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Question
Hi there. My question is about stage names. I have recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. For the past few months I have been doing background work just to get some experience and what-not. I'm wondering about using a stage name. How does it work when I do to set and fill out a voucher. Since my stage name isn't my REAL name, will the checks come to me in my name or my stage name? My bank probably wouldn't take a check with another name on it....not sure how all of this works. Any advice you can provide me would be GREATLY appreciated! I hope you have a great day.
V/R,
Jenna
Hi Jenna,
You can file a "DBA" -"Doing Business As" form at the courthouse in many states to take care of the issue. You would use your drivers license and social security with the stage name. You will likely be sent a letter every once in a while by the Social Security office requesting you come in, but you just take your DBA filing, your headshot and vouchers and show them and explain it, and that should be ok. You will want to fill in the little part on the IRS forms at tax time that ask if you go by any alias. You may want to speak with your bank about adding the DBA to your account or you could simply sign your stage name "To (insert real name)" then sign your real name. I have never had a problem with that with my bank. My agent makes all checks to my stage name. Occasionally, I have the staff on set ask for my drivers license or social and I just explain it. Again, very little issue.
Hope this helps!
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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