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Question
QUESTION: Hi! I am an actor (experience stage)who wants to know when should I look for an agent?
ANSWER: Hi Andre,
That's a hard one. With stage, you are able to get away without having an agent a little longer I think. Of course, that is depending on your market, the level of acting you are dealing with, (anywhere from community theater to Broadway) and whether you are looking to diversify beyond stage.
With strictly stage, you have the advantage of trade papers to look for auditions, which filmed media lacks to a great degree. On the other hand, an agent is a great tool for negotiating contracts and pay because most of us are artists and not business people, who tend not to be artists.
If pressed for an answer, I would say that if you have done around five plays or audition more than twice a month, you could probably benefit from having an agent who could expose you to more opportunities.
Break a leg!
Taylor
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Taylor,
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, I've done quite a few plays and gone to my share of auditions. I live in Maryland so I 'm right in the middle of the D.C., Virginia, New York area. The majority of experience for me is stage (community work). I am definitely looking to take my experience to the next level.
Thanks,
Andre
Hi again Andre,
Sounds like you are ready for an agent!
You will need headshots (professionally done) and put together a resume of your credits and training, then start your search! I would concentrate on New York first, as that's where the big time is, then, if all the letters are rejections, (expect some) you can move down to lesser areas until you get some nibbles. As I always warn: Do not take an "agent" who asks for money upfront. Agents work for/are motivated by getting you jobs. They find the auditions, they send you, you rock the casting director's world, they cast you, they send the agent your pay and your agent forwards the proceeds less their percentage cut.
Best to you,
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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