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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| My daughter wants to become an actress. | 2/8/2012 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: Good day DR. Kenneth Plonkey (Theater Doc), I have read your blogs and many of your answers on ... A: I am pleased to hear that you have read my blog. I am concerned that you say your daughter's acting ... | ||
| How to Not Be Embarrassed While Acting | 2/1/2012 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I'm a teenager and I'm just getting interested in acting after a school film project that opened up ... A: First, I would say relax and not worry about it because both the video makers and you are beginners ... | ||
| Wanting to be an Actress | 1/29/2012 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I'm thirteen years old and I really want to be a Broadway actress. I have been taking voice lessons ... A: Of course you have a chance of being a professional actress You will have to continue your voice and ... | ||
| Good Looks | 1/25/2012 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I want you to take this question seriously. But from watching a lot of TV and movies it seems clear ... A: Hey again, James, Yeah, you really need someone who takes you as you are. Anytime a guy holds ... | ||
| actors | 1/24/2012 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: how do actors use math in their job? A: I will answer your question and give you some advice… I was terrible in math in school. ... | ||
| Good Looks | 1/22/2012 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I want you to take this question seriously. But from watching a lot of TV and movies it seems clear ... A: James I definitely feel your pain. True that as you go on in age that most of the women who are ... | ||
| Good Looks | 1/21/2012 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I want you to take this question seriously. But from watching a lot of TV and movies it seems clear ... A: The acting world is a reflection of the real world, albeit, sometimes sanitized and dolled up, ... | ||
| Becoming an actor | 1/9/2012 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I'm 12 and I would like to become an actress. I took singing, I take acting classes and I know how ... A: Well, the short answer to your question is that your parents have to make it happen for you by ... | ||
| Modeling/acting | 1/4/2012 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: My name is Yeison Gomez I am 21 years old and I have been told by many people I look like a model ... A: You can check the list of top modeling agencies in NYC for open call times, or if you're not ... | ||
| I need to redesign my life. Is it too late for performing arts? | 12/28/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: Like many others, I am at the crossroads at my current career, looking back upon my childhood ... A: Brandy, Thanks for writing. I'm not quite sure how best to advise you. My answer depends on what ... | ||
| movie | 12/27/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: i was wondering if you know that... there is a movie about a guy that gets payed to make a movie ... A: I know tons of movies, but this synopsis did not ring a bell. Tried imdb search and a couple others. ... | ||
| have sex in a movie, is it real or not? | 12/16/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: according to the answer i read on this particulat question, mr Arlene (MsDirector) said is not real ... A: Sir, I did not work on the film 9 1/2 weeks, but I can tell you that the sex portrayed in the film ... | ||
| Acting Q#1 | 12/11/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: I have been a working model and just wasn't for me, and now I finally gained enough courage to start ... A: Paulina, Thanks for writing. Answering your question depends on where you live. If you don't live ... | ||
| Acting | 12/6/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I was just wondering I live in england near London (west sussex) I'm really into acting and I'd love ... A: Many people would like to be actresses, but one does not just walk into an audition and say, "here I ... | ||
| acting | 11/30/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: any tips on how to act /keep a straight face in adult movies?I notice the male performers keep a ... A: I debated as to whether to answer your question, as I feel it is most likely a goof. However, I will ... | ||
| beggining dance and acting | 11/28/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: i am a 14 year old boy who loves acting,dancing ect i want to know how i can get into shows and ... A: I am extremely happy to see that you hail from London! The reason Is this: You need schooling in ... | ||
| Hi,Taylor. | 11/26/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I really wanna be Disney Channel actress.I go to the theater club at school.Everyone says that I ... A: I am sure you have a great voice and talent, however, as I said, I have no connections to help you ... | ||
| Hi,Taylor. | 11/23/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I really wanna be Disney Channel actress.I go to the theater club at school.Everyone says that I ... A: I'm glad to read that you are very involved in the arts! Many people dream about performing, but are ... | ||
| acting | 11/21/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: ok, ok...so im a 14 year old girl from hephzibah georgia. ive been trying for the past couple of ... A: It looks like you are off to a good start. Other than taking classes, the only other thing you can ... | ||
