Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Getting Started in Acting

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Expert: - 8/16/2007


Question
Hi Taylor,
   I was looking over this website, and over some of the questions that have been asked. The answers that you have given have been great! Acting has been a dream of mine for a long time. I am 18 now and have taken both acting and dancing classes. I'll admit now that a few years back I was sucked into the whole JRP extravagance. All I can say now is...it gave me some classes to put on my resume. haha...Along with the acting classes I have taken both ballroom and Latin dance. I know that this is not the "norm" for dancing. Jazz or hip hop is usually taken, but I wanted to do something that was different. My thinking is that maybe one day a casting agent will need an actress with knowledge of partner dancing. I recently took headshots for my resume, and have sent them out to a few agencies. I know that living in California is a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because a lot of films and shows are made here, and there are a lot of agents. It is a curse because of how many people in this state are aspiring entertainers. The question that I have for you is; do you know of any agencies in Southern California that I should not miss sending my resume and headshot to? Thank you so much for your help to me and to everyone else.

Stephanie

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

As my Aussie friends would say "Good on yah!" taking ballroom and Latin dance is more useful than hip-hop, in my opinion, unless you deign to appear in another bad high school dance movie. The other training would be good for period pieces and more!

Send your headshot to the best agents first, then work your way down. Why not? The more interest, the better!
Yeah the curse is lots of competition, the key is sticking with it and not giving up easily. You will need a couple years just to get known in Hollywood once you get started. Most wanna-bes leave well before that point. Be tenacious!
Quitters never win! As Harrison Ford said about staying in there: "I won by attrition. I watched them all leave!"

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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