Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Agencies

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Expert: - 12/28/2008


Question
I want to start acting and start building some experience. i have gone to two open castings. One was John Robert Powers, and the other was One Source Talent. They both asked me for money upfront. I said no and left right away. And now i sent my resume and snapshot to disney channel. But i want to get a REAL agent. Do You know any? or how can i find one? i live in New York, but i will re-locate if i have to. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Andres,

You have done well, young Jedi! Lol!

Congrats on walking on these people. You didn't fall for it!

As I have said until blue in the face here, NEVER deal with an "Agent" who asks you for money before you do a job. Agents only take a cut after you have gotten the job and have done the work.

Short answer? Look in the yellow pages of the nearest big city.
Be prepared to MAIL them a cover letter simply stating you are seeking an agent in the local market, a professional headshot (from a real photography studio (not a mall store or friend with a camera!)AND a resume with AT LEAST: all the CLASSES you have taken in acting to verify you have at least a little experience for them to bother with answering you/taking their time. If you don't know what you are doing, they won't have much use for you. If you walk onto a set and don't know what to do about the marks or how to read for a part, or haven't delt with a camera before under pressure, you will make them look bad -that isn't what they want. It makes them look like they are amateurs who shouldn't be called when there is work because they will send questionable talent. Acting is an art and a BUSINESS. Without the money part, we wouldn't have TV or Film, and without the art part, we wouldn't have anything to watch.
Make sure you have at least a year of acting classes behind you before you submit to an agent...and DO NOT try to submit in person. This is one place where the mail service is a must!

Best to you!

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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