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Expert: - 5/31/2011


Question
This is me.
This is me.
Hello, Taylor

My name is Gabriel and i just recently turned 21 and i would honestly like to know if i have a chance to become an actor?

It is a passion of mine, and i recognize that school & church plays aren't enough experience but here i tell you that truly its been hard to find a job here in PR and also there aren't many benefits to help you study, so i am planning on going to live in NY in my cousins house. Being the last thing on my mind to say to you that i also sing and i am willing to do anything at this point.

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Gabriel,

Of course you have a chance to be an actor.

There are lots of things that go into being an actor though. Scrimping and saving,working non-dream jobs during your off hours (evenings) and spending money on classes, classes, classes!
You will also need money for audition clothes and headshots and things like that, but you are EXTREMELY fortunate to have someone in New York to help out. A lot of people who write me do not live anywhere near acting jobs, have no money and have no assistance AND when you get down to it...want to become an actor without leaving their hometown U.S.A. because they don't have the guts!   

Somewhere along your journey you will hear this: "How bad do they want it?" You have to want it bad enough. Period. That means never giving up. Never getting depressed and throwing in the towel!
There are millions of would-be actors who got knocked down and tucked their tails between their legs and went home. Yeah, it would be great to be an instant success, but that is beyond rare! Do you know that after YEARS of trying, Harrison Ford even decided to give up? He had to be pushed to accept an audition for Star Wars! He had been disappointed and kicked so many times he was resigned to just be a carpenter and stop trying. Sandra Bullock worked in a nightclub. Kevin Bacon was a waiter and spent all his money on bills after his first role in "Animal House". He had to ask the night off and go to the premier broke, because he had to pay bills.

I always recommend a backup plan in case in the long run it doesn't work out, but go at it like there is no backup. You MUST make it. You MUST try harder than the next person. That doesn't mean to freak out during auditions thinking "oh God, I have to get this!" It means read everything you can on acting, take all the classes you can (and don't ever stop taking them) and give it your all! Don't take no from anyone. They get proven wrong a lot!

Best,

Taylor

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentOh my God he maid me feel so good that I thought he knew me all along...Thank u so Much Taylor!!!


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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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