[BetteT]

IMO, if you are more than 1/4 inch less than 5'7" ... probably your only outlet is commercial stuff. And in L.A. it can mean that you need to compete with actors who actually do TV commercials (and some ads for household stuff, insurance, cars, etc.) ... so you should consider acting lessons.

There is one category of model ..."petite modeling" where you have to be 5'4" to 5'7" ... but you wear clothes for petite women .. who are all way under 5'4". But .... I have never seen any actual agency that reps "petite" models (I'm sure there are a few, somewhere) , but it's a tiny, tine niche market... becuase there is almost no work for them. I think that the few petite models who do get any work (part time, at best) contact "petite size" designers and retailers directly.

So ... if you want to model ... seek a " commercial and talent agency", but you'll have a better chance if you can act some ...it's an important skill.