Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Can't Find An Agent!

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Expert: - 10/4/2008


Question
QUESTION: Mr. Sheppard,
I am an aspiring singer and actress and am willing to work extremely hard to achieve my goals but I am having a difficult time finding an agent in south Texas. I don't know where to look. If you have any ideas that might help me i would really appreciate your imput.
         Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Ashley,

Gee, that's tough. The closest agents are in San Antonio to South Texas. Then There's Austin, Dallas and Houston. I don't know of any in McAllen or other cities.

Unfortunately, sometimes you have to move to where the market is.
Meanwhile, work hard on classes to improve your skills. Don't wait to start doing that until you get there! BIG MISTAKE! If you are ready when the time comes, you can "hit the ground running".

Best,

Taylor

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Taylor,
Thank you for your advice! I am working on classes and training but in the meantime i am willing to travel and have places to stay in San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. Any ideas on where to go from there?
         Ashley

Answer
Hi Ashley,

If you have the ability to travel and stay (anytime) in SA, Austin and Dallas, you could look for an agent in Austin to handle the markets. Just know that they will not look kindly on you if you repeatedly ditch going to auditions or callbacks. Why should they sign someone who lives far away in the first place? You will have to convince them you are available verses someone who lives in the central part of the state.

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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