12/4/2011
Hi everyone!
I’ve been very, very bad! Haven’t had much time to blog lately. But there is a really important topic that I feel should be addressed. I get many emails every week from young gals (and the occasional few guys) who ask me the question: How exactly do you break into modeling?
Of course, I’m no expert, and there really isn’t any right or wrong answer- because there are so many different paths you can take to get far in a modeling career.
But I’ll happily fill you in on information that I wish I knew when I was starting out myself many moons ago…. :)
Realistically, you need to know your type. Are you a fashion model or a commercial type model?
Fashion models generally start a career as young as 13 and can go on for many years. Most modeling agencies will only take girls who are at least 5’8” (for females) and around 6’ (for males). Of course there can always be an exception to the rule- especially when a model has a perfect face, bone structure, etc. Kate Moss is a great example. Some people say she’s really only 5’6”! That is almost unheard of in the fashion world- but she is undoubtedly a phenomenal model nonetheless- So she is a great example of a shorter fashion model who has gone very far in her career. (And she still keeps working!)
Of course when gals start off at age 13 for example, the modeling agencies may sign them anyhow, because there is still a chance that they may grow taller. Same goes for the male models.
If you aren’t as tall, or have a more commercial look- truthfully, this is nothing to be bummed about. I know a lot of commercial type models who make quite a nice living booking print ads for Disney, Target, Levi’s etc. Especially the commercial type models who book the national commercials- now that can bring in some really great money! So never feel bad about being a commercial model (seriously some of those models make way more money than the fashion models…no kidding!)
Now back to the modeling:
The first thing you need to do- is take some polaroids/snapshots. The modeling agencies don’t mind that you don’t have professional pictures initially. They really want to see what you look like naturally. So there’s no need to put gobs of makeup & eyeliner, etc on for these types of pictures. They just want to see YOU! A picture of your face and a body shot are generally what they ask for.
Once you take some snapshots, you can either look online to see if agencies will take an emailed submission, or if they require you to mail them in. Sometimes they have an “open call” for models on a certain day, during a certain time frame where they will see potential models. I highly encourage this. I think it’s always best for an agent to see what you look like in person, and they can also get to see your personality. One thing is for sure- as nervous as we can get from these types of meetings- you must know this:
The agencies WANT you to be exactly what they’re looking for. They’re rooting for you 1 million percent. You make their job so much easier. So please don’t go in there with a self-defeating attitude! I used to do this, and trust me…it won’t get you far!
Once an agency is interested, they’ll most likely have you come in for a meeting (if they haven’t already met you in person previously) They’ll take polaroids of you, and have you “test” with photographers. Testing means you’re shooting with a photographer…it’s sort of like a “test” to see how you move, how the camera reads you. You would be so surprised at how many models I thought were “ok” when I met them in person…then when I tested them- they were some of the most beautiful, photogenic people I’ve ever seen! It happens all the time. And vice versa- I’ve seen some of the most beautiful models take not so great photos. Sometimes a model just has that “spark”- they really do. (The same goes for actors too….some have it, and some don’t.)
After you have tested with photographers that the agency has referred you to…they’ll put together the best pictures from those photo shoots & create a comp card for you. (The east coast calls them “comp cards” the west coast calls them “zed cards”.) The agency will also most likely put you on their online website for potential clients to browse.
Then you’ll be sent out on “castings” or “auditions”.
I really do feel that the acting fields & modeling fields are very closely related. So here are some pieces of advice I would definitely consider:
You are who you associate with. If you are hanging around people who are not successful, people who just “talk” about the big Hollywood producers who are after them…I’d run the other way. Especially run away from people who are jealous of you. You must realize that it is not you- it’s “them” They are the people with issues who will only hold you back from being successful. Stay as far way from the naysayers as possible.
Don’t just talk about the agents, clients, photographers, you want to approach or work with…DO IT. (Trust me, 99% of people just talk about doing it….but the 1% of successful people are the ones who actually do it.
Don’t believe everything you hear- but definitely pay attention to what really goes on in the entertainment industry. Here’s an AMAZING article on the entertainment business from Jenna Fischer (from The Office) I highly suggest anyone in this field read it:
http://www.myspace.com/pambeesley/blog/141657788
And yes (even according to Jenna’s blog) there are some pretty bad people in the industry. I’ve seen it myself. It can be pretty scary out there. I’ve had my fair share of horror stories. Personal stories & I’ve had other actresses (actors even!) and models share horrific stories with me. :-/ But just know, that there are some really amazing people in the industry too.
I’ll keep trying to add to this blog entry, but this is a good start for now…... xoxo
Hi everyone!
