AboutTaylor 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).
Question Hello I am 16 going on 17...I live in Milwaukee Wisconsin and I am passionate about acting I have gone to barbazon and I haven't auditioned for John Casablanca yet but i have read some reviews about it and some people say it's a rip-off and some say it works..But either way it goes you are going to have to pay some type of money for them...Are any of them free? I kno I can do this acting thing and I know it's not too late but I want to start off young and I don't won't to do no $500 dollar classes I just want to go straight in. well basically I just wanted to know to make it in this industry do you have to be trained because Ima tell you this right now. I'm a naturally andI now I don't need no training or take classes because I want to act in various movies such as you got served and ATL....Please can you help a sista out???
Answer Hi Zj,
I don't know how to help you, other than to say good luck.
Real actors are patient. Real actors work their asses off to be well trained. I personally have given blood, eaten 79 cent burito suppers and worked double shifts in restaurants to make it. I took that money and after paying bills, spent money on classes.
Yes, those guys are a ripoff.
Agents sign actors who have trained. They also hire them for good attitudes that can be worked with and not embarrass them with clients. Actors with giant egos...right?
