About 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).
I am young teen and have become interested in becoming an actor but I have no idea where to find classes that are not expensive. I live in Van Nuys, CA.
And what steps should I take from there?
Answer Hi Cynthia,
I opened up Google and typed in: "Acting Classes Van Nuys California" and hit "enter". Here's what I found:
A. Young Actors Space - www.youngactorsspace.com - (818) 785-7979 - 5 reviews
B. Actorsite Dot Com - www.actorsite.com - (818) 442-9400 - 1 review
C. Joel Asher Studio - www.joel-asher-studio.com - (818) 785-1551 - 1 review
D. Hollywood Acting/Future Stars - attell.com - (818) 787-8685 - More
E. Marc Blackwell Photography - marcblackwellphotography.com - (818) 207-1087 - More
F. David Kagen's School of Film - www.davidkagen.com - (818) 752-9678 - More
G. David Kagen's School of Film Acting - www.davidkagen.com - (818) 752-9678 - 1 review
I. Marnie Cooper School of Acting - www.marniecooper.com - (818) 760-8009 - 1 review
J. The Young Actor's Studio Inc. - www.youngactorsstudio.com - (310) 281-7545 - More
There were more listings, but you can see, it was simple. After that, you pick up the phone and dial each one and write down next to their name: how much? how long are the classes? (6 weeks? 10?) and all the other necessary info!
