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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Acting vs. Family
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Question
Ok let me start off by saying i'm 15, I've been wanting to professionally act since i was 9 or 10. I'm not sure you can really answer this question because its kinda personal but ill ask anyway. My brother is an actor not big yet, actually nothing yet, he's been there for 3 years now and nothing. My parents have spent a lot of money on him so far. I found a good studio its the SAG studio it has acting classes and its located near where my brother lives in California. i live in Niagara Falls. Its only $320 for 6 weeks but we're low on money because of the repression. I'm sure if i can go. I have read lots of articles about what to do but i need a real person to push me in the right direction. i know about getting headshots and stuff but how, where? and what do i do before and after it. I feel like if i wait to long before i get started it'll my dream will be ruined. So can you please help me?
Thank you
Hi Akshil,
If your dream is so fleeting that you cannot wait, it probably isn't for you.
Acting takes loads of patience. Waiting for calls, not getting calls, waiting on the set to act, etc. Get used to it.
If you want to act, you may have to wait if the money isn't there or you can't find odd jobs to pay for it. A prospective agent wants to see ambition and desire. What better way than to already be in classes when you submit your resume and PROFESSIONAL headshot?
Not to be harsh, but no one is going to baby or beg you to get yourself going. There are MILLIONS of people DYING to be actors. You have to want it more.
Get into classes, get your stuff together and start submitting to agents. Be ready for rejection and shrug it off when it happens -trust me, it will. Once you get an agent, be very mature, don't lean on the emotionally for support and above all GO TO EVERY AUDITION YOU CAN. Don't worry about getting them, just do them and enjoy the acting. If you love doing it it will come through. If you are only concerned with getting it or fame or money, you will be distracted and look BAD.
Best,
Taylor
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 9 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you, but you misunderstood on one part i dont feel like ill lose my dream of acting its just that i feel like the earlyer i start the better for me it is. | ||
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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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