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

[Arven]

Hey I don't know where I could ask about this but I am going to try here.
(I am from Poland - so I am so sorry about mistakes and wrong grammar side;p)
As I said I live far from NYC - modeling is my dream and what is interesting Models International ( http://www.mi-agency.com/ ) is interested in me. I hope you could help me somehow and let me know if I could catch this chance, sign the exclusive contract and go to Apple City. Sorry for my frustration here ;p

 

[cologne_rocks]

Hey I don't know where I could ask about this but I am going to try here.
(I am from Poland - so I am so sorry about mistakes and wrong grammar side;p)
As I said I live far from NYC - modeling is my dream and what is interesting Models International ( http://www.mi-agency.com/ ) is interested in me. I hope you could help me somehow and let me know if I could catch this chance, sign the exclusive contract and go to Apple City. Sorry for my frustration here ;p

I've never heard of this agency, doesn't seem bad but i wouldn't advise you to go there - they work only on a very low level like catalogue commercial and typical bad-paid show room stuff. You should try one of the larger scouting agencies based in the US and especially New York. Try your luck at the following ones:

Specimen Model Management http://www.specimenmodelmgmt.com/
(Their homepage seems ridiciolous, but they are very very very good, the owner places a lot girls from Europe all over the world with top agencies)

AL Model NY http://almodelsny.com/models/
(First adress imo, i don't know any scouting agency with so many high profile girls)

Sebastian Management NY (http://ctmgmt.com/)
(Scouting girls for big agencies like Elite or Women)


Otherwise you should look for a motheragent in Poland (I'm always a fan of step by step development). Try therefor GAGA Models here, motheragency of Monika Jac (http://www.gaga.pl/)

 

[Arven]

Hey Thanks cologne_rock, Sebasian already called me and I think that I am going to work with him Kiss

 

[cologne_rocks]

YES! Congratulations, he's major

 

[EuropeanGlamour]

I'm not sure if a similar question was asked (if so I apologize), but I was contacted by Sutherland Models and I went in for a sit down interview, kind of thing. I have to give a deposit for classes but that's because the talent scout (I'm not sure what to call him exactly) said that I have potentional especially since another model looked like me but transferred to another agency. He wanted me to replace her, I suppose. But I'm a little iffy since it's a steep price, although it includes an agent for a year, photos for the portfolio, and 6-8 weeks worth of classes.

It's a reputable agency, which kind of confuses me because I always thought you weren't supposed to pay for classes or anything? I was thinking maybe because he's not 100% sure I have potential so he doesn't want to lose money?

Any help would be great!

 

[ModelMommy]

There is NO need to pay for classes. Read www.newmodels.com and all of its links thoroughly.

 

[BetteT]

Agreed .... that's a definite red flag. If they are a legit agency and they want to rep you ... you won't pay them anything. You will have to pay to build a portfolio and the photos ... but it should never be paid directly to the agency. Classes are not needed, and won't make any difference in whether or not you work. The only way a legit agency should make money is by getting you work and collecting thier commision. (You have to reimburse them for their expenses that they spend on you, but you never pay up front.)
A scout is paid by the agency, if the models makes money. He doesn't pay for anything up front and neither should you.

Newmodels.com is owned by a legit former commercial agent in NY and he gives very sound advice for any models in the U.S. ... he knows because he was in the biz. His advice is accurate.

I know him as legit because I have worked with his daughter several times ... she's a freelance makeup artist.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Yes, i third this. I've actually never heard about new faces paying cash down to an agency. In European motheragencys (and i guess this does also count for overseas), every model has a separate and allodial account in the agency and the agents advance on loan the money until the newface finishes the development proccesses and earns to money to pay it back (and later they charge 20-25% of booking-promision as motheragent).

Sutherland Models is actually a serious company, though, which makes me a bit excited now and these classes story sounds a bit creepy as well (and not in a good way). If you need contact to other Canadian agencies just tell me and I'll provide you some links in this thread to those who definitey not charge money in advance from the models themselves.

 

[EasyCool]

^ Don't fall for that. No one should ever ask you to pay. Submit your picture to the big agencies in the major cities. If they want you, they will contact you for sure. People are always trying to act like they are working with an agency, to make themselves seem more legitimate. Good Luck!

