Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 2/21/2010

Question
i want to be an actor more than anything in the world but i have no idea how to start... it doesnt really help that i live in va... i know i should join an agency but which one? should i get a sponser? what kind of classes should i take? i have no community theaters in my area... when is it time to move to a big city and how do i convince my parents???



thanks so much!
emily del vecchio
future actress

Answer
Hi Emily,

Well, you are right that you have a few issues. VA isn't in the the big cities, and you may find you have to be able to commute or eventually move to a bigger place that offers classes and a chance to get experience before moving to an even bigger place. As to agents, they will be where the work is. They will expect you to be able to go to auditions in that area. Period. But looking at agents is "putting the cart before the horse" so to speak. first, you need to get knowledge and class credits, even if it's just a few. While some agents will take on someone YOUNG with only a little experience, ultimately, they will want to sign someone who is worth spending their time and money on. An agent has bills to pay, and someone who won't make them money is not for them. It isn't like they are a charity and work for free...that's why they call it show BUSINESS. There are a lot of shows I have enjoyed watching on tv that they stopped showing. Why? because not enough people watched them, so the companies that paid for advertising their products on them pulled out to advertise on other shows or networks. Without their money, shows can't be made, actors and crew can't be paid, the network can't make money...

What you need to do is...what you CAN do. Read acting books (any you can get your hands on!), watch tv and movies while thinking about the technical side of it. Example: "Why did she stop there? Why did she do that odd thing with her fingers in that scene? What made the story move forward?" I often watch movies not as an audience person, but as a film person that way. I wonder how they filmed with a camera in the scene. My parents watch "Survivor". While visiting them I was halfway watching the show. There was a swimming competition. I realized that in one "shot" the people were swimming and you saw them and the empty beach behind them. (This was a helicopter view from above) Then, I was seeing them from the side (like standing on the beach, looking out to sea.) Why didn't I see anyone with cameras on the beach? That's because they fake the competition a little with other people swimming for shots where they re-create the race to film the other shots they fill in with. Otherwise, all you would have is a view from one angle only, which would be boring to watch. Years ago (Like 50) it would have been normal to see that, but not today.

From your signature, I see that you are dedicated to your dream. That is the spirit! But you will have to be patient and do what you can until you can take classes and get your start! Don't give up!

Best,

Taylor