Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/please answer this question x

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Expert: - 10/27/2007


Question
Hello, my name is solene..i live in the uk and i really like acting i've heard about some auitions and i tould my mum about and she says that there is no pint because to have very high experienced and be  a very good actress..and i i wanted to ask if there was anypoint going to autions when we are not expireinced..? thanks for reading hope you can answer x

Answer
Hi Solene,

Your mum is pretty much right. To get to a real audition, you would need to have some experience. There may be chances to work as an "extra" in a movie, that might be fun for you, but you have to be a serious actor to be taken seriously, and I don't just mean having a set jaw. I mean, taking classes for months and years and doing a lot of work.
If that is for you, you may have a chance, but this isn't all fun and games. You can't expect to walk in without being prepared, "just because you are great" and you will be hired. My favorite saying is: "You're Special...Just Like Everyone Else!"
See if you can get mum to let you take classes...or take them in your school if offered.

Best, Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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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