So You Want to Become a Model? (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[model_mom]

Do the agencies based in NYC make contacts to other international agencies in an attempt to "scope out" new talent, or do aspiring models have to directly make themselves visible to the NYC agencies (via open call or mail-in photos) in order to gain some kind of recognition by them?

If an NYC agency feels that a model should re-locate to NYC, are they 99% certain that s/he will make it big? It must be rare for a model to relocate all the way to the Big Apple and not get any work, b/c that would show poor judgement on the agency's part. Also, do NYC agencies help pay for anything like apartment rent or plane tickets?

Thanks, again!

Modeling Agencies may give you money up front and set you up in an apartment. They will set up photo tests for your book and make you up comp cards but every cent will deducted from your paycheck,you can count on it. Other fees are messenger service laser prints(extra copies for your book) car/limo charges any airfare (unless the client pays)and a monthly fee for being on their website plus many more hidden extras. You may start out in the hole so far you think you may never climb out but all it takes is a great show season or a good campaign to climb out with some profit.

They will send you to Paris to get quality pictures for your book and to Japan for the money jobs but New york is the place to be to build your career.

 

[thetaryn]

I just saw a documentary on TV just now on CTV canada following a few Canadian male models on casting trips, talking to their bookers, tim blanks from fashion file explaining the business and other things involved. One of the bookers was saying that a working girl after fashion week can get about $160,000 without being on top!! While a top model can get $50,000 a show. Crazy $$$

I think it was a booker at Ford following a guy named Kelly something..i dont remember.

At Toronto Fashion Week they can make that kind of money? If so, I can't imagine what they make in NYC. And also, I thought runway was the part of the industry where you made the least amount of money, is that true?

 

[yourbestfriend]

At Toronto Fashion Week they can make that kind of money? If so, I can't imagine what they make in NYC. And also, I thought runway was the part of the industry where you made the least amount of money, is that true?

The booker was from Ford NYC, she was talking about the total after new york/milan/paris fashion weeks. Runway can earn you lots of money if you walk for bigger designers.

 

[model_mom]

New faces models work for little or nothing...sometimes for the promise of clothes from the designer(which you may or may not ever receive). It is suppose to be an honor and a hugh boost to your career to be booked for top shows. If you are an established runway star and in high demand your fee can run into the thousands. Editorial work and covers pay very little...no matter who you are(I am only talking about models here I have no idea what movie stars are paid.)

 

[AlmostFamous]

New girls pay their dues. And do sooooo much of the most important things for free. And hopefully things will work out so they can demand more money.

 

[ablutophobic]

I've wanted to model seriously for about a year and I've thought about doing it for at least 3 or 4, since I was only 13 or so, but I haven't done anything about it yet... I know my body is fine, considering that I'm 6" and 32-25-36 without putting in any exercise or diet effort so it wouldn't be hard to drop the extra 1 or 2 inches with a bit of exercise and less McDonald's, but I just don't think I have the face because I have a weak jaw line and an overbite and an odd chin. The only model I've noticed with a bit of an overbite is Querelle, but she has really strong cheekbones and a smooth chin to make up for it.
I've considered recently sending in some pics online to Mode Models, but I don't know what I'd say to my parents if Mode actually responded haha. I'm going into my last year of high school and I know if I want to model I have to do it soon because of my age and I don't want to waste money on college applications if I'm not going to go right away... My parents expect me to go to university and I don't blame them. I don't want to end up trying to model and wasting a year and not make any progress at all and then have no money to show for it so I can't even afford to go to university afterwards and end up working an $8/hour job trying to save money because I missed out on all the scholarships by trying to model first. Argh. I don't know. This is just a long-winded rant message.

 

[model_mom]

Lots of good things happen tothe lucky ones. Booking the good shows,getting a campaign with big bucks, making good friends,having a great agent,meeting important people,walking the runway,seeing your picture in magazines,booking good jobs and I could go on and on. It's a crazy business but for the ones who make it the top and can handle the fame it has to be the biggest thrill.

