EP 34 - Show Business & Living With OCD with Actor and Writer Pietie Beyers

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.

Pietie 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.

Top Golden Insights Shared:

1. It’s okay to be not okay
2. It takes a lot of courage and strength to be vulnerable
3. Turn your mess into your MESSAGE to help others

Episode Time Stamps

6:00 - How Pietie got into acting

Mom was into acting

They used to have actors at their house

He got used to that creative space

Truman show as an influence

10:20 - It’s called Show Business for a Reason, business from the eyes of an actor

Started as a hopeless romantic artist, but I need to pay for things

It’s not just romanticism, It’s a healthy realization

Friends who have in finance/law, etc. Learn everywhere i go

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

I wear my heart on my sleeve

People reacted positively on him opening up and being vulnerable

He saw an appetite for things we often hide due to stigmas

It took a lot of courage to be vulnerable

36:10 - Process and how fast the film was made

History of the location/bridge

Duality of the bridge, there are people who look for thrills when they bungee jump, at the same time, some people used it to take their lives.

Imagery used

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, and feeling guilty all the time.

How it’s portrayed in movies / pop culture

51:43 - Turn your mess into your message to help others

 

Guest Links

Watch the Film, SKEMERSON here on NETFLIX 
https://www.netflix.com/title/81617676