Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Becoming A Teen Actress

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Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 6/26/2007


Question
I want to become an actress, but I need help to get started, do you have any ideas? I've looked for agencies around where I live(Holiday, Florida) but I haven't really found anything, any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Alisha,

First, get training. Take classes. Prepare!
Talent agents want someone who is interested in learning and growing as an actress. They want someone who if not experienced, has schooling to know how to do what is needed. People don't walk in off the street and act in TV and Movies...
Please read my other answers for step by steps...
As to agents...I found none in your town, but 5 minutes on the net gave me the following partial list. Sometimes you have to go where you find opportunity! I live 50 miles from my agent...
Beware of "Agents" who want you to take classes with them or headshots through them. They can give you a list of photogs, but a real agent doesn't make profits from anything but job commissions at 10% to 15% OF JOBS THEY SUBMIT YOU TO! NOTHING UPFRONT! Beware of John Robert Powers and the like, not worth your time!
Here's the list in Florida that I found. No idea who is who, as I am not located in FL...check them out carefully with your parents:
Best, Taylor

40+ Model & Talent Miami, Florida
Acting Factory, The Dania, Florida
Airtime Celebration, Florida
Alexa Model & Talent Management, Inc. Tampa, Florida
Alliance Talent Group, Inc. Davie, Florida
Alluring Faces Hair & Makeup Artistry Miami, Florida
Arroyo, Fernando Casselberry, Florida
Arthur Arthur, Inc. Apollo Beach, Florida
Beaumont, Kenny Orlando, Florida
Bill Porter Music Port St. Lucie, Florida
Boca Talent & Modeling Agency Deerfield Beach, Florida
Book It Entertainment Orlando, Florida  
Cynthia Model & Talent Agency Seminole, Florida
DDO Artists Agency - Miami Miami, Florida
DS Entertainment Florida Branch Naples, Florida
Emerge Talent Agency LLC Orlando, Florida
Extreme Talent, Inc. Tampa, Florida
First Coast Talent Agency, LLC Jacksonville, Florida
Florida Stars Model & Talent Agency Gainesville, Florida
Green Agency, Inc., The Miami Beach, Florida Florida
Haute Inc Bonita Springs, Florida
Hurt Agency, The Winter Park, Florida
Icon Talent, Inc. Aventura, Florida
Irene Marie, Inc. Miami Beach, Florida
Jennison, Warren Sanford, Florida
Jones Talent Agency Miami, Florida
Kay, Robin Pompano Beach, Florida
Latin's Hispanic Talent Coconut Grove, Florida
Link Agency, The Orlando, Florida
Miami Talent LLC Miami Beach, Florida
MyTalent Orlando, Florida
Orlando Acting Experience Orlando, Florida
Sarah Parker Models & Talent Agency West Palm Beach, Florida
Slate Model & Talent Management, Inc. Orlando, Florida
TAG Talent Boca Raton, Florida  

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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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