Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: Good Morning Taylor!

People here should feel extremely fortunate to have you at their "free" disposal!  Wow. After reading the majority of your responses it is clear that your value far exceeds this forum. Thank you from the bottom of my professional heart for ALL of your generous contributions to this little space on the Web.  I've read a few other "experts" in the same category and I think I've finally found someone :) that I suspect will have the most substantial advice to offer.  Here's my situation (and a few point-bullet questions, if acceptable).

I'm a 38-year-old female that is seriously considering getting back into acting and/or modeling.  Between the ages of 18 - 27 I worked as a personal trainer, competed in various fitness shows (and titled) and, as a result, easily landed a quite a few jobs as a spokesmodel/model/magazine covers, etc. for a slew of health-related products, publications and companies. At the time I thought it would be wise to branch out into acting (I felt it might have more longevity), so I took a plethora of workshops, classes and coaching (not just acting, but also voice, movement, voice-over, etc...I was a "class" junkie and still am!). I got about as far as a head shot and comp card, went on a few auditions and did a few student and indie films, and ended up just stopping short of accruing any credits and ultimately found myself exiting the industry with a very dismal resume.

After an approximate 10-year hiatus (if it can even be referred to as such!), I've begun thinking about getting back into acting/modeling since I have a certain level of experience (even if amatuer) and don't think it would take me too long to pick the ball back up and continue to roll it ever further.  Going back to college to pursue a degree is not an attractive option at this point.

My questions are...

1) What kind of work exists out there (particularly in the Detroit market, if you're familiar/or one similar) for a 39-year-old woman who Father Time has been somewhat kind to? When I ask about work, I mean mostly in terms of acting (film/tv), OR modeling (specifically commercial, I am 5'8);  and would you recommend pursuing one over the other-- knowing that the potential for most income earned was the primary motivation?  I am not particularly picky about either, I'd just really like to a make a little extra income to offset my first job as a personal trainer (been doing this about 20 years now, and the state of the current economy here in Michigan has me considering secondary cushion factors that wouldn't require much further education and money!)

2)  Are there any odd, unusual, eccentric, not-so-glamorous gigs within the entertainment industry (such as voice-over, stunt work/doubling, etc.) that offer a relatively lucrative income for a self-starter and go-getter?  I am sincerely not interested in the whole "shooting for fame" motivator, and am sheerly interested in making a decent living/secondary income. I do love the industry enough that I'm sure I could make almost any job within this vernacular enjoyable and fulfilling.  There has to be something out there with a smaller supply in proportion to its demand, with perhaps not as much competition as acting/modeling.

3)  Lastly! I've often heard acting coaches, acting teachers, casting agents, and the like refer to an archetype in role considerations . When compiling a headshot (acting, specifically), how important is "type" in selecting the final photo?  And how can I discover which "type" I should be presenting as my "brand"/image?  That is, should I be presenting my image as something like "leading lady" (mysterious/soulful), "lawyer/prosecutor" (serious/stern), "sex goddess" (sexy/pouty), "fitness expert" (fit/youthful), or should I simply go for the friendliest, tooth-filled, bright-eyed, naturally sincere smile I can muster for best universal coverage?  I apologize if I haven't been able to articulate this in a way that helps you understand what I'm referring to.  I've been playing catch-up via articles, message boards, blogs, etc., and this is something that seems to keep cropping up in my self-educated journeys.  I truly hope this makes sense enough as this one is giving me the most trouble!

Thank you so much, in advance, for any insights or advice you could recommend.  I will continue taking classes (I have two beginning this week, at two different outfits), and will also begin submitting for non-union, student/indie-type stuff to brush off the rust and start polishing the diamond with headshots, working on an agent, and then submitting for bigger projects when I'm truly ready. I'm in no rush and really prefer to take things one step at a time.

Thanks again for your contributions to this board.  I hope I haven't overstepped any boundaries by submitting questions-within-a-question.  In the event that I have, I would be happy to resubmit each of these questions separately.  You're worth AT LEAST that much!  I hope you're archiving all of these gems!

Thanks again!  I'm so grateful to have found you!

An Unexpected Fan,

Dani Ballinger


ANSWER: Hi Dani,

Let's see: Th Detroit market sounds about as depressed as the Austin market right now. The economy is truly the pits right now! I understand what you mean about having a cushion to help out.

