ARE YOU MODEL MATERIAL?

Lights, Camera, Action!

Do you have aspirations to become a model?

The modeling industry attracts many different types of people. Kids, Teens, Adults, Singers, Actors, Dancers, Make Up Artists, and Fashion Designers to name a few. Most celebrities used modeling to catapult them into the mega stars that they are today.

It is not all about looks. Looks can be intimidating and sometimes that doesn't sell products/services. Beauty is skin deep and starts from within.

I've been in and around the industry for the past 20 years. I am here to tell you that the industry is not all glamorous like most people think. While modeling is very lucrative, it also is very demanding and a lot of hard work. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

Below is a test and if you can honestly answer yes to these questions consider yourself model material.

1) Can you handle rejection?

2) Do you arrive on time/early to appointments?

3) Do you have great follow up skills?

4) Are you organized?

5) Are you patient?

6) Do you have a great personality?

7) Are you flexible?

8) Are you tech savvy?

9) Do you have at least one great asset/feature?

10) Do you get along well with others?

Models deal with so much and rejection is the biggest thing you'll encounter in the modeling industry. If you have the support, desire and passion to model you can do it. Surround yourself with positive people and network with people that are in the modeling industry.

I hope this helps!

As always if you have any questions, please let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC

ARE COMP CARDS BECOMING OBSOLETE?

Hey There!

With technology things can better, at least that is what they say! Gone but not forgotten are the VCR's, Cassettes and Beepers. Now its DVD's, TIVO, IPhone, and Wii.

The biggest change that I've noticed since returning from my hiatus is that the modeling industry has gone digital. Agents are submitting their submissions on-line via a site called www.actorsaccess.com

When I first started modeling, photographers were only using rolls of film and the models would receive a contact sheet which showed all their images. From there your images were selected and then turned into comp cards. The process was much longer than what it is now.

Today, photographers are mainly using digitals. The benefits vastly outweigh that of film. Digitals can be manipulated with a computer software called Photoshop. This is a good and bad thing. You can play around with the color enhancing features such as your hair or eyes. The most important thing to note is: don't go overboard with the enhancements. You want to make sure you look like your pictures when you go on an audition. The worse case scenario is you show up for an audition and are asked to leave. The best benefit is that it saves you money on printing costs. You don't need tons of comp cards printed. Your agent can download/scan your comp card and submit it. You are also able to update your comp card more frequently as you get tearsheets from previous jobs.

Keep in mind some modeling agencies are still using compcards as some clients are not as tech savvy. Other agencies have their own website where they display there talent for their clients to see.

Some of the experts I've spoken to in the industry are predicting it will be about 2 more years before comp cards become obsolete.

So with all of that extra money you are going to save on printing costs, why not buy a domain name or start a blog and market yourself?

I hope this helps!

As always if you have any questions, let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC

MODELS COME IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES!!!

Did you know that the average woman in the United States is a size 14?

Judging from Hollywood standards and the images we see in the fashion magazines and on television one wouldn’t believe it but it is true.

The days of the “skinny models” are over. Models these days come in all shapes, sizes, and colors of the rainbow. Advertisers don’t necessary want the drop dead gorgeous models to sell their products/services. They are looking for models who consumers can relate to and who are believable.

If you don’t believe it think about the infamous Dove’s Campaign for “Real Beauty” that featured everyday full-figured women advertising their products on billboards nationwide in their bra and panties. Then there’s “Miss Fiercee” Tocarra from America’s Next Top Model who also helped put full-figured women on the map. Last but not least, there’s Queen Latifah who started out as a rapper from the East Coast and is now a Cover Girl.

Who would have imagined that any of this would have happened in the modeling industry?

When it comes to modeling today some many doors have been opened and it is up to you to determine what path you will take. There are so many categories of modeling to choose from.

The list below is just a small sample of the different types of modeling and types of models.

Print Modeling

Commercial Modeling

Runway Modeling

(Body) Part Modeling

Plus Size Modeling
Free Lance Modeling

Petite Models

Fit Models

Hair Models

Promotional Models

Personally, I have done Print, Commercial, Runway, Hair and Promotional Modeling.

Depending on the market you live in will determine the type of work you get. Think about what assets you possess and use them to your advantage. Ask yourself these questions! Do you have great hands or feet? Is your hair healthy and versatile? Do you have a mean walk?

You may have to be on the smaller side to become a Supermodel but in the meantime, there is plenty of work out there and money to be made in this crazy world we call modeling.

I hope this helps!

As always if you have any questions, let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC

CALLING ALL ASPIRING & PROFESSIONAL MODELS!!!

Hey There!

I live in the Midwest in a predominately commercial market. The modeling industry at the moment is feeling the pinch of the recession like some many other industries.

This is not the time to sit back and wait for your agent to call about an audition or casting.

Let's think outside the box and re-invent yourself!

BACK DOOR MODELING STRATEGIES:

1) Call the hair companies in your area and ask for the Marketing Director. Ask if they are having any model calls for any of their hair products.

2) Check out the party scene in your area and find out who the folks are that are promoting the parties and ask if they need any promotional models.

3) Look at http://www.craigslist.com/ for model listings. Just be careful and always take a buddy with you.

NATIONAL MODELING CONTESTS!!!

www.myoliveoilstory.com

This contest ends June 15, 2009 (Act Fast)

www.missvideovixen.com

http://www.modelsscout.com/

http://www.prommagazine.com/

Fabulous at Any Age Search -- Essence Magazine

http://www.essence.com/

Star in Next Pantene Ad -- Begins July 1st

www.relaxedandnatural.com

Parents Magazine

www.parentsmagazine.com

Why not enter them and see what happens. It's best to have many things going on at once so when this recession turns around which it will, you will already be in prime position.

