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Picture
perfect
Becoming
a model
Everyone
tells you you're beautiful, you always manage to look great
in photos when your mates look rougher than rough, you think
you'd like to be a model, where do you start and what do models
actually do?!
Hard
info
Here's the hard information. There are a number of pretty
strict requirements if you want to be a standard fashion model.
If you don't fulfill them it certainly doesn't mean that you
aren't beautiful/attractive (or even that a specialist agency
wouldn't take you on, but we'll do that bit in a minute!)
It is simply that fashion designers want their style to look
great! Therefore, to make their clothes look to the best advantage
the samples they manufacture for their shows and editorial
shoots are quite standard, and you need to be able to fit
these clothes!
As a guideline,
to model fashion, the requirements are as follows:
For girls
between 5'8" [173cm] and 5"11" [182cm], and
for boys, between 5'11": [182cm] and 6'2"
[188cm], with body proportions to match.
If you
do not fit into this 'standard' format, don't lose heart -
there are other options out there!
Agency
alternatives
There are agencies which specialise in 'petite' and 'plus'
sizes, and 'body parts', so, if you are short, have great
hands, hair or simply an excellent toned body there may be
an agency for you!
Modelling
may not be the career path for you - as we have mentioned,
fashion is constantly changing and this may not be your 'time'.
If you don't have what is needed now don't feel dejected,
beauty is such a personal thing it does not mean you are not
beautiful, just not what is the 'look' of now!
There
are plenty of alternatives, which a lot of models choose to
move into when they feel it is not right for them anymore.
You can still work closely with models, in an equally important
role, such as a make-up artist, hairdresser, clothes stylist,
photographer or even agent! Check out the Areas of Work database
for more information on other careers in fashion and beauty.
You
do fit the criteria!
So you do fulfill the criteria and you know it's what you
want. What next?
Model
agents and scouts are regular people and go about their life
the same as you. Therefore you may 'bump' into one and be
spotted absolutely anywhere. You could be 'discovered' anywhere.
In the high street, a cafe, on holiday - anywhere!
However,
if you can't wait for the world to discover you, why not go
out there and visit some agencies. There are a great many
reputable agencies out there, all with your best interests
at heart. There are however, also less scrupulous ones around!
Finding
An Agency
An agency works for you!
No responsible
agency will charge you for joining, administration or for
a portfolio of pictures. If an agency believes in you they
will fund the beginning of your career until you are able
to pay it back through work that they have arranged for you.
London
is generally where you will find the most accomplished agencies
for an international career but there are agencies outside
the capital that can get you started and often 'feed' the
major agencies when you feel the time is right.
If you
are under 16 years it is always helpful to take a parent,
guardian or 'big sister' with you, as any self-respecting
agent will want to discuss your possible career with them.
Planning
your visit
All agencies have different 'open-call' times for seeing prospective
new models. So give them a ring and ask to arrange an appointment.
They will allocate the most suitable time when they will be
able to effectively spend time with you and discuss your future.
Most agencies require a couple of recent 'snap-shots'. These
should be regular photographs [not professional], maybe from
a recent holiday and if possible a selection of full length
and headshots.
Try not
to wear too much makeup [if any at all] and dress simply and
tidily, as the agency want to see you! Your personality and
energy are equally important so show enthusiasm and listen
to their advice!
Go on
your 'gut reaction'. The 'feedback' you get through talking
to them. Ask about the models they currently represent, what
they see for your future and are the people good to get along
with and positive about you?
The
agency like you…
It all starts here and you'll need to know the lingo otherwise
you'll get lost in a blur or words… .
- Testing
This is the opportunity for you to get used to a camera,
prove that you are photogenic, that you enjoy it, and to
make the final decisions as to whether this is the career
for you! Testing is an organised photographic shoot with
a photographer, hairdresser, make-up artist, stylist and
you, all giving their time free to achieve an excellent
picture for their books, showing the quality of their work,
and, like you, their professionalism, with a view to gaining
future work through go-sees.
- Your
'Book' [Portfolio]
A selection of your best photographs, chosen by your booker,
to represent you 'in the best light', showing your versatility
and experience as a model. The agency will arrange for you
to have portfolio shots taken first - you shouldn't fork
out for this until it's arranged by the agency! Your portfolio
should never leave your side and it is vital that you never
lose it! Your book is your livelihood and your passport
to future work. It goes with you on every casting, go-see
and job.
