Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 3/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Let me start off by saying that this might be a little lengthy so I apologize ahead of time. With that said, I'll say a few things about myself. My name is Kamilah, Im 19 years old, and am an African American. Right now I currently attend Arizona State University,majoring in film and media studies. Right now I'm at a difficult time in my life and Im stuggling with what decisions I should make. For the past three years I have wanted to start acting, but always felt like I didnt have the confindence to take that leap and thought that it was unrealistic to think about acting as a career. I also thought that it was too late for me to start at the age I am now.But with maturity and growth I think I've gained the confidence and determination needed to be successful in the acting industry. I've finally realized that this is something that I just have to do for myself and want to start as soon as I can. Its the only thing that I can really see myself doing in life. I just dont really know where to begin. I have no experience with acting what so ever so I know that acting classes are the first step. The problem Im having is choosing which types of classes to take. What classes should I take if Im interested in acting for movies? I have no knowledge about the audition process or what sort of things that take place before and during shooting a movie. Ive heard terms like dry reads and call backs, but I have no idea what they mean. Is that a bad thing? What classes would help me with that? The next question is about finding auditions and an agent. From what I've heard, the only way to find auditions is through an agent, is that true? If so, how do I go about getting an agent and is there a cost for getting one? Now the most important thing that Im most concerned with is being in college and pursuing acting. Acting is what Im passionate about and the only thing I want to do. However, I feel like it would be a bad idea if I dropped out without having a back-up plan for the future. Plus, Im dont think my dad would be to happy with that idea and his support is important to me. Do you think there is any chance that I could balance the two and pursue acting while still in college? Im also wondering if staying in Arizona for a year or two to start acting is good in this situation. Are you familiar with amount of acting oppurtunities available in the Phoenix area? Basically, would moving to L.A be the best decision or would it be okay to just get my feet wet here in Arizona before making such a big move?

To sum things up I just want to say that I think realistically. I understand that this is a tough business that comes with a lot of rejection and scrutiny. Im interested to know what I should expect in the early stages of acting and how long it usually takes to build a substantial resume. Im mostly interested in doing independent/indie films or tv shows.

Final thing I promise. Im 19 years old but I could easily pass as 25 with makeup and if Im dressed nicely. Being that Im a black young girl who doesnt always look 19, is there a chance that I will only get particular roles based off of that? I would like to play characters that are around my age but I worry that I wont be able to. Is this just a dumb thing to assume or is there a possibility that this could happen?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope to hear back from you soon.


ANSWER: Hi Kamilah,

Thank you for the well-written letter. It's refreshing to hear from
readers who can spell and articulate their thoughts coherently. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue and not suggest that they learn spelling and grammar along with classes to get ahead.

As to your questions:

I am not sure what opportunities are there for you in Phoenix. Probably local commercial stuff. You could google your state's film commission office under the Governor's office to get an idea. I know New Mexico gets a bit of film work.

LA is a BIG leap, I suggest getting started in a smaller market, in fact, I have recently read that Hollywood is hurting pretty bad from "runaway production" and reality shows, so it may be well to look smaller for a bit anyway. By the time you graduate from college, things may be looking up. YES! I recommend making Dad happy and finishing your degree. I did not, and I wish many days I had. I would take me over two years to do so (or more while working) when I had just two semesters left. I had to leave for economic reasons (similar to now) and it has affected my work opportunities outside acting. The larger part of actors hold other jobs or own their own businesses to pay the bills.
You have to budget, as you never know when or if the phone will ring again. It is also hard to find jobs that allow freedom to leave to audition and shoot as well.

It sounds like with your degree, you could do related work if you need to. Reporting, etc.

Agents take a small percentage of your paycheck when they find you work and you complete the job. Never up front. Run from anyone calling themselves an agent and asking for money. They are located under "Talent Agencies" in the yellow pages in big cities. You would send them a professionally taken head shot, a resume of schooling and/or experience, and a letter short and sweet, stating you are seeking an agent in the area and would like to meet and giving phone and email and addy. That's all. Then you wait for a response or not. If they don't call, don't call them.

Finally, don't focus on age. What does it matter? It is what it is.
Also, a pet peeve of mine (I know you advised me for info purposes) you are a young woman and an American and hopefully, a new actor(notice I didn't say "actress" or "starlet" . You need to avoid pigeon-holing yourself with categories. That's one reason on resumes that you avoid height, weight, age and physical characteristics. That's what the headshot is for! I was told by a casting director once that the drug dealer in "Rush" was found by a reel (a tape of him auditioning -normally it is a reel of past performances in films). She showed it to the director and he loved it! He asked the casting agent to bring him to Texas from Florida. She did, all right! And she almost died when he walked off the plane. He was 5'2"! She thought to herself: "OMG! I am screwed! BUT, the director saw him and said: "No problem, we will have him do the scene sitting in a chair like he did in the reel. Problem solved! Had he indicated his height, no sale. I hope that someday we will all just see ourselves as people. Not old or young or whatever.

Best to you!

Taylor


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for such a quick response. I wasn't expecting to here back so soon. The answers you gave me really helped me get a better understanding about which steps I should take first and how I need to go about things.  I just have a few question about getting training and gaining experience. I read an answer that you gave to a person asking about legitimate acting classes. You said to stay away from places promising success and asking for loads of money. You suggested looking in the yellow pages for acting intructors or asking people who do theater at local places or colleges. I found an acting place online called the Dearing Acting Studio. They offer classes ranging from character improv,cold reading, scene study, meisner, and many others. Its $145 for 4 lessons (two hours a day) for a month. It doesnt sound sketchy to me, but I want to make sure that the price for that amount of lessons is a standard thing and is going to be worth it. Also, if I find that there isnt a lot of film work offered where I live, would it be a smart decision if I went looking for work around the border states of Arizona and just make the commute back and forth when something comes up? If not, the best thing would be to take whats offered here and do student films at my college, correct?

Once again, thank you for your time and helpful feedback.

Answer
Hi Kamilah,

You are spot-on on your ideas!

The classes sound exactly right in price and I would take every one of them.
If you find few opportunities for work, student films are an excellent way to gain experience under low-pressure cirumstances. You never know, sometimes you wind up in a film that goes places!

The Cohen brothers did their first acclaimed movie as students at U Texas as well as the Wilson bothers, who did "Bottle Rocket" there and did poorly trying to re-do it with money later!
I generally never advise doing work for free, but I still will for these projects, but only student films.

Best,

Taylor