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

[*Jibrielle*]

every agency has different ways they go about it.

with some, you'll wait in a room with other aspiring models, fill out an application with your name, age, height etc.
after a while, the scout comes in, calls you name from a list (because you have to sign in when you enter) and you walk up to them with your application, as you're walking to them they take a quick (very quick) look at you, and after everyone is looked at they ask the ones they are interested in to stay behind

at other agencies, its more personal, they call you one on one with the scout into a room and they ask you a few questions, if they are interested, they'll keep your polaroids and contact you. if not, they'll just tell you "you're not right for us"

Thank you!

 

[foto-z]

Modelling in Taipei or Osaka?

A girl I know has to decide whether to go to Taipei or Osaka for modelling. Purely from a career and financial point of view, which city would you choose? Does anyone have knowledge of the markets there?

 

[fritmayo]

A girl I know has to decide whether to go to Taipei or Osaka for modelling. Purely from a career and financial point of view, which city would you choose? Does anyone have knowledge of the markets there?

about type of jobs it is +/- the same; it depends more of the agency than of the city.
in Taipei, there are some possibilities of good edito if in the 2-3 best agencies, in osaka possibilities are bit smaller but some agencies there are closely linked to Tokyo and so give possibilities of some tokyo's jobs even if in Osaka.

Market is usually more busy in Taipei, 10-12 casting a day is usual, that means really good possibilities of money for the good working girls, but also money well deserved as it can be really hard there with veeeeery long days of work.
Osaka is more quiet.

A girl with right type can easily do 7-10.000$ in pocket in 2 months in taipei, not so easy to do in Osaka in 2 months, but amount of money that 99% "wannabe high fashion girls" will never do in 2 years in Paris or Milan...

 

[foto-z]

about type of jobs it is +/- the same; it depends more of the agency than of the city.
in Taipei, there are some possibilities of good edito if in the 2-3 best agencies, in osaka possibilities are bit smaller but some agencies there are closely linked to Tokyo and so give possibilities of some tokyo's jobs even if in Osaka.

Market is usually more busy in Taipei, 10-12 casting a day is usual, that means really good possibilities of money for the good working girls, but also money well deserved as it can be really hard there with veeeeery long days of work.
Osaka is more quiet.

A girl with right type can easily do 7-10.000$ in pocket in 2 months in taipei, not so easy to do in Osaka in 2 months, but amount of money that 99% "wannabe high fashion girls" will never do in 2 years in Paris or Milan...

Thanks!

 

[bequietspook]

Can a girl who is 5'5 model at all ( proportionate)? Commercially or perhaps in Asia? Do petite models ever make any money? Or is it a lost cause?

 

[BetteT]

Basically a lost cause, IMHO. I've heard that even commercial models are at least 5'7" or taller (prefereably a bit taller than that). Models for the tiny, tiny petite market (no pun inteneded) which is almost non existant need to be at least 5'6". And no agency that I know of even reps them.

Maybe promotional modeling might work for you ... you know, working conventions, giving out samples at stores and bars, etc. Doesn't pay much more than minimum wage, as far as what I've been told. Promotional modeling is more about being eye candy and charming the customers than actually doing any real modeling. You have to have slammin' body for that, since it's about sex appeal.

 

[bequietspook]

Thanks for the info BetteT!

 

[Surfbunny]

actually they prefer tall girls for promotional modeling as well..

 

[Marjon]

Is there any possibility of doing only the runway instead of editorials as well?

 

[nijuyanah]

^ As a model (except you're one of the supers maybe ) you won't really have the chance to "choose" what kind of work you want, and what you don't want to do. Well, of course if you're not okay with doing nude shots or a shooting that contains fur, a good agency always should leave the decision up to you. But besides that: you most likely will have to take the job-offers you actually get

 

[agee]

Is there any possibility of doing only the runway instead of editorials as well?

^ As a model (except you're one of the supers maybe ) you won't really have the chance to "choose" what kind of work you want, and what you don't want to do. Well, of course if you're not okay with doing nude shots or a shooting that contains fur, a good agency always should leave the decision up to you. But besides that: you most likely will have to take the job-offers you actually get

I totally agree with nijuyanah, but one thing you can do is more aggressively pursue agencies whose models get runway work and also some agencies have runway divisions - although that does not mean that the runway division does its own scouting, it may that the agency will assign you after you are scouted. Also if you are really that interested in runway see if local designers and fashion schools have open calls for shows - my guess is that you will not get paid very much if at all but consider it an investment with the payoff being in experience and exposure.

