Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Little girl with big dreams

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Expert: - 1/3/2009


Question
Dear Taylor,
I am a 15 year old African American girl with braces soon to be 16 and brace free. I have been searching my whole life for something that I'm truly passionate about and it took me until I was about 13 to find it. So basically I have huge dreams that I need to make happen and I won't stop until they come true. My dream is to be an actress and singer and I want to start by being on Disney Channel. This is mostly because I am a Christian and I always have and still enjoy watching Disney Channel. Being on Disney would be a dream come true for me. I live in Texas and I don't have much experience other than little skits at my school, voice lessons and many acting classes. I've auditioned for some plays but what I really want to do is on camera acting. I'm currently taking an on camera acting class and I took a two week camera acting class this past summer. So mostly I want to start my career on Disney Channel, I just have no idea how. My parents believe in me but there is no way we could move to LA right now. So all I want is a chance to get Disney's attention because I know that they will see something special in me and hopefully that will start my career. I know this all sounds crazy but I need this more than anything I just don't where to start. I just need to know what I have to do to make my dream come true. (hey that rhymed! :]) I'm all on my own with this so do you have any advice for me?
Thanks a Lot,
Krysten

Answer

Hi Krysten,

Well, it certainly looks like you have done your work on preparing for a career! Sadly, many who write me just want to cut to the fame part without having to earn it. Sad. For you, I would offer this idea. Not for those who aren't as advanced as you, but to you only. Even so, I know there will be hundreds that will likely try this in vain.

You can't go to audition in California. Sometimes, if you are lucky, a casting director will take the time to open a package and watch a dvd (or tape) of you performing. Usually it's a professional reel from some things you've done for TV or Film. I have been to casting workshops where casting directors have said they are fine with real work, but not "just filming yourself doing a monolog". Just a word of caution there. Chances may be that they just toss your tape, or maybe they will look and then toss it, or send it back unopened. Or MAYBE they will contact you. A friend of mine got a bit role that would have her show p every once in a while on a soap opera this way, but really, just don't get your hopes up. OK?

One last thought: Disney is popular right now, but it wasn't always around as a channel and it won't necessarily be around like it is now in a few years. Things come and go. Don't marry yourself to one possible option only to miss other opportunities under your nose!

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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