Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/is it to late

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/13/2011


Question
Hello Taylor,
I am 42 yrs old and o like to know is it to late
For me to try to get in the acting business and is one
Sorce agency is a good place to start? And can you
Recommend me places that will help me get started.

Answer
Hi Lorice,

I don't think any age is "too late", but you must be real about your desires.

You may find that you won't be seen for the female lead, unless it's a story about older women.
There has been a few films which show that late 30's, 40's, even 50-somethings are sexy and desirable, but Hollywood is what it is: youth and beauty, yada yada...

I have never heard of that agency. Not to say it isn't good. I don't know every one of them, but I will say that if they ask you for ANY money, walk away FAST! A real agent signs you, then takes a cut of the check AFTER you do a job. Typically 15%. Too many of these "Talent Search" type agencies take people's cash, throw together some lame low-pay gig to make good on their promise to get you a job in the biz, and they are GONE! (Like a modeling show at a mall).

My advice? Start taking an acting class and do it for the simple love of doing it. No worries about fame or money, just the chance to do it. It may surprise you how well you can do when you just act for the self-enjoyment. When you are thinking about how you need to pay a bill or are worried about your expiration date, it's almost impossible to concentrate and do what you need to make your character live! I have NEVER gotten a gig when I was doing that. Usually it happens when I really don't care, when I'm just playing!

Best,

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.