Are you pursuing modeling in Amsterdam? Isn't Amsterdam's Fashion Week in January? If so, I would start doing research and making contacts now.

P.S.
Since you are asking this question I hope this means that you have the correct height and proportions (I am not asking you to post your info) and that you know how to walk in heels and have a decent or better walk. I am not trying to be obnoxious, but I am just putting that out there so you won't go too far down this path and the fundamentals aren't there.

 

[agee]

Can a girl who is 5'5 model at all ( proportionate)? Commercially or perhaps in Asia? Do petite models ever make any money? Or is it a lost cause?

Basically a lost cause, IMHO. I've heard that even commercial models are at least 5'7" or taller (prefereably a bit taller than that). Models for the tiny, tiny petite market (no pun inteneded) which is almost non existant need to be at least 5'6". And no agency that I know of even reps them.

I am asking this more so than stating this, but would a talent agency take on a 5'5 female model? And aren't these agencies also tapped into for commercial print modeling? I don't know what your interests are but if you are fine with being the model for the tourism council and headache medication, you may want to consider the talent agency route.

As has been stated before in this thread, research is key - get a list of (presumably) model and talent agencies and go to their sites and see what their requirements are.* You need to be thorough and click on several links like "Contact Us," "Scouting," "Open Calls," "Links," "Partners," "Talent Division," "Commercial Division," or an unknown link that may look like it is an affiliate or a partner. If you don't like doing this kind of research, see if there is a friend or family member who will help you.

Please note I am not disagreeing with BetteT about your chances in fashion modeling and what I am stating is moot if you are too short for a talent agency, but I am suggesting that you include fashion modeling agencies in your research because an agency that you associate with fashion modeling may have a talent division or an affiliation with a talent agency. For example in Australia, Chic Models, which is technically called Chic Management, either has a talent division or a talent partner.

* Do a general Google search and also do a key word search on this site and in the the agency related threads on this site.

 

[agee]

ETA: The two big agency related threads are: The Model Agency Mega Thread 1 and 2 and the Models Switching Agencies threads. Still do a general search site wide, because you never know if once upon a time someone created a thread centered on Australian agencies (or whatever geography applies) and a lot of good stuff got posted there.

 

[Marjon]

Thank you agee and nijuyanah.
Yes in Amsterdam. Well, everything is ok I think. The fundamentals are there. I'm going to contact a fashion school in Amsterdam hopefully it will work. Thanks!

I totally agree with nijuyanah, but one thing you can do is more aggressively pursue agencies whose models get runway work and also some agencies have runway divisions - although that does not mean that the runway division does its own scouting, it may that the agency will assign you after you are scouted. Also if you are really that interested in runway see if local designers and fashion schools have open calls for shows - my guess is that you will not get paid very much if at all but consider it an investment with the payoff being in experience and exposure.

Are you pursuing modeling in Amsterdam? Isn't Amsterdam's Fashion Week in January? If so, I would start doing research and making contacts now.

P.S.
Since you are asking this question I hope this means that you have the correct height and proportions (I am not asking you to post your info) and that you know how to walk in heels and have a decent or better walk. I am not trying to be obnoxious, but I am just putting that out there so you won't go too far down this path and the fundamentals aren't there.

 

[Fontenrose]

How many shows does each model walk in?
A model who is doing about average — which is to say, a model who has already risen head-and-shoulders above the thousands of 5'10" teenagers who put themselves through the castings mill and launched herself into the peripheral notice of at least one or two casting directors — will walk in about 6-10 shows. A model who's doing quite well might do 10-15, a model considered extremely successful will walk in 15-20. The vast majority of models are not paid for working the shows; they work for the possibility of catching a front row editor's eye, and for "trade," free clothes from the designer, to be delivered at some later date. I believe the current record for most shows walked in a single New York fashion week is held by one Karlie Kloss, who strutted in some 31 shows and presentations during the fall/winter 2008 season. She was then 15 years old.
​

Note: all shows are not of equal value.

from Jezebel: http://jezebel.com/5634188/everythi...-week-but-were-afraid-to-ask?skyline=true&s=i

 

[lovemetwotimes]

Ok, this is probably the silliest question ever... but! Can someone tell me how does a casting call in an agency usually look like? I sent my pictures and was invited for one and I am just wondering how will it look like, haha. What will they tell me to do? Walk? Will they measure me, etc? Thanks in advance!

