So ... Your Child is A Model ... Now What? Model Mom Support Thread.
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ModelMommy
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Thanks for the info...just researching the possibility.
That's the wonderful part of TFS.... just put your questions out there and someone has advice, experience, thoughts or just their 2 cents on the subject. I'm grateful to Model Mom for guiding me along the way! We're there to help each other and for that I'm thankful....
Michelle G
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There are a fair few girls from our agency that go to Japan. There is one girl who is only 14 and she has been there for 6 months. Usually the girls go on contract - so they already know what they are going to be paid before they go. The agency has paid for the girl ie/ accomodation allowance, etc but the mother had to fund herself (took long service leave from her job). From what I've heard most of the reputable agencies in Japan expect mothers to go with teenage girls. I've been to Japan a couple of times myself and it is a very safe place - compared to other places we have travelled. People are courtious, helpful (even if they don't speak English) the trains are to the second on time. You are usually given maps to where you are going and most people have faxes so that the maps can be faxed. In the trains they actually say the name of the buildings the exit is close too, not the street name - interesting.
Even though there are lots and lots of people in Tokyo - they are so organised they don't push each other or anything, things just run like clock work. Food is really fresh (when you find the fresh food areas - usually in the basement of shops. Accomodation is really small - can hardly swing a cat - but usually clean and tidy.
Well worth the experience - but still would never let a young girl go there by herself.
Cheers
Michelle G
Even though there are lots and lots of people in Tokyo - they are so organised they don't push each other or anything, things just run like clock work. Food is really fresh (when you find the fresh food areas - usually in the basement of shops. Accomodation is really small - can hardly swing a cat - but usually clean and tidy.
Well worth the experience - but still would never let a young girl go there by herself.
Cheers
Michelle G
ModelMommy
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Thanks Michelle! I've heard the contract part and then there is a manager and driver but also heard that perhaps the cost of living is pretty pricey...
Our agency has mentioned that to some of the moms but we can't get any answers to specific questions. How much are the 3 month contracts worth? What does Japan agencies subtract out of them - rent, transportation, etc? If the mom goes with the girl, does she have to pay out of pocket or is her expenses taken from the models contract fee?
Thanks
Thanks
wednesdays child
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The contract thing is not cut and dried tho, understandably, on the agency's part, there are often clauses in the contract where the model must book x amount of work in the 1st week or couple of weeks or they are sent home..it's not a guarantee, and I assure you, many girls/guys are sent home.
Also obviously you can earn over your contract amount also.
The best thing about it for many girls is the experience, they will work a lot and learn a lot if they are newish, but the tears are often not great, and also that the girls will come home with a tidy lump sum, that can be invested or whatever which is better than the usual 6 months later drip feeding of job payments that is usual in the industry!
Also it is a good place for a reality check for girls who are doing the job for glamour and fame haha.. the hours are long and hard, the accommodations are small, the competition is tough and many girls get homesick and find the culture shock difficult.
but as a first overseas destination for new girls it is the best (if your look suits) as they reaally look after the girls, drive them around etc and it is very safe.
Also obviously you can earn over your contract amount also.
The best thing about it for many girls is the experience, they will work a lot and learn a lot if they are newish, but the tears are often not great, and also that the girls will come home with a tidy lump sum, that can be invested or whatever which is better than the usual 6 months later drip feeding of job payments that is usual in the industry!
Also it is a good place for a reality check for girls who are doing the job for glamour and fame haha.. the hours are long and hard, the accommodations are small, the competition is tough and many girls get homesick and find the culture shock difficult.
but as a first overseas destination for new girls it is the best (if your look suits) as they reaally look after the girls, drive them around etc and it is very safe.
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The international experience is very worthwhile - but not always easy. My daughter has been very reluctant to go to Japan. She heard stores from other girls about being sent back when their measurements were off and the culture is a big shock to a US girl. The hard part is the down time, when there are no castings or bookings.... that's when the girls need their "mother support".
As of now my daughter still hasn't gone to Japan although she spent 2 months in Sydney alone when she was 18 years old - at first it was very difficult being so far from home.... but she made some great friends and worked a lot. She has some beautiful tears that really helped her book. There was no guarantee when she went though, no contract - just arrangement through the agencies. It was very expensive there too - housing, food & of course travel. But all in all it was sooooo worth it!
As of now my daughter still hasn't gone to Japan although she spent 2 months in Sydney alone when she was 18 years old - at first it was very difficult being so far from home.... but she made some great friends and worked a lot. She has some beautiful tears that really helped her book. There was no guarantee when she went though, no contract - just arrangement through the agencies. It was very expensive there too - housing, food & of course travel. But all in all it was sooooo worth it!
ModelMommy
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Australia is one of the places that I would love to go to someday!!
I have heard that Japan is very strict on the thin models and I'm sure that home sickness and culture shock are a big issue. I wonder how many of the younger girls have parents/guardians that stay there while they are there?
I have heard that Japan is very strict on the thin models and I'm sure that home sickness and culture shock are a big issue. I wonder how many of the younger girls have parents/guardians that stay there while they are there?
