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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Can I be an actress
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Question
well im 13 years old and i love acting i go for my school plays all the time. how long dose it take to get into he acting carrer. if i was in the middle of school do i have to leave school to fallow my dreams. is it hard for you to get any quiet time when you are at home. how is it like to go around the world to make sure you are there for when you have to go onto the set.
Hi Anita,
NO!!!! do not leave school! School is just as important to acting as anything else you will do! If you can't express yourself correctly, you can't be taken seriously. Youth is impatience, as you grow older, you will see the value of waiting for the moment. Don't waste time, but use it to prepare for what's ahead. Make sense?
Yes, when you have a certain level of fame, it is a trade off with your personal life, either deal with it or go home. It's what you wanted.
Keep doing what you are doing and let the chips fall where they may. You have time!
Best,
Taylor
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Answers by Expert:
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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