Enter modeling contests with caution!

I only enter contests that are with major corporations that have been around for some time. There are many fly by night companies popping up on the Internet claiming to make you the Next Top Model so you have to be careful.

Do some research and make sure that the company is legit. You can start by contacting the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General in your area to see if there have been any complaints against the organization. There's also a site called www.ripoffreport.com

If it sounds to good to be true it probably is! Don't let your desire to get into the modeling industry overshadow your common sense.

I hope this helps!

As always, if you have any questions let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC

MODELING BUZZ WORDS

Hey There!

You have to know the buzz words for any industry you enter. Below is a small sample of some of the common lingo used in the modeling industry.

Advertising Agency: - Advertising agencies use models, actors and voiceover's for print, radio and television commercial campaigns that they create for their clients who have a product or service to promote to consumers.

AFTRA: - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Nationally, AFTRA represents professional actors, news broadcasters and writers, announcers, vocalists, and others who work in the fields of television, radio, sound recordings, and industrial productions.

Agent: - An individual whose job is to represent an author's work to various publishers. Agents also negotiate contracts for their clients. The usual commission is around 10 to 15 percent of the advance/royalties ac quired. Agents receive their payment as a percentage of what they make for you.

Buy-out: - this is a one time payment or flat fee for a project that will not provide residuals. Residuals are payments talent receives each and every time a television commercial is shown. A buy out fee should be negotiated with this in mind and should be more than an hourly rate.

Callback: - this is a result of the audition you went on. They liked what they saw and want to see you again. This generally means you are in the running for the project. A callback is when they ask back specific people from the first audition to read again to make a decision to cast them for a part in their project.

Character: - This is a type of person (profile) an actor is going to play. Characters are anything from a gangster to a business man, to a doctor or teacher in a film, photography shoot or television commercial project.

Composite Card: - Comp Card. - A model or actors material with 3-5 photos of actor or model printed with their stats. These cards are used to market and submit to prospective clients, for auditions and casting calls. The most popular size is postcard. All cards display a headshot and smaller shots that showing your versatility or characterization.

Casting Agent: This is a person who sets up the calls and auditions for models, actors and extras to fill roles needed. They work for the director and producer of a project.

Casting Call: - A determined time and place is set up when a project is ready for talent. You will be given a script or side to read from for a part in the project or asked to submit photos and resumes for a callback.

Demo Reel: - This is a sample video tape (there are demo tapes for voiceover) of your previous work. Your demo real should display your versatility. When creating your demo, try and keep it short, up to 5 minutes of clips showing they many types of characters you can portray.

Headshot: - This is an 8x10 photo which is needed to submit with your resume to get into an audition or casting call. You need to maintain a current photo. Production personnel depend on photos to choose you for consideration. There is nothing more frustrating than picking a photo of a person for a specific character/model type and the actor/model looks nothing like their photo. When you change your look, you need to update your photos.

Model Release: - you will be required to sign a model release agreement which gives the client or photographer rights to use your photos for the project you have been contracted for as the model. Also called a Photographer Release.

Open Call: is similar to a casting call but generally means anyone who fits the requirements for the project such as extras, bit players and even actors can attend regardless if they have agent representation.

Prop: - any movable articles or objects used on the set of a play, movie or photography layout. It is separate from scenery and costumes.

Resume: You need to prepare a written copy of all modeling and acting experience or training you have completed. Keep in to one page. Your resume outlines all the projects you have been involved in, the roles you played, the companies you have modeled for, the training you have and any skills or talent you have including dance, singing, sports or any talents other talents you think might be worth mentioning.

SAG: - Screen Actors Guild Foundation - Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s premier labor union representing actors. SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors in film, television, industrials, commercials and music videos. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits on behalf of artists. SAG is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

Screenwriter:- someone who writes screenplays. This is normally the person who wrote the script for the project you are auditioning for.

Tear Sheet: - Gather all the tear sheets you can. While you build your resume collect materials to enhance the package/portfolio with ads from publications you have appeared in. This gives the client more visual information about your performance skills.

Zed Cards – See Composite Cards

If you don't see a word from the above list and you need to know what it means contact me.

I hope this helps!

As always if you have any questions, let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC

HOW DO I GET STARTED IN MODELING?

Hey There!

To get started you need some pictures. These can be snap shots taken from your digital camera. At this point it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on photographs.

Your pictures should show you in front of a light background with minimal makeup. The focus should be on your face. You should have a close up, and a full body shot of yourself. This goes for kids, teens, and adults looking to break into the industry.

TWO IMPORTANT MODELING TIPS

Once you have your snapshots, you should contact the local modeling agencies in your area and ask them two important questions. 1) What is your submission process? e-mail? mail? 2) Do you have open calls?

At some point, you will need a composite card which should tell a story. Typically this card consists of a head shot on one side and 4-5 pictures on the backside. It should showcase you looking your best in several different looks. The comp card also contains your stats/measurements and acts as your resume and is what your agent uses to book you for jobs.

Your pictures for your comp card should be taken by a reputable photographer. Before you select a photographer, ask to see their portfolio or website. They should also be able to help you with your selection of pictures for putting your comp card together. Some photographers will even help produce your composite card or recommend a printer.

I hope this helps!

As always, if you have any questions just let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC