Pursuing an acting career in Hollywood usually follows the ‘script’ of getting representation, auditioning and booking the role. But for Angelique Pretorius, the expansion from South African screen staple to Los Angeles-based filmmaker has been a complex, beautiful rewrite.
In a wide-ranging conversation with Spling, Angelique opens up about the “culture shock” of Hollywood, the technical wizardry of American sitcoms, and why an astrologer might just be the best career counsellor she’s ever had.
Lost in Translation: The LA Culture Shock
Moving to Los Angeles isn’t just about a change of dialing code; it’s about changing your entire internal library of references. Despite growing up on a diet of American media, Angelique found that the “connective tissue” of shared history was missing – at least in the beginning.
“I realized how not having a mutual background actually impacts your interaction with people on so many levels… I didn’t for example understand how the schooling culture really differs from ours… you struggle to fully understand and see each other.”
Beyond the social nuances, there was also a surprising linguistic hurdle, despite speaking the same language. In South Africa, a sympathetic “shame” is a term of endearment. In LA, it suggests that a situation is unfortunate with a more serious tone. She often found herself reaching for nostalgic South Africanisms only to be met with blank stares.
The “Verbal Business Card”
One of the most profound shifts Angelique experienced was the transition from South African modesty to the high-octane self-promotion of Hollywood. In South Africa, your work often speaks for itself; in LA, you have to be your own loudest advocate.
Spoorloos
“You have to literally be ready to offer them your elevator pitch in two sentences and not be embarrassed. In South Africa, as an actor there was never a need for that. But here, no one has the time or interest to look into what on earth you’ve done professionally.”
Acting as a “Superpower”
Angelique describes a clever tactic she used in the audition room: the “Accent Switcheroo.” She would perform the entire scene in a flawless American accent, and only after the “thank you” from the casting director that follows would she reveal her South African roots as a “party trick.”
“I would switch over to my South African. And use it like a superpower. And a great conversation starter.”
From “Action” to “Cut”: The Directing Seed
Perhaps the most “LA” moment of Angelique’s career was the catalyst for her interest in directing. It wasn’t a masterclass or a sudden epiphany on set – it was a recommendation from an unexpected source.
“An astrologer told me that I should look into directing… I had to question why I’d never given myself the opportunity or even allowed myself to dream of that option. I think in the past I just didn’t trust myself enough. But the idea of directing resonated with me very strongly.”
Spoorloos
Now, she finds herself at home in the editing suite, which she describes as a “puzzle” where the pressure of the set evaporates, leaving only the magic of the story.
The Multi-Hyphenate Breakdown
Besides acting, Angelique now balances three distinct “hats”, though they often overlap in messy, creative ways:
The Writer: Spending hours in Final Draft building scripts from the ground up. Refining the concept, plot structure and “vocal rhythm” of characters, while imbuing it with tension, surprise and humour.
The Director: Stepping into leadership and trusting her cast, crew and her vision (even when she’s acting from underneath a bed, as she did in her recent short film).
The Producer: The “most grown up” hat – every bit as essential as the rest. It’s the gritty reality of project management and commercial viability that makes it all possible.
The Reality of the “Big Swing”
The industry has changed. With the rise of streamers and the tightening of studio belts, Angelique is candid about the “gamble” of modern filmmaking. The “middle ground” is disappearing; if a project isn’t a “big swing” with major names, it’s a difficult sell.
Despite the challenges – and the occasional 12-hour day in uncomfortable zombie prosthetics on The Walking Dead – Angelique’s evolution is a testament to the power of adaptation. She’s no longer a “foreigner” in Hollywood; she’s a filmmaker who knows exactly how to use her South African frame of reference to tell international stories.
“I don’t feel disconnected from people anymore… I feel like an Angeleno just as much as the next person now and like my creative voice has the power to resonate with others.”