Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Obtaining an Agent

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Expert: - 6/27/2007


Question
Can one obtain an agent without any acting experience?

Answer
Hi Dakota,
I am sorry for the delay, computer issues...

I wouldn't say it's impossible to get an agent without any acting experience, but usually it's when you are a child.

If you think about it, what would a casting director think about an agent who sent someone who couldn't act to an audition? What if the "actor" froze up when they said "action!"? They'd think twice about bothering with taking that agent seriously, that's what. They'd think that the agent wasn't professional (or taking THEIR time seriously). They'd also wonder if that agent couldn't get good talent and was resorting to anyone off the street.

Casting directors work under a lot of pressure...stress.
They tend to get tired when they see hundreds of people a week, doing the same lines over and over. They get testy when things are going slow and it's well past lunch time.
They don't enjoy unprepared actors.

Would you compete in a pageant without preparation? Nope.
Would you sing the anthem at a ball game without a little practice? Nope.
How about posing for a magazine cover without a few workouts and hair and makeup? Nope.

Why not?
Because when something is important and you don't want to look like a fool, you prepare! You want to do good...you want to succeed...you want to be memorable for good reasons...you want to be re-invited!

There is no shortcuts to being an actor. You need to show some effort and commitment if you want to be taken seriously. Those actors on TV...those kids on Disney? They have been working at it for years. The faster you start taking classes and getting the knowledge together to win, the faster you can get an agent and get acting!

Best,
Taylor

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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