the first time that the New York Film Academy has visited South Africa in order to award an unlimited number of scholarships to the value of up to $10 000 (R86 000). The academy offers courses in film editing, acting, cinematography and producing as well as game design and 3D animation. A scholarship holder is able to choose which course he or she would like to follow.
"This is the best news that I could get, it's unbelievable," a dazed Cronje said when the director of Just You Model & Artist and the academy's South African agent Elsubie de Lange gave him the news.
Cronje plans to use his $10 000 scholarship to improve his acting skills.
Broaden horizons
"It was pure luck that I landed the role in 7de Laan. I always wanted to study drama, but I was slightly embarrassed about it," he says.
"I completed a communications degree in Bloemfontein, but secretly did a short drama course in Johannesburg that didn't teach me much. At an open audition for 7de Laan I unexpectedly got the job – and while I've been acting for four years now, I am still very inexperienced.
"I want to broaden my horizons. One day I want to return and make films here."
Cronje was one of a large group of hopefuls that went for the open auditions at the Pop Art Theatre in Johannesburg.
