Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Starting Out

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Expert: - 8/10/2007


Question
Hi, my name is Hannah and I am 14 years old.
I want to first thank you for reading and considering my questions and also
for your time.

Mainly, ever since I was little I've wanted to act.
Probably, every little girl does but even now i still really want to pursue that
career.
I am Korean and would you think that would help or hurt my career?
Especially if i want to work on disney channel.

Since I'm starting out i was wondering where would you recommend the best
place to find a good agent?
I live in Orange County, California so i have access to pretty much anywhere
in L.A. or around here.

I do not have much acting experience however, but I'm determined to try my
hardest to try and pursue my dream.
I've only been in a couple school plays and such so what do you think i should
do?

Honestly if you truly think this is the wrong path for me to go, tell me.
But i truly want to be an actress and I'm pretty sure I'm very "disney channel"
looking.
That may sound weird, but I'm the definition of clean cut and outgoing- even
people tell me that.

Please answer me back soon, because I am very curious to know what career
options i should take.
Thank you so much,
Hannah

Answer
Hi Hannah,

There is nothing weird about your ambitions. You sound like you kinda have a start with the plays. You might want get some headshots done to send to talent agents in the area and see if you get a bite. I should also take singing and dancing lessons if you have ambitions of Disney to help out. If the agents bite toward LA, they would know casting for Disney, no doubt.

Best to ya!

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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