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Meet Douglas Kasule Benda

Filmmaker, actor, theatre director and drama teacher

In the world we are living in today with over 7 billion people, there still exists this one quality that can make one have an edge over everyone and that is talent. With this just concluded Olympics in Rio, it pretty obvious that Usain bolt is the fastest human who has ever lived as evidenced by the fact that he gets to the finishing line before everyone in the world.

According to Lou Holtz, a former american football coach, Talent defines what you can do, your motivation determines how long you are willing to do it and you attitude determines how well you do it.

In the bid to bring you career advice from the practitioneers themselves, today we feature Douglas Kasule a.k.a Benda a man with a multitude of talents in the world of creative arts and this is what we asked

Who is Benda?

I am a 26yr old performing artist with a BA in drama, theatre and film (MUK). I teach drama in the Cambridge curriculum at Rainbow International School Uganda. I also run my own projects which include making films and also manage, train and manage actors under my company Benda Bookings. I also direct theatre dramas with different organizations.

Describe your typical day ?

My day starts at 5.30am as I get ready for work. I am at my drama teaching work place by 6.30am and this ends at 3pm. After that, I head to my personal projects at National theatre from 4pm-10pm. Then I get back home at 11pm.

Why did you choose that career path?

I had a talent of creativity and entertainment. This passion I had from S.4, I wanted to earn money out of it therefore had to study it professionally. If I REALLY love what am doing, it seizes to be work therefore I will always feel motivated to go do it. What is better than being paid for doing what you love most on earth?

What are your main tasks and responsibilities at work?

As a drama teacher, i basically do the following
1. Planning 1hr lessons and instructing students through the lessons.
2. Identifying and Nurturing talents in the children.
As a filmmaker/theatre director/talent management
1. Managing actors
2. Mentoring and coaching actors
3. Directing films
4. Directing plays
5. Acting

What are your main challenges ?

1. Working with people who don't value what I do.
2. Very many mediocres in the business
3. Working with children, different moods on different days for them and you have to deal with them no matter what.
4. Financial constraints especially in film making in case of making the best work.

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace ?

1. Creativity
2. Film making
3. Handling children
4. Motivation skills

What's cool about your job?

It puts me in the lime light. Many people tend to look at me as an idol and role model. This gets me to work harder in order to keep up to the expectations.

What's not cool about your job ?

Exploitation; we do jobs that put us in the faces of the public but the returns are minimal. The status may not match the bank account.

How did you get your current job ?

A friend who I had worked with recommended me for the drama teaching job. Likewise, most if the jobs I get in my career are through recommendations.

What subjects did you take in school and how have they influenced your career path ?

History helped me in understanding huge passages which makes my acting job and creating easy. Literature helped me look at life analytically.

What is your Education to date?

Barchelor of Arts in Drama, theatre and film

What aspects of your Education System have proven most important for your job?

Internship and Research

What trends are you seeing in your career field ?

Technological advancement. I can submit films all over the world just at my PC.

What are the most important personal characteristics required for the job?

1. Patience
2. Determination
3. Creativity
4. Being Open-minded

Which key people influenced your career direction ?

My General Paper teacher in secondary school and of course my lecturers.

What is your dream?

My talent management firm being the leading in the region is my dream

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

I have won 5 film awards so far.

As a student, how did you cope up with the pressure to succeed / excel in class?

I planned my time well and I knew what I wanted and went for it.

What advise would you give someone considering this job?

Its not as easy as many think or consider it, success only comes to the hardest worker.

What outside class activities did you engage in that have proved beneficial on your career path?

Volunteering in fields lined in my career.

What kind of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Directing, acting, stage management and film making, television production apprenticeships.

Any Concluding remarks?

If you don't know what you really want out of that huge course you are studying, then you will end up roaming in anything that comes your way. Specialize and become a master at a specific aspect of that course. Specialists earn more and are more respected. Try not to do everything.

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