By Michelle Strydom

“It was a complete surprise. It’s not something you can predict and I never would have thought of it,” says Lee of being chosen as a member of the honorary organization. “The board of governors wrote to me and asked if I wanted to do it. It’s all a bit overwhelming.”

This was, however, not Lee’s first time being chosen for a prestigious film and television organization. “Last year, I was selected to be part of the Emmy Television Academy, and I just thought that was amazing,” she says.

The start of Lee’s journey to becoming one of the best casting directors in the country didn’t take off as one would expect, in fact, Lee didn’t even know what the job entailed. 

“At the beginning of my career, there was a British television commercial producer called Penny Fry and she asked me one day if I would cast a commercial for her husband who was a commercials director, and I asked her ‘what’s casting?’. I just didn’t know, and she told me it’s what I do all the time. So, I started doing that, and, a while later, I was asked to get involved in film. It’s been quite a journey,” says Lee.

After many years of successful castings for award-winning films such as Tsotsi, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Hotel Rwanda, Lee’s passion for giving recognition to talented local actors has never faltered. 

“It always gets me when I read articles about the amazing locations and crews, and I just want to say ‘Hello! What about the actors?’ They never mention the actors and these companies wouldn’t come here if we didn’t have actors who were good enough, because no matter how low the Rand is, you can’t bring in 40 822 actors from overseas,” she says.

While she’s picked up so many experience over the years, Lee says one can never learn or know enough. She has seen and achieved many great things working in the industry, but says that every casting and film is different.

“Even to this day, I learn from every production I do. You learn from the directors, the script, who the market is, and who the audience is. You have to take all of that into consideration. Casting and filming differs from director to director but also from country to country. When we cast for black South African films, it depends on who the film is being made for. It’s the same for British or American films.”

The acclaimed casting director, however, has managed to stay humble throughout her successful career. Her goals centre on the talent around her, and for the South African film industry to reach its full potential. 

“There were certain things I always would’ve liked to achieve. I wanted South African actors to be recognised internationally, and they are. I could never have done this if I didn’t believe our actors here were so good,” says Lee.

Her career has seen the success of many films and the rise of great South African actors, and with the new international recognition, Lee shows no signs of slowing down.

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