About 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).
Question Hi my name is Amy and I live in CA
I have many questions regarding how to start my career. I have always dreamed of being in a Disney Channel show or movie but that will come if i prepare and work hard for it. What I find very difficult is to choose what acting school to attend, do you recommend a specific one that gives classes to teens at 13 years of age? How many years of classes do you think will make me experienced enough to star in a Disney production and if those years of school help how can i find out about auditions Disney channel may have?
Answer Hi Amy,
Not knowing your location in Cali, I would have to say to check the Internet for schools near your home. It's not so much the name of the school as just getting into classes. You will hear from other students where they have gone and who they recommend. I have taken them from many different people because I wanted to get different perspectives. Some teachers were better at some parts than others.
As to how long, you should always be taking classes, but I would give it a year before attempting to go forward. If you find a teacher that will be direct and honest with you, they may be able to tell you if you are ready to start looking for an agent. There really isn't a time when you can't learn more about this craft. Even professional actors train to stay sharp.
When the time comes that you do have an agent, they will be able to look into Disney auditions, if Disney is sending out calls for auditions. You have to realize that millions of teens and tweens want to get there, so you will have to grit your teeth and get past a lot of obstacles without quitting to get there.
