AllExperts > Experts 
Search      

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing, Modeling

Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Questions · Question Library  · Free Encyclopedia ·
More Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing, Modeling Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing, Modeling
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
About 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).

   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Performing Arts > Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing, Modeling

SubjectDate AskedExpert

i live in bakersfield and i dream to be a star7/23/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: i am not like the other kids that want to be famous just because they want to,and im not like one of ...
  A: If you are going to be an actor before you are 18, you are going to have to enlist your parents to ...
NY casting directors7/23/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: Taylor We currently live in Ohio and decided to go to NYC for a trip. My daughter is 12 and has been ...
  A: I'm glad for the additional info. Relocating would be the way to go about it if you are serious and ...
help7/22/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: i want to be an actress/model. i know the steps you need in order ot make it big. But then again im ...
  A: Many of the modeling agent and talent agency directories are quite good, and updated monthly or ...
Acting Lessons7/22/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: My name is Ashleigh and I'm 14, I've always wanted to become an actress. I told my mom and i don't ...
  A: What looks like fun on tv is actually a great deal of work. Film and tv actors (the same thing for ...
acting7/22/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: I'm 13 years old and my dream is to be on Disney Channel, too. I've read over what you told Hannah ...
  A: Loving it is key to succeeding in it. It will carry you through times when you want to give up. ...
Small town girl with big city dreams7/22/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: I'm 16 and have wanted to perform all my life. I love singing, acting, and dancing. I have been ...
  A: Sometimes you just have to figure out what you CAN do. Go to the library and check out books on ...
NY casting directors7/21/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: Taylor We currently live in Ohio and decided to go to NYC for a trip. My daughter is 12 and has been ...
  A: I am curious what your plan is. You are taking a trip to New York, where you will stay a few days, ...
Getting started in the US to be an actor onTV/movies7/21/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: I am 30 yrs old with 6-7 yrs experience in the field in India.I started my career with many ...
  A: It certainly sounds like you are earnest in your desire to succeed! Work visas are obtained ...
acting in commercial help7/21/2008Laura Interval
  Q: i am thirteen years old and would love to become an actress. when i was about seven i was accepted ...
  A: It sounds like you have a lot of what it takes to be a great actress. Confidence is really ...
i have 2 questions7/21/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: my name is Giomary and i'm 11. i wanna see how i can be an actor in any show and channel. i really ...
  A: Glomary. Thanks for writing. To be an actor in film and TV you need: 1) to have talent 2) to have ...
please help.7/20/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: sup Kenneth, i am very interested in acting, singing, stuff in that category. i am a pretty ...
  A: Well, I wish yours was a unique situation, but it is not. There are literally thousands of young ...
Acting7/20/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: I am interested in having an acting career. But i haven't found someone to discover me to take me to ...
  A: About acting: No one is going to discover you to take you to the next level, you are going to have ...
query7/18/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: i am staying in baroda,(guj) where sagar film city is present so i want to be an actor so can you ...
  A: The process may be somewhat different than the US - so you'll need to contact a working actor there ...
getting into the famous/professionial unions7/17/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: You've had quite a career my friend. I would like to know, I'm just starting out and i'm 26, I dont ...
  A: Michael, Thanks for writing. If you want to be famous, go rob a bank. That will make you famous. ...
I want to Act!7/16/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: Ever since i was young i have been a drama queen and I've loved to act! I've been in all my schools ...
  A: Well first of all, keep active in all things drama at school. I have no idea what the opportunities ...
MFA programs for a 24 year old white girl7/16/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: My name is Matt and I'm a 25 year old living with my girlfriend of 2 years, Maggie (she is the one ...
  A: Well, she doesn't need an MFA to continue her acting career, she just needs to work on doing that ...
directing actors7/16/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: my name is Lucas and I'm from Brazil. I'm coursing filmmaking here at a college and I'm interested ...
  A: No, I do not think so. A film directing or stage directing class in working with the actor is ...
about getting my son on tv?7/16/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q:
  A: Sounds like your son has had a good start! I would see about getting him into acting classes to ...
St.louis Agencies7/15/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: I'm 5'3 and 14 years old. I want to start a acting/modeling career.Chicago is too far away from ...
  A: You can try TalentPlus Inc. 1222 Lucas Avenue,Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63103 ...
my daughters talent7/15/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: MY daughter recently went on an audition for a school called ACT and the gersh agency was there. ...
