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

[pinksatin]

Hi! I've enjoying reading this thread and it kinda inspired me to give it a shot . There is a small local agency having an open call for models from 10-10:30 tomorrow. If I get the guts to tell my mom to take polaroids of me and to actually go, can someone clarify what to expect? I know this has been asked before, I apologize, but I'm getting anxious so I wanted a refresher!

So I'm guessing I'll wear un-destroyed jeans and a smooth fitted T and my hair down and minimal make up? (is it inappropriate to wear casual flip flops or am I supposed to wear heels?) Can I go with just like 6 polaroids? I have no resume. I am 5'7" so it would only be to get work as "print". Is there any sort of interview during an open call? If so what kind of questions do they ask you? Do they do test shots or no? Is it basically a bunch of guys and girls show up, they look at you, and either tell or to leave or get your info? I used to do theater and ballet and I'm expecting it to be like a ballet school audition where they call off numbers and ask you to leave or you keep going?

I have zero experience so please fill me in on anything you wish you had known before you guys went to anything model-related. Thanks so much!

-Alice

 

[Atelier]

For example, Trump told me I was "too beautiful" for their agency...

Well that explains Lisa Cant being there.

 

[esmereldagrubb]

One agency (IMG) told me to lose weight in my legs, but I've also gotten some flat-out strange comments. For example, Trump told me I was "too beautiful" for their agency, so I'm guessing they were trying to reject me while simultaneously boosting my self-confidence

WHAT? I hope you dont take those absurd comments to heart!( Minus the beautiful comment.)....i cant imagine having things said to you like that. If it were me i would self destruct with self hatred hearing all those horrible and distorted comments by some truly F-ed up people with messed up images of beauty. Flip em the bird.....you deserve better my dear.

 

[Annabel]

WHAT? I hope you dont take those absurd comments to heart!( Minus the beautiful comment.)....i cant imagine having things said to you like that. If it were me i would self destruct with self hatred hearing all those horrible and distorted comments by some truly F-ed up people with messed up images of beauty. Flip em the bird.....you deserve better my dear.

Thank you for your kind comments, hearing that means a lot . At first I did take them to heart, probably a little too much (I was 15 at the time; 15 yr olds are very impressionable!). But when I started to think about it, I remembered that the models I saw when I was in IMG all looked like they were about to die (very skeletal) and I started to return to reality. I'm sorry if this offends any IMG models, that is just the impression I got and there were only a few models there. I also felt a little better when I realized that they were the only agency to tell me that.

On a slightly different note (but not too different; I have a rather one-track mind ), I am planning to go to NYC in the fall and visit agencies, and I was wondering what the best way to do that would be. I already went once (my user name used to be Nathalie, but my account got screwed up somehow) and my posts about that are back a few pages. I had a mother agent but I don't feel that they did their best to get me signed. Should I sign w/ another local agency and go through them, contact someone who places people in NY (a model friend of mine knows someone who does this), or go to open calls? Thank you

 

[Annabel]

Well that explains Lisa Cant being there.

rofl but it doesn't explain polina kouklina

 

[model_mom]

Go to the open calls. If you sign with a smaller agency and they send you to NY they have control of your contract(for ever how long you signed with them). I f you get with a big agency in NY they will be your "mother agency" and not the small agency back in wherever.

 

[Annabel]

Go to the open calls. If you sign with a smaller agency and they send you to NY they have control of your contract(for ever how long you signed with them). I f you get with a big agency in NY they will be your "mother agency" and not the small agency back in wherever.

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! A quick question - does being w/ an agent before you go to NY give you any advantages (the agent is more likely to be taken seriously? already has contacts?)?

 

[model_mom]

The whole modeling business is about 'who' you know. If you have an advantage or contact use it by all means.

 

[CandiApple17]

Modeling Question

Hi, newbie here , and I have a couple of questions about modeling. I recently recieved a callback from New York Models. I had sent some polaroids in with my stats and all and they want me to meet with them as soon as possible. Now before me and my mother drive the 4 hours from MD to NY I was wondering about some things,

1.How long after an agency signs you do you get work?
2.Do agencies house their models in apartments or do models have to find their own place?
3.If your new to the New York area and are sent on go-see's does the agency send someone out to help you find all the places you are supposed to go so you don't get lost?
4.Do models get anytime off to go back home and see their friends/family?
5. If you make it into a certain magazine ie Vogue or Bazzar do you get to have a free copy of the magazine, or do you have to purchase it?
6. Is anyone here a full time model? If so could you tell me what your days are like?

Thanks guys for all your help....I've done a lot of research but I haven't found any specific answers to my questions. Sorry to sound so dumb lol. Thanks

 

[model_mom]

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4737

Most of your questions should be answered here.

 

[CandiApple17]

Thanks, while I was lurking awhile back I read over that thread, but I didn't find quite what I was looking for.

 

[model_mom]

You want the real truth ...here it is
1. It depends if the clients like you.
2. There are model apartments $300.00 a week
3. No if you speak english
4. If your working a lot ...No if your not working you can leave any time you want. Don't call us we'll call you.
5. If the agency does give you a magazine,it will be deducted off of your first paycheck.
6.Every model's day is different. If you do well it's very hectic...if your not working it's boring lonely.exspensive,and sad.

 

[CandiApple17]

So you never get to go home at all if your working full time? They have to come and see you instead? What if you have a break in your work? I mean I live 4 hours from NY so it would be no hassle to drive back home or take a shutte home then fly back whenever needed. Hmm...if you never get to come home at all that kinda sucks.
Another quick question. What is an agency house like? Like how many girls are put in an agency hosue? In general are the houses like small/big apartments?
Sorry for all the questions....thanks

 

[model_mom]

So you never get to go home at all if your working full time? They have to come and see you instead? What if you have a break in your work? I mean I live 4 hours from NY so it would be no hassle to drive back home or take a shutte home then fly back whenever needed. Hmm...if you never get to come home at all that kinda sucks.
Another quick question. What is an agency house like? Like how many girls are put in an agency hosue? In general are the houses like small/big apartments?
Sorry for all the questions....thanks

Some are great and some well....

 

[CandiApple17]

oh some of them aren't that great?

 

[Annabel]

Another question... I am going to NYC to visit colleges in a few weeks and might have time to squeeze in a few open calls, which agencies would be best to visit? I know I sound completely clueless, but really the main thing I don't know is the best way to go about getting signed/trying to get signed.

 

[shopsmuch]

Another question... I am going to NYC to visit colleges in a few weeks and might have time to squeeze in a few open calls, which agencies would be best to visit? I know I sound completely clueless, but really the main thing I don't know is the best way to go about getting signed/trying to get signed.

this is exactly what I did Tuesday. Best to look to see which agencies are going to be having open calls on the day(s) you will be there, and see if you can squeeze them in. I have a list of open call times of NY agencies if you want it. I only got to one agency (Major model management) on Tuesday because I scheduled my NYU visit directly in the middle of the day, but it was definitely worth it to squeeze in that open call. Let me know if you want the list I have.

 

[rhiannonmars]

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of people who do model, think they want to, etc. on these boards. I know it takes all types, so I'm curious to see who has these ambitions, or who has gotten work.

 

[model_mom]

We decided against that because we had some very young members posting suggestive pictures and wanting to model....not a good scene.

 

[rhiannonmars]

^Ahh ok. Good reasoning!