Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 5/24/2007

Question
"Hi, i just turned 14 and ive wanted to be an actress since I was really little.
When I was younger I did a few radio commercials and 2 school plays. Ive also
been in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade for the past 4 years and have done
numerous dance frestivals and shows.
anyway, this summerr im going to ACTeen and I heard tis  really good acting
program, any way im trying to get an agent but i feel like i dont have enoug on
my resume.
All I have is 3 school plays, a featured extra in a short film, 3 radio
commercials and thats it.
Because I heard u cant put the parade, dance shows, or chorus/hoir/singing shows
on your resume..so i had to take those all off. and i live in nyc and my
grandfather is a part-time actor who does mostly community theater but i get
tips form him. and im getting headshots done, and im subscribed to backstage
magazine and always looking for random auditons..anyway, i dont know what else
to do to make this go faster.or quicker..any advice?? tips?? requirements?? pro's cons??"

thankss soo muchh

ariel

Answer
Hi Ariel,

It sounds like you have a good source of assistance with your grandpa there. I would disagree with the advice on not putting those credits on your resume. When you are young, they are not expecting you to have a million credits or a reel (of tape) with your Academy Award worthy film credits. Maybe it is different in New York, but in California and Texas, it is acceptable. He is right for adult actors, though. The headshots are a great idea! Also take acting classes from respected coaches. Many times there will be someone who sees you or a connection that will be handy in the future. It would be awesome if you could get into some sort of school for the performing arts. You could also think of Juliard later on. It would be tough to get in, but I have seen a lot of talent out of there. Jess Weixler, with whom I worked with in "Teeth" came from there. She got the "Best Newcomer" award at Sundance this year. (I think that was the title of it?) Val Kilmer is also a graduate...among many others.
Community theater and plays are great for the resume too, keep going to auditions whether you get them or not...sometimes it takes a while to catch on to how to win the part. I joke with friends about how it took me twenty years to learn how to act. It's not far from the truth...I didn't really "get" it for a long time, but one day, it was as if a light came on. So hard, yet so easy.
See about an agent when you get the headshot and resume together, and keep me informed how it is going, OK?

Break a Leg!

Taylor