Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Question about getting an agent

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Expert: - 9/25/2007


Question
First of all, I live in Michigan, and I have a local agent for the state of Michigan. I was just wondering, is it possible to have an agent located in Los Angeles, California when I live in Michigan? Because I have heard of people that get these film jobs in California, when they live in a totally different state. Do they send in audition tapes or something?

Answer
Hi Karrie,

You CAN have an agent in Calif in addition to your home state providing your contract with your agent is exclusive to your area or market. Some agencies have sister agencies there, mine does.

The requirements for getting an agent would depend on the agency itself. Sometimes, they will ask for a reel, or tape, to get an idea of whether they need to set up a meeting with you or pass. You will be needing to be mobile if you set up a meeting and they represent you. It would be useless to them if you only came out once a year, as they are interested in talent who will constantly work so they can make money on representing you. My agent said I would have to be in California by the next day if I had an audition. Kind of expensive on airfare and car rentals!

Hope this helps,

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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