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Question
Hi! I'm a mainly theater actor who wants to also break into film. I'm 15 and a mediocre actress. I know you probably get this kind of question a lot (sorry), but I was wondering if you had any acting tips or processes to help you act better! Thank you!
Hi Gwen,
Why do you say "mediocre"? One of the things you will hear time and time again is that as an actor, you have to learn to trust yourself and your choices. If not, you will always be unsure and it will show. One of the things I hadto learn isto not give a s***. Care, but not too much. Did I win the role in audition? -Whatever. I do the audition and just have fun doing it with no expectation of getting it. Then, I usually do! When I get all keyed up, I can't focus. Concentration is big. If you learn how to let everything go (I hate to use the term "block out" - it implies effort)you can be in the moment and not be concerned about the camera, people standing around, how much you need the role or want it and the pay, etc....
One of the best tools is education. Take film acting classes, because it is different and you need to know the difference. Auditioning classes are also very important, as it is yet another style of acting.
You will have to learn how to just "be" in a scene and not be "trying to act". You want to be able to be lost in your character and what is going on in the scene. What does your character want in he scene? How you you feel?....Then feel it!
Bes,
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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