| starting out | 11/18/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I am 34 and I am not sure if it is too late for me. Acting has been a life- long ambition for me. ... A: I feel it takes several readings of my book to catch everything that is in there, so you are right ... | ||
| starting out | 11/16/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I am 34 and I am not sure if it is too late for me. Acting has been a life- long ambition for me. ... A: Well, it is not too late for you, but I wonder how you will manage the cost of it. Acting, most ... | ||
| My son.... | 11/15/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: My son is a junior in high school and just completed acting in his first play. He is taking Theater ... A: Indeed I can help your son regarding acting as a career and with his monologue. Advising aspiring ... | ||
| how do i start? | 11/14/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I am 18 years old and I do want to act. I have some insecurities I wonder if that is normal or not? A: I apologize for the delay, I am currently working on a film and we have been shooting nights, but ... | ||
| considering | 11/7/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: I am 18 years old and love acting. but when it comes as a career its definitely up there. My ... A: Hey Chrissy.... Just wondering if you could help me understand a little more. Are you saying that ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Peter Messaline |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: How lucky you are to have the luxury of planning your move into professional acting without that ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: Joe! And thanks for writing. It is so neat to hear that your parents believed in you and that it ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: It sounds like you have already done what I often advise: to have the backup plan and/or career that ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Rusty Meyers |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: After you take acting classes? I would hope that you are taking them now, and with someone that is ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: There are a number of ways one can get an agent. The most common is to submit your headshot and ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: Joe, Thanks for writing. The reality is that you won't get an agent doing community theater or ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: You are most fortunate to have created a comfortable financial base from which to pursue acting. ... | ||
| fashion | 11/3/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: I am just trying to begin something in fashion. As a graphic designer;I want to create my own model ... A: To sell your designs to others in the fashion/manufacturing business would possibly involve less of ... | ||
| acting | 10/15/2011 | Rusty Meyers |
| Q: hey! my name is shakirah and i've always wanted to be on disney channel. When i'm trying to act sad ... A: Keep looking, I'm sure that there is someone in SC that is actually in the business. Look everyone ... | ||
| movie magazanes from the 1930's | 10/11/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: Phil: I have a collection of about 40-50 Screen Guide's from the 1930's & 1940's. I have seen one ... A: Ken, Thanks for writing. I'm sure there are collectors out there who might be interested in them, ... | ||
| Magazines from the 1930's | 10/11/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: Kitty I have a collection of about 40-50 Screen Guide's from the 1930's & 1940's. I have seen one ... A: People do collect old magazines, some for the content and/or advertisements, and some because of the ... | ||
| Model financing new clothes via online donations . . . website? | 10/2/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: I've been told that some impoverished fashion models will acquire new outfits by accepting ... A: In this case the model would not technically be a fashion model, but an adult model. They are ... | ||
| where to begin..? | 9/22/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: My 13 year old daughter has literally been begging for the past year/or two to get involved with ... A: It is well that you see 'scam' in most everything on the internet as most things are there to take ... | ||
| Acting literature | 9/20/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: Long time ago I talked to a friend of mine and he said some actors have learned many techniques with ... A: Brando's teacher was Stella Adler. The most influential teacher has been Sandford Meisner. Read ... | ||
| Where to find information about "The modeling school industry" | 9/17/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: My daughter is 35 years old, she's a former model. She's been taught modeling classes at different ... A: For Florida, I suggest contacting the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation to ... | ||
| Acting | 9/12/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I'm a mainly theater actor who wants to also break into film. I'm 15 and a mediocre actress. I know ... A: Why do you say "mediocre"? One of the things you will hear time and time again is that as an actor, ... | ||
Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing
Answers by Expert:
Taylor Sheppard
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.
Experience
I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.
Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).
Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.
Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).
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