PALI alumna Millie Dintoe recently started screening on the popular kykNET soap Binnelanders. We checked in with Millie to find out more about her journey, mindset and motivation.
When and why did you decide you want to become an actress?
I grew up watching 7de Laan and after each episode I'd go to my room and re-enact some of the scenes. I used to pretend to be Dezi (Elma Postma) or Paula (Diaan Lawrenson). At the time I didn’t know exactly why I liked doing it, but I knew it was a bit weird. I could always hear my mom saying "Die kind praat al weer met haarself". My second grade teacher approached me and asked if I'd like to do a poem for Eisteddfod. I didn't know what it was at the time but I was super keen. On the day of my performance, standing on the stage with so many people in the room watching me perform - I knew that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I started going to drama classes and performing in theatre plays. I love telling stories, exploring people's behaviour and getting a better understanding of their circumstances.
You are currently playing Nurse Naledi Modise in Binnelanders. Tell us a bit more about the journey up to this point.
It has truly been a roller-coaster ride! Just after completing my course at PALI in 2019, we got hit with the COVID-19 pandemic. The entertainment industry was put on hold for a while during lockdown, it was both a blessing and a curse!
I knew I had to create my own work to stay in the industry and decided to re-write "Prins Pong", my own educational theatre production, which I wrote and directed in my second year at PALI. You can't sit at home and wait for work, you have to create your own too! In the same year I received a call from Lara Lourens asking me to play the role of Nina Bruinders in the kykNET storiefilm Bibliofiel, I was ecstatic! Thereafter I landed a role in Diepe Waters, Liewe Dudu and now... Binnelanders! It still hasn't sunk in.
What is your favourite memory of your time at PALI? Is there a production that was particularly memorable?
I have so many amazing memories! Meeting the late Shareen Swart at the PALI open day… I will always be thankful to her for accepting me to study at PALI! My favourite student production has to be the short film Melanin, there were many locations that we filmed at and some were night shoots and the weather wasn't always on our side. It was daunting, but learned so much! I have worked with the most amazing friends who are now my colleagues in the industry and I am extremely proud of them.
What is the most important skill you need as an actress?
The work doesn't stop by just reading the script and learning your lines! Analyse your scripts, analyse your characters. We work with real stories, real people and situations. We have to do these characters justice. Delve deeper than what is expected of you and your character. Have at least three to five different variations to show the director so that you don't get overwhelmed and you can hit the emotions when asked to "do something different". This will give you the ability to smoothly transition between your lines or emotions.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
I know this sounds cliché, but you have to be kind to everyone on set - and most importantly to yourself! Treat everyone with respect. When having breakfast or lunch, go and sit with the DOP or Gaffer and have a conversation, it might spark an interest for you to do some work behind the scenes as well.
Grow a thick skin, don't take criticism personally.
When it comes to auditions, do every single one of them - no matter how small the part is. Don't compare yourself to your peers, everyone's journey is completely different.
Get used to creating your own work, don't wait for a phone call for your next big break!
Lastly, always have fun!
Catch Millie on Binnelanders, weekdays at 19h30 on kykNET.
