Modeling?
 

I've had head shots on file with an agency since I was in hs, and I periodically go in an update them. Yesterday I got a call from one of the lower level reps for the company who said that they were interested in hiring me for a local ad.

Has anyone on TFP ever modeled? What was your experience like? Is there anything I should look out for?

cant sayi have...

but quite a number of years ago i was offered but declined the offer.

i do have a friend who works for a modelling agency here in UAE. i could ask her and let you know if you like

Sweet. Hopefully any information in this thread can be useful to other people that are considering modeling.

what sort of modelling ad was it? paper? tv? commercial?

are u askng about contract conditions? give me a list and ill pass it on.

so u got offered a role on your 25th birthday? musta been a really big bday present then!

Paper. I've not seen the contract yet, and yes it was quite a surprising present.

You're going to go wherever they tell you to (most likely a local photo or TV studio,) find out what you're promoting and how you're promoting it, if it's anything more than a really basic TV commercial for a local place, they'll put some makeup on you so you don't get washed out and zombified by the studio lights, they'll take some pictures or video, then either pay you in cash or have you fill out a W-9 so they can send you a check in a week or two and a 1099 at the end of the year. If you ask, they'll give you a copy for your portfolio, which you will either scan or upload and post in Tilted Portraits.

Interesting, thanks MSD.

I have done occasional local runway modeling, never print (Im not photogenic), beginning at age 3 at Marshall Fields. I have done a few local trunk shows for Nordstrom and Norm Thompson, but find I get too hot now with all the hoopla and lights. I do it occasionally now if a friend asks, but I find it boring and time consuming, feeling a little like the sofa with the cool changeable covers. The saving grace for me is the fun working with friends. However, if there is food catered it is usually the best so go in hungry and plan to eat afterwards, not before.

I can't say that surprises me!

Yup; I did some stuff for a couple of designers and artists in town and also for play advertisements/promo's (Like I was Benjamin on "The Graduate" poster for TNB). I've done some local tv promo stuff, etc. Nothing huge. But MSD has it completely right. Bend to their every whim and if they like what you produce then they'll ask you back for more. I find it's less to do with how good looking you are and more about how well you can wear something. I'm an actor so it's what I do.

Most of all have fun dude. And if they don't ask you back, show a little leg; that's how I get all my parts.

Actually, it's the showing leg that I'm concerned about. I called back the agency, and rumor has it the department store that is auditioning is needing models for swim trunks. I have a rather large and incredibly manly scar on my back from heart surgery which likely wouldn't fly.

Edit: I may be to sexy for my shirt, but I got to wear a nice green dress shirt and black slacks. The whole thing didn't even take 20 minutes. They said they'd call my "agent" if they decided to publish my pics.

I used to model back in the day both print and commercial film. Make sure you understand the terms of your contract, tax liability, and agent cut. It should be pretty straight forward. If you were hired sight unseen for full body and your scar is not disclosed, then it could come up later. But make-up should cover it. Plus the may just photoshop it later.

Good luck.

That's a 5-minute airbrush job.

I modeled briefly as a child. I'm talking like 4 or 5. I don't remember much. I slightly remember the last gig I did. I remember the two dudes taking pictures of me in my little tuxedo with a purple bow tie, and then I remember being in court. I don't remember why we were in court though, and nobody will tell me why. My mom says, "Don't worry about it." This worries me a little. =\

So, in summary, I have no advice for you, but, evidently, my experience was not good....

I'm going to a fashion show tonight to see a friend walk the runway. I'll chat with her about her experience later.

Well it's good that they are interested in hiring you. Because like Tyra states it best - You shouldn't have to pay money to become a model, they should offer to pay you!

I had so many friends growing up who wanted to become models. There's this agency around here that everyone wanted to be a part of. I mean, these girls weren't even matured yet - they were like 14.

Anyway, every one of them got ripped off. The agency would say "Sure! You've got the look! Lets take some shots... oh yeah, and it's going to be $700."

Needless to say, none of them are models now, and I don't think any of them were hired for shoots. That's pretty much my only experience with modeling.

I've done some modelling, not alot, mainly things for small companies and a few fetish / erotic shoots. All the advice I have for you is double and triple read your contract, never ever just take your agents word for it, find out what the shots will be used for (I've had friends taken for a ride over things like this, my friend Paris for example did not think her shots for a fetish clothing company would end up on a porn site).

Perhaps most importantly for during the actual shoot BE NICE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER & CREW these guys are pros, they have done shoots before they know what will make you look good. Making a good impression on them can score you a little extra time to get the lighting just right or mean the makeup artist will bother to smooth out that flyaway hair. Don't get me wrong those things can often be fixed in photo editing no problem but the less photo editing your shots have to undergo the better, atleast that's how I view it.

Our friend's teenage daughters were models for a few years. I do remember they were not supposed to talk much, if at all. It was common for them to be approached by interested parties after a runway show. They answered 'yes' and 'no' to questions, unless asked to elaborate. If you do your own hair, take extra combs, gel, whatever. I think they avoided perfumes, due to the volume of models at their jobs. I designed business cards for them, using their best photo for the front. I found an online business card supplier where I could upload them, and ordered them in glossy. They had a deal with a local photographer, kind of a trade. He took their pictures and used them for his portofolio to attract customers. In return, the girls got cd's of the pictures to use as they saw fit, plus a few 8x10 and 5x7 shots.