There is work for all ages, especially if time has been kind. Have you ever noticed that ads aimed for older people usually have young looking, but prematurely grayed women? That's because they want to appeal to people who see themselves (in denial or not) as looking young, just having a little gray or a wrinkle here and there. I am just saying that's one area. There has come a time where we aren't just celebrating 20-somethings and teens (thank God). We are seeing the media reflecting real life more than ever before. The maddening part of the actor's life is the unknowns: "What did I do wrong?" "What did I do right?" "Do I need to work on something or was I not the right 'type'?" (To answer your one question, you never want to second guess what the casting director wants to see in a photo. There is enough type casting as it is, and you yourself may not see what you look like clearly. I have second guessed myself out of jobs before. You might have an agent advise you on your "type" I used to be a young dad type, but that may cause you to pigeon hole yourself and stunt your growth. I am no longer a young dad look, btw. Just take the headshots, one smiling for commercial and one serious and let the chips fall where they may. Now if you are going for a nurse role, hey, dress the part! That works.

Station Break....from your words, I pick up that you care alot about this, and are enthusiastic. That's good!

I will pick this up later,

Taylor

Hi Dani,

Sorry to pick this up again so late, just been busy with auditions...and trying to field new questions on top of that!

I think voice-over work would be great to look into, of course, that would require investing in a demo disc. Basically, anything you look into will likely require investment to a degree. My agent used to send me on product demos too, which aren't true acting, but can pay fairly well. I wouldn't recommend stunt work (at least serious stuff) as it's easy to hurt yourself and there isn't always much to cover you if you do so. I have been banged up pretty well in car wrecks and the like and those pay dividends waaaay after the fact now!

If I haven't covered your questions or if you have new ones, please ask again! Seriously, keep me informed as to your progress. I never get to find out the results here, which is sometimes frustrating!

Best,

Taylor



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:
Dear Taylor:

Firstly, I must apologize for the delay in getting back to YOU! I had eagerly awaited a response and wasn't seeing anything in my email box.. UNTIL  I checked my SPAM box (by suggestion of a helpful friend who led me to check here for your answer!). I never knew that legitimate emails could become mysteriously misdirected to a person's SPAM box (why DOES this happen?!), but am so glad to have been enlightened!  I'll be contacting AOL (pounding fist) to find out exactly how things went amiss.  I had been waiting with baited breath for no good reason! :)

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful response.  Yes, Detroit IS beyond depressed. Is Austin really as bad as Detroit? It wouldn't make me feel any better to hear that it's true, only even more sad for more people outside this dire state. We have two cities here (within 60 miles of each other) that rank #1 and #2 on both the most dangerous list as well as the most impoverished list. The auto companies and their departures to foreign lands (grr) bear much of the blame around these parts!

I am so encouraged to hear that there is indeed space for us "mature" types in this industry.  I had never considered the sell-ability factor as it relates to an appeal to the public's own denial of "severe" aging. I find this very interesting and even more helpful. Thank you for this alone!

I am also noticing a subtle trend toward more interest in "real-to-life" people in media. I'm glad to hear this may be an actual phenomenon.  I suspect that perhaps this is due to decades (via technology that continues to increase its wingspan) of celebrity obsession, and that we're all just sick to death of pursuing these unattainable ideals and find ourselves disconnected from the realities of their lives and lifestyles. Maybe it's simply too tiresome to bother keeping up with the "Celebrity Jones". Thus, the advent of "Reality Shows" and their real life admirers (ironically, little do the fans of these shows know: most of these shows are SCRIPTED! (gasp!).  Of course, scripted means safety and safety ensures the money follows. It will always be about the money, and I do respect that!  I'm not bitter or disenfranchised to know this.. rather, I'd like to know how to navigate WITHIN these pre-established rules!  Completely unveiling this "roadmap" is what drives me most in this business!

Thank you also for the advice on head shots. I'll do exactly as you say:  one friendly, one serious, let the chips fall where they may -- and then --  move on with my life :)  This nagging question of "projecting my best type" was a major dilemma for me, and while I was waiting for a response from you (darn you AOL),  I did a whole bunch of re-reading (Judy Kerr, Michael Shurtleff, Bob Fraser, etc.) and came to the same conclusion.  This is a huge relief for me, to hear you confirm this.  It really CAN be reduced to simple logic and a certain sense of trusting and being OK with the outcome, whatever it may be. I like that.  

