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Question
Hi, i need some major help on letting me know where to get started. i've acted
before and ive taken classes but i cant find and agent in the NY/NJ area or know
if i even need one. Would it be better to sign up with an online agent or keep
looking?
Hi Gabby,
My sympathies, I know how frustrating locating an agent can be. I do not think an online agent is a good idea. You need someone who you can meet and confer with at times and I can't see how that would work w/out face time. Not to mention that I would be suspicious of anyone who would sign you without seeing you live. Good agents have reputations to uphold and don't want to be embarrassed by bad actors or lunatics or just plain flakes that won't show up.
I have auditioned to get an agent before and understand why: if you can't perform for them, how can you face the pressure of a table full of people watching you, talking about you, and filling out notes?
There are likely hundreds of agent in the New York/Jersey area, so it will just take looking. As to whether you need an agent, yes, you do. You will have a hard time getting info on auditions without one. You also need one to negotiate your fees and collect money owed to you. My Austin agent has collected and sent $3,000. in checks this year for me on just one commercial. Without her, I wouldn't know if the were still using the spot and that I was owed.
If you know other actors, you should try networking to see if you can get a recommendation from another actor on a good agent. The directories should have listings as well. The main thing I always stress is agents do not take a fee to represent you upfront. They only take a percentage of your paycheck after you've booked a job and have been paid!
Hope this helps!
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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