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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay actress Courtney Williams really went the extra mile during filming for an action movie on the weekend of 24 September.
She accidentally broke an actor's tooth and in turn she had a nosebleed.
"We were in a fight and we were trying to make it look real," Courtney (19) says. She plays the lead role of tough cookie Jennifer in the movie, My father, my responsibility.
The shooting took place in George and the next batch of filming will be in Cape Town.
Courtney prepared for her part with the help of voice coach Pauline O'Kelly.
Pauline is a professionally trained actress with a stage and television career behind her, but later in life she discovered her passion, voice coaching. This was after she underwent three years of professional voice coaching herself.
Pauline O'Kelly, Courtney Williams, Frieda van der Walt of Gemini Model and Talent Agency and Desireé Williams enjoying coffee together. Photo: Linda Sparg
Worked hard
Courtney, who is signed with Gemini Model and Talent Agency in Mossel Bay, worked hard and studied her lines so she knew them perfectly.
This is her first movie. She has been in stage productions previously.
In a Mossel Bay Advertiser interview with Pauline and Courtney, Pauline noted: "One needs to respect one's craft." She stressed that actors should take their work seriously. "Every morning I went on set, I felt a bit nervous. One needs adrenaline, but don't turn it into an anxiety attack."
Courtney's filming took place from 07:00 until 21:00 each day, so she was tired and her body ached afterwards.
Besides knowing one's own lines, it was important to know other actors' lines and be mindful of one's body language while other actors were speaking, Pauline had told Courtney.
More advice which Pauline gave Courtney included: "Have manners on the set. Be respectful and throw your ego out of the window.
"You are not more important than anyone else. Follow the lead of the director, not other actors."
Courtney Williams photographed during filming.
Laughter
Pauline, who says she coaches using laughter, with much fun in her lessons, advised: "Create colour in your voice. Enthusiasm is key."
Desireé, Courtney's mom, said her daughter's passion for drama was inherited from her. Desireé says: "I belonged to a drama club and loved poetry, drama and language." She coached Courtney when she had to give English orals.
Courtney also models and was crowned Miss Eden SA this year.
Pauline O'Kelly and Courtney Williams. Photo: Linda Sparg
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