 

[Andrea.RL]

Hey so i wanted to know if anyone could give me info on how the elite contest is like and any tips that could be useful. I know this girl that seems great for modelling and i am trying to convince her to try. (even though shes 19 and they usually look into younger girls...no?)

 

[cold_sun]

When she has the right look, height & measurements, 19 is no problem

 

[Kate_Moore]

Hello there. I am looking for agencies that work with petite models (I'm 5'5) and I was told that I could try in asian countries since they're looking for European short models there and I found it quite useful as I think that could be my opportunity to work but I dont see myself traveling around Tokyo looking for an agency? I mean, is there any way to contact from here (I live in Spain) with japanese agencies? Do you think they could 'hire' me? Also, I need advice if you know any good japanese agencies that I could contact, anything helpful actually.

I follow an Spanish girl blog who travels to Tokyo every summer and works at Bravo in Tokyo - I think - but I couldnt find anything helpful in their webpage.

Karma to any information that's given.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Hello Kate_Moore,
first of all some general info that applies to all kind of models:
In order to go to Asian countries like Japan for modelling you do first of all need a motheragency who builds up your book and introduces you to further agencies based in fashion capitals or cities who have their own market a bit aside from New York & Paris like Tokyo or Singapore.

As you said you cannot just walk in an agency in Tokyo being like "Hey, could you hire me?" and same applies to if you send them just some pictures of you. That's not how it works.

As for petite modelling in general - There might be the one or other company searching for a petite model but it's not really a market; an autonomous market for petite models doesn't excist. You could try local, tough.
It's just very occasionally in demand, but not profitable you can't pay your bills and rent from petite modelling. The only modelling which you can make money with remains commercial and high fashion modelling, the rest like "nail-modelling", "body-modelling", "petite-modelling" and "face modelling" is just something that can be made hobby-like but it's not as professional.

 

[everybrightstar]

agencies around here are mostly "talent" agencies that specialise in acting as well as modelling. I just want to focus on modelling. But I had one talent agency say they would be interested in me. Is that good to get started with, try and score a few ad appearances? Then once I'm older and have a good port go to the city model agencies.
Also, do models pay for their first photoshoot for their portfolio? i have no professional photos so they said I would need some and they do it. The price is really cheap, I'm just wondering what the norm is when models have no photos? Around here it seems to be pay for you own.

 

[BetteT]

The norm is they recommend some photographers to do it ... and you pay him and the makeup artist (and stylist, if any). You should not pay an agency directly ... that's a red flag. Legit agenicies make money from commisions earned after they find you work and get paid by the client. They should never make money on photography, portfolios, classes etc.Photos are done elsewhere ... but they do have definite preferences about which photgraphers will be able to take the kind of pictures they need. If the agency does the photography and is making their money that way, I'd take a long look at them. Most likely they are a bit of a scam, taking money from wannabe models ... before they actually find the models any work. The same goes for "modeling schools" and such.

Working as a commercial model is a great gig. Commercial models make more money and have a longer career than fashion models who are usually done by thir mid twenties. In fact, there are commercial models in their 80's ... and some who are babies. Usually you are either suited for commercial or suited for fashion ... not both. It depends on your look, your age, your type. Some fashion models makea transition to commercial modeling as they age ... not the other way.

 

[everybrightstar]

Thanks BetteT

I would be be paying a recommended photographer. They said to do extra and commercial I don't need any training, but if i wanted cat walk work I would need to learn how to walk properly, they don't do classes. Is that right tho? Or are the agencies meant to teach you how to walk?

 

[cologne_rocks]

Well, a serious model management company would definitely teach you from first hand how to walk. It's not like they would spend hours with you to teach you walking, but they'd definitely have an eye on you.

 

[Eleonorah]

I wonder if anyone has heard of this agency: www.modelsmgmt.co.uk ?

 

[cologne_rocks]

^Yes, weak agency working on a low catalogue level. As they are based in London i guess they do also London's showrooms, which is quite nice payment but gets boring after the second day.

Do you need advice for London based agencies?

 

[ruffledleather]

is COACD an agency, or do they cast people for agencies?