Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/acting

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/26/2008


Question
hi

i was wondering if i want to act where is the best way of getting started? i toke drama at my old school and i and crazy about it now but i since then i have found it hard to get any further to get on TV. i am 16 years old and female, i have you any advise for me i would be very grateful. thanks you. please E-mail me back. x

Answer
Hi Evie,

You didn't mention how long it's been since you took classes, so I'm guessing a little bit. Get back in classes and you will get the ball rolling. Whenever things are slow, I take classes to keep sharp and learn more about myself and my abilities. You also develop contacts by putting yourself out there and meeting people in the biz. Wishes are great, but wishes are just wishes unless you DO SOMETHING to make them move forward.

Unfortunately, your dream only find you if you make yourself available to them. A friend once asked me if I thought he would ever meet anyone. I said "Yeah, but you'll probably need to get out of your apartment first!"
(He tended to go to work and go home and stay in all the time).

Once you get refreshed on your training, try looking around for talent agents to submit a photo and resume of your classes and any work you've done. Then sit back and see if they want to meet you. (include a polite, short letter stating you are seeking representation in your area. Don't beg, just say that...you don't want to sound desperate.) Be sure you include contact info! Talent agents are in your phone book, not in banner ads on the net! Be suspicious of anyone that promises you work or wants money before you do anything!

Best,

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.