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

[Deleted member 49693]

^ Well if you know they are reputable. Then go for it!!!

 

[style_star]

I was wondering...

Say you get signed with an agency, you signed the contract already, they love you, etc. Well, what happens next? Must you constantly be in NYC doing test shoots, meeting them, going on castings, etc. or how exactly does it work?

Also, how do castings work? A typical casting day?

Furthermore, does it differ between smaller and bigger agencies, the system of working?

I'm not sure if I'm making sense, here, but I was curious. I hope I'm not asking too many questions, but I wanted to know what the average model's working day/career consists of.

Thanks in advance!

 

[moi non plus]

I was wondering...

Say you get signed with an agency, you signed the contract already, they love you, etc. Well, what happens next? Must you constantly be in NYC doing test shoots, meeting them, going on castings, etc. or how exactly does it work?

Also, how do castings work? A typical casting day?

Furthermore, does it differ between smaller and bigger agencies, the system of working?

I'm not sure if I'm making sense, here, but I was curious. I hope I'm not asking too many questions, but I wanted to know what the average model's working day/career consists of.

Thanks in advance!

If you get signed by an NYC agency and they think you are right for that market, you should be there consistently in order to keep fresh in clients' minds. Yes you will be doing many tests and castings. Keep in mind, though, that while the agency will front these costs, that until you start booking paying jobs, you are racking up debt everywhere from the test fees to printing fees for comp cards to messenger fees, etc. There are many costs you may not think of that go into promoting a new girl. I would advise only to sign with an agency who you feel is really confident in your abilities as a model, and who will "push" you with great resolve. Otherwise, there is really no point as you could certainly find out about some castings otherwise and wouldn't be racking up debt.

A typical day for a new model in NYC ranges depending on the girl. Depending on your availability you may go on anywhere from 1-6 or so castings in a day. I wouldn't send a girl out on much more than that (except during shows). You mostly just run around the city seeing people, which generally just consists of them flipping through your book and perhaps taking a polaroid. Usually a casting lasts only a few minutes.

There is definitely a difference between the way bigger and smaller agencies work. It revolves around the girls and how much attention they get from the agency, which is what I was referring to earlier. A lot of new girls, unless they develop buzz or are simply undeniable, get "lost" in the bigger agencies and become just a face on the board. This is why you want to be at an agency that really believes in you. This is not to say that you cannot (obviously) excel at a large agency, but I think most new girls with no experience are happier at smaller agencies, where they feel more appreciated and encouraged. You should see many agencies before making a decision, and go with whomever you feel most comfortable and that you feel the most energy from. People will work hard for you when they believe in you.

I hope this answered some of your questions.

 

[jakeee]

Depending on your availability you may go on anywhere from 1-6 or so castings in a day. I wouldn't send a girl out on much more than that (except during shows)

i agree with everything you said except for this point. In NY, on a busy day (not during fashion week) you may expect anywhere from 5-to even 15 castings in one day. Fashion week..agencies may give you a list of castings for up to 20-25. Only on a very slow day, you will have 1-6

 

[style_star]

^^Thank you so much, Moi non plus and Jakeee!! Karma!

 

[NicoleRenee]

I was wondering...

Say you get signed with an agency, you signed the contract already, they love you, etc. Well, what happens next? Must you constantly be in NYC doing test shoots, meeting them, going on castings, etc. or how exactly does it work?

Also, how do castings work? A typical casting day?

Furthermore, does it differ between smaller and bigger agencies, the system of working?

I'm not sure if I'm making sense, here, but I was curious. I hope I'm not asking too many questions, but I wanted to know what the average model's working day/career consists of.

Thanks in advance!

The thing that can be great and not so great is that, often times, every day is different. You could go for several weeks of steady bookings and castings in between, and then for a few days you don't have anything, and then you do a test, and then more castings, etc etc. It's never the same, it's always changing.
Castings can also vary. I've been on castings that are under a minute--you simply walk in and they ask you to walk and take a Polaroid and send you on your way. Then there are some that are very long. Sometimes the client takes time looking through your book, talking to you, and other times they just say "Thank you" and you leave. And you never really know how you did--sometimes I am surprised when I book a job when I'm sure that no one liked me at the casting. Other times I think everything went well and I don't book the job.
It's a random industry.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

I just want to say that if any of you get rejected, it is not because you're not good enough or that you're not beautiful enough, it is a look they are looking for. Even if you are the most beautiful woman in the world, you may not have that look. You are all beautiful and unique so flaunt it to the world and make it beautiful!

