Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 10/15/2010

Question
Hi,
I am a 19 year old guy from Montreal and I would like to act. I have never done any acting and haven't taken any classes.

I was wondering if you could tell me how to start. Should I take classes? Can I still audition even though I have no experience? Where can I find casting calls? Should I move to a New York or L.A.?
Thank You


Answer
Hi Ben,

Congrats on your decision to act!

Sometimes I'm torn on what to say. There are people sometimes that do amazing things simply because they don't know you can't do it that way.

Sometimes SOME people can get a lucky break and get a shortcut to fame. Me, personally? Never had that. When people say to me that they want to win the lottery, I always ask: "Do you tend to always win stuff?" When they say "No", I say: "So why do you think that will change?" OK, I admit I am a cynic, but I tend to believe what one of our founding fathers said: "I believe in luck. I have found however, that the harder I work, the more luck I have!"

Ben, YES! you should take classes. How do you know what you CAN do if you haven't been tested? I found that it took me literally 20 years to "get it". I finally understood acting for what it is: extremely simple and fucking hard! Why? Because anyone can copy a movie actor's moves, but creating a scene on your own is like writing a song. There's a million cover bands, but fewer who can invent something new and unique.
Acting isn't acting "like" it's acting "as if". IF you were a king, how would YOU act? You have to develop focus to block out everything but the world you are trying to be in. Easy? Nay!!! As kids we can easily do that. As adults, we get concerned about what people think. As men, we worry about being perceived badly- as pussies because we break down and cry. You cannot be afraid to show weakness when its appropriate. You can't be afraid to make a complete ass of yourself. Acting isn't posing, it is getting so deep identifying with your character that you lose sense of reality beyond that world you are living in that moment. When you pull that off it is heaven. You get the luxury of being someone else with no consequences. However, you can't get there without practice. That is what classes are for: to practice. -not auditions. When you audition, you have to be your best, Casting directors remember when you suck...for a LONG time. Why take the chance? Plus, casting people have reps to uphold and won't risk sending someone who doesn't know what to do to a director. Agents are the only way to get real auditions, but they want at least, someone who has taken classes in lieu of experience.

Get into classes and try to get some experience as an extra to get familiar with how it works. You may find it is too boring and not for you.

Best, Taylor