We all know the phrase “show business,” but we often forget the “business” part of the phrase and all that makes up the entertainment industry. Pietie Beyers is an up-and-coming South African actor, filmmaker, and podcast host, and in this episode of The Alchemy of Business Show, he and Steve get into the business side of show business and what Beyers has learned about making a living by merging artistry with the world of business. He is also open about his struggles with depression and OCD, a personal battle that he has bravely channeled into the movie Skemerson (Sun Cry Moon) which can be watched on Netflix. The movie tells the story of a young man battling mental illness who decides to take his own life – and what happens after that decision.
Pietie’s story and outlook on the world is a powerful message for those struggling that it is OK for us to not always be OK and of how we can find always find the light in any amount of darkness.
Timestamps
6:00 How Pietie got into acting Mom was into acting
10:20 It’s called Show Business for a Reason, business from the eyes of an actor Started as a hopeless romantic artist
13:04 highs and lows of being an actor, and living with OCD
18:04 first signs of his OCD
23:32 Skemerson (Sun Cry Moon) Trailer clip
26:03 His film inspired on true events, on a man being in a dark place and decides to take his own life
30:01 How the film Skemerson started by Pietie posting on social media
36:10 Process and how fast the film was made History of the location/bridge Duality of the bridge
41:08 On Elize Cawood’s passing after her last film, Skemerson
43:05 Anneke Weidemann’s role in the film and how she ended up being Pietie’s Fiance
46:50 Manifestations of Pietie’s OCD
51:43 Turn your mess into your message to help others
Links
THE ALCHEMY OF BUSINESS SHOW
STEVE RODGERS
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About the Guest
Pietie Beyers is a South African actor and filmmaker. He has been seen in many local TV shows and soapies and has made his debut playing the role of Dr. Deon Visser in the kykNET soapie Binnelanders. In 2016, he made his film acting debut in Stiaan Smith’s romantic comedy film, Sy Klink Soos Lente. This film (She Sounds Like Spring) is about Ben, a mechanic working in a car dealership in Johannesburg, and Linda, a beautiful and brainy redhead.
Inspired by his own struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Pietie Beyers wrote and starred in the Afrikaans feature film Skemerson (Sun Cry Moon) in 2019. In it, a young man battling mental illness decides to take his own life. He continues to climb the ranks in the South African entertainment industry and hosts a podcast called SO LOOP HY MAAR.