Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Hi,Taylor.

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Expert: - 11/26/2011


Question
QUESTION: Hi.I really wanna be Disney Channel actress.I go to the theater club at school.Everyone says that I have the talent to become an actress.I'm 13.years old.I'm good at dancing,I go dancing club''Fractus''.It seemed to me that I can sing, I do not know about what others think.I like to sing, draw, dance and be a actress.I feel that I have talent and I will be able to. =]
I will insist the school playlet''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''.
I hope that you do I will fulfill those dreams.
And I from Latvia.
Thank you if I succeed in it. ;*

ANSWER: Hi Agnija,

I'm glad to read that you are very involved in the arts!
Many people dream about performing, but are too shy too do it.
Having the experience you already have will help you toward your goal. I suggest that you take your dream further by looking for an acting school or teacher to take formal lessons with.
I absolutely love watching European actor in movies because they are so skilled from their schooling. The film industry has lately been hiring more European actors than ever.

I wish that I could help with your Disney Channel ambitions, but I do not know anyone connected with them to recommend you. It's hard to meet people that have that power, but it doesn't stop you from making an audition tape and sending it to them. You will have to find their address somehow. Maybe on the internet?

Best to you,

Taylor

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,Taylor.
I am glad to receive from you the message.
I can try to find their address on the Internet.
But you would like to hear my voice recording or what?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Agnija,

I am sure you have a great voice and talent, however, as I said, I have no connections to help you in the industry. I, like most actors, have to audition for parts and hope that the casting people like what they see, and most importantly, that I AM RIGHT FOR THEIR PROJECT. When you audition for a role, you should never assume that the reason they did not pick you was your talent or beauty or whatever. There are many factors that go into filling a role besides the obvious. As I said, work on your craft, and I wish you well!

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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