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

[BetteT]

So ... it goes back to what I was saying. The need to see you as you really are .... a booker knows what the "raw material" needs to look like in order to be a model for thier agency. Photoshop, fancy hair and makeup don't fool them ... very often. And if it does ... they will figure it out soon enough, after they see you in person. That is why they call you in to look at you and check your stats, if you send pics that interested them.


In the case of LJo7, he's a guy (so hair and makeup won't change him much .. at least it shouldn't) and he's talking about actually attending open calls at agencies ... so he just needs something to leave with them, if they are interested at all. That's why I said, don't bother to bring your portfolio, (unless it was from another agency showing actual work he had done ... paid gigs). They don't care about "test images" ... they care about what they see when he comes in and will need some photos to show other people in the agency so they can discuss his potential. And for this, they want natural images showing how he actually looks and how he photographs without all the fancy stuff.

 

[model_mom]

Ali had pictures taken in her 8th grade dance dress and pictures in a sundress...not knowing any better we sent them in to Ford Chicago....I admit some were close ups but mostly just studio pics by a local photographer....we didn't know any better and evidently neither did he because he suggested it. They called and wanted to meet her. Polaroids were taken at the agency. In her case they looked at them and decided there was something there that caught there eye....we were lucky because I saw envelope after envelope torn into and thrown in the trash during our many visits to the agency.

For her first photo shoot with a photographer of their choice, we met him at the models apartment and forked over $400.00 dollars cash ....but the photo's he took became her first comp card.

Things are a lot differnt now...but Ali's was a case of someone seeing something in her from a studio picture.

 

[terpischoria]

Do you think it's possible to mix modeling and undergraduate studies? I know it'd mean less intensive modeling... would that be harder to get agency and modeling opportunities?

 

[BetteT]

It's possible ... if you can arrange to leave class whenever you get sent on casting calls or go see's. Sometimes you only have an hour's notice. And then, if you get the job ... it could be just a few hours work ... or several days in a row. So you'd have to be able to juggle your schedule at the drop of a hat.

So only you can decide if you can skip class frequently and still get your education.

If you can't arrange to do that ... then the agency would probably drop you after a while. After all, if you are not going on the calls, you won't be working ... and they don't make any money. So, they won't want to put a lot of time and effort into developing you.

 

[lafindesiecle]

How legit is it to be scouted on the street and how likely is it that something will come of it?

Someone from a well-known agency who seems (after some googling) to be a pretty respectable agent/scout stopped me on the street yesterday and told me to come in for tests etc... I was pretty skeptical, since like most of the time the people who say that are weirdoes who want you for p*rn or something, but this guy is the mother agent for a lot of names we all know. What! I gave him my number and he already called me and left a message asking if I can come in to meet at the agency sometime this week.

My question is, should I call him back and see what happens, or just ignore it? I work in fashion and have worked for many photographers and am very used to being on the casting and production sides/know the industry and NYC very well, but never thought I could model. I get mistaken for a model very often, but always figured it's just that people who don't know "what models look like" think that every tall lanky girl must be a model, and I figured I just wasn't QUITE perfect enough for it and so never really thought about it as an option.

Also, if I go, I'm also already in my 20's which I know is a bit old -- should I lie and say I'm younger, or just round down to 20 or 21? I look younger for sure if the amount I get carded at bars says anything! ha.

 

[BetteT]

If you have the look ... it's very likely that you might get scouted on the street. You are correct to look into this guy, before assuming he's legit ... because sometimes they are not.

But yeah ... the age is definitely a concern ... especially in NY ( I see that is where you live). Most modeling careers are over at 25. However, if he thought you had potential you probably do look younger, and there are a few exceptions.

If you are interested, I say go ahead and call. What do you have to loose? You are not a model now ... so the worst would be exactly what you have now. Don't lie about your age ... they will find out sooner or later. But don't tell them until they ask ... let them assess your looks first to see what they think about you. If any lying is to be done, the agency will decide what age you "are".

 

[tayloryepp]

Weird question, but does anyone know if agencies in NY are open during the Christmas holiday?

I'm taking a three day trip to NY two days after Christmas. I know it was a long shot, but I wondered if anyone knew if open calls were still going on.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Nope, between 23th of Dec and 8th of January most agencies aren't open.


As for the age limit. Some years ago 20yo girls struggled to find agencies but these unwritten laws about age have been quite loosened over the past 2 or 3 seasons. See this season, many successful newcomers have been of the age class of 19-25, Kati Nescher who literally exploded in Paris is 27.... So if you do have potential and a fashion suitable silhouette you shouldn't struggle to find an agency in NY.

 

[iRyan]

Is 6'0" without shoes considered too short for a male model? Do agencies lie about the height of male models like they do females?

 

[Bamhutt]

^ 6' is usually the minimum, as the ideal height for a male model is between 6'1 - 6'2. Yes, some guys who are listed as 6'1 may be an inch (or two) shorter and at the other end taller guys may be rounded down to 6'2

 

[iRyan]

How legit is it to be scouted on the street and how likely is it that something will come of it?

