Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/9/2007

Question
Hi, Taylor: my goals are to work part time as an actor focusing on commercials and print work. Currently, I'm taking an audition workshop and have just started working with an acting coach. Acting doesn't come naturally to me, so I plan keep taking classes until I'm comfortable enough to audition. What kind of class should come next...Intro to acting, improv/monologues, another audition workshop?
Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Katie,

So refreshing, an actor who doesn't want to just "sign up" to be a star!
I think you are doing great taking the audition class...auditions are a completely different from regular acting...much harder! Improv is also a very valuable class because you need to be able to do something different at the drop of a hat if suddenly asked to improvise. In fact, most auditions I attend have blocks of moments where there are no lines, but they watch to see what you do in between to communicate the situation...the more unique, the better!
That is one of the hallmarks of a really good actor -the ability to keep you glued to the screen with the choices they make.
Never be afraid of re-taking a class. Especially with a different teacher, as a different teachers can have different approaches, tricks and tips to help you understand your craft better. I would assume that you are already getting introductory acting started if you are with a coach.
One thing I would like to address: you say acting doesn't come naturally to you. Actually, when we are young, I mean really young, we are born actors for the most part. It isn't until people mess with our heads that we withdraw into ourselves and lose that natural ability. What I mean by "mess with" is other kids/adults either directly picking on us or in the case of adults, unconsciously saying things that undermine our confidence in ourselves. At some point, if things go well, we realize that quite a few people are jerks and what they think means next to...nothing! If not, we spend the rest of our lives either alone, or in therapy, trying to undo their damage to our psyche.
I have been busy lately, so answering these has been a struggle. In fact, this afternoon, I left work for two hours to meet with a new casting director in town from Los Angeles. Guess what? I was nervous. Yes! 20+ years of facing down casting people, surly wardrobe women and temperamental directors, and I was nervous. You see, the nerves never really goes away completely, but with experience, you can learn to use the nervous energy to boost your outward energy. I think you should start auditioning as soon as your teacher(s) feel you are ready.
If you put it off and wait for too long, you will over-think and build up fear about it. The best thing to do often times, is to just get in there and do it -make mistakes if needed to grow from. Actors tend to be susceptible to "getting too much into their head, so be aware of that on your journey!

Keep me informed of your progress!
Taylor