About 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).
Question Hi,
First of all i would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to look at my question.
I'm really interested in acting for Disney channel I'm willing to go to America etc but i heard that the show "as the bell rings" is actually based in London which would be good as i live in the north west of united kingdom but i don't know how to come across it, would it be best for me to take up extras and small acting parts to get experience?
My local colleges do performing arts but its to much like being at school, is there any other way around it then college?
Many Thanks
Rochelle
England
Answer Hi Rochelle,
I don't know if the show is filmed in London or is just supposed to be set there. Film is tricky. Here in Texas our state can look like many different places in the world. Who knows?
You can certainly try to get extras gigs and whatever you can scratch out, but it will be superhard to get parts without an agent, much less schooling, but you seem to have an aversion to schooling, so the best you can pray for is an astonishing natural talent to take place for training.
But why not? It could happen! I have been considering becoming a councilor in my off time...don't want to spend time and money to qualify, I think I'll just hang out a sign and wing it! That would work, wouldn't it?
Seriously, acting school isn't like math class. Do the work!
