Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi.....

I live in the UK and want to be an actress. I currently doing a business degree, which I enjoy - but my true passion is in acting.

I have been advised by professional actors that the first thing I need to do is decide what type of acting I want to do. I want to work in film, not theatre (although I wouldn't really mind it) as I am more passionate about the motion picture/ film industry.

So, I would like to know if you know which are the best schools within the US that offer good acting summer programs, whether a summer program would be good, and whether I should go to one that is aimed at theatre acting or film acting?

Also, I have the contact details of the top ten acting agencies in LA (as this is where I heard is the heart of the motion picture industry - and where I would like to move to after graduating from university). Should I send them my picture or should I stick to one in London? Is not having any experience in film etc very bad for when contacting agencies like CAA and William Morris?

To add, have you seen/ heard of those 8X10 clear headshot envelopes?? I’m thinking about using them when I contact some agents. Is this ok?

Kind regards

Leila Serrao


ANSWER: Hi Leila,
Sorry for the delay, things have been getting rather busy lately for me.
Your letter comes at an interesting time. Last night I went to a meeting of independent filmmakers where the producer and director of the BBC series "Wire In The Blood" sat down and spoke about their careers and the series and about their filming in Texas next week for an upcoming episode.
They were very funny and entertaining and gave us a view into the differences in our respective countries' industries. He spoke of the six episode season in the UK, where we have almost double the shows in a season. He also stated that television is bigger than movies in the UK. More coincidental to your question, the director said that while the film industry in America reveres British stage actors, he has found that a large number of them are terrible on film! He means what I have said before here, that stage acting and film acting are different in presentation. If you are trained to stage act, you learn to project your voice and your movements are exaggerated somewhat to be seen at the back of the house, where you have to do very little when a camera is staring at you, because it has a front row seat to your performance and anything exaggerated looks garish. Stage performance, therefor, could be said to be "external" while camera acting is "internal". Someone asked me recently what it was that took me twenty years to "get" about acting. I was hard pressed to put it into words, but on further reflection, I'd say it would be that the difference between performing and acting is that in performing you are trying to convince others to believe the reality of your character and his circumstances, while in acting, you are trying something much harder: to make YOURSELF believe the reality. My first acting teacher, who had studied under Chekhov, related a story once about performing a play for an extended run, and how he started feeling like he was being "watched" by his character, who was kind of a Quasimodo type. He said he stopped in a long hallway, lit by a single bare bulb, and prepared himself to turn around, sure that he would see this creature standing there. He didn't, of course, but he said he sought help from his director, who advised him to sit at his makeup table before he got dressed and made up, and to speak to his reflection: "This is me, little Jimmy Harrell, from Waco, Texas". Then he was to get dressed and made up, and repeat this ritual, EXCEPT to say "Now I am ____." He said it worked, and he wasn't "followed" again. This may sound silly to the novice actor, but I have heard it elsewhere, with other "name" actors. Most recently, Matt Damon.
Now if you truly believe that you ARE the character, and it doesn't end, you likely would need some professional help at some point. I have watched Dennis Quaid while on three different film sets, and he stays in character all day long. Daniel Day Lewis, a fine actor, actually had himself locked in a jail cell and treated like a prisoner (buckets of water thrown on him, poor food, no conversations)to get himself into the mental state he needed to be in.

As to your question on contacting CAA and William Morris, etc. it would be putting the cart before the horse, as they say, to attempt to interview with them before you have at least a few projects under your belt. Another thought too, is that when you are with a big agency, if you are a little fish, you get lost in the shuffle. In general, the big draws, or hot up-and-comers will get more attention because they are money. It might be better to start with a smaller agency for more personal attention, then change later -unless they are just doing a bang-up job. On that subject, it is really hard to determine whether an agent is doing well or not in short-term periods. Over long periods, say, a year, if you haven't gotten any auditions, I would be suspicious and maybe cancel the contract, but if there is a couple month lag, that is unfortunately normal sometimes.
Here in Texas, we get busy in the spring and fall, with some summer projects, and the winter months can slow down. This may change as we have a new incentive program for rebating money to films. During the 1990's we experienced a surge of film productions and have studios and a strong film commission because of it. We have had many actors come here due to opportunity (better odds of getting roles) and lower cost of living than LA or New York.

I have not seen the clear headshot envelopes yet. If you are sending them to agents, they would be an unnecessary expense, as they will open every envelope, unlike a casting director, who may just toss it in the trash if she is not currently casting anything. Most times they do open, take a look and then dispatch them to the trash can, but nowadays they get submissions via email from the agents. Also, WHO else sees the picture of a lovely Brit lass while handling the mail? Would he "accidentally" open the package to read more? Would he know where your agency is...or your personal contact info that you would include for the agent to contact you? In my opinion, expense + security concerns +
dubious value = not!
At many auditions, the casting will have sign-in sheets with a spot asking for our social security numbers (kind of a government/national I.D.). I don't put anything by the last 4 digits on the sheet as that is a number that could cause disaster for me if seen by the wrong person.

Given that you would likely seek to be in films, from what the director said in our meeting, I would think coming to the states would be beneficial.
As to summer programs, I am short on that information. I know that Julliard has turned out some fine actors, Val Kilmer is one shining example...

I hope this helps, look forward to seeing you in Hollywood!

Best, Taylor   


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Taylor!

I am amazed and really appreciate the effort you have put into helping me. Your answer is great and really helpful!

In terms of summer/ short courses; I was thinking about the New York Film Academy? I heard this is a good school; although I have also been told there are other private schools that might help me 'get ahead via networking'. Do you know which schools these might be?

Thanks again!

Leila  

Answer
Hi Leila,

I've heard the New York Film Academy is good. There is also the famed Stella Adler school and the New School as well.
I am partial to Julliard, as they have turned out a lot of great actors (Val Kilmer is one notable alumnus). One reason may be their admissions criteria. You must audition to be accepted, so that may have to do with the quality of graduates... As far as networking, a good pedigree will go far from these schools, and being in any of them should take you far!
Sorry for the delay on answering, it's audition time here again!

Best,
Taylor