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How to Become A Model
- Do you have it in you ?
Are you enough honest evaluate yourself?
Do you fit in this profession?
Just praising of your looks by your friends is not enough.
You must posses a package of great looks. Since in this
profession you have to make other people to looks like
you. A product endorsement banks on models looks. More
than looks it is important how photogenic you are? So you
are right person to judge your decision whether you are
fit for this industry or not?
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- Your Vital Statistics (Measurements)
The model MUST have a well-proportioned body, 5'7" to
5'11" tall and a well-toned and proportioned body with a
thin face, good skin and beautiful hair. Always provide
very accurate measurements to the agency and to customers.
For a man, heights should be 5'11" to 6'2" and you must
fit in a 40-42" jacket.
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- Great Portfolio
Alright you have great looks that can turn heads while you
walking on public place but that is not enough at all. How
do you look in photos are key factor for clients or
photographers to choose you from the lot. It is quite
often so deserving models get lost because of poor
portfolio. You port folio should be much stronger than own
looks. This would happen only either your portfolio is
shot by a commercial photographer or a very talented
armature. So before you step in this industry, you must be
armed with a great portfolio.
Portfolio is a collection of your modeling pictures. How many
pictures you need varies. You should only keep strong
pictures; you are only as good as your worst picture!
Models should aim for quality not quantity! Avoid using 2
pictures of the same shoot (same look) Black and White is
the favourite of the industry. 9 by 12 inches are the
standard size. Your agency will require you to buy an 11
by 14 inches for their book (portfolio). A basic but
versatile portfolio would have a casual head shot, styled
head shot, body shot (conservative swimsuit or lingerie),
a fashion shot (sexy), action shot, an editorial shot and
even a catalogue shot. As you gain experience replace the
older pictures with newer one. Keep your best picture at
the end to leave a lasting impression! Do not wear
jewellery for those prints; it takes the attention away
from you. The wrong choice of undergarments may show panty
line or bra straps and will distract the viewer (on the
job, or in interviews it can mean the difference between
looking professional or not). Tailor your portfolio for
your strengths and the type of modeling you are doing.
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- Do you have talent in addition
to good looks ?
Beside looks and great portfolio, The model should posses
strong will power and confidence to hunt for right
opportunity with a determination to work harder and
harder. You must be stronger from inside your attitudes,
mannerism, communications skills, and patience can put you
on the desired place in the industry. Never think that
modelling is full of glamour, but if you look in to
rationally it is not just glamour as it seems from
outside. When you see a beautiful model wearing great
smile, there is lot of hard work behind it from the
client, photographer and creative people to full fill
their set objectives. So your inner personality plays
equal role as your outer look.
One more quality you must have is to differentiate between
right and wrong people. If you are new to this filed you
must choose the right band of people in this profession.
Else, there are lots of bogus people in this industry who
will misguide you at the cost of your own money. So never
make fool out of you. Always go to professional
photographers, coordinator, agencies, production houses
for films and TV commercial, ad filmmakers. If you in
right hands with a quality to become success no one can
stop you to be top of the world.
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- Where are you located?
As it is truth that in India, Bombay city is known for
advertising agencies, TV production, films, photographers,
ad film makers with lots or pre production and post
production studios, creative people, events management
organization, contest organization, set designers, fashion
designers and houses. Obviously, if you are not located in
Bombay then you must be capable to travel to Bombay. It
said in this industry that everything is required
yesterday. So for any appointment or call with clients,
you must be available e across the table. And you must
spend sizable time for your personal approach under the
guidance of your coordination or agency. Again it needs
hard work, time and money.
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- How to get started and some tips to Succeed?
An agency or coordinator should represent models. The
model must have a portfolio, and comp cards. The
agency/coordinator provides you with work (That is their
main purpose. It is safe to say that they work for you!)
They make a commission on your fee (15 to 20%). Be warned
about agencies/coordinators who ask for money up front!
Also check to see if they are reputable and genuine. The
agency/coordinator should provide you with a few
photographers name. It's your choice to get the
photographer you want. Pay the photographer for the photo
shoots not the agency/coordinator. The agency/coordinator
provides you with safe working environment and looks after
legalities of the paper work for the job. They provide
their clients with "Professional" models. Keep copies of
all-important papers, such as contracts etc. You may need
these if you have a dispute with the agency/coordinator.
It is wise to choose the agency/coordinator carefully so
you can stay with that them. Constantly changing them
gives you a reputation of being flighty and unprofessional
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- How to find an agency/coordinator?
Since in India there is no system for accrediting
Modeling Agencies per sa. It would be best advised for you
to look up our coordinator section. If you are
outside India, please check out the INTERNATIONAL
DIRECTORY of MODEL and TALENT agencies & schools, a book
with phone and address of all agencies across the world.
Printed by Peter Glenn Publications, ltd.
Well almost... Send your photo and resume to reputable
coordinators.
Set-up an appointment and you will find out very quickly
if you have what it takes. These people are very busy, if
they don't like the photo you won't get an appointment. If
they like it you will be invited for an assessment. Then
again if you don't have what it takes they will tell you
on the spot. (they want quality models). If rejected don't
give up yet! Each coordinator/agency is different and has
different expectations and requirements from their models.
Always ask about any immediate physical changes (haircut,
weight loss, skin treatment, dental work etc.) and work on
it for the future. Some coordinators/established models
offer good training (in the form of workshops/courses) for
local fashion shows and print work. This can be a great
way to gain confidence and experience.
The oldest way to go about it is to visit them. Book an
appointment ahead of time by phone. Bring at least 2
pictures. They don't have to be professional pictures. A
head shot, natural and clear. Also a full length shot that
somewhat reveals your figure, a clingy dress , swimsuit,
figure flattering clothes or other tight fittings garments
should be worn. Forget about baggy clothes! It will tip
off viewers that you have something to hide. Ask lots of
questions. Ask to see what work their models are currently
doing? Ask for names and phone number of clients and call
them to verify the information, be concerned if they
promise you work right away or promise you high salaries.
If they don't allow you time to think about it or if they
use pressure techniques to sign the contract, be
concerned. They should not ask for money up-front for
classes or training. Be concerned if the they claim to be
looking for ordinary people. Reputed agencies/coordinators
might have open interviews during the week, give them a
call and find out. Also you can send your photo and resume
as mentioned earlier.
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- Tips on how to choose a photographer
Avoid "portrait photographer" they often don't understand
the need of the fashion industry. See the photographer's
portfolio. Do you like it? Does it represent the style and
format your looking for? Commercial photographers might be
a good source of work! Keep that in mind. Be concerned
about photographers who seek to take nude pictures of you
or claims to be working on a swimsuit calendar.
Photographers should be professional and respectful and
you should bring a friend along. Always be cheerful, you
never know when you might get a free shoot or a free
picture or an extra roll done at no extra cost! If you
bring your own clothes to the shoot, always bring extra.
If the photographer for example like your look and decides
to do an extra roll you will be ready to benefit from it.
Keep an open mind photographers love to do editorial
shots.
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