We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sihle “Zee” Vilakazi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sihle “Zee” below.
Sihle “Zee”, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
How I managed to overcome burnout was primarily through prioritizing rest. Resting holds significant importance, especially when one exerts substantial effort without allowing their body and mind to recuperate. This kind of neglect can inflict a considerable mental, physical, and emotional toll. In my case, I reached a point of complete burnout that led to a hospitalization. Medical professionals emphatically advised me to engage in proper rest, and I adhered to their counsel.
During my recovery, I dedicated ample time to rest, involving extensive sleep and engaging in activities that brought me joy. These activities excluded any form of work-related tasks. Additionally, I sought out informative resources such as interviews and YouTube videos pertaining to burnout and its resolution. Among the various strategies I encountered, I found that journaling had the most profound impact on my recovery and my ability to absolve myself of the burnout I had experienced.
Journaling provided a platform for self-forgiveness, enabling me to comprehend my mental and personal state. It facilitated self-introspection, aiding me in discerning feasible actions without succumbing to excessive work demands. This practice aided in assembling fragmented aspects of my situation and guiding me towards self-improvement—a crucial endeavor. Furthermore, journaling prompted me to reflect upon my desires and needs, contributing significantly to my recuperation journey.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In essence, the role of the Unit Production Manager involves overseeing the practical and organizational facets of a film shoot. This entails enabling the creative team to concentrate on realizing the director’s artistic vision. Concurrently, the UPM ensures that the production functions with efficiency, adheres to budgetary constraints, and adheres to the established schedule.
A source of genuine excitement for me is the opportunity I had to collaborate with Fox Studios and Brand New Media for the Fox Upfront 2023 project. This experience was undeniably remarkable, affording me the chance to immerse myself in the industry’s current developments. Witnessing ongoing initiatives and future plans of various film studios, and comprehending their goals and ambitions, has been a truly enriching experience. My involvement as a member of the production team tasked with crafting the FOX upfront presentation, catering to other production entities and teams, has been incredibly rewarding.
Furthermore, during the present year, I undertook the responsibility of producing an international film, Called “Lady-Like” Directed by Victoria Fendel, and Produced by Nourah Al Hasawi. I also had the privilege to produce some music video called inside my head directed by Omer Shaier featuring Ryan Watson and produced by TJ Young. Being part of an international crew and collaborating with professionals from diverse corners of the world has been both enlightening and fulfilling. This experience has offered insights into cultural disparities, fostering an understanding of how to navigate and reconcile differences in cultural norms, values, and principles. It’s safe to say that I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge from this collaboration.
In addition to this, I also had the privilege of producing a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) web series, called “And they were roommates” what directed by Virginia Blatter featuring Hilary Ijeh and Angie Munyange; prior to the onset of the SAG strike. This project, currently in the preproduction phase, has further contributed to my growth and learning within the industry, presenting yet another exceptional opportunity for me to refine my skills and knowledge
Regarding my journey as a dancer this year, it has undoubtedly been a remarkable and spectacular period for me. This season, I had the privilege of performing for an esteemed international DJ hailing from South Africa, Uncle Waffles. Notably, I had the honor of gracing the stages of Coachella and Afro Nation in Miami. This experience was nothing short of a blessing, and it offered me a profound sense of accomplishment. Collaborating with someone from my home country holds a special significance, given my South African background. Witnessing the thriving presence of South African culture and music within the United States music industry was truly heartening. The opportunity to dance alongside Uncle Waffles was an unforgettable experience that I cherish.
Moreover, I was fortunate to participate in an exceptional music video project titled “Bad Company,” created by the Emmy award-winning producer Purple Disco. Being featured in this music video was a significant achievement, and it allowed me to collaborate with the talented team at Bobsdanceshop. Their remarkable contributions have been instrumental in creating dance movements that resonate across various regions in the United States.
