But for most other South African actors wanting to take their careers to international heights, it's a long, hard slog.The latest to take the step is Pearl Thusi, who has landed a role in the second season of the popular TV series Quantico.She is now in New York, where she is said to have started shooting her role of a driven, disciplined, type-A lawyer who, after graduating top of her class at Harvard, seems to have it all, yet struggles to fit in.story_article_left1She joins series stars Priyanka Chopra, Jake McLaughlin, Aunjanue Ellis, Yasmine Al Massri, Johanna Braddy, Blair Underwood, and Russell Tovey.South African film and television actor Sean Cameron Michael, who has been based in Los Angeles since February last year, says "the business side of Hollywood is based on relationships and trust built up over many years"."Casting directors, directors and producers essentially only want to work with people they've done business with before, and a referral system is very much in place. I was therefore ironically 'the new kid in town' when I first relocated here."This is despite the fact that Michael has appeared in more than 80 local and international TV shows."After numerous auditions and meetings with various casting directors over the course of about nine months, and competing against about 2,000 actors for each role I went up for, I eventually booked a guest starring role on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders," said Michael.The 46-year-old, who also stars in The History Channel's pirate series Black Sails, is one of several South African actors living in the US.block_quotes_start My only advice is if you want to act, stay in South Africa. If you want to be out of work, go to Hollywood block_quotes_endOthers include Emmanuel Castis, of the drama series Erfsondes, Yizo Yizo star Bubu Mazibuko, and Lee-Anne Summers who has had roles in movies such as Momentum and Big Fellas.Castis, 40, became a household name when he was cast as Steve Stethakis in the SABC3 soapie Isidingo. He has been in the US since February following a two-month visit last year."My ultimate plan is to become a series regular here, on either a new or established series. Then hopefully from that the film will come," he said this week.full_story_image_vleft1But it has not been a speedy process. Getting a green card took him five years."But that's because I toured with [stage musical] Jersey Boys for some of that time. I took my time. The process, if one is diligent about it, should take about two years. It costs a bit of money if you do it through an immigration lawyer, which is probably the best way," said Castis.Michael's visa was quicker. It took him a year and cost about R150,000."You really have to be able to prove that you have been exceptionally successful in your home country and have something unique to offer the US industry," he said.But for Summers, 34, who moved to Los Angeles in January, the "process was pretty painless, I was very lucky".mini_story_image_hright2"I went to a lawyer here while on one of my previous business trips and he walked me through everything I needed and then aided in getting me my permit," she said.She is currently signed on to Momentum, a TV show based on the movie she acted in last year, as well as another TV show with the working title Alliances.The owner of Gaenor Artiste Management, Gaenor Becker, who counts comedian Trevor Noah among her clients, said succeeding overseas was a "carefully orchestrated series of high standards, energy, luck and meeting the right people"."My only advice is if you want to act, stay in South Africa. If you want to be out of work, go to Hollywood."But she said losing top talent to other markets should be viewed as good for South Africa...