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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Rusty Meyers |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: After you take acting classes? I would hope that you are taking them now, and with someone that is ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: There are a number of ways one can get an agent. The most common is to submit your headshot and ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: Joe, Thanks for writing. The reality is that you won't get an agent doing community theater or ... | ||
| Getting started | 11/4/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: My name is Joe and I've always wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. Although my parents have ... A: You are most fortunate to have created a comfortable financial base from which to pursue acting. ... | ||
| fashion | 11/3/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: I am just trying to begin something in fashion. As a graphic designer;I want to create my own model ... A: To sell your designs to others in the fashion/manufacturing business would possibly involve less of ... | ||
| acting | 10/15/2011 | Rusty Meyers |
| Q: hey! my name is shakirah and i've always wanted to be on disney channel. When i'm trying to act sad ... A: Keep looking, I'm sure that there is someone in SC that is actually in the business. Look everyone ... | ||
| movie magazanes from the 1930's | 10/11/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: Phil: I have a collection of about 40-50 Screen Guide's from the 1930's & 1940's. I have seen one ... A: Ken, Thanks for writing. I'm sure there are collectors out there who might be interested in them, ... | ||
| Magazines from the 1930's | 10/11/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: Kitty I have a collection of about 40-50 Screen Guide's from the 1930's & 1940's. I have seen one ... A: People do collect old magazines, some for the content and/or advertisements, and some because of the ... | ||
| Model financing new clothes via online donations . . . website? | 10/2/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: I've been told that some impoverished fashion models will acquire new outfits by accepting ... A: In this case the model would not technically be a fashion model, but an adult model. They are ... | ||
| where to begin..? | 9/22/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: My 13 year old daughter has literally been begging for the past year/or two to get involved with ... A: It is well that you see 'scam' in most everything on the internet as most things are there to take ... | ||
| Acting literature | 9/20/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: Long time ago I talked to a friend of mine and he said some actors have learned many techniques with ... A: Brando's teacher was Stella Adler. The most influential teacher has been Sandford Meisner. Read ... | ||
| Where to find information about "The modeling school industry" | 9/17/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: My daughter is 35 years old, she's a former model. She's been taught modeling classes at different ... A: For Florida, I suggest contacting the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation to ... | ||
| Acting | 9/12/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I'm a mainly theater actor who wants to also break into film. I'm 15 and a mediocre actress. I know ... A: Why do you say "mediocre"? One of the things you will hear time and time again is that as an actor, ... | ||
| MODELING IN A WHEELCHAIR | 9/4/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: MY NAME IS PASTOR.ANTONIO BRINSON.I WANT TO BE A FASHION MODEL.IM 6"1 TALL,190LBS,NATURALY CURLY ... A: The list of top NYC fashion agencies is online: http://www.models.com/agencies/top-men/ The list ... | ||
| musical theatre hopeful | 8/30/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I'm 14 years old and musical theatre is practically my life. It's what I absolutely love to do. I ... A: Sorry for the late reply, but the fall (Autumn, lol) is another busy season for us in the acing ... | ||
| Starting a career as an actress | 8/18/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I'm fifteen years old and I've been wanting to be an actress for a while. I've joined a drama group ... A: I can't say that I know of any agencies in your area, but it sounds like you are doing the things ... | ||
| acting | 8/17/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: do you have to go to college for acting A: No. You don't have to attend college. BUT...you need to take lots of classes in acting, acing for ... | ||
| Begining to plan for college! | 8/12/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: To start off, im 15 years old, and although im not currently pursuing a professional career, i find ... A: It is a good thing that you are thinking about the future at this time. I wish you had put where you ... | ||
| Acting Preparation | 8/7/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I’m 24yrs old and I’m signed up for my first acting class that will begin in one month. I’ve done ... A: God, it is refreshing to get a question from someone who isn't banking on "mom said I was special" ... | ||
| Hi | 7/27/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I written to you on yahoo and you said thatI should write to you on here.Its about writing a ... A: Well, no, you misunderstood, I think, about where I asked you to write to me, but this is fine. Are ... | ||
| Question | 7/26/2011 | Peter Messaline |
| Q: My name is Ashley i'm 14 years old and starting high school in September. I would love to become an ... A: I'm going to be boring and say that you are a couple of steps away from getting professional acting ... | ||
