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my mom is supporting me with the idea... but i cannot pay for an agent. what would you do if you were me? Is there any possible way you could be your own agent?
p.s. How would you go in finding a movie.
Hi Kat,
I'm glad your mom is behind you on this...a rare thing to find sometimes.
I will say this until I am blue in the face...and I will say it some more: YOU CAN AFFORD AN AGENT BECAUSE THEY ONLY GET PAID IF YOU DO!
An agent receives your pay for the job after they have sent an invoice to the production company...they deduct the amount agreed upon in your contract (10% or 15%) and send you the rest of the money in a check. That is how it is done. Period. No money should ever be paid to have an "Agent" represent you. Now there is a creature called a "Manager" who works differently...sometimes. There can be set fees or percentages as well...but unless you are an "A" list star, you don't need him/her. They are there to strike BIG deals and guide your career/public image/whatever. They try to keep you out of crap movies and get you into the "right" projects...but that is later on.
You didn't mention experience. Have you ever acted? Even school?
If you haven't, you have as much chance of getting on a movie as getting on the next space shuttle or getting into the Olympics next year. What do those have in common? You would have to train for a long while and earn your spot on all of them!
Take classes, learn acting, improvisation, audition and acting for the camera. Then look for an agent (having gotten a great headshot and putting together a resume) and start auditioning for commercials, student films at universities, local TV ads, and try to get on a movie through open calls for extras. THEN, you will be ready and your agent will send you to audition if something comes up!
It's a lot, but it's all necessary for your dream.
Best,
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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