Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/getting started.

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Expert: - 8/31/2009


Question
hi there !
I was just wondering, how long does it take to get started in acting ? I'm 14 and i live in Australia, I know that all the best actors come from America but do I still have a chance ?
I am always getting told that i have amazing potential but don't think i will be able to make it into the big time acting.
My love for acting is huge, and i know that it is a hard path to carry, but my main concern is not being able to get a chance.
Do you have any advice for me ?

Answer
Hi Mollie,

"All the best actors come from America"? Not true! Most of the actors I truly admire come from the UK, Oz and New Zealand! Gary Oldham, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Anthony Hopkins...etc.
I think the one actor from the US that I would kill to work with would be Morgan Freeman! Why?
Because he is a consumate actor. He takes his craft seriously and masters it! Many of the UK actors started out in theater and getting into acting schools there is harder than getting into Julliard here.

Yes, you have a chance! But the thing is, you must stop worrying about the small things and just concentrate on the schooling. The other point will be being in the right place once you have gained your training, which once you are good at it, you must STILL keep doing to keep sharp and keep learning. If you ever think you know it all and don't need to keep it up, you should quit. Your acting should and will always keep evolving if you feed it!

You will eventually have to be in the right place, be it in Australia or in America. Perhaps the reason you think that all the best are from America is because this is where most of the films come from. Many of your fellow Aussies have started there, then jumped the pond to be here.

If you truly love acting, I think you will do well. It's the love for it that will keep you going through the tough times when it seems like nothing will ever happen for you. Trust me, there will be tough times...it's the determined people that win!

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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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