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).
Expert: Taylor Sheppard Date: 7/16/2008 Subject: about getting my son on tv?
Question hello my son is 12 years old and he is a good actor he has been in plays lots of times when he was younger and i just wanted for him to be on TV and become a star like Disney or nickelodeon please sir try to.
Answer Hi Maxine,
Sounds like your son has had a good start!
I would see about getting him into acting classes to train for his career and then work from there. I doubt that Disney has any kids who haven't trained and then found an agent before getting signed. It just doesn't work that way. You have to see that TV and film are a business and they must have people who they know will be dependable and are invested in their career. Unfortunately, some talent will never be seen because the parents don't have the money to travel and take off from work to be with the child as he or she makes the journey to a career. Many of these kids are actors since birth. (no kidding!)
I would start with the classes and see where it goes. He may find it isn't for him after he finds out what's involved...
