Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Getting into an acting career

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Expert: - 10/18/2008


Question
Hello - I have been gaining an interest in acting and I'm currently taking a good drama/theatre class in college (I'm in my freshmen year). My dream has always been to be on the Disney Channel because they always stay so positive and clean. But the unfortunate thing is I live in Virginia which is far away from LA. I was wondering about things I could start doing for auditions around here or agencies around Virginia or North Carolina or just any states around Virginia that get me auditions for tv shows. Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Lindsey,

Basically, you can think about getting a resume/headshot together and start submitting by mail to Talent Agencies in the bigger cities and see what happens. (you send them in by mail) Just look in the phone book!
Please read through my previous answers on the procedures (sorry, not all are tagged yet, so you will have to read them all).

As to Disney, they are a Hollywood thing and unless you can live there....

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Taylor Sheppard

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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