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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/how to start with little to no experience
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Question
yes i am 14 and i just recently went to an audition to go to the john robert powers school and i was turned down because they said i had no experience and i was wondering how i would start a career in acting with .5 percent experience in acting and can you recommend a school to me that wont charge me $650 up front because my family doesnt have alot of money
Hi Zaira,
They did you a favor in diguise!
Acting "classes" like theirs are not worth it. They often promise the world when no one professional would do so. If you had ready cash, they might have jumped to sign you up. ($$$=potential). Instead, try classes from independant teachers that you can find in the yellow pages or by speaking with people at theatres to get their reccomendation on good instructors. Try to take different teachers so you get varied styles and takes on acting. Some teachers "click" better with you than others. There is always more to learn! Many professional actors (the ones who are more successful) continue for years and never stop taking classes and workshops to keep growing and learning the craft. I find that I get rusty without training. NEVER think you have learned all there is -that's a mistake! It is an ongoing process that should never end!
You will find that the independant teachers are much more reasonable for the most part. As for JRP, until they get you into classes, how could they know your potential? That's why if they "promise" you a gig, it is often a mall runway show for little or no pay, which fulfills their promise per their agreement.
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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