Someone from a well-known agency who seems (after some googling) to be a pretty respectable agent/scout stopped me on the street yesterday and told me to come in for tests etc... I was pretty skeptical, since like most of the time the people who say that are weirdoes who want you for p*rn or something, but this guy is the mother agent for a lot of names we all know. What! I gave him my number and he already called me and left a message asking if I can come in to meet at the agency sometime this week.

My question is, should I call him back and see what happens, or just ignore it? I work in fashion and have worked for many photographers and am very used to being on the casting and production sides/know the industry and NYC very well, but never thought I could model. I get mistaken for a model very often, but always figured it's just that people who don't know "what models look like" think that every tall lanky girl must be a model, and I figured I just wasn't QUITE perfect enough for it and so never really thought about it as an option.

Also, if I go, I'm also already in my 20's which I know is a bit old -- should I lie and say I'm younger, or just round down to 20 or 21? I look younger for sure if the amount I get carded at bars says anything! ha.

Of course you should call him back and see what happens! See how things go.

How old are you exactly? As long as you look young age doesn't matter THAT much, i'm pretty sure Arizona Muse started at 23.

 

[Bamhutt]

yeah, that's true... recently more mature models have been doing very well. As well as Arizona... Kati Nescher and Saskia de Brauw are slightly older than the norm, but they are debuting/relaunching and have been doing very well

 

[Deleted member 130879]

Saskia started modelling at 16... but then she decided to stop and focus on her studies. And she got back at age 29. Arizona... same story.

 

[SoBlonde]

I submitted photos for a denim print ad and I was contacted by a representative of the casting company "Top Castings USA." It sounds a little fishy, so I wanted to check with people here. Basically, it seems like I register and for $19.95 a month I get sent various castings for which I can apply. There isn't a contract so I can cancel at any time. I'm kinda not feeling into it.

 

[TommyGirl]

^It is good that there is no contract, because this seems like they try to get that 20 bucks from every girl they can, and probably by then they will disappear.

 

[BetteT]

You are correct to look into this.

Scam! Well ... maybe not exactly a scam. But a lot of people think so, because the same thing happened to them. (do a Google search for them with the keywood scam added). I know that I don't like the deceptive "casting call" that they advertised which got you to send in your pics ... it's just a little unethical, in my opinon.

There is no real job ... nor a real casting at this point. It's a sales pitch for a listing service ... showing casting calls that they find in various places. Nothing that can't be found by anyone, I would say ... at least most of the time.

Your pictures and how you looked had nothing to do with it so don't get excited about being "selected". They did not select you as a potential model ... they selected you as a potential customer (a wanna be model with money).

If you are real model material ... go to open calls at legit modeling agencies. If they think you have potential (they will be ruthlessly honest), they will rep you. Then, they will send you to casting calls where you actually might have a shot at the gig, because you have the look the the client is asking for. And you won't have to pay to find out about castings in your area ... your agent will have the information already.

Some people like these listing services ... and are very engergetic about promoting themselves and have some success. But I've also heard that the information they (various listing services for casting calls) give you may not always be accurate or up to date. So you may have to sort through lots of listings to find anything that actually will work for you. So it may be legit .... it's up to you to decide if it's worth $20 a month to find out.

 

[cologne_rocks]

Unless you expect to be send to fashion photographers and booking editors of serious magazines (internet casting do not provide this type of clientele), it may be worth a try. I would still not be willing to pay $20 a month for something that you can get free with a bit research on the internet.
Otherwise (and if you are rejected by modeling agencies) I'd just send in some digitals to a few casting directors who are really into street casting and not only looking for model material (Brice Compagnon, Jennifer Venditti....)

 

[SoBlonde]

Yeah, it was definitely deceptive and I agree a little unethical. Once I read the email I was like "Oh, I'm paying $20 for a newsletter listing castings that don't seem relevant to me." Then, all of the knowledge I've learned about the industry came knocking at my brain, which is basically what you, BetteT, said. I was selected because I have money and if I actually think I have potential to work then I should try to be represented by a legitimate agency.

cologne_rocks, I like the tip about sending digitals to more street casting oriented directors.

Thanks to you all for helping me think this through!

 

[terpischoria]

Do 17 year old girls still need parent supervision to get signed?

How long does a first modeling contract last on general? Is it easy to change agencies if a girl isnt happy in the one she is right now?

reading this thread is so useful. It's worth my months and months of googling!
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[Bamhutt]

You probably don't need parent supervision, but it's a good idea as the agency can talk to them and answer any questions. It might be best to get your parents to read the contract before you sign it too, as you are under 18 they might need to sign it as well ?

I don't know about Indonesia, but I think many agency contracts are three years. If you are unhappy and discuss your issues with the agency they should help you/give advice etc. but I don't think it will be easy to get out of it. If both parties are unhappy I'm sure they'll cut their losses and terminate the contract.