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hello, my name is kristal i would just love to be an actor!!! i live in florida the south west part. do u no any good agencies around this area. i have taken drama 1 at school and now in the process of taking drama 2! would that be a good traing?? and do you know if there are going to be an audittions for movies or shows??? i would do like almost any thing in acting! i have a good monoluge perpared for any movie auditions that come up! its a secene from "and they danced real slow in jackson" i no how to intruduce my self and every thing i am very perpared for any thing that pops up but i need help with some thing poping up soo n could you please respond PLEASE!
please help me!
kristal
Hi Kristal,
Sounds like you are off to a good start! I would continue on with your drama classes and then start working on getting headshots and putting together a resume to search for an agent. You can see examples of headshots and resumes online if you look. I have also talked about them in previous answers, so feel free to read them here.
Finding an agent is something you will have to do on your own. I am not familiar with the agencies in South Florida, but there should be listings in the directory under "Talent Agencies". Just be careful to avoid anyone that asks you to pay them to "sign up". Agents only take a percentage of your paycheck after you have done a job. Period. Anything different, and they are not an "agent".
Once you have an agent, THEY will submit you to commercials and movies filming in your state or nearby and if you are possibly "right" for the part, you will be invited to audition for the role. An agent is the way you find out about auditions. All other things you might read in the newspaper are generally "extra" or background parts. I recommend doing those because you can learn a lot about acting and sometimes get an upgrade to a "featured" spot if you pay attention, behave yourself and do your job well.
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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