This year’s dance endeavors have been transformative, providing me with invaluable experiences and opportunities to contribute to the artistic and cultural landscape
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
When considering essential skills, I would emphatically emphasize the significance of honing effective communication skills. Polishing one’s communication abilities is of paramount importance and can be achieved through diverse means. This may involve engaging in extensive reading or immersing oneself in instructional content available on platforms such as YouTube, geared toward enhancing assertive and non-passive-aggressive communication techniques. Given the central role that communication assumes within our industry, possessing adept communication skills in the film industry undoubtedly propels one forward. This competence becomes a compass, guiding individuals toward diverse horizons and prospects within the industry.
Moving on, the second skill that warrants considerable attention is the cultivation of people skills. This attribute holds immense value, particularly when navigating sectors like the film industry, which necessitate collaboration and cooperation. A hallmark of adept professionals is their adeptness in fostering productive interactions with their peers. Personally, I have found psychology-related content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to be instrumental in augmenting my grasp of people skills. Visual learning mechanisms often enhance comprehension. Proficiency in people skills facilitates effective collaboration, bolstering one’s prospects and efficacy within a team-oriented context. Adaptability to diverse personalities constitutes a pivotal facet of effective people skills, and it ranks among the most indispensable traits to cultivate.
Lastly, I underscore the importance of emotional intelligence, or more specifically, emotional self-awareness. This skill is crucial in our line of work, given its interpersonal nature. A comprehensive emotional toolkit empowers individuals to regulate their emotional responses, ensuring that powerful emotions do not adversely impact their professional trajectory. Mastery of emotional self-regulation equips individuals to navigate instances where reliance on others is requisite, even when facing emotions such as anger, joy, or unease. Adept deployment of the emotional toolbox in response to varying emotional triggers is a skill that elevates one’s professional stature.
In the same vein, an additional skill to embrace is the art of not internalizing everything personally. This principle stems from the understanding that outcomes are often guided by fate, and if meant to be, they will naturally manifest. Shielding oneself from taking everything to heart serves to preserve one’s emotional well-being. A serene and harmonious existence necessitates transcending the inclination to internalize every external opinion or occurrence personally. This skill is an invaluable asset for preserving one’s inner equilibrium amidst life’s fluctuations.
In summary, the skills outlined above—proficient communication, adept people skills, emotional intelligence, and non-personalization—are vital cornerstones for success within the film industry. By nurturing these qualities, individuals can significantly fortify their professional standing and personal well-being.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past twelve months, a significant area of personal growth for me has been the practice of refraining from taking things personally. This particular skill remains a work in progress, and I’m continually striving to refine it. Embracing this principle has notably contributed to a greater sense of tranquility across various aspects of my life, encompassing my career, friendships, and relationships. The impact of this practice has been particularly pronounced, expediting my personal and professional development. Central to my mindset is the belief that what is destined for me will inevitably find its way, a mantra that has propelled me forward and facilitated substantial progress.
It’s worth acknowledging that cultivating the ability to detach from personalizing circumstances hasn’t been without its challenges. As someone prone to overthinking, this endeavor demanded conscious effort and resilience. However, the fruits of this practice have been undeniable. Steering away from the habit of internalizing situations has led to a perceptible reduction in needless mental turmoil. By not magnifying situations disproportionately within my own thoughts, I’ve been able to mitigate overthinking tendencies. Moreover, this practice has enabled me to cultivate a greater sense of inner harmony, enabling me to be more present within myself rather than fixating on preconceived perceptions.
In conclusion, the past year has witnessed a marked enhancement in my ability to distance myself from personalizing events. Although this journey is an ongoing one, the strides made thus far have fostered a state of enhanced serenity and personal empowerment. This growth has underscored the value of being grounded in the present moment and embracing a perspective that resonates with the understanding that not everything is a reflection of oneself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sihle_vilakazii
- Linkedin: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDYQw7AJahcKEwioyZXwxPGAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fsihle-vilakazi-a56230144&psig=AOvVaw1AcC1-CYrayEMTU5GSLKSQ&ust=1692837398286936&opi=89978449
Image Credits
@unclesmith
