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Question
Hi, my name is Jonathan E. Biagianti, I am 20 yrs old, and I want to be the next Spielberg. I love movies, and everything about movies ever since I was wee high. At first I wanted to act and showing off my acting talent was not hard because a while back I auditioned at John Robert Powers and was accepted after the third audition in a row. However after seeing the time and effort spent in actually being behind the camera I was in love. I couldn't take my obsession of making movies anywhere because we all know in this field you next extreme experience or papers to even get you're foot in the door. I really want to direct my films, I already have a trilogy written up and ready to be reviewed. I also have a resume of five short films that I have made since 2005. So my question is how in the world do I get noticed or even go as far as to get an agent? I would re4ally like to pursue this industry as a career. My heart and soul are into film making and it has been my dream to become the next great director!
Jonathan E. Biagianti
Hi Jonathan,
Congrats on finding your calling!
There are a couple of things you can do...attend a film school to learn all the intricacies of directing and filming and how to get money for your projects (USC is probably the best, followed by the school in New York, name escapes me just now) or, you can start submitting your films to contests around the country. You will need to have money either way as travel and submission fees are required for the fests and of course, college isn't free.
The thing about school is you will get knowledge that is hard to acquire elsewhere, although books help, and you will meet important people who can be useful to getting places.
The Wilson brothers (all 3) went to the University of Texas in Austin and took RTF (Radio, TV, Film) and went on to make "Bottle Rocket" (and unfortunately remade it later, they even admit that!) and they went on to great things. Matthew McConaughey went that route at UT too, even though he went on to act instead.
Hope this helps!
Taylor
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Everyone has told me to go to school and get the hard knowledge that everyone else doesn't seem to have. If this is what Taylor is saying to me as well, then I know what I have to do. Thank you very much Taylor, you answered my question with perfection. | ||
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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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