Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 5/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi Iam 17 years old (June 12th ill be 18). i want to be come an actress but i have no idea on how i am going to begin. my uncle is the executive of WA Enterprises and he is helping me out. i would like advice/tips on acting and what i have to do.

i don't know if i am being impatient because uncle can get me in but i do know that i will need advice/tips.


by the way how long will it take for me to get into my first production?

thanks
Mary

ANSWER: Hi Mary,

He is definitely putting himself out on a limb. He must love you very much. I would do my very best to return the love by being prepared so you don't embarrass him!

That means, I would get some acting classes under my belt before I take him up on it. That way you know how to hit marks, how to read for a part -heck! -how TO act. It's strange how simple yet complicated it is.

If you aren't ready it could take a long time (years) to get anywhere.
If you "get it" quickly, it could be faster. If you know how to act, it looks real, if you don't, no one will believe you and it won't work. Acting is being, not "putting on an act". When you do a scene, you kinda have to believe it really is happening to you. Some people can remember how to "make believe" as they did as a child easier than others who lost that ability as they grew up. Taking some classes, especially ones that they film, should give you a good idea how much work is ahead. Some people think they are doing great, then are horrified at what they see themselves doing onscreen. Also, if you make a bad impression because you are too impatient to "get famous", casting people remember you sucked and will shy away from seeing you again. Sometimes that is years. They don't want to waste valuable time on seeing someone they already saw who didn't cut it. I know it's boring and by the book, but really, shortcuts are for fools. The are a waste of time. That goes for anything in life. You want to be the real deal and worthy, not a fake who got a break and blew it for lack of the goods to be the best!

Best,

Taylor

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

QUESTION: well Im not impatient to become famous Im just impatient to start lifting off the ground. how would you recommend i get the acting classes?  by the way, what is the fastest way you think i could get over stage fright? Im going to college the year coming up. i thought about taking drama, should i?

ANSWER: Hi Mary,

I think acting in college is a great idea. However, if you want to make best use of your time and will get you up to speed faster.

Here's the part you don't want to hear....stage fright is an odd animal best conquered by time and experience. Basically, you just get used to it. It is something that affects even experienced stars.

I get to sets early so I can acclimate to the people and the place which helps a great deal. It cuts down on some of the "newness" of walking into a strange place and strange faces. Also, just saying to yourself that you are nervous -admitting it to yourself, helps!

A hard part of acting is learning to concentrate. Practice make perfect!

Best,

Taylor

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

QUESTION: is there other things that i can do to help me? i have a great memory and i memorize lines and scripts extremely well but when i go on stage sometimes i studder and/or run out of breath. i have probably one of the best imaginations for me age group ever!! i can concentrate well as long as Im entertained and that is by doing something i like and want to do (including acting). ii can change my accent and other things that might help in pursuing this dream. is there anything else that i should know how to do?

Answer
Hi Mary,

Like I said, taking classes and time are the answers. You can read alot, because that really helps actors. You have a common problem many actors have: they call it "being in your head". Meaning that you are too self-conscious in a non-helpful way. You get so distracted by your thoughts, you aren't letting your character live. It's only getting 50% or less of your attention. While you want to be conscious of your body and be able to use it in your craft, you are overcome by worries like: "Am I walking funny? "Do I look foolish"..."what if I'm not doing it right?" Being an actor is really hard and confusing early on. That's because they only way to be good, look good and be confident is to TRUST YOURSELF and YOUR CHOICES!

Hard to do when you have teachers correcting you, because it injects doubt. You have to find a balance...when you are training, being open to direction, when acting, making choices and still being able to make choices and trust them (but not argueing with the director -he's the boss!) I have seen directors make bad choices, but you can plead your case, and hope for the best, but it's their baby.

Trust me, the more education you have in classes, the more confidence you will have and the less uneasiness you will experience. It's just one of those things you have to learn from doing!

Best, Taylor