Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Acting in film? Finding a College?

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/9/2009


Question
I am a senior in high school. My school doesn't have many things that can help me in my area of work. I want to be an film actress (1) but I also want other training like voice and stage. Basically i want to be a trained actress. I want a BFA in Acting. I am totally lost. I've taken all the art classes this school offers. Now I am lost.Could you give a list of colleges that will give me great training and I could get into it without that much experience. Just please help me. You my only hope. Internet searching has failed me.

Answer
Hi Joqaila,

Sorry taken a while, I've been away working.

There are many colleges with good programs. Many in New York, USC in California is excellent, then there's the University of Texas in Austin, which is very good and I am  originally from Texas State University.

A lot of where you get with a school is what you have and what you put into it. Many of the schools I have mentioned are higher dollar and harder to get into, but if you work hard, you can get alot from smaller, more affordable schools.

If money is no issue, USC would be my first choice...or  Juliard.

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.