Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Afraid

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Expert: - 8/8/2008


Question
My name is Lila and I'm eleven years old. I love to sing and dance, but I've always been too afraid to tell my mom that that is what I want to do. My mom thinks I want to be some big time author, and that sort of is true. Please can you help me??!!

-Lila S.

Answer
Hi Lila,

I am not sure what your relationship with your mom is like. Is she always hinting how proud she would be for you to be a "big time" author? Is she kind of overbearing with you?

Many times we build up things to be worse in our life than they are. The best thing is to tell her how you feel. I'm sure she loves you and knows you are young and things change. Once upon a time, kids were "sorted out" for what they would be good for at a young age and you were sent to specific schools for that trade. Imagine making a choice early on, then deciding it isn't what you wanted? Thankfully, those days are over, and you can move forward with the option to change your mind. The world was simple back then and things didn't change as rapidly in the working world.
If she doesn't approve, give her time and keep bringing it up. Eventually she will understand and let you do what you dream of. That isn't to say you won't be an author at some point. After all, you need to have experiences to write about, right?

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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).

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