Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/performing on disney channel

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/19/2009


Question
Dear Taylor,
    I would like to ask you a few questions on getting a job on Disney channel. I'm 13, and I love singing and performing. Can you give me some tips for getting on shows such as Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, ext.? I would also like to ask that if I do become "famous," will it do anything to my education or spending time with my family? I hope that you respond to me soon.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Danielle,

If you have been taking classes for a while and have some credits from doing acting jobs, then you should see about an agent. If you haven't even taken classes, you need to start there. When you have taken classes a long while and have an agent, then they can see about getting you to Los Angeles to audition. Of course to audition (and if you get the part) you will have to live there for stretches of time from a few months to almost full time. They have education laws so they have on-set tutors who have to teach you several hours a day while you work. It does interfere with normal life and friends and...being home. Being famous isn't all getting to show off how important you are to people. It's also getting followed around and stared at and not being able to just "hang out" or go somewhere alone or with a friend -most often you have to have someone hired to watch out for you tag along to keep you safe from people who are crazy about you (or just plain crazy) and might hurt you. Do they like you for who you are? No. They think they know you from your characters. God forbid they are bad characters, because people sometimes treat actors bad because they forget it's just entertainment, not real life!
I would seriously reconsider wanting to act for fame or money. I'd ONLY do it if I just couldn't live without being able to act for the fun of it. -It's a lot of work!

Best,

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.