You are here:
Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/advice?
Advertisement
Question
hi Mr sheppard. my name is Jason. i live in NYC and i would like to know which school is the best for learning how to act. what is the best way to start a career in acting. which is the best agency in NYC and if they manage you, they would help you get jobs right? should i go to an acting school first or go to an agency and see if they would manage me then find a school. finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field. thanks
Hi Jason,
An acting school will not be an agent for you. At least not a reputable one. Here in Texas it is not lawful to require an actor to take classes to be signed. Many other states have moved to do the same. There are many good schools in your area: The new School, The Academy for the Performing Arts, Julliard...etc. The thing is, you will need to audition to be accepted to these schools. If you haven't had any acting experience or had classes before, I would highly reccomend preparing first. There are also many smaller schools that would do just as well. I wouldn't attempt anything without school first.
Best, Taylor
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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).
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.