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

[The_Ida]

I was kinda spotted by Jacqueline Friis from Unique Models today (Freja Beha's Danish agency). They are having a model search, and I walked past the stand and she looked at me... And I gave her a funny look back... And then I saw the stand, turned around and went to talk to her, too funny She seemed very enthusiastic, and the guys from the agency took some pics. It was over in 5 mins and I got a free magazine

But I'm 21 years old, soon to be 22, and not too tall, so I will think of it as a free magazine and nothing more. I don't expect they will call me.

 

[Deleted member 106803]

^ Wow, I wish you all the best. Cute story.

 

[Andrea.RL]

hi everyone, I'm a bit lazy and don't have the courage to go trhough the hole thing.
But i've always wanted to be a model, and my aunt that did some in her youth told me that I could go for it.

What should I know before throwing myself in there, and what do you need to be noticed or succeed? (sorry had a doubt on the spelling of that last word... ^^" )

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

^Well, your location is Paris. There are a bunch of top agencies (I can give you a complete list if you want/need). Just give it a try and send simple digitals (no make-up/simple clothes/both face including profiles and body shots in tight simple clothes) in. If there is potential any of those agencies will immediately contact you. Or you just attend their open calls. Like that they need to have a look at you at least. Bring some natural fotos with you if you don't have any professional book yet.
To answer your question, what you need is the right age (in Paris modelling under 16 years is not allowed, so you should be minimum 16years old but not too old to start) / Height / skin&teeth in perfect condition / right measurements/ good hair / right inner attitude.
Good Luck

 

[Cado]

Do you have to be 1.70cm and up to be a model? I understand runways and so on, but I'm thinking about catalogs etc etc?

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

Usually, 1.72 at least.
There might be exeptions if your face is incredibly beautiful and you focus on editorial or beauty jobs. Means, a complete stunner can also work while being not as tall as the norm.
However you won't succeed on the major fashion markets like Paris,Milan with being only 1.70 or under.
If you're thinking about commercial work, it's extremely important to have a great smile/perfect teeth too.
Hope this helps

 

[Cado]

Yeah it did, thanks ! But how do I get "started" then?

 

[BetteT]

hi everyone, I'm a bit lazy and don't have the courage to go trhough the hole thing.
But i've always wanted to be a model, and my aunt that did some in her youth told me that I could go for it.

What should I know before throwing myself in there, and what do you need to be noticed or succeed? (sorry had a doubt on the spelling of that last word... ^^" )

Courage... is exactly what you need ... that and self esteem ... enough that you can still stay proud through all the rejections. And of course you have to have the look that they need and the right stats. Walk into a few open calls at the agencies and you will quickly learn if you have the "look" or not. If you do ... they could snap you right up and they will instruct you on what you need to do.

The other important thing ... and maybe this is not as common in Paris ... but there are tons of scams and ways to spend your money on a modeling career that is not necessary and won't help you. Rule of thumb ... if the agency wants you to pay them any money directly ... for photos or modeling lessons, in particuar ... it's probably not totally legit and a waste of money. Be wary if they want your money ....

 

[Andrea.RL]

Thanks, I'll try to get some pictures done, but I just got a cold, so I think I'll recover first.
It wouldn't be smart sending out pictures of me in this condition.
(except if i'm looking forwards doing cough sirop ads... )

 

[FashionVictim^]

Do you have to be 1.70cm and up to be a model? I understand runways and so on, but I'm thinking about catalogs etc etc?

For Fashion at least 1,74/5,8 but for commercial you could be smaller.

 

[kriszti.md]

i'm here for exactly to ask about that i've chatted with my roommate tonight and i mentioned her that i'm interested in models. she told me she really wants to become a catalogue or face or hair model, or whatever (the important is that not high fashion). she asked me if i could suggest her agencies, or such things as, where to and how to get started, etc. since i'm only familiar with high fashion agencies in hungary i couldn't help her, but then this thread came to my mind. perhaps someone could help me? she has a really beautiful face, but she is only about 5'5" tall. thanks for all the help!

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

It might be clever to look for a people agency or an agency representing detail models.
Because it might get difficult getting into a regual model agency at that height. Even for catalogue jobs you need a certain height. If your friend wants to try her luck inspite of this, those agencies sound familiar to me (for Hungary Attractive Model Agency, Face Budapest, Visage Budapest. I'm not an expert for their market though, there might be more good working agencies, maybe also smaller ones which I don't know. But those three names are the ones I know from hearing. She could try applying at those, there is nothing to loose
Otherwise, try to find a good people or detail model agency!
Good Luck

 

[Fontenrose]

I found some interesting tidbits.