| Acting | 7/22/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I have seen a lot you on the web, and i would like to ask you if you had any advise. I am fresh out ... A: and thank you for your service to our country. The very best thing for you to do is to find a ... | ||
| becoming an actress and possibly a model | 7/15/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: im 15 and i want to reach my dreams of becoming an actress and possibly a model. I almost did ... A: Good thing you identified them as a scam, there are many out there! Easy way to tell? IF THEY ASK ... | ||
| Starting out | 7/14/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: What if I don't have that much experience with acting and want to give it a try like for real this ... A: You can gain experience from taking classes. A lot of people start out with little experience, but ... | ||
| I want to break into acting | 7/9/2011 | Wanda Reinholdt |
| Q: my name is Sean. I am 19 years old and I will tell you that I am not some desperate girl (or boy) ... A: Sean...And thanks for writing. This is a great question and I am glad you asked. Here are my ... | ||
| directer | 7/4/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: i am 11 years old and was wondering, how many years does it take to go to college for directing? A: Well, I am not sure what sort of directing you are interested in. To direct amateur plays, such as ... | ||
| starting career in acting | 7/1/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: i am worried at 32 i maybe too old to start,considering i have never gone to acting school but know ... A: I don't think 32 is too old to act, but as I have said here before, one must be realistic in what ... | ||
| I want to be an actress for a bunch of kids movies | 6/25/2011 | Rusty Meyers |
| Q: I am Elizabeth, and I live in the great state of Texas. I was writing you to ask you if you knew of ... A: You should talk to your drama teacher or acting coach. If you don't have one you should find one. Go ... | ||
| my dream :) | 6/23/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: i am 14 and want to start acting...my dream is to be famous and im determined to make it happen. im ... A: While I always encourage people to try to be the best they can be and to exercise and eat right, ... | ||
| acting | 6/21/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: and is their eny way that you chould tell me by the email how i chould get an agent i mean how to ... A: I'm sorry, I have no idea on schools in your area. You should try looking on the internet or a local ... | ||
| acting | 6/19/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: i have been acting since i was 7 i love acting now i am 11 nearly 12 i go to new youth theater in ... A: I think it's wonderful that you have been able to start out so early in life in your career! While ... | ||
| Resume | 6/18/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I am moving to Los Angeles in a week and I want to send in some resumes to the major production ... A: If you are moving to LA to seek work as a PA or an actress or both, you may be making a mistake. LA ... | ||
| starting a teenage career? | 6/14/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I have always dreamed of being somewhere in the industry, but i know that to get anywhere, you need ... A: What almost no one will tell you is that a teen's parents must manage their professional career or ... | ||
| Disney Auditions | 6/14/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: Is it possible that Disney organize auditions for Disney Channel in other countries like in Europe ... A: It sounds like your friend has a promising future! I can't speak to knowing very much about Disney ... | ||
| Acting - too late? (Directing vs. acting) | 6/12/2011 | Phil Nemy |
| Q: I've been always very passionate about films. But mainly due to financial issues and family ... A: Shae, Thanks for writing. The reality is that neither career, acting or directing, is steady work. ... | ||
| Overcoming & understanding acting | 6/12/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I would like your take on acting.I am trying to get through to myself.On how to function like an ... A: You are quite welcome for the information. I am pleased to be of service. If you just watch TV and ... | ||
| Getting to a Higher Tier | 6/9/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: Hey Taylor, I'm a new actress from Baltimore, MD. But I am really stuck at the moment. I had been ... A: I understand completely what you are going through! Most actors do. Times when we want to scream ... | ||
| Sex Scene in short movie | 6/9/2011 | Taylor Sheppard |
| Q: I will be appearing in a short film in England and for my part I have to do a sex scene with a man. ... A: Pardon the delay, things have been busy lately! (a good thing) As to yourI am glad you are not ... | ||
| modelling | 6/7/2011 | Kitty Kavey |
| Q: could you advise me who to contact and how to get involved in modelling as an older woma, I am 44 ... A: You can use one of the international modeling agency directories or look in the largest market ... | ||
| Getting into acting | 6/6/2011 | Kenneth D. Plonkey |
| Q: I am interested into getting into acting, but have no idea where to begin. I see ads in the paper ... A: Well, sometimes we travel circuitous paths to get where we are going. My grandson was faced with no ... | ||
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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing
Answers by Expert:
Taylor Sheppard
Top Expert on this page
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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