Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Taylor,

this is Sogdiana bothering you again, who asked questions on opportunities to study acting in the US for foreigners. Even if you don't remember, it's ok, you have so many people asking you where and how... Hope you've been doing well.

I was browsing the Net and realized that I might be doing next summer internship either in NYC or DC. As for NYC, I have a fairly good idea what schools are good to choose. However, I wanted to ask if you know any good acting schools in the capital where I could take summer classes in acting. I would be grateful if you could name a few, if you know, or point me in the right direction where to look.

Thank you.

Best,
Sogdiana

ANSWER: Hi Sogdiana,

Of course I remember you! You're not bothering me. How's my future star?

To name a few acting studios: The Studio Theatre The Shakespeare Theatre Company, and The Washington Improv Theater.

Washington used to be bigger than Chicago way, way back in the day, of course they are still up there, but New York and Chicago remain the top places.

These are probably more geared toward theater than film...is that your direction? New York would be better if you are looking more toward a film career. Many actors do plays between films -a lot for the credibility of being a "serious actor", and also for the $$$, because films can be farther apart after the initial hot streak when you make it. The thing is, the two forms of acting are different, so you have to be flexible. Theater is broader by nature because you have to play to the back rows of seats, so subtle nuances and gestures are lost that would otherwise be seen by the camera. Some actors who are theater trained have a hard time "dialing down" their acting when they try to do film. While I respect theater, I don't really consider it true acting as film is just "being yourself" without exaggeration.

Please keep in touch!

Best,

Taylor


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

QUESTION: Hi Taylor,

thank you for response. Your future... actress? :) ... is doing good and is glad to have you here.

Thank you for naming the schools for me. No, Taylor, theater is not my direction. *sigh* I am just planning to take some summer classes to get a general idea of what acting is all about, and it will very much depend on where I'll be doing my summer internship. But, I do have another option: since I am enrolling at Tufts University which does offer some acting classes, I think it could be wise enough to take one Intro to Acting class per semester and see how I do. How does that sound?

You're right, theater classes won't hurt, since versatility is what most actors keep learning throught their lifetime. Honestly, I never really liked anything, let it be big rock/pop star concert or a play, where you literally see nothing more than moving silhouettes or bodies waving their hands and "screaming" their monologues or singing songs. Maybe because I was less fortunate in getting front row seats that were much more expensive. I recall my funny experience, though, when I was in DC. I went to see the Lord of the Rings (III part) to Uptown Cinema that had a huge screen (I saw such a screen for the first time in my life, and probably that is why I thought it was so big). I bravely took the first seat facing the very middle of the screen and thought I was so lucky to be the only one who did that. You would never imagine how miserable I might have looked trying to follow the movie and not trying to go deaf from the sound. So, as far as any on-stage performance is concerned, it must be much better to watch from the middle row seats.

It's nice talking to you.

Best,
Sogdiana

ANSWER: Hi Sogdiana,

Your plans sounds fine to me. It's even great if you can "audit" classes, but I don't know how wide-spread that is in University these days. That's where you sit in without getting a grade...more of a dry run.

I can just picture you with your neck kinked, trying not to get motions sickness from those seats!

You know, rock musicians who once played small clubs had to get training to perform for arenas. (I love arena rock shows!) because they were used to small bars...nowadays they are going back to smaller venues and dialing it back a bit to be "smaller".

Keep in touch on your progress, ok?

Best, Taylor

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

QUESTION: I definitely will, Taylor. The problem might be that it can take me months or even years before I arrive at some point worth telling someone about, especially you. I am a person who likes to share facts and significant accomplishments rather than the excitement about making a small step forward. However, we never know how big small steps can be and how insignificant the progress may turn out. So, yes, I promise to keep you updated. After all, you're the one who says real things and knows what he's talking about.

I have one question, though, if you don't mind. I was wondering what are major mistakes all actors tend to make in their early careers. It's a very broad question, and it's ok if you give me a general answer.

Thank you.

Best,
Sogdiana  

Answer
Hi Sogdiana,

You're not bothering me!

I'm glad you have a thirst for knowledge on acting. That shows you are serious about your craft. Too many letters are from people who just want money and fame and don't take it seriously. Too many want the rewards without the work.

Mistakes early in acting careers?

Mostly attitude issues. There is definitely a "pecking order" or to be specific, levels of importance. Many young actors have to learn that they are replaceable (in a New York minute) if they forget their place or cause problems. Egos can run wild when you are young and there has been many careers that have ended because the studios or directors or casting people have grown tired of the actor being "difficult". Sean Young had that happen. Val Kilmer has been rumored to be a little difficult... Strangely, if you are really talented, like Robert Downey Jr., you can get away with being arrested repeatedly and still be ok. If you aren't, or you stop bringing in the money (people wanting to pay to watch you), it's startling how fast you fall!

Another mistake is being too picky on parts or roles. just because you don't have many lines, it doesn't mean you aren't important. Think of a movie where someone's telling someone else something important. Who does the camera spend more time on? The face of the person listening! We want to see what the person feels about the information. Listening is crucial to acting. If you are just sitting there, trying to be ready to jump in with your line (which is often not rehearsed enough), people will see that immediately.

Another mistake is trying to "act". That is the BIG one! It is horrifying to see even major stars do that. You can tell when they are trying to win an Academy Award, the go wayyyy overboard. If you ever have to act with one of these, just handle it by maintaining what your doing. Let them fly high above you!

The hardest thing I had to learn was to relax and just be myself. To not "try" to portray emotion, but to allow myself to feel that emotion and let it show without being embarrassed or self-conscious.
I think that people feel comfortable if they are just acting like they are, rather than being. My acting teacher, the late James Harrell, advised me that "the thought is enough". That's all you need.
If you are feeling the emotion, you don't need to try to make it bigger. That doesn't mean you can't use tricks to help yourself. As a stand-in for Chris Cooper, I watched him prepare for a scene by dropping to the floor and doing fast push ups. That way, his rhythm and breathing was aggressive and matched the intensity of the scene.
I did a scene where I limped. The A.D. said at lunch that he wondered how it was I walked fine off-set, but never missed a beat when on set.
I smiled, took off my shoe, and out dropped the rock I had put in there! Hey, whatever it takes...

Another mistake is not being prepared before you need to be. Some people wait until a role comes up to learn to dance ballroom or skate or ride horses. Whatever you can do to add to your abilities may be useful later. If you need to lose a few pounds, do it! Don't lose the role because you were out of shape. Learn your lines forward and back! VERY important! Don't be the actor that isn't 100% prepared. Also, never drop your audition sides (script pages) when at an audition because "you memorized it already". ALWAYS hold them at your side if they aren't needed. Casting directors HATE when you have to run over to get them because you forgot ("went up") under stress.
Also, never turn down an audition unless you are really sick or there is a real emergency. Why? Auditions make you better, the more the better. Auditioning is a completely different skill set beyond acting.
I try to have as much joy auditioning as possible, then when I leave, I forget I went. -If they call, great! If not, oh well!

Last thing that comes to mind: Not being patient. You have to be!

Best, Taylor