Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Casting

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Expert: - 8/25/2008


Question
Hey, I've been a stage actor for the past 9 years. I'm right now 19. I've recently been doing extra work for "Prison Break" but now that the show is out of Texas I have no way to look up work. Web-sites want money and don't give me a lot of casting call information. Do you know of any web-site or anything that i can go to of visit that will allow me to get up to date casting calls. I'm super serious about acting and am ready to make the lifetime commitment of becoming a great actor. Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated

Answer
Hi Chris,

If you are just looking for projects in Texas you can look at the Texas Film Commission website from the Governor's office. Most states have one. They list extras needed and casting and crew. You would have luck with the extras part, but submissions to major productions (not student or no-budget indies) will probably wind up in the "round file" (trash can).

That's because they choose to cast in cooperation with talent agents who have signed, trained, bona fide talent.

If you want to go with an agent, get into classes to start learning the trade. It will show them you are serious about the work and not just there to get attention without effort.

Never go to any "casting" website or "modeling search" site or agency that asks for money upfront. That is not how a legit agency rolls.

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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