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Question
do you have to go to college for acting
Hi Crystal,
No. You don't have to attend college. BUT...you need to take lots of classes in acting, acing for the camera, auditioning, character development, etc. etc. BUT...from the bottom of my heart and soul: if you have a way and the means to go to college, DO IT! Why? Because it is an enormously enriching experience, and even more importantly, as my friend, producer Harry Sherman once old me: "ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!" I was almost through school when I had o drop ou with two semesters left. I have always regretted it. The life of an actor is uncertain. You have to budget your money, because you get a job, you do the job and it ends. No guarantees you will work again right away, they may decide you are over-exposed or he industry may hit a slump. There are many actors who are doing commercials and other gigs they wouldn't have before right now due to the state of things. Hopefully this whole cheesey "reality show" crap will run its course, but who knows?
If you look up the bios of a lot of today's actors you will find that they DID go to school, some even after they had started their careers.
Hope this makes sense.
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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