Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/AM I TO OLD

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Expert: - 8/8/2008


Question
AM 35 I HAVE BEEN A MOTHER TILL NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY QUALIFICATIONS EVEN THOUGH MY DREAM IS TO BE AN ACTRESS I DROOPED OUT OF DRAMA SCHOOL AFTER IGHSCHOOL,AND 11 YEARS I HAVE LIVED IN ISRAEL NOW I WANT TO STUDY IN MY MOTHER TOGUE ENGLISH.I HAVE A GREAT NEED FOR SELF EXPRESSION ,COULD IT BE A REALITY OR STAY AS A DREAM I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE AN HONEST ANSWER THANKYOU PAULA

Answer
Hi Paula,

Well, you wouldn't be starting too young, but there's nothing to say that you couldn't get anywhere by starting now. Luckily, we are in a period of time where older actresses are being valued and used more than in history. If it is what you want, to express yourself, then go take classes and see where it leads. I think you will have to work hard to get to a level you would have been if you had stayed with it, but don't worry about it, just do it!

Maybe you would only do commercials or local theater, but that would be an outlet for expression. Maybe you will go farther. Who knows? I do know that it will haunt you if you truly love it, need it, and you don't.

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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