‘Mom, I want to be a shoutcaster’

“Not because of us, but because of what she has done. We have events and sponsors coming to us for talent, because we are very good at finding the right people to send. Sam was one of people I identified when I came three years ago. She was hard working, savvy, smart and understood that, if she wanted a career, she had to do it beyond South Africa. This country isn’t in a position to support full time people in those roles just yet. She understood that much earlier than most people do.”

When Paul first sent her out, he says, she was doing third and fourth tier tournaments. Now, she is firmly in the lower rungs of the first tier, “getting gigs on her own merits rather than what we generate as an agency, because they see the things she is doing”.

After her second meeting with Paul, Sam went back to basics. She used the Internet and free tutorials and videos about broadcasting. She sought advice from Redeye and other esports commentators. She spoke to those who had turned it into a career. Finally, she secured her first “overseas” gig for Gamescom 2017.

“That first international hosting gig at Gamescom will always be a high point,” she says. “So many people said it couldn’t be done, so walking out on that stage was a huge personal accomplishment.

“Another high point for me was working on PUBG Europe League, Phase 3, recently. We filmed in Berlin and I came in to stage-host and interview teams for two weeks of the 6-week competition. I had the chance to work with a host of broadcast talent I’ve looked up to and watched  for years!”

She can barely believe that she is doing this for a living.

“I’m always overwhelmed that the work continues to come and I have this incredible opportunity to travel around the world talking about video games. I think some months I spend more time on planes, in airports and in new countries now than I do at home.”

Click here to read more about how one can make a successful career out of shoutcasting.

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