#modelingbusiness

Check to see if they are licensed by the state they are operating in.

      Many states require agents, managers, scouts, representatives, etc. to be licensed and bonded by the state they are operating in. This is very important! If they aren’t licensed, then they are operating illegally. Florida requires all agencies, managers, scouts and anyone representing someone for a fee to be licensed.

  Make sure they don’t have any complaints with the BBB.

Call you local Better Business Bureau office and ask if there is any information about them or check them out online at www.bbb.org

  Search their business name with the word “scam” and see what comes up.

This is always a quick and simple way to see what other people are saying about that agency.

  Check out their website.

A simple search and scan of their website can tell you a lot about that agency or manager. If they only have a Facebook page, they are probably not too legit.

  Verify their talent.

Sometimes scam agencies will claim to represent successful models that they actually don’t. Always ask the models name and search them to verify who represents them. This can be tricky, however, because many models and talent have several agents.

  Things to beware of:

  They ask you to pay money up front to be seen.

No legitimate agency will ask you to pay an upfront fee to be seen by them. Once signed, there may be fees for comp cards, websites, photography etc. But there should never be fees to be seen or audition.

  They pressure you to make immediate decisions.

If they’re telling you that their offer is only good for a certain amount of time, they aren’t legitimate.

  They want you to pay for a class, workshop or seminar.

It’s okay if they recommend classes in the area, but they shouldn’t require you to attend theirs or try to sell you something as part of the agency package.

  They advertise on the radio or in the classified section of the newspaper.

If they are advertising for a specific event, that’s fine. But, a reputable agency doesn’t need to advertise for talent because talent will find them.

  They want you to use their in house photographer.

If the agency only wants you to use their photographer, then beware. A legitimate agency might recommend a photographer or two for you to use, but they shouldn’t require you to use theirs.

  They don’t have an office space.

Often, one of the stipulations of becoming licensed is that you must have an actual operating office and it cannot be in a place of residence. If they can’t afford to rent their own office space, then that should be a red flag.

  They promise you work and fame.

What should I bring? Everyone should know his/her stats: Younger children- guardian should have child’s clothing size and shoe size. Female teens and women should know their height, bust, waist, hips, dress size and shoe size. Male teens and men you should know their height, shirt size (neck & sleeve) waist, inseam, suit size and shoe size. If you are brand new to the industry and have never modeled, you should bring a couple current, natural hard copy photos of yourself. These can be 4×6 digitals/snapshots: one head shot, one full length. If you have modeled, you should bring your portfolio as long as it is current. Actors should bring their up-to-date resume’ and headshot.

What should I wear? Anything casual that shows bodyline, nothing too baggy. Female teens and women should either bring or wear heels in case we need to see them walk (this is only for ladies 5’9” or taller who may be able to do runway.) Hair and makeup should be very natural. For guys, casual is fine. Nothing baggy, we need to see your bodyline.

What’s the open call process like? Very simple. When you arrive you will be given a short application to fill in your contact info and stats. Once you are called, an agent will review your application and any photos you brought with you. They may ask a few questions, and then you will have 2-4 digitals taken and done. Easy, easy. It is very rare for an agency to give a decision on signing a model right then.

How long will it take? Your actual face time with an agent is only 5 minutes tops. Don’t be surprised if it takes just a couple minutes. Waiting to be seen can take longer, depending on how many people are at the open call.

What if I have no modeling experience? No worries, you have to start somewhere and this is a great market to get some experience.

How should I do my hair and makeup? Natural, Natural, Natural. We need to see what we have to work with. No wigs, weaves or extensions. No false eyelashes or heavy makeup.

Does it cost anything?

  Rebecca: There should never be a fee to be seen or to submit. But, eventually, the model will need to have a portfolio shoot done by a professional photographer and have comp cards made—whether digitally, printed or both. These are a model’s tools; like professional chefs have their cutlery or a musician has his instrument.

  Lisa: In order to model with any legit agency, you will have to provide us with proper, industry standard photos. We do not do the photos ourselves, but we do have several photographers we recommend. The cost of the photoshoot would be between you and the photographer. We at IZON have a one time fee of $75 to cover the cost of maintaining our website, along with two casting sites. It also covers setup of a comp card.

What about tattoos, piercings, or hair color?

  Rebecca: Tattoos, piercings (other than ear) and wild hair color can be the end to a model’s career. Unless you are working in a large market (New York, Miami, LA) and with an agency that represents “different looks,” a model will have a hard time getting signed with an agency or booked for jobs because clients want a clean look. When we talk about tattoos, we often get the same response from people: “can’t they just airbrush over my tattoo or photoshop it out? Yes, they could. But, will they want to take the time to hire someone to come in and do the airbrush and schedule the extra time into production or the extra time of photoshopping into post-production? No. Not if they can find someone that requires no maintenance.

    Lisa: No facial piercings, no visible tattoos, no too unnatural hair color.

  What types of models are you looking for?

  Rebecca: For IZON, we basically have two different types of models we are always on the look out for: 1) potential fashion models that we could place in larger markets with big agencies and 2) commercial models to work in our market. Commercial models for our market run from age 5 to 95, have a clean, fit look, and are all ethnicities.

  Lisa: Because we do placement as well as local bookings, we are always looking for all kinds of models. Our local market is very commercial. Teens work the least, so we keep our teen board smaller. Our 30s & up and kids 5-9 years work the most, so we are always looking for those age groups, all ethnicities.

  What if I want to be an actor?

  Rebecca: Acting is a completely different world from modeling. Actors need to constantly train and work on their craft. It is not something you can wake up one day and decide you want to do and expect to be booked immediately. There is a fine skill to it. Even your most well-known stars still work with acting coaches. There is always something to learn: dialects and the differences between them all, crying on the spot, making any emotion look real, responding and reacting naturally, improv, physical comedy… it goes on and on.

  Lisa: To be a serious actor is a completely different ballgame. There are not a lot of opportunities for actors in this local market. A serious actor should be constantly working on their resume and their craft by taking acting workshops and classes, doing local plays etc.

  What are some of the biggest misconceptions about modeling?

  Rebecca: That it’s easy. And, if you are tall you can model. Height isn’t everything. Being pretty isn’t everything. You have to have a personality, confidence and the right attitude to go along with it. You have to know how to respond to the camera and make that attitude and confidence show through on print.

  Lisa: 1. That modeling is glamorous. Many times you are shooting outside in uncomfortable weather conditions, wearing uncomfortable clothing.

2. That modeling is sexy. In a commercial market, there is no place for sexy. Big smiles, one piece, not so fashionable bathing suits, khaki capris and polo shirts are the main staples for most commercial models.

    Submitting Photos

  Rebecca: Do