Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/starting a career in acting

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Expert: - 7/26/2007


Question
Hi, I'm 15 years old and live in new jersey. My whole life I knew acting was my passion. I've looked everywhere for places that could take me, possibly get me into commercials, voice-overs or into movies. I do have prior experience being in my high schools theatre company, and I was inducted into the international thespian society. Do you know how i can possibly make it in the business?

Answer
Hi Becky,

It sounds like you are on the right track with all you have been doing. At this point, I can safely advise you to start looking for an agent. Remember: an agent asks for no money in advance, they only get a small percentage of your check after they get you a job!
You'll need a great headshot that looks like you on your best day. Don't get a totally airbrushed rendition of yourself that you couldn't look like without plastic surgery and an army of makeup people.
Get a headshot photographer recommended by other professional actors in your area. If in doubt, call an agent's office to get suggestions. IMPORTANT NOTE: do not hit-up the agent for representation by phone! If they bring up the subject, no sweat. It's just bad etiquette to approach them directly. To solicit their representation, the right way is to send a headshot with a resume of training and what experience you've had (the plays, the awards and acting societies) and a cover letter stating you are seeking representation in your area. Do not sound desperate or pleading; you have talent, they can use talent. Be confident in your letter and in person, and smile -do not be arrogant!
Expect to pay $200.-$300. or so for a session with the photographer. You SHOULD get some prints that day if he or she is doing digital photos. They usually give you 2-4 8"X 10" prints.

Break a leg!
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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