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Question
I am inquiring how can I get my three year old started in acting. He does not have an agent. He is very funny and outgoing.He has professional photos. Please, advise.
Hi Melanie,
My apologies on the wait!
I had answered your question, but apparently it got stuck when I sent my reply.
If you have pro-photos, you would just look in the yellow pages in the nearest big city for "Talent Agents/Agencies". Transient or "scam agents" don't tend to leave permanent footings.
NEVER sign with an agent that asks for you to pay them fees upfront. Agents receive a commission from the paycheck they collect for the talent from the client. Usually this is 15%. They should not require you take classes or get "portfolio" pictures taken with them or their "associates". They can recommend, but should not require participation.
You should write a BRIEF intro/cover letter stating you are currently seeking representation for your child and would like to meet to see if mutually agreeable. Do Not sound desperate or needy. Even though your child is the most gifted, engaging, adorable, irresistable child in the whole wide world...just like everyone else's child...refrain from any promotion of these qualities. They will see them if your child is/can be under stress. Many parent's dreams have been dashed by a child who is a star in the living room and an immobile object (like a tree)when the lights go up and the camera goes on and there's an audience of strangers staring at them. You will soon know what you have. If that should happen, all is not lost! If the event is not terribly traumatic, you can try again when he's a little older.
One wise piece of advice: if it works out and later down the road you get the feeling he doesn't have his heart in it...let him go! Otherwise he will be unhappy, the film crews too, and so will you. Some people fall in love and it lasts a lifetime, some enjoy it for a while and they are DONE! I have seen this.
Best,
Taylor
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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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