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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/how can i become a great actor
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Question
Hi Mr Sheppard
My name is Alex Rodriguez and i was thinking how can i
really start of acting. I been loving it since 4th grade and now I'm 15 and i still love it. I been always loving playing sports like basketball, but i want something to do if basketball isn't my thing to do in the future. You see my mom want to live in Dominican so i want to live here. So i want to show my mom that i can be successful in life and also she took take me all my live and i want to repay her. By doing something to make her proud of all my hard work and i want help of how can i start becoming a good actor. My mom love movies and t.v show and i always wanted to be famous and be in a movie or show for she can see how I'm good at it. But i so far i got no clue to where to start this new way. I'm going to finish high school in tow more years. And i will go to collage, but i really need some help to get it started. so hope you can give me some advice of how i can get started. Thank you
Hi Alex,
I understand your ambition!
I have always been close to my mom and she always supported my dreams, and I, in turn, want her to be proud.
My suggestion is to keep that in mind and prepare to work hard. With her as your inspiration, you have that drive, but you also need to love acting for yourself and believe in yourself as if you have no one else doing so. There are plenty of times you will think to quit, and you have to not give up. This doesn't guarantee success, there are many factors to that, but there are millions of people that are spoiled by comfort and let their doubts undermine their chances.
don't be tempted to look for shortcuts. Start taking classes and when you finish the first, go to the next class and level and don't stop because you feel like you have done enough. Acting is a craft that never stops growing if you tend to it. Pro actors are always training and learning.
Best to you!,
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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