  A: Desiree, Thanks for the clarification. Now that I know we're talking about a 6 year old, it's a bit ...
how7/15/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: how do i get on disney channel? i am very funny. i no it wont be easy but how?
  A: Brenton, To appear on the Disney Channel you need to be offered a role in one of their shows. In ...
getting into acting7/15/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: You know, my favorite actor is Morgan Freeman. Because of him, I would like to become a tv series ...
  A: Well I suppose Mr. Freeman would be either delighted or horrified to learn it. Acting schools are ...
big question :)7/15/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: hey kitty .....you must of heard this over and over but i really want to be in a tv show or ...
  A: It's not that often commercials or television shows (other than reality shows) have open casting ...
acting7/15/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: ANSWER: leaancieia, Thanks for writing. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "companys." What ...
  A: If you're in Houston, try contacting The Alley Theater, a professional theater company that is based ...
Next step7/15/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: I am an aspiring actor/film-maker, and I have started to pursue this long held dream pretty late in ...
  A: Well, your finance and marketing background is excellent for a filmmaker who is a producer/director. ...
acting on Disney Channel7/15/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: I have many questions regarding how to start my career. I have always dreamed of being in a Disney ...
  A: Not knowing your location in Cali, I would have to say to check the Internet for schools near your ...
Acting in US for Foreign Nationals (follow-up)7/15/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: this is Sogdiana bothering you again, who asked questions on opportunities to study acting in the US ...
  A: You're not bothering me! I'm glad you have a thirst for knowledge on acting. That shows you are ...
~*ACTING*~7/15/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: ..I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin and I am passionate about acting I have gone to barbazon and I ...
  A: I don't know how to help you, other than to say good luck. Real actors are patient. Real actors work ...
modelling7/14/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: i have never asked anything online before but i am wanting to know where to begin with modelling. ...
  A: If you fit the criteria for fashion modeling, you may want to think about looking for agencies in ...
Weight Problems7/14/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: I'm 19 years old and I love to act, but I am overweight. My question is before I head down to Cali, ...
  A: God, I see trouble written all over this. I'm dealing with a lot of unknowns, so I will go with my ...
acting7/14/2008Phil Nemy
  Q:
  A: leaancieia, Thanks for writing. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "companys." What ...
my daughters talent7/14/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: MY daughter recently went on an audition for a school called ACT and the gersh agency was there. ...
  A: Desiree, Thanks for writing. I'm assuming by ACT you mean the American Conservatory Theater based ...
Starting Career7/14/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: First off I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little about me. My name is Rico Dall, Im ...
  A: Well, I think your instincts are correct. Your time is running out as far as Disney is concerned ...
I need agencies7/13/2008Kitty Kavey
  Q: I wanted to ask Laura Interval another question, but she's maxed out. So I need your help.I live in ...
  A: Here's a list of talent and modeling agencies (below) in Chicago. All of them are affiliated with ...
i want to be on disney channle7/13/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: Sheppard i want to be on Disney channel but i live in warrenton VA. i go on explore talent.com but ...
  A: Any chance you can get your parents to move to Hollywood? No? -well that may be a problem... You ...
how can i become a singer and actor for disney channel7/13/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: I've always wanted to be a singer and also act since i could remember. i have done an audition for ...
  A: Maria, Thanks for writing. The sad reality is that without your living in Los Angeles, having an ...
Acting7/13/2008Taylor Sheppard
  Q: hey im janessa , im 17 years old and im from canada. Im filipina chinese and would like to go on ...
  A: I don not know of an citizen requirement to act in Japan. I know American productions have shot ...
How to get started in making a my son a star7/13/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: My five year son needs to be on television , the movies, etc. He is very smart and picks us on ...
  A: Yvette, Thanks for writing. Normally I would suggest that you enroll your son in acting classes, ...
acting advise7/13/2008Kenneth D. Plonkey
  Q: I am hoping to become an actor. I'm sorry for being probably the millionth time you've had to ...
  A: I am happy to answer your questions, that is what I do, advise aspiring actors. I have heard nothing ...
which would be the best idea?7/12/2008Phil Nemy
  Q: my name is jared im 18 years old and im from west virginia, im also an up and coming star haha so ...
  A: Jared, If I knew the answer, don't you think I'd be offering it for big $$? There is no answer ...

Page:   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10  |  Next      All


Questions by
Active Experts:
Peter MessalineCandy KeaneHyunjin Jo
Kenneth D. PlonkeyKitty KaveyLaura Interval
Rusty MeyersChristy MurphyPhil Nemy
Taylor SheppardWanda Reinholdt 

     
About Us | Advertise on This Site | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. About and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. The About logo is a trademark of About, Inc. All rights reserved.