 

[Bertrando3]

Ok, this is probably the silliest question ever... but! Can someone tell me how does a casting call in an agency usually look like? I sent my pictures and was invited for one and I am just wondering how will it look like, haha. What will they tell me to do? Walk? Will they measure me, etc? Thanks in advance!

it depends but most of the time:
- you'll talk with some bookers of the agency and perhaps one or 2 heads of the agency (it happened at the agencies I've been working and still work at)
- they'll ask if you have experience, and if so what did you do, and to show them your portfolio (maybe giving them the name of the photographers)
- yeah they'll ask for your measurments and they'll take polaroid shots of you
- you'll be ask to walk
- and if it work they'll ask for your informations and they'll sign you on the spot )

ps: try to look as simple as possible = not crazy makeup or funky clothes: just basic or your style but not overdressed

 

[lovemetwotimes]

thank you so much! it's really helpful.

 

[amethystmarzipan]

I just want to know what everyone thinks of this situation and what it could mean for me. A booking agent of a photographer whose portfolio is full of test shots of models signed with agencies like IMG, DNA, Next, Wilhelmina etc., and who has had editorials in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, etc., told me that she liked my look and wanted me to come in for a go-see with this photographer. I am not signed with an agency and have only just started pursuing modeling. I am 18 now and visited a few top agencies in NYC when I was about 16, and several expressed interest but I didn't have enough confidence and wanted to finish high school so I didn't follow through. Now I think I am ready to start modeling full-time, if possible. What might happen when I meet with this photographer? What could this mean in terms of my career?

I've never really heard of this sort of thing happening before so I just wanted to know if anyone on The fashion Spot had some ideas. Thanks!

 

[BetteT]

They say "If it sounds too good to be true ... it probably is!" So ... that's a red flag because this sounds really good. If you decide to do it, at the least you would learn something about doing a go see. At best, he'd like your look and want to shoot you. And this could lead to being "discovered" if he's that well published. And that is why it sounds almost "too good to be true" ... a red flag should go up in your mind. However .... things like this occassionaly lead to something .... so it's worth checking out.

A photographer's portfolio can be faked ... anyone can say they took any picture, steal if from the web and put it inot an online portfolio ... how do you really know? Anyone can contact you and say that they rep a photographer, but just saying so doesn't make it true.

So, before you jump .... I want to ask if you have a 100% postive ID on this booking agent ... you know that she is who she is, confirmed. Was she introduced to you by someone you know and trust? Did you seek her out?

Or .... did she approach you out of the blue? How did she learn about you ... do you have an online portfolio. If you do, then you are also inviting predators and pervs to view your pictures. If she approached you ... and you really don't know her ... then I'd do a lot more checking, first. You must establish that she is legit ... who she says she is, that she reps this photographer and that the person you are seeing is actually the photographer she named ... or you don't go.

You've got both names ... so google them both .... see if he's got a thread here in Behind the Lens, see if he's got a site (that is not on ModelMayhem, Models.com, Musecube or anyother place like that) ... you want a dedicated site in his name. His personal site should name his booking agent ... the person who contacted you. Is the contact info the same as what she gave you? You can also call a couple of other photographer's agencies in the city she is in, and inquire if they know her and if she reps him ... tell them the truth, that you've been approached and that you are just trying to verify her identity before you go to meet him. Ask if they can confirm the contact info you have. They might want to assist you .... it won't hurt to ask.

Then, if you decide to go, you should consider taking a friend as security. Don't take that person in to the studio ... it's not professional, but let them both know, in advance that you are being brought over by a friend who will wait outside. It would serve as a warning to any possible predator that someone knows where they are and is waiting for you.

If he likes your look, most likely he would "test" you .. take some pictures while you are there to see if you are photogenic and then, if he likes those, maybe use you for a personal project at another date. Not likely that it would be a paying gig.

If it is what it seems to be ... this might lead to some really great pictures for your beginning portfolio ... which you can show to prospective agents or he might even introduce you to some.

But, if anyone asks you to pay for anything ... then it's a scam and all bets are off!!