I’ve been very, very bad! Haven’t had much time to blog lately. But there is a really important topic that I feel should be addressed. I get many emails every week from young gals (and the occasional few guys) who ask me the question: How exactly do you break into modeling?
Of course, I’m no expert, and there really isn’t any right or wrong answer- because there are so many different paths you can take to get far in a modeling career.
But I’ll happily fill you in on information that I wish I knew when I was starting out myself many moons ago…. :)
Realistically, you need to know your type. Are you a fashion model or a commercial type model?
Fashion models generally start a career as young as 13 and can go on for many years. Most modeling agencies will only take girls who are at least 5’8” (for females) and around 6’ (for males). Of course there can always be an exception to the rule- especially when a model has a perfect face, bone structure, etc. Kate Moss is a great example. Some people say she’s really only 5’6”! That is almost unheard of in the fashion world- but she is undoubtedly a phenomenal model nonetheless- So she is a great example of a shorter fashion model who has gone very far in her career. (And she still keeps working!)
Of course when gals start off at age 13 for example, the modeling agencies may sign them anyhow, because there is still a chance that they may grow taller. Same goes for the male models.
If you aren’t as tall, or have a more commercial look- truthfully, this is nothing to be bummed about. I know a lot of commercial type models who make quite a nice living booking print ads for Disney, Target, Levi’s etc. Especially the commercial type models who book the national commercials- now that can bring in some really great money! So never feel bad about being a commercial model (seriously some of those models make way more money than the fashion models…no kidding!)
Now back to the modeling:
The first thing you need to do- is take some polaroids/snapshots. The modeling agencies don’t mind that you don’t have professional pictures initially. They really want to see what you look like naturally. So there’s no need to put gobs of makeup & eyeliner, etc on for these types of pictures. They just want to see YOU! A picture of your face and a body shot are generally what they ask for.
Once you take some snapshots, you can either look online to see if agencies will take an emailed submission, or if they require you to mail them in. Sometimes they have an “open call” for models on a certain day, during a certain time frame where they will see potential models. I highly encourage this. I think it’s always best for an agent to see what you look like in person, and they can also get to see your personality. One thing is for sure- as nervous as we can get from these types of meetings- you must know this:
The agencies WANT you to be exactly what they’re looking for. They’re rooting for you 1 million percent. You make their job so much easier. So please don’t go in there with a self-defeating attitude! I used to do this, and trust me…it won’t get you far!
Once an agency is interested, they’ll most likely have you come in for a meeting (if they haven’t already met you in person previously) They’ll take polaroids of you, and have you “test” with photographers. Testing means you’re shooting with a photographer…it’s sort of like a “test” to see how you move, how the camera reads you. You would be so surprised at how many models I thought were “ok” when I met them in person…then when I tested them- they were some of the most beautiful, photogenic people I’ve ever seen! It happens all the time. And vice versa- I’ve seen some of the most beautiful models take not so great photos. Sometimes a model just has that “spark”- they really do. (The same goes for actors too….some have it, and some don’t.)
After you have tested with photographers that the agency has referred you to…they’ll put together the best pictures from those photo shoots & create a comp card for you. (The east coast calls them “comp cards” the west coast calls them “zed cards”.) The agency will also most likely put you on their online website for potential clients to browse.
Then you’ll be sent out on “castings” or “auditions”.
I really do feel that the acting fields & modeling fields are very closely related. So here are some pieces of advice I would definitely consider:
You are who you associate with. If you are hanging around people who are not successful, people who just “talk” about the big Hollywood producers who are after them…I’d run the other way. Especially run away from people who are jealous of you. You must realize that it is not you- it’s “them” They are the people with issues who will only hold you back from being successful. Stay as far way from the naysayers as possible.
Don’t just talk about the agents, clients, photographers, you want to approach or work with…DO IT. (Trust me, 99% of people just talk about doing it….but the 1% of successful people are the ones who actually do it.
Don’t believe everything you hear- but definitely pay attention to what really goes on in the entertainment industry. Here’s an AMAZING article on the entertainment business from Jenna Fischer (from The Office) I highly suggest anyone in this field read it:
http://www.myspace.com/pambeesley/blog/141657788
And yes (even according to Jenna’s blog) there are some pretty bad people in the industry. I’ve seen it myself. It can be pretty scary out there. I’ve had my fair share of horror stories. Personal stories & I’ve had other actresses (actors even!) and models share horrific stories with me. :-/ But just know, that there are some really amazing people in the industry too.
I’ll keep trying to add to this blog entry, but this is a good start for now…... xoxo