Diane Lawrenson. (Facebook/Dian Lawrenson)
After 24 years in the entertainment industry, dozens of films and series, and now also a brand new master’s degree that adorns her wall, it is still the people who surround Diaan Lawrenson that lure her back to the screens.
Diaan recently obtained her master’s degree in acting at the Africa Film Drama Art (AFDA), where she has been lecturing since 2016 and serves as the AFDA’s Cape Town campus dean. She describes this academic mountain as a “personal journey” that she has wanted to go on for years.
“I try to challenge myself every year in different ways and this time wanted to test myself in the rigors of the academy,” she told Rhewal.
“I’ve been wanting to do it for quite a few years, but the time wasn’t right.”
In 2021, after a four-year acting break, Diaan finally decided that it was time to put an academic hat on her head. In this period in her life, the “pieces came together” and a master’s degree turned into an achievable goal.
However, it was not without sacrifices, trials and loads of perseverance.
“I know people strive for balance, but as a mother of two with a demanding job, there is no balance,” admits Diaan.
“It’s just push through and stick.”
However, she remains grateful to her family and academic supervisor who supported her without hesitation in the midst of the academic process.
Over the years, Diaan has showcased her acting prowess in various genres. In films and series like Mystery child, Playful in Traceless she explored and portrayed the serious side of acting. In Semi sweet made his audiences laugh and of course it’s hard to look at Diaan without Paula, the celebrity 7th Avenue-character she played for years.
Although she enjoys both drama and comedy, she enjoys making people laugh.
“And believe it or not, it’s very difficult,” she says.
“Comedy makes you full of energy.”
(Photo: Diaan Lawrenson/Facebook)
However, she does not hesitate to take on challenging roles, believing that the right roles will come her way at the right time. Diaan also maintains that comedy and drama each deserve a place on a seat on any actor’s couch.
For Diaan, there is nothing more enjoyable than working on the future of the entertainment industry.
She not only focuses on preparing her students for the reality of the entertainment industry, but her emphasis is on “invigorating and growing” the industry in South Africa.
When she looks back at more than two decades in the entertainment industry, the people she has worked with over the years undoubtedly stand out.
“The actors, technical crews and production crews, all the creative people who come together to create something that can entertain audiences.
(Photo: Diaan Lawrenson/Facebook)
“As a young actor, I had the privilege of working with icons, pioneers.”
This group of people includes Miems de Bruyn, Frans Marx, Patrick Mynhardt, Wilna Snyman, Annelisa Weiland, Sandra Prinsloo, Lida Botha, Deon Lotz, Eric Nobbs, Pierre van Pletzen, Vinette Ebrahim, André Odendaal, Trudie Taljaard, Magda van Rooy, Marius Weyers, Ben Kruger, Chris van Niekerk, Chris Vorster and Zane Neas.
“Today I still work with the icons and legends – old and young. And I’m still learning from everyone. Those moments between cutting and action are precious – it’s the memories of the people that stay.”
