Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Being a manager

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Expert: - 5/15/2008


Question
Hi,
My friends have 4 year old triplets. Beautiful girls. I have been telling them for awhile that they should get those faces in advertising. Well, they have asked me to be their manager as I am the only person they know who is willing to do any leg work for them in regards in this endeavor. They are actually lined up for a commercial with a local window company. I do believe in dumb luck. Anyway, we are working on hooking them up with a talent agency, until then, where can I look for guidelines for actor fees and other associated things. It seems I am into this now and I don't want to mess up anything for these precious girls or their parents. HELP!!!!

Answer
Hi Susie,

I admire your friendship. It sounds like you should be their Godmother!

I have occasionally met people whom I thought had the right stuff to be in the business, but the farthest I have gone is to recommend them to my agent. The reason is simple: It is a lot of work if you aren't connected to the network of casting people. Sure, you may find lists of payscales from SAG or AFTRA, but there are different rates for different markets and then, there are negotiations and if a commercial will be shown in another region, how would you know how many times it has aired?
My agent KNOWS when that happens so she can bill the clients again.

My best advice is to get some pictures of the kids and look up the agents in your area to submit them to with a short note stating you are seeking representation in your market. Just leave it at that. If they bite, take them in to be seen. Leave the agent duties to a licensed agent, and help the mom to get them to the places they are sent to. Just in case things don't go right, which sometimes they don't, you won't be the person to blame.

Best,
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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