Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 12/30/2008

Question

  Hi Mr.Sheppard,

 I have 3 questions here:

 1- What is the best acting school for beginner/intermediate level (and/or best private lessons), and best commercial and print modeling agency in Miami and/or South Florida area?

 2- What would be more beneficial for fast and better acting learning, school classes or private lessons? Or maybe both?

 3- Would paid experience in TV commercials and print be useful in my resume when looking to get an agent and to get acting jobs in movies, or would it look insignificant?

 Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi "A",

I will answer your questions out of order:

If you have a very thin resume, including your commercial and print would be ok for finding an agent. I would definitely lose the print credits on a resume for getting acting work. There is still a stigma against "model/actors". They believe that models can't act and even if you can, they will give you a harder time about it, despite the fact that there HAS been models that have done it. (Mila Jovavich anyone?) Cindy Crawford wasn't horrible in the film she made with William Baldwin, but you'd have thought she was, given the critic's reviews of her performance.

As to commercials, usually you note on your resume: "Commercial Credits List Available On Request"...reason being, if you don't have dates of the spots, (and even if you do) the casting directors may fear a conflict between competing companie's products and not use you.
(ie, Miller vs. Budweiser) Sometimes commercials are re-run and if so, there would be a problem.

As to acting classes, you learn a lot from working with other actors. You also network and develop friends that can be useful for the future. I also use private instruction, particularly when I have an important audition or gig and need help polishing the part. If you can afford to do both, go for it! (Acting teachers usually won't turn down cash unless they are booked...they are usually actors too!)

As to agents, be sure to avoid anyone who asks for money "up-front". Your agent only makes money when you get a job. They take a percentage (usually 10%) when you have completed the job and the much awaited paycheck comes. The agent will bill the client and receive the money and cut you a check minus their commission.

Finally, acting schools in your area that I located:

Panaro Anna
Miami Beach, FL 33109

Panaro Workshop Theatre CO
421 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

LA Academia
7483 SW 24th Street, Miami, FL 33155

Keyla Ermecheo Performing Arts Center
9851 NW 58 St Suite 114, Doral, FL 33178

Dan Fitzgerald
6251 SW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33155

Aventura Adult Acting School
18731 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33180

Actors Studio Sherry Faith
12100 Northeast 16th Avenue, Suite 202, Miami, FL 33161

**I do not endorse any of the above, just located them for you. It is up to you to you to determine whether they are worthwhile.**

You may ask to "audit" the classes for a session or so, to see what you think. Most schools in my experience have no issue with doing so. You need to feel you can trust your acting teacher because you are dealing with "opening up" your emotional keyboard and it can be a delicate process. Acting isn't really "performing", but more about getting access to your own emotions to pair up with your character's emotions in a given circumstance. That is real. Pretending to cry is not. You should really feel sad when your character is sad. It ain't easy!

Not able to locate modeling classes in my search, I suggest checking your local yellow pages under "Modeling". I never had formal training for print, you could probably read books on it for free on Saturdays at Barnes and Nobel, etc. to get tips. (Look under "Photography" books as well. For instance, they usually tell women to shift some of their weight to their hands and arms when laying on a towel by the pool. Why? Because your thighs will flatten to th deck and look wider and less attractive. They usually tell you how to pose at the shoot. Just remember to NOT hold your breathe when taking pictures or you will "freeze" and look bad!



Final note: I noticed John Robert Powers listed in Miami...NO!!!!

Best to you!

Taylor