It's the 10,000 and 1 other scams [model agencies] pull that bugs me, like trying to get me [test photographer] for free then charging the model for the pics. . .

And they pull 10,000 more, and different ones, on the models as well.

It's a process I call "chipping" - they want a percentage (a "chip") of EVERYTHING involving their models and clients and photographers and suppliers (like printing companies) - you name it and they are "chipping" away at it. And that's the ones that are NOT actually out-and-out scams.

Usually when you ask a model what the agency gets in "fees" you get the answer 20%. The actual answer on agency fees alone is usually more along the lines of 33.3% but the REAL and TRUE answer is often closer to 50% after they add on (profit "chip") overcharging repro-fees; overcharging agency talent book and website fees; adding client supplements to models' actual booking fees (and not telling the models they are charging the extra fee - so they are ALSO not telling the model the true gross billing amount for the model's services); overcharging messenger fees; overcharging comp-card costs; overcharging for already overpriced model apartments; and dozens of more agency "profit centers".

When the model is entitled to reimbursements for travel; meals etc. from the client and that is billed through the agency - do you really think they bill at cost and remit in full? The hell they do... they bill the client at cost+20% and remit to the model at cost.

EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING has an agency profit margin factored in. Agencies are NOT, NEVER have been and NEVER will be in the business to make money for the models.

Models are not employees; they pay their own taxes - and so do NOT benefit from employer contributions that a regular "employer" would have to make; they don't get health insurance; or retirement benefits; or profit sharing; or anything else.

So how does a prospective model protect herself? Find some working models from the agency you are interested in and get the info from them. Do they feel the agency is fair to them? You might as well find out before you sign.

And on the same subject from Tatiana [about model.live @ Jezebel]

Modeling is just like Madeline says. (And, to their credit, what Vogue and IMG allow her to say so clearly and directly.) Agencies deduct so many expenses — rent, any advances you've taken, messenger fees, laser copies of the images in your portfolio, composite card printings, airfares, et cetera — that your wages arrive so garnished you could mistake them for canapés. (I remember the first time I spent a whole summer in one market. It was my big break, with a big agency, in a big city — and I worked solidly, doing mainly editorials, and look books for designers who'd keep me for 10 hours and then say, "Now you get to pick out....A dress!" I was dismayed to find that by the end of the season, despite working regularly, I owed my agency $1000. For what amounted to photocopying.)

 

[kriszti.md]

^^thanks for your help!

 

[Juliax]

Thanks for the tidbits, Fontenrose !^^

 

[The_Ida]

That was interesting. My mom has always said I would waste my time if I went for it, and I'm glad I didn't. I always get scouted during model searches, but I'd rather go to uni at this point.

 

[GWOD]

I wish we could post pics in this thread.
Recently some of my friends and family have been saying that I might have some modelling potential, but I've just got such a warped complex when it comes to judging my own appearance.
Getting some opinions in a non-professional capacity would jst be handy so I could know if I was completely off-base!

 

[Paws]

^
A good thread to post your pics might be

Model member post pics!
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f96/model-members-post-pics-18990.html

Just an idea.

 

[GWOD]

^^
hehe, thanks for the link Paws, but I think that thread is more aimed at real models with real experience!
I don't want people thinking that I think I'm so hot I can't tell the difference between a REAL model and me!
It's the Carrie Bradshaw complex from that episode where she's asked to be in that New York fashion show and then trips on the runway!

 

[BetteT]

There is only one way to know if you have the look for modeling .... and that is to send your pics in or, better yet, show up for open calls at the various agencies in your city. Posting pics and getting opinions of people in a forum will not give you any realistic feedback. Only the agents know what they are looking for on any given day and only the agents know what their clients are looking for. It varies from month to month and from city to city.

Yes ... it's scary and risky to go to an agency. And it's really hard to get turned away, which will usually happens repeatedly, even if you do have the right look and stats to model. But then ... so is every call you will go on as a model ... it's nerve wracking. If you can't get the courage to go to open calls and get turned down ... how would you ever do it in front of people who actually hire modesl ... the clients? It's part of the biz ... even the top girls get lot's of "no's"... more no's than yes's. Just something to think about.