Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 9/29/2008

Question
Hello.  I'm a 36yo male that's been interested in acting for going on 10 years now.  I live in Sacramento and regardless of the work I'm doing, I never seem to get very far because I always get a calling to move to LA.  I've never had a desire for anything more than this...

But herein lies the problem.  I have ZERO experience with any drama/acting classes or courses.  I've never explored this as I've had to center my time on finding adequate work that usually just pays the bills.

While I'm tempted to move to LA with nothing but my car and the major necessities, I'd like to think I'm a bit smarter.  But I'm really THAT convinced that my future is in front of the camera in some fashion.  I'm not after the 'celebrity' factor, I just really think I'd enjoy the challenge and energy from it.

What's a realistic approach with my given situation?  Should I hold my current 9-6 job working 5 days a week (including weekends) and hope to pick up a class here and there to see how it goes or should I take the plunge and get my butt down to LA?

I've regretted not doing this earlier and I won't be able to live with myself if I keep procrastinating.  Also financially I'm not set so it's not like I can move and give myself a year to explore my options, I'd need to find work immediately in some fashion.  I have experience in Call Center and retail.  But I'm open to other things like waiting tables, etc.

Thanks so much for any feedback.  And please... don't hold any punches.

Brian

Answer
Hey Brian,

Well, you're right that time is flying and I think you know the little voice in your head that is trying to talk sense is right.

Would it be wise to go unprepared to LA? What do you think?

I have seen truly talented, well trained guys go to Hollywood only to have their asses handed to them. When they come back, they always say: "I'm on sabbatical"...which means: "I got homesick and whipped and couldn't get arrested out there!"

You will have to have work. Luckily there are call centers that understand (for call centers) and will be flexible. There is the waiting jobs, although they are in high demand.

Thing is, you need to get some training and not rely on dumb luck, because dumb luck and $5.50 will get you a cup of coffee. It's tempting to buy into the fairytale of instant success, but it doesn't really happen.

I am not saying it's wrong to have that burning impatience and desire, but channel it with common sense...tell yourself you are NOT going to be yet another failed dream. Set yourself up for success, not failure. The advantage for those of us who started elsewhere is we got to make mistakes in front of biz people, who although pretty important, were more of a big deal in our market and not in a place where word gets around and could potentially ruin chances from the top down.
If you make a bad showing at first, second chances don't usually come again for years and years. do you have that long?

If you have never trained and gotten to know what it is you have to do, you need to know. It isn't like repeating the words from your favorite films and re-enacting their moves. It's more like trying to write a song from scratch. When you get a chance, look at a script online that you've seen in a show. How flat and lifeless the words are! It's the actor that takes those words and finds their possible meanings and adds the gestures, the quirks and movements that make your eyes glue themselves to the screen. The next time you see they are in something, you say "Man, I want to buy a ticket to that!" Those guys are the ones you see in class that take the same script everyone else is doing and steps up and blows you away with a completely different reading.

Get in classes, get your tools together and get with it Brian!

Best, Taylor