The instructor in one of my Acting classes held a "typing" session for us students, and I was typed (by my peers) as a cross between Erin Brocovich (direct outspokenness), Julia Roberts (like-ability/approachability) and Angelina Jolie (people actually thought I resembled her.. I was completely floored!).  I wonder why more classes don't do this. I found this to be very helpful!  It certainly gave me a better idea of how my persona/essence (at this point anyway) strikes people (albeit a small range of people, but still enough to consider their impressions).  I would recommend this to everyone who is new to the industry (Bonnie Gillespie, a well-known and highly respected Casting Director in LA, speaks about the importance of "presenting your type" quite often - I think I "get it" now!).  I am wondering, though (if you have time to answer!) exactly how you went from being the "Dad" type to another type.  That is, was it a matter of the work you began getting that changed your usual type, or was it the element of your physical appearance changing? Or a little a both? (Ok, truth be known:  I almost "get it".  I'm trying anyway!)

Thank you, too, for the advice on alternative jobs within the industry.  I discovered a few books (also while I patiently waited for the response that AOL hi-jacked from you and me), and they were really helpful to me!  I will share them with you in case you're asked this question again and would like to offer other resources for your readers. I found these two books on Amazon.com and believe these may be among only a few of their particular content offerings:  100 Best Careers in Entertainment by Shelly Field ...and... The Job Book (100 Acting Jobs for Actors) by Smith and Kraus.   I found both of these to be tremendous resources for legitimate, alternative gigs within the entertainment industry.  And per your suggestion, I'll be sure to cross "stunt work" off my list. I wasn't too crazy about it to begin with :).

I'm so happy to hear you've been busy with auditions. Judging by the amount of time and thought that you put into responding to questions here, I imagine you approach your craft with the same fervor and you fully deserve to be working! By now you should be really good at this whole Auditioning enigma! Gosh, I could write a whole other column of questions on THAT topic, too! (I promise to spare you the burden until you at least recover from this one-hah!).   

That is yet another one of my goals: to approach every audition with the idea that, although booking the job is the ultimate goal, is also the experience and lessons I will purposely work to appreciate, as well.  Right now I LOVE to audition, and I hope this enthusiasm continues (else I'll probably know it may be the end of the road, or time to try a new gig!).

Taylor, thanks again for your insights and support!  Yes, I do care (translation: strongly desire to be a WORKING Actor!) and I am truly touched that you somehow took notice of this. This is very encouraging to me!

Hopefully NOT to your dismay:  I will be back with more questions! :)

(I'm so glad I stumbled upon your little slice on the Web!)

Sincerely Yours,

Dani B.

Answer
Hi Dani,

You look a little like Angelina, huh? What's your email? I'm single! lol!

I changed. That's what happened to the "young dad". I would like to fancy myself as more leading man type now (slightly weathered and Miami Vice whiskers). That's why you have to go back and get those darn headshots re-done so often!

I would personally beware of the "type" thing. As I said, people can change lookswise, and people often cannot see you in a different light when they see you one way in class or at home. Even our own view of ourselves is famously distorted, so even though it's a little handy to "know thyself" -don't let it define you!

I wouldn't say Austin is as bad off as Detroit in all ways, just that the acting work is slow now with lots of competition...commercials have gotten thin. I had an audition request last week for Dell Computers, but the details were bad for me. It was a "live-interactive" theater for the employees -my role would have been a CIO of a company. It was a $1,000. job, but it was rehearsals and several partial days and it wouldn't work out with my straight job, driving expense and agent's commission. It would have been fun...

Speaking of fun, good on ya that you you like auditions. An actor really should love any chance to perform -even there. George Clooney said recently that he won't be getting married because he can't keep a woman due to being gone so much acting. He said things keep getting father and farther away and he loves freezing his butt off on set out there! I have to agree...I love being on set, even through boredom, fatigue, hot, cold...early mornings. But I'd still want to have that special person. It's just that I you SHOULD have fun with it all, because it's not like a regular job that is all about income, it's the love of the craft!

Bring on the questions!

Taylor