Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/21/2007

Question
Hi Taylor, thanks for being on hand to share your experiences on Acting.

My question relates to Actor training in the US - I would like to move out there to hone my skills after studying at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin part-time for a year. I'm 25 years old.

I'm ultimately interested in getting into TV and Film, but wish to get the best training possible, even if this would involve a more theatre based grounding initially.

So, I'm considering the following:

1. To train in LA or NYC?
2. Train on a university / Bachelors programme or with one of the top American 'Guru' schools (concern with Guru schools is class time / week and less exposure to the classics eg Shakeaspeare / Checkov / less voice and movement work.
3. What are the top acting schools in LA and NYC ie for reputation, training, industry links etc. Ideally I'd be looking for a two year course.

Answer
Hi Chad,
Sorry for the wait, we are starting to see things pick up here for movies and commercials. I'm averaging three per day...Duty calls!

If I were looking to take classes, I would lean toward New York, as they are known for the private schools. If I were looking for a school with industry connections, maybe USC in California.
While Stanislovsky and Chekhov are good basics, where you are at, you likely don't need them as much. I personally admire people who like Shakespeare and can do it, but I personally dislike it and feel it is given too much weight.

I mentioned to another reader about a recent meeting where the director and producer of BBC's "Blood In The Wire" said to us that America reveres Brit stage actors, but he found a lot of them to be horrible on film. I guess the predilection toward believing stage is so important is a holdover from olden times. We are finally in an age where child stars are able to be actors when they grow up, actors CAN be singers too, and an actress isn't thrown out to pasture when she hits 35. I guess that's because enough old guys in suits have died, making way for possibilities. I mean WHO would have believed that there could be a hit TV show based on a cast of women well into their 30's? Before "Desperate Housewives", no one! (discounting "Golden Girls", as I mean showing older women as sexually significant in their "advanced ages"! lol.)

I have had the pleasure of training under, acting with and watching actors from Julliard, if I could go there, I would.
I don't know offhand, any guru type schools that I could recommend. There is The Actor's Studio. That might fit what you are looking for. I don't know the time requirements for Julliard, but I would assume a 4 year stint there.
USC on the west coast would likely be a four year school as well, unless you do as I (and others) did, and take the core courses, dropping out without the degree, but with the knowledge safely tucked away!

I look forward to seeing you on screen!
Best, Taylor