Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 4/25/2007

Question
Sorry for asking so many questions. This is going to be my last and final question, i think. What if someone has bad skin, like your skin is bumpy, or if you're overweight, stretch marks, or chinky eyes? Will directors still hire you, or will agencies make you their clients?  Does personality matter in this whole situation? Do you have to have a certain look?

Answer
Well, this answer is a mixed bag just like the question.

Personality is very important. You need to have more than looks to succeed in this. That being said, it doesn't hurt you to have a different look. In fact, unless you have some unique features, how will they tell you apart from the clones? Character actors LIVE off their uniqueness. Some flaws endear the actor. Look hard enough at ANY actor long enough and say you can't see a flaw! (Not magazines, because they are retouched)
Do you think Angelina never felt like her lips were too big? She made the look! Cindy Crawford made her mole an asset! Julia Roberts obviously had fairly "buck teeth" as a youngster. But she grew into them! Accept what you perceive as flaws. Some things can't be changed. Some can. What are you going to do if say, you are short? Go: "Oh well, maybe in my NEXT life it will be different..." NO!
BE YOU AND OWN IT!
It's like being made fun of in school...act embarrassed, get mad, or cry and it gets worse. Laugh with them and truly act unconcerned or amused too, and they chill out because THEY CAN'T GET A REACTION FROM YOU. THAT'S NO FUN. WHERE'S THE POWER THEY ARE SEEKING THERE? Be proud of you and promote yourself as you are, and just BE.
THAT being said: Ever heard "You are what you eat?" Do you eat "junk"? You know you shouldn't when you do. Although it is a great short-term reward, it cheats in the long run. When I look at a candy bar I say to myself: "five minutes of sugar "happiness" verses a bigger reward, just postponed, if I walk away".
Be loving of yourself. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T CARE, YOU CAN'T CONVINCE ANYONE ELSE TO.
You don't have to be skinny. Not everyone in film is, just like life. I have put on some pounds lately and I am working hard at getting more sleep, eating right and working out (through a bit of pain I am dealing with). Why?
because I have been getting offers for parts that I don't want. I don't want to be the "OUT OF SHAPE HUSBAND" Check out Britney Murphy in "Clueless" and then in "8 Mile". BIG CHANGE. She wanted to stand out and not just be a supporting actor. You don't have to be anorexic, just the best you can be personally -your personal best. Whatever that best is.
My guess is the bumps and all will improve from taking care of yourself and...*cringe* TIME. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to wait it out. There are also better skin care doctors now than there was in my youth with better treatments. Can you believe that back then, dermatologists thought slightly sunburning your face was good for acne? They had lamps for it! Of course, they now they just fry your face with laser to remove the upper layer of skin! Hmm...maybe things haven't changed?
Bottom line: do the best you can to treat yourself well, take care of yourself as if you already are successful, and don't beat yourself up. Trust me, it will be OK!
Best, Taylor