Life as a sitcom actor
Talking acting, best and challenging moments on The Polanas, with Rodelio Lewis who plays the role of Luke.
Being very comfortable in front of the camera, actor Rodelio Lewis recently took up an exciting challenge to be part of local sitcom The Polanas. Lewis, who plays the role of neighbour Luke who is head over heels in love with Nessa from the Polana's household, chats to tjil about getting in character and life onset.
The Polanas is a sitcom that has been airing since last month. The entire series consists of ten-minute episodes that show the humorous situations of a typical Namibian family. As the series develops, the family faces challenges and get into scraps, but they always manage to get by with some delicious Pasta Polana dishes to help them along - with the help of the Polana cookbook.
tjil (t): This is one of Namibia's first sitcoms that airs on TV and has all the episodes uploaded on YouTube too. Do you believe we need to invest in more of these?
Rodelio Lewis (RL): Yes, I do. As an industry we need more local content and allow that content when created to be exposed to the public. We should be able to switch on the TV and watch Namibian TV shows, be it on our own broadcasting networks or online platforms. There are so many powerful creatives that aren't able to grow from each project because the platforms are so limited.
t: What do you like about being part of The Polanas sitcom?
RL: While on set and even during the audition process, the team made me feel truly appreciated and they reminded me that my opinion mattered throughout the filming and production phase. We are The Polanas whether you had screen time or not, we are The Polanas and we're a family.
t: When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?
RL: It's one of four things; I eat, drink an energy drink, sit with wardrobe, hair and makeup, or I sing and dance. I'm usually the distraction on set and so I'd go stand with everyone and get them to dance with me. Breaks were basically bonus bonding time.
t: What's the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
RL: Being gaga over Nessa, played by Hazel Conchata and making it believable. We've know each other for a long time and we're good friends. So whenever I walked in as Luke I had to make sure that it wasn't friendship vibes, it was attraction vibes. And personally I'm very focused on work, so to shift that and conjure up attraction was challenging for me. But working with Hazel made it so easy. She basically helped me get Luke to fall head over heels for her and Nessa. So when I'm watching those moments that they share on screen, it makes me smile because it's so genuine.
t: If you had to describe The Polanas in one sentence what would it be?
RL: The start of something amazing for everyone.
t: What type of Pasta Polana shape are you and why?
RL: Spaghetti; I'm long and slender but when I'm in a warm place I relax.
June Shimuoshili
The Polanas is a sitcom that has been airing since last month. The entire series consists of ten-minute episodes that show the humorous situations of a typical Namibian family. As the series develops, the family faces challenges and get into scraps, but they always manage to get by with some delicious Pasta Polana dishes to help them along - with the help of the Polana cookbook.
tjil (t): This is one of Namibia's first sitcoms that airs on TV and has all the episodes uploaded on YouTube too. Do you believe we need to invest in more of these?
Rodelio Lewis (RL): Yes, I do. As an industry we need more local content and allow that content when created to be exposed to the public. We should be able to switch on the TV and watch Namibian TV shows, be it on our own broadcasting networks or online platforms. There are so many powerful creatives that aren't able to grow from each project because the platforms are so limited.
t: What do you like about being part of The Polanas sitcom?
RL: While on set and even during the audition process, the team made me feel truly appreciated and they reminded me that my opinion mattered throughout the filming and production phase. We are The Polanas whether you had screen time or not, we are The Polanas and we're a family.
t: When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?
RL: It's one of four things; I eat, drink an energy drink, sit with wardrobe, hair and makeup, or I sing and dance. I'm usually the distraction on set and so I'd go stand with everyone and get them to dance with me. Breaks were basically bonus bonding time.
t: What's the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
RL: Being gaga over Nessa, played by Hazel Conchata and making it believable. We've know each other for a long time and we're good friends. So whenever I walked in as Luke I had to make sure that it wasn't friendship vibes, it was attraction vibes. And personally I'm very focused on work, so to shift that and conjure up attraction was challenging for me. But working with Hazel made it so easy. She basically helped me get Luke to fall head over heels for her and Nessa. So when I'm watching those moments that they share on screen, it makes me smile because it's so genuine.
t: If you had to describe The Polanas in one sentence what would it be?
RL: The start of something amazing for everyone.
t: What type of Pasta Polana shape are you and why?
RL: Spaghetti; I'm long and slender but when I'm in a warm place I relax.
June Shimuoshili
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