 

[Annabel]

I posted a while back that I was going to make the rounds at open calls last week so I just wanted to update everyone who was kind enough to offer encouragement!! I got really sick that week and couldn't get out of bed; now I am so far behind w/ preparing for finals that I don't have time for open calls. I think this is for the best right now, though - now I can go home for a month or two and better prepare myself (physically speaking, that is). Also, I'm coming to the end of my first year in NYC (I'm a student) and I need a bit of a break!! While I'm getting ready for NYC agencies I'm going to sign with my old mother agency and work locally.

I do have a question, though. I know that some months are really busy for agencies while others, like December, tend to be pretty slow. Of the summer months, what would be the best month to go see agencies?

 

[jakeee]

july^ ..august the industry is basically shut down in ny and especially europe

 

[NicoleRenee]

Of the summer months, what would be the best month to go see agencies?

June. I met with IMG in February and one of the bookers there was talking about how all the girls come out in June to try and get signed...so I guess that would be the best month.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

^ But then there would be too much competitive...wouldn't there?

 

[jakeee]

^if you're speaking of new york..theres gunna be competition any time of the year

and even if u go in a less busy time...less girls at an open call does not mean u hav a better chance of being signed.

the agencies know what they're looking for

-regardless of competition they'll take you if you're what they want

 

[Deleted member 49693]

understood...thank you for answering my question.

 

[style_star]

I was also wondering how much new models have to pay to get started.

Also, when do you go on casting rounds? How often do you go, how many times should you be in the working city (New York, local area, etc.) and how does the work amount vary depending on area?

And lastly, is there a lot of job opportunities in small/local markets? I know it probably depends on the city, but on average?

I apologize if I am bombarding this thread with questions. I'm just trying to get some things I've been wondering about straight, that's all. I greatly appreciate all of the help!!

 

[Cypresses]

Before you walk into an agency you should not spend any money, you don’t really even need a professional shot photo (if you already have than that’s great but it is not necessary) plus you really have no idea how good the photographer is capturing your essence. You can ask someone to take snapshots of you and if you look through the thread you will find loads of good tips, this way it even gives you the excuse of “oh, my bf /mom/sis/bff is not the best photographer in world”, if you really have the potential the agent will tell you right away and some will take photos of you to see how it turns out ( just a digi or pola ). After that if you are signed, they will make arrangement and if they ask you to do it on your own all you have to do is ask they which photographer and what style, and please don’t spent too much before you get any.

 

[NicoleRenee]

^ But then there would be too much competitive...wouldn't there?

Yes, but I got the impression that they'd prefer to see girls during the time when it's the 'thing to do.' A friend of mine went to see them when barely any girls go to NYC to get signed, and they were swamped with fashion week. There are more girls to compete with in June, but the agency is also looking for some new blood around then. I don't know, that is just how it was explained to me.

 

[style_star]

If one is called in to meet the agency and is liked, then do they present the contract and talk everything over? Is there time to really speak with them and ask questions? Also, can the model decide not to sign with the agency after they leave the first meet?

And...

do fashion agencies, those without special commercial divisions, send their fashion girls on commercial castings in addition to editorial,etc.?

 

[jakeee]

If one is called in to meet the agency and is liked, then do they present the contract and talk everything over?

If they're sure they want to sign you then yes, they will present the contract and discuss things.


Is there time to really speak with them and ask questions?

If they're interested in you, and want you to sign with them, they will give you the time of day to let you speak with them and ask questions. If they're not interested in you, then probably not.



Also, can the model decide not to sign with the agency after they leave the first meet?

Of course. It's entirely up to you who you decide to sign with.


do fashion agencies, those without special commercial divisions, send their fashion girls on commercial castings in addition to editorial,etc.?

If your booker thinks that sending you to commerical castings is right and thinks you have a good shot at landing these type of jobs, then they may.

 

[style_star]

^Thank you very much!!

 

[tristan]

You hit that on the nail jakee!