Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 11/14/2011

Question
Hi Taylor, I am 18 years old and I do want to act. I have some insecurities I wonder if that is normal or not?

Answer
Hi Chrissy,

I apologize for the delay, I am currently working on a film and we have been shooting nights, but have switched back to day shoots, so needless to say, I am a zombie! Unfortunately, its not a zombie movie...

One of the best things to do when you are thinking about doing something (and something daunting) is to STOP thinking and just do it, Acting is another one of those things that you will often hear people say "If I had known what I was getting into...". But then, you will hear them say: "I'm glad I went through it". If you think too much, you will talk yourself out of lots of things that you might have done. Is it scary to get up and perform in front of people? Yeah. Do you ever have doubts about your looks, skills, whether you are in the wrong career? Hell yeah! But there is something addicting about acting for some people. Even though they struggle financially, have to do without, face tons of rejection, -maybe even lose relationships- they do it because acting fills a deep need in their soul. YES. it is completely normal and ok to feel as you do. Here's the thing: no one is going to fix that for you...except YOU! Its a tough gig. However, you will find it in yourself to deal with yourself, because you are the biggest obstacle to overcome. You will learn to tell your brain to "Shut the F... up!" You will learn to focus intently and not be distracted when you are in a scene. You will learn to trust your instincts and not feel the need to "act" when you are up there. You will develop a tough skin, yet find a way to retain emotion for when you need it to come out. A lot of this is due to your youth, but I can tell you truthfully...even veteran actors get butterflies and have to self-talk to themselves to control their nerves. I have been seriously acting since 1985, although I was exposed to it when I was in high school. I STILL get nervous.

Having said that, I recommend you start by taking acting classes. Be patient and resist the temptation to want to run out and try to find an agent after one class. There are lots of things to learn about acting. From developing characters to auditioning (a completely different skill from real acting, and VERY necessary to get a gig!) I know really great actors that SUCK at auditions. I have seen them in workshops, they can make you melt! -But they can't figure out auditions, so they don't work much. I love acting, so when I go in, I remember what I need to do, but I just have fun in that room, and I don't give a shit! It works for me, because I don't get caught up worrying "Will I get it?" I just figure I won't AND I RELAX!

Got to run, but one last thing: If you want to act so you can be in magazines, be rich, be famous, fix what's missing in your life....DON'T GET INTO ACTING! You will fail. If you get into it because you truly love acting, it may just happen, but it's almost like a cosmic joke to the people who aren't in the right place with their desires. And fame? It really isn't what you imagine. If you aren't happy with your life and yourself, it won't change that. If you love acting, just do it.

Best to you!

Taylor