Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Taylor.
Hi Drew, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was an incredibly shy child in the company of strangers. So you can imagine my parents’ surprise when I asked to join an acting class at 12 years old. Although I’d grown up visiting sets with my dad (he’s a stuntman), I’d never voiced my desire to work in the entertainment industry up until that point. Finally, the desire had grown too strong to remain mute.
For many of my adolescent years, I took classes, made short films with friends, and dreamt of being a working actress 24/7. Looking back, however, I spent too much time dreaming about it and not enough time working for it. I decided to go to college at UCSB and earn my degree. While being so occupied by classwork and studying did take away from the time I put into pursuing acting, I don’t regret my time there. I met some of my favorite people at that University, and wouldn’t change it for the world. One thing actors tend to forget is that it is important to have life experiences outside of the industry. How are you supposed to bring fruitful, diverse characters to life if you don’t have your own experiences to draw from? You simply can’t. So in a weird way, my time in college has helped me as an actor, it just took me a bit of time to realize this. Once I graduated, I ran out of excuses. It was time to put my dreams in motion. I got a part-time job and enrolled in a two-year Meisner program at the Ruskin School of Acting. I am on track to graduate from this class in June of 2023, and I could not be happier with my time here. This class has allowed me to not only gain a better understanding of the craft of acting but has also allowed me to know myself on a deeper level than ever before. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Meisner Method, I’d suggest starting with “Sanford Meisner on Acting.” This will allow you to feel like you’re sitting in on a class taught by Sandy himself. I am happy to report that I am actively building my resume with projects that I am incredibly proud to be a part of. One of which is a horror short called Pretty in Red – written and directed by my good friend, Ty Metcalfe. Ty has become one of my favorite people to collaborate with creatively. We’ve had the privilege of shooting two short films and only have more to come.
There are a couple of pieces of advice that I wish I’d known earlier. Firstly, create actively and find other creatives to collaborate with. The first project Ty and I shot together was simply a passion project. We shot it with virtually no budget at my childhood home. We utilized friends and family in any way that we could. And guess what? This exact project has booked me multiple acting jobs. Who would’ve thought! No project is too small to matter. Have fun, expand your horizons, and create art with your friends. No harm can come from that. Secondly, as annoying as it is to hear, STAY IN CLASS! Actively exploring who you are as a person and as an actor will open doors, you’d never expect. Making connections is essential. The friends I’ve gained and connections I’ve made since being a student at RSA are invaluable. Getting to class can be hard at times. But I promise you the more vulnerable and committed you are, the more people will want to cast you in their projects. What’s so crazy is that the minute you start putting in the work, you’re that much closer to achieving your dreams. The minute excuses cease to exist, doors will open.
This is a strange, daunting industry to be a part of. But you will very quickly realize that you are not alone! Nobody is out there to watch you fail. Everyone wants you to succeed – especially casting directors, agents, and fellow actors. So don’t let fear of rejection stand in your way. Do your best, hold your head high, and keep your passion alive 🙂
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had my fair share of ups and downs along the way. In the past, insecurities have taken over and slowed me down. Am I talented enough? Am I pretty enough? Do I have what it takes? The answer to this is fully up to the person asking it and nobody else. Finding confidence in yourself and your capabilities is a superpower. When you believe in yourself, everyone around you will too. It took me a while to figure this out, but now that I have, opportunities have continually found their way to me. I feel very blessed by that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actress. I am wrapping up a two-year Meisner program at the Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica. I have a couple of projects coming up that I am incredibly proud of. One of which is a horror short film titled Pretty in Red, written and directed by Ty Metcalfe. He and I also released a short film in 2021 titled Feed the Animals, and it can be found here: https://youtu.be/23loAdDNbfs. My other projects can be found here: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm11155622?s=50c3d054-ea4c-992e-a21b-cd92af3ab17d&site_preference=normal
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My greatest mentors, supporters, and friends have been accumulated in classes. Take as many classes as you can, but I would also suggest committing to a long-term one as well. The connection you build with other actors during repeated meetings is unmatched. As convenient as it is to take online classes, I encourage others to take in-person ones. I might sound like a broken record by now, but the Ruskin School of Acting offers incredible from-the-ground-up classes. Even for seasoned actors, it can be fun to start from square one and rebuild you who are as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm11155622?s=50c3d054-ea4c-992e-a21b-cd92af3ab17d&site_preference=normal
- Instagram: drewtbrown
- Other: https://youtu.be/23loAdDNbfs
Image Credits
Headshot by Jeremy David
