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Question
i live in melbourne australia and i was wondering how do i get
an audition, and what i should do to be a good actor.
Hi Amina,
Well, you're in a good part of Oz for the entertainment business from what my friends down under tell me.
If you haven't begun acting classes, you should find some to start taking. That will give you a sound foundation to use your natural talent to proceed with your career!
Once you have a good amount of time in with the classes, you should be able to seek an agent there in Mel. You want to avoid anyone who wants a fee to "represent" you. Here, the agent only gets a commission if they get you a job first, and then, only a small (usually a 10-15% cut of the check). Some "agents" here in America, there has been and still is, agent/schools who make you take classes and "guarantee" you a job, which turns out to be a fashion show in mall on a cheap runway. In my state, they have passed laws against these crooks and have pretty much stopped them from coming here any more.
To shop for an agent, you will need a professional photo, called a "headshot" in the industry. This is to be taken by a professional headshot photog, not a portrait photog at a department store. This will not be inexpensive, but is necessary, as it will be your business card that will sell your look and get you auditions! Once you have that, you can put together a resume of experience (if any) and then your acting classes (which should be at least 5-6 classes, beginning, acting, intermediate, improv, character development, cold reading, auditioning [usually with a casting director]).
Hope this helps you get started!
Best to ya mate!
Taylor
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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).
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