Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/teen acting carrers

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Expert: - 6/25/2007


Question
QUESTION: Hello I was wondering if you can help me I want to start in acting im 14, I know I have to have an agent but what I dont know how do I start like what do I start to do? I'm hoping someday work for Disney. I hope you can help me with sarting my acting carrer.

Thanks Pedro

ANSWER: Hi Pedro,
Yes the agent is biggest thing...right after learning to act. An agent wants someone to make them money, not someone who isn't able to do the job. You need to take some acting classes (at least for a short while, before trying to get an agent. (Once you get the agent, you still keep taking classes). That way, you are used to the cameras (if you have taken a film acting class). You should take a beginning acting class first, before moving on to the camera class. Many people think they can skip this, but it wastes everyone's time and may cause you to give up before you get going if you don't.
Once you do all that, then it will be time for an agent.
Please read my previous answers on getting an agent once you have gotten that far, and if you need to ask more, please do so, then.

Good luck!
Taylor

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I tried looking for acting classes in AZ but all that came up are agencies and for colleges, is there anywhere that you know where I can go to get a listing of this classes. I have another real quick question do you know an estimate on how much this classes cost?
Hope you can help,
Thanks Pedro

Answer
Hi Pedro,

I don't know where you live, but I found several listings when I googled acting classes, Arizona. It looks like the major cities are covered, starting w/Phoenix.

Acting classes are typically $125.00 on up, but are sometimes less and many times more. I recommend different teachers, not just one forever, because you should experience different styles and methods of teaching. (There are several different styles or "methods" of acting. Stanislovski, Meisner, etc.) You will grow more if you do.
Good luck!

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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