- Your
Cards
These are your 'business cards', a printed card, co-ordinated
by the agency, with 1 or several of your pictures that you
leave on all of your appointments as a reminder of you!
Your card will give details of your vital statistics and
your agency so that a prospective client knows how to get
hold of you for that future job!
- Your
Bookers
These are the people that work on your behalf, co-ordinating
your appointments, negotiating and 'booking' your 'jobs',
flights, hair appointments etc with their experience and
knowledge. Your booker is your best friend and your manager,
they advise on anything from how to dress for, and what
to say at, a casting, the best gym to go to and what to
see at the cinema, through to how to pluck your eyebrows!
- Your
Chart
This is your work agenda or 'agency diary', held at the
agency, usually on computer, enabling your booker to make
those all-important appointments and allocate your time
for jobs. This is the 'plan' of your future and it is vital
for you to 'call-in' to discuss this with your booker.
- Calling-In
The agency will expect you to call in twice a day to check
any alterations on your chart, usually between 12.00 noon
- 13.00pm and again between 17.00 - 17.00pm for details
of the next day. It is absolutely vital that you do this
on time as jobs can be booked, flights altered and appointments
changed at a moments notice and you need to be aware of
this!
- Go-Sees
These are essential to your future success. They are appointments,
made by your booker, for you to meet the agency's clients
that your booker feels may like your 'look' for future work.
This is the opportunity for you to 'shine', without lots
of other models around all after the same job!
- Castings
A casting is like a 'go-see', but designed for a specific
job in mind. You may meet the client, photographer, choreographer,
stylist etc, as these are all important people to impress
for that great job! As with a go-see, this is like a job
interview, and should be treated as such. Ask your booker
what the potential job is for, how you will be expected
to present yourself and any specific requirements or talents
that may be needed. You'll be amazed at how many jobs these
days may require a personal 'talent' such as being a good
swimmer, horse rider or just an excellent 'show' model that
can 'carry' clothes to their best advantage.
- Request
This is when a client calls the agency, specifically to
arrange an appointment to meet you! This is usually because
your booker has been 'singing your praises' over the telephone,
or the agency has 'mailed-out' one of your cards to that
client, who likes your look.
- Options
A possible job! Once you have met the client, whether on
a casting or a go-see, the client may well telephone the
agency, if they feel you 'fit the bill', and request that
they have the opportunity of working with you on a certain
day for a certain job. The client, unsure who exactly is
best for the job, may put options onto several models, enabling
them to have the last say in who the choose nearer the time.
Understandably, not all options can confirm into definite
jobs. The competition out there is hot! And there are a
lot of models all after the same job, so just to get 'short-listed'
is good news and you are getting nearer your goal each time!
- Confirmations
The lucky break! When you are the one that 'fits the bill'
for the job. You will have been chosen for all sorts of
reasons, your professionalism, look and attitude! This guarantees
that you are the one and you are well and truly 'on your
way'.
- Foreign
Agency
These are, as the name suggests, agencies worldwide that
work closely with your mother agency and have your best
interests at heart in their specific country. Each agency,
world-wide, have their own set of clients, within their
own country and work at getting you jobs whether you are
'on-stay' in that specific country or elsewhere. Eventually
you will have many agencies, all over the world, enabling
you to travel to different 'markets' to extend your career.
- On-Stay
This happens in the future, once you have become established
within your own agency and country. You will have the opportunity
to travel to different countries and stay for a short period,
usually of a few weeks, where you will work with a competent
agency there, co-ordinated by your mother agency, who will
get you additional modelling work for their clients.
Mum
knows best!
Modelling can be a very enjoyable and rewarding career, but
never forget, as with everything, it will not last forever,
so don't forget your schooling. This sets the ground rules
for your change in career later on and it's not as easy to
go back when you're older.
Don't
dismay - any reputable agency will wait for you and you can
begin your career during your holidays - this can also give
you the excellent insight into the industry and allow you
to finalise which aspect of it you wish to pursue.
Diary
of a model - click here for Lizzie's Diary to get an insight
into the kind of work you could be doing!
Get
into modelling - check out Model
Behaviour and enter our competition!
by
Assassin
Management
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