#arttelevision

             Making of a Model is brand spanking new reality television series, currently broadcasting at 9pm Tuesdays on ART Television in Colombo. In it, 17 year old Shenelle, 18 year old Anita, and I, the oldest at 26, face a number of challenges intended to initiate us to the travails of the modern modelling industry, push us out of our comfort zones and prepare us for professional careers either here or abroad.  

It is easily assumed that models are.only.good looking and have the easiest job -preening in front of a camera. The show seeks to obliterate this assumption by showing those watching the long hours that go into each shoot - hours of hair dressing, hours of make up, hours of waiting on the sidelines dressed and ready, hours of nervousness before a shoot, and finally, a nerve racking performance in front of the cameras. 

Performance it is and must be - for a vital human energy must transmogrify onto print matter in order for a shoot like this to be successful, and that takes intense concentration and commitment. Imagine the scene - you are heavily made up, distinctly not yourself, dressed it designer pieces of clothing and/or jewelry. The lights are so bright in your face you can't see straight. Some 10-20 people are surrounding you, watching your every move. Depending on the location of the shoot there may be more. And...you are expected...to perform. And perform and perform some more. 

Not so easy. 

Fortunately, the three of us are in excellent hands. Singaporean born, former top model Jacquie Mei is the official project coordinator and unofficial 'Mommy' - constantly giving us girls useful tips and tricks, pushing us to get good sleep, drink more water, eat less sweets, eat healthy etc etc etc. Having begun with looking after just our hair, Chagall's Gerald Solomons - experience in Hawaii, Aukland, Sydney - has now become our mentor and the unofficial 'Daddy' on set. It is Gerald who berates us for being silly and scared when facing particularly daunting photo shoots, and the same Gerald who makes excuses and defends us for being so silly and scared when facing particularly daunting photo shoots.  

We're probably most afraid of Sandun on the sets. Fiercely professional, Sandun demands the same level of professionalism from models. He is easy to work with though, constantly communicating with the models, putting us and ease and directing us through each shoot. Sandun shows each of us the images he captures as he takes the shot, so that we can discuss the pros and cons of each image and decide which angle to take with the next photo and which to drop. 

Supported by a stellar team from Art Television, Making of a Model is new, hip and decidedly different. A decision to reduce the number of contestants and thus steer clear of the cut throat competitiveness so much a part of modern reality TV gives this show added credence, as more focus is placed behind-the-scenes, allowing each of us girls to present our own story, interpretation and experience to the viewers. 

More importantly, the show pushes past the benchmark set by the previous year's 'Ford Supermodel' contest - won by Olivia Major - and creates more media space for the modelling and fashion industry. When audiences island wide watch, internalise and accept modelling as a profession, when the rumours, stories, myths and fears surrounding it are dispelled, there will be room for remarkable growth. Viva la Vida! 

Catch Making of a Model on Art Television at 9pm every Tuesday. Repeats are on Thursday at 9am and Sunday at 8pm. For highlights, sneak peaks and before and after images, look here.