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QUESTION: hey...I wan to be an actress but i live in NJ not in NY...what kind of agency are here in NJ. i found thousands but not sure because the could be lying.....please help me... i want to act in tvelevision especially in Disney channel
ANSWER: Hi Carolina,
There are lots of agencies. Just don't sign with one who asks for any money up front to represent you. They should only take a percentage (10-15%) of your paycheck once you have booked and filmed a job.
best,
Taylor
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: sorry Taylor to bother you that much...
but i really want my dream to come true and i wish that for than anything!
what agencies are here in NJ... Good ones... i cant find them most of them are too far like NY or just to far from where i live and i cant travel that far because i'm still in school.
Hi Carolina,
Jersey's a big place, but there's a search engine called google that I tried and found this:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=talent+agencies+in+NJ&fb=1&vie
....under "Talent agencies in NJ".
Part of being an actor is having initiative to find things out on your own. Directors and casting do not look kindly on what they term "Lazy Actors" -people who want to be spoon fed information.
I don't mean to be harsh, but it's true. If you ask them "What is this character about?" or "What does this character want?" They MAY tell you, or they may politely kick you to the curb. Why risk it because you didn't give it a good try?
By the way, have you taken acting lessons yet? If you haven't, I wouldn't bother with looking for an agent until you do. They want at least some formal training, because if you don't have it, the next girl does...and the next....and the next...and the next!
Best,
Taylor
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Answers by Expert:
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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