Michelle G
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Wendy,
You knnow you and your daughter would always have a room at our place if you ever ended up down here. The trouble is there isn't as much work up here as there is in Sydney, that is why we go down there for holidays for work.
I see someone mentioned the cost for food and acccomodation in Sydney. It would probably be cheaper now for people with US dollars as our dollar is so weak. It is between .62 and .65 US cents to buy one Australian Dollar at the moment - so good for people coming to model here not so good for models going to USA.
Australian Mags and casting directors really like "international models" for Australian models they like to see them doing well overseas before they use them here - for the overseas girls they are already seen as going well because they are from OS - so it boosts their potential here.
I am afraid I have a belief that young models shouldn't be with out their mothers or another family member travelling until they are at least 17 if not 18. The goes for interstate travel as well. Only my opinion, but I think it is important that they have that fall back. They can still do the talking etc, but atleast you are there if needed.
Cheers
You knnow you and your daughter would always have a room at our place if you ever ended up down here. The trouble is there isn't as much work up here as there is in Sydney, that is why we go down there for holidays for work.
I see someone mentioned the cost for food and acccomodation in Sydney. It would probably be cheaper now for people with US dollars as our dollar is so weak. It is between .62 and .65 US cents to buy one Australian Dollar at the moment - so good for people coming to model here not so good for models going to USA.
Australian Mags and casting directors really like "international models" for Australian models they like to see them doing well overseas before they use them here - for the overseas girls they are already seen as going well because they are from OS - so it boosts their potential here.
I am afraid I have a belief that young models shouldn't be with out their mothers or another family member travelling until they are at least 17 if not 18. The goes for interstate travel as well. Only my opinion, but I think it is important that they have that fall back. They can still do the talking etc, but atleast you are there if needed.
Cheers
Michelle - You are right about mothers or another family member traveling with a young model. I think back on the "bumps in the road" that came along & if I wasn't there it would have been worse. It's not even bad things, just the day to day ups & downs of establishing yourself in this business.
I talked to a mom today whose 14 year old daughter is getting ready to sign with an agency. It made me think back on how far we've come and wonder if she has any idea of what's ahead for her & her family. Deciding what's best for you & your daughter - taking them away for a normal teenage life, friends & home if a tough call. How bad do you want it, or think you want it. Also if you have other children at home, who handles the family while you are gone?
I liked your comments about the casting people in AU liking the international models, my daughter thought that the native AU girls got preference over jobs than her.
Her one other observation from working overseas was that in Madrid, Spain the casting agents were very indifferent, no reaction at all when she was on castings - than she'd get booked for good jobs from them, she couldn't predict at all how things were going from day to day there.
I talked to a mom today whose 14 year old daughter is getting ready to sign with an agency. It made me think back on how far we've come and wonder if she has any idea of what's ahead for her & her family. Deciding what's best for you & your daughter - taking them away for a normal teenage life, friends & home if a tough call. How bad do you want it, or think you want it. Also if you have other children at home, who handles the family while you are gone?
I liked your comments about the casting people in AU liking the international models, my daughter thought that the native AU girls got preference over jobs than her.
Her one other observation from working overseas was that in Madrid, Spain the casting agents were very indifferent, no reaction at all when she was on castings - than she'd get booked for good jobs from them, she couldn't predict at all how things were going from day to day there.
ModelMommy
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Curious if the mom/family member were able to be housed at the model apt with the kids or if they had to stay elsewhere?? I could understand that it wouldn't be paid under the contract but I would imagine that the costs could be pretty high if they had to stay at a hotel or something.
Michelle, I would totally take you up on that offer someday. Alyssa has a picture from a recent test shoot that totally reminds me of Maddi and it would be awesome to meet you guys!
Michelle, I would totally take you up on that offer someday. Alyssa has a picture from a recent test shoot that totally reminds me of Maddi and it would be awesome to meet you guys!
Michelle G
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We have been looking into share accomodation and also home exchanges (we have a holiday unit that we can do this with, when the rest of the family isn't coming).
We did home exchange in Paris and it was wonderful. Our home was being looked after and they enjoyed themselves here and we had a great place in the middle of Paris. Share accomodation costs about the same as the model apartments but mum and daughter can be together.
I'd love to see Alyssa's picture. We believe Maddi will be in Dolly, Cream and a local magazine Coast this month. They all come out this week. Funny how it all can happen at once.
Our agency in Sydney doesnt' have a model apartment as such they do share accomodation with others or short stay units (they are expensive).
Cheers
We did home exchange in Paris and it was wonderful. Our home was being looked after and they enjoyed themselves here and we had a great place in the middle of Paris. Share accomodation costs about the same as the model apartments but mum and daughter can be together.
I'd love to see Alyssa's picture. We believe Maddi will be in Dolly, Cream and a local magazine Coast this month. They all come out this week. Funny how it all can happen at once.
Our agency in Sydney doesnt' have a model apartment as such they do share accomodation with others or short stay units (they are expensive).
Cheers
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