 

[IdiotGirl]

I have a question. I am 5'11.5" and I fit all requirements but weight, but I can change that, and thats beside the point, but I have humongous feet and I am very interested in runway, I can manage to fit a size 12-13, but my feet are really size 14. Will I even get considered with my shoe size?

Do designer shoes even come in 12's?

 

[ablutophobic]

They do! Hahahah. I used to look at them, and I think Gucci etc all make size 12 shoes. Let me check. Ah, Gucci sells baby shoes... that's slightly disturbing. Hmm, it looks like Gucci does up to size 11... Anyways, most designer shoes go up to 11 or 12. Probably you'd end up cramming your feet into too small shoes often. I'm an 11 or 12 and I know if I were a model, it would probably happen to me too.

 

[IdiotGirl]

I can almost manage cramming my feet into 10's, but not quite.

 

[shopsmuch]

What should you expect at open calls? I mean, what exactly happens at them? I'm going to some this week at some major NY agencies and don't even know what to do there. How early should you get there? Any tips on things you shouldn't do? About all I've heard is that you should be prepared for brutal comments from the people at the agencies. I don't think these will bbother me too much, really, I have a lot of self-confidence. Much thanks in advance for anyone's advice.

 

[model_mom]

Be sure to dress casual (jean skirt cute summer top) have with you current portfolio or polaroids. Positive and friendly attitude. It depends on the agency as to how open calls go. Sometimes the models are lined up, meet the agent given the once over and dismissed. If you actually get in the door and invited for an interview things are looking up. Good luck to you and don't give up with just a few agencies try them all. You never know when something about you will make them take a second look.

 

[shopsmuch]

Okay, thanks so much for that input. How early do you think I should get there? An hour? Earlier? Later?

 

[Sweets]

shopsmuch- i was going to say that i doubt anyone will have "brutal" comments... then i remembered the woman at the first agency i went to see.... she said stuff along these lines: "Your hips are too big, you have too much body fat you look like a couch potatoe, you are too short, you need to work on your skin, and frankly if you want to be a fashion model you should loose that idea right now because it will never happen" needless to say she was quite wrong so listen to constructive criticism but dont take anything they say as gospel. good luck.

 

[shopsmuch]

Ha, thanks Sweets. I'm prepared for comments like that, I guess, I'm not waifish but slim and toned with a bit of muscle definition (not enough to look bulky at all), and I'm only 5'8", I just don't have runway looks in general, more like comemercial modeling I would think I'd be doing, so I've already kind of mentally prepared myself for, "You're too fat", "you're too short", etc. Plus I already beat the demons about being too fat years ago after having an eating disorder and I know that I'm healthy, I have no desire to ever be a size 0 (I'm usually a 2). So yeah, the stuff won't bother me, though I will take constructive criticism.

 

[evexa]

shopsmuch- i was going to say that i doubt anyone will have "brutal" comments... then i remembered the woman at the first agency i went to see.... she said stuff along these lines: "Your hips are too big, you have too much body fat you look like a couch potatoe, you are too short, you need to work on your skin, and frankly if you want to be a fashion model you should loose that idea right now because it will never happen" needless to say she was quite wrong so listen to constructive criticism but dont take anything they say as gospel. good luck.

lmfao. What an idiot she is.
Which agency was that?

 

[shopsmuch]

after searching around the internet, I read several stories like sweets's story. People who were told they could never get into modeling by one agency and then went to another, were signed and fairly successful. I mean, didn't that even happen to Cindy Crawford? It's almost kind of funny.

 

[Conor]

How do you go about getting "found"?

I hope this is in the right thread

Basically I'm trying to figure out whether I should give modeling a shot, and how I should go about applying to agencies. So far all I have done is emailed a few photos to a couple of New York agencies. DNA asked me to send them some more (which I did) but other than that nothing has come of it. As far as specifics go I'm an 18 year old male, 6'0.5'', blond hair, blue eyes. Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I'm wondering if there's much point in applying to New York agencies since I live in Toronto...it's just that there's only about 5 'reputable agencies here so I feel kind of limited (especially if none of them decide to take me on )

 

[jssy4eva]

this will probably help you out
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4737

 

[Conor]

Thanks haha I've read it already though