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i just graduated college with a degree that's not ain acting. i acted in two plays that has hooked me! i just turned 27, also
1.)how do i find tryouts on movies or t.v shows?
i'll do anything, i'd just prefer movies and t.v. shows.
Hi Guy,
Congrats on finding your passion. Acting can be addictive to someone who is wired for it.
Although you have had the experience with the two plays I would highly recommend taking acting classes to improve and maintain your skills. Also, acting for the camera is a bit different than stage acting as far as technique. Stage is much "larger" acting verses camera acting which does NOT tolerate exaggeration (unless you want to look fake). It sounds easy, but it can be the hardest thing to do to be "real" on camera. I like to say it like this: Acting on stage you are trying to convince an audience, in film you are trying to convince YOURSELF of the reality and if you do a good job, the audience will pick it up w/no more effort on your part. The camera can pick up dishonesty in a heartbeat. It can also pick up the tiniest emotion. There is no need to try to "reach out" to the camera. This will all be taught in acting classes for the camera. There are also classes for cold reading for auditions, improv classes to teach you how to think quickly on your feet, classes to teach you how to figure out characters and scripts, etc.
Well worth doing and paying for.
To get into it, you can answer ads in newspapers when legit extras calls come around for movies (not fake ads that say "seeking extras for movies and TV") but, the chances of that getting you anywhere alone, is not good. If you do them together with getting classes and an agent, much better. Please read my previous answers on the subject of getting an agent and headshots. If you do it right it will get you farther faster than trying to just wing it and not do the work. Agents abhor lazy actors as much as casting agents do.
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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