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Question
I am 17 and I have loved acting my whole life but have never really taken the interest to heart. I have recently really grasped that I only have one life and I should truly follow my dreams (Duh. I know, its a bit cheesy too :]). I live in the Dallas area and am wondering where and how I begin. Any advice?
Hi Katie,
Hello fellow Texan!
I think it's good now and again to have one of those epiphanies where you take inventory of what your life is about and where you are going. That's not just when you are young, it's also when you reach the end of certain chapters in your life and it's time to move on.
You have a good school on Dallas for acting, KD Studios, as well as a large number of acting teachers to work with. Take advantage of the resources and start classes -see where they take you!
Later on, you could even catch the various workshops available elsewhere in the state in Austin and in Houston, where casting directors and industry heavies come to share their insights and knowledge.
You may not like acting when you get into it, OR, you may be "bitten"
by the acting bug HARD and become a life-long devotee.
The important thing is to get started and stay with it!
Best,
Taylor
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Answers by Expert:
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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