Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 4/26/2009

Question
Hello Taylor,
I'm sure you get tons of these questions so I will be brief; basically I have a keen interest in acting, I always thought I could but I never had the confidence to try. I recently decided that I want to give it a go, because if I never try it I just know im going to regret it later in life.

I am 20 years old right now, I was going to school for business, but I think its all a big scam (whos going to TEACH you how to make money when you could go make it for yourself?). Most of my family are all entrepreneurs so I naturally am born with a business sense. My question is how does one start and take the first step as an actor? I live in Houston Texas, and I did a little look around on google for acting schools, drama schools and etc in the Houston area. My scammer alarm went off on every site. They all look like a big fraud, a get rich quick scheme claiming they can get you in roles in 6 months and that they state of the art training is top of the line, pages of phony sounding "testimonials".

How do I get started? What classes do I take? I want to take classes to learn how to act because I dont know how to right now. Sure I could watch a movie and do my best to reenact the scene I can show emotions and so forth but there has to be more depth to acting than that. I know you dont just go get a agent when you havent even taken a acting class yet, but if you dont get a agent, and casting/acting sites are a scam, where do you start? What is a good place that I can get a quality education in? I would really like not having to move to LA or NY. That seems to be everyone's answer, yea just go move to LA and pay for acting classes and then go to auditions every day, and then you will eventually get casted.

So the conclusion is; where do I start? What am I to do? Do I enroll in a university? Sign up at a talent agency? Audition with a blank resume? Try my luck at being a youtube super star? Walk around and hope a casting agent sees me? Find a miracle agent?

Thanks for your time in reading my rant. Its just very fusterating you know. If I wanted to be a...veterinarian. I would know how to do it, there is a road laid out for you to follow. Being a actor really just feels like no one knows the answer or how to become one; feels like the "lucky" ones have their theory's and the rest of us just hold our tongues.

Answer
Hi Chris,
Yes a million scammers are out there waiting to get their greedy hands crossed with silver.
There ARE, however good acting classes in Houston. Alley Theater, for one, I believe still exists. I would check the yellow pages under acting classes. That would be the same for agents....under Talent Agencies.
It's amazing to me how many people want so badly to have their dream that they don't use common sense -or maybe I am just an old cynic...??? But anyone who promises things not knowing you is full of it!
The best course is the hard one. Everyone wants the easy one. Fat? Don't waste time on exercise and eating right!!! Just take this pill, buy this device and in two days you will be a hard-body!!!!
How much would they sell our little narcisistic American consumers if they said they would have to sweat and strain and not eat whatever the hell we wanted -give up immediate gratification?

Enough of the rant, just saying, the best road is the one without shortcuts. Sure, you could be a utube star...for 5 minutes. I haven't heard of anyone launching a real career that way. In fact it might work against you as depending on what got you noticed, you might end up having to live it down. I don't know any respected actors who started like that.

They did train in theaters and took classes (Kevin Spacey thanked his mom for driving him as a teen when he won his Oscar) and worked their way up. A few rare people found themselves abruptly thrust into fame, but usually they were VERY uncommon people in looks and talent and character and most "overnight star" stories are horseshit made up by PR people.

Look in the yellow pages for acting schools and read everything you can on the subject. Practice every chance you get and get the schooling and you will get further, faster than looking for a shortcut. DO NOT go to LA or New York without training! You want to set yourself up to succeed, not fail. As you get deeper into the training, you will gain actor friends and networks that will serve you to get more knowledge and propel you forward!

Best, Taylor