Rosie Motene "infuriated" over artists offered 'exposure' instead of money.
Veteran actress and television presenter Rosie Motene has lashed out at corporates, broadcasters and media houses over offering artists “exposure” instead of money in return for their services.
In a video
posted on social media, Motene recalled an incident where she was asked to render her acting, script writing and research services for free.
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Motene says the experience left her infuriated and disrespected.
“A few weeks ago I got a very interesting mail from a well known production house, who have offices across the continent, who have been mandated by SABC. In fact they were commissioned by SABC - therefore it's a project that money was given and they were going to make a profit from it. The request came through for me to get involved in the project."
Motene says after providing the production house with her international rate, she was was then asked to render her services at "no charge".
“It'll be a full-day shoot... I would also have to write a script as part of the scene, I have to get research from personal experience... in terms of being brought up in a white Jewish home, which they needed to then integrate into this storyline. When I gave my global rate, I was then told no, they thought I would do it for no charge.
"This of course infuriated me and I contacted various people at the SABC and I found out that that... not only do they have a budget, but they also have specific amount of money which was supposed to be allocated to talent anyway. So where is that money going?"
Motene, best known for her role as journalist Tsego Motene on the SABC1 soapie Generations in the early 2000s, also works as a global speaker and voice-over artist.
Following her exit from the popular soapie, Motene acted in the acclaimed international film Hotel Rwanda. She also starred as Victoria in the local series Zabalaza.