Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 11/24/2008

Question
Hello there my name is Carolyn and I'm from the New England area.

My question(s) is that I have been passionate about becoming an actress
since I have been at least 2 to 3 years old. I enjoy acting in school
productions and I really want to succeed in this industry.
How is the best way to put yourself out there? I understand how difficult this
industry is to get into and how hard I am going to have to work. I am willing
to work hard and push myself to become an actress. I have realized this is
what I want to do for the rest of my life. It's not just a "for now" thing, and I
know I would have fun with it. Teachers have always said "get a job you know
you would be happy doing, you don't want a job that you don't want to do or
that you don't want to wake up on a Monday morning and say that you don't
want to work." Another question is what is the best way, or a good way to get
an agent or to work for or work with an acting agency? I am willing to accept
rejection from different people, but one thing is that I will not change who I
am as a person on the inside for other people. I believe to become someone
in an acting career you need to be yourself both inside and out. By this I don't
mean that if I were to need maybe a hair cut or something like that for a role
that I wouldn't do it, because I would. But I am not going to change myself on
the inside because others may want me to. I do not get jealous of other
people because everyone has different talents from each other and that may
be why they may get the part over you. My last question is how can I find
auditions for around my area?
Thank you,

Carolyn

Answer
Hi Carolyn,

You didn't mention classes. Taking them outside school is crucial. I recommend them to actors who are working as well, because you never stop learning and growing as a professional. They also keep you sharp and ready to roll.

By taking classes you also stay "in the loop" and can network with others and find out things: auditions, good teachers, bad ones, good photographers...etc. Even watching others can be a learning tool. Some classes will video you to look at yourself and learn too. Sometimes it gets depressing, but worthwhile. I learned NOT to bob my head so much. Try to communicate with your eyes, not twisting up your face...

Getting an agent is easier younger than older. Just submit (mail)your headshot and resume of classes and experience to them along with a brief note stating you are currently seeking representation in the area (a big city nearby). Do not write a lot. Do not sound desperate.
Just say you would like to meet to see if representation would be mutually agreeable. Save the chatting to the meeting. Agents are busy and they really hate being a "friend", psychologist, priest, analyist...etc. They are there to answer appropriate questions, but not sooth your feelings. It is a business!

Wait and wait and wait for a reply. If no reply, don't call. That's the sucky part of acting: they contact if you are wanted, nothing if not. Auditions are the same way.

You can find agents in the yellow pages in cities under "talent agents".

There have been many books written on "How to Make It" but, sending cookies at Christmas, mailing headshots to casting in between projects, all that...not effective. If they ARE casting a project, they may keep the headshot, otherwise it ends up in the trash most often. An agent handles getting you submitted to casting. Let them do their job! The best way to make it is to do it. Work on student films, go get extras parts on movies (see your state's Film commission web site with the governor's office (google that) and see if they have projects listed.) Get out there and do whatever you can and stay involved! There are many side gigs that can keep you working. Some actors do work reading for things like "books for the blind" and free plays in the park. Acting won't look for you, you have to put yourself out ther and be known. Be known for being on time, prepared and willing to do whatever.

I wasn't sure what you were referring to about changing yourself inside. Morals? If you aren't comfortable doing something, you can turn down a role. But I think that willingness to do whatever it takes will see you farther. I believe an actor should be proud of their body and be willing to take risks. Just because you do a role nude or semi-nude doesn't make you (the real person) that character, it is just a performance. If someone said they'd sign me, but I'd have to do a nude scene, I'd say: "Where's the clothes hangers! lol!
I don't believe God made junk. It's just people that have decided that. If it's making you a different person. Well, you will find that you have to develop a tough skin to take rejection, but still be able to be sensitive. One of my readers has been struggling with accessing her emotions because she is from a culture where you had to be tough and vulnerabilities not shown. Sometime councelling helps that. You have to be free emotionally and pardon, just not give a #@&*! I am glad I didn't make it as a younger man, because I likely may have become a real jerk from success. Now that I am older and wiser I realize it's easier to face people if you don't make an ass of yourself. Careers do rise and fall.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Taylor