Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 1/22/2008

Question
    I'm really, truly, interested, but don't really know where to start in this this
absolutely INSANE world of acting. I want to just jump into this, but the past
few
times I've tried, I've almost drowned in the fast moving current.
    Here are my questions:
-Is it imperative that I join a talent agency or find an agent to represent me?
-How do do I tell if the agent/agency is legit?
-What do they do? -or- Could I do it by myself?
-I live in Portland, OR, (probably better than the one in Maine, but not by a
very
large margin) what is the best way for me to get work?
-Would it be a good idea to start in the biz now (I'm 14 by the way)?

Hope you can help me by answering my questions!

Thanks,
            Noah  

Answer
Hi Noah,

First, I recommend laying off any caffeine, cause you are way to anxious  bro! lol.

Seriously, you will need to develop focus so you can relax and your letter sound like you are going to be your worst enemy in this because of your anxiety. Trust me, I was a lot like you early on.

First: No, you can't represent yourself and not waste your time. If you want to do well, set yourself up for success.
That means finding the teacher that you can work with and dropping any ideas you have of how you think its done. Let the teacher train you. One thing a director wants is someone who can take direction. Actors who are hard to direct and have strong ideas are hired less than ones who do what they are asked to do. If you can't take the chance to look like a fool, this isn't your field. You have to be willing to do anything, even if you feel foolish. My one agent said to me: "Taylor, you have to be willing to climb up the tree, out on the limb, and saw it off behind yourself". Don't be afraid to fall or make mistakes.

Legit agents? Agents do not take money to represent you. Not until you book, work and get a check sent (to the agent) will they take a cut. Then they send the rest to you. They usually charge 10%-15% of the check. That is normal. They never promise you jobs.
Agents belong to networks and they get breakdowns (character descriptions) sent to them by casting directors. Casting directors don't send out public calls, except for extra work, which is the people in the background on streets behind the actors. That won't get you "discovered". You won't get many actor friends who will take you along for the auditions because their agents will have their heads for doing that. You will need an agent, but take the classes successfully FIRST, then look at an agent after a year or so. Portland probably isn't the best place to get TV or movie jobs, but there is theater and commercials and when you have experience and training, you can head to Hollywood when you are 18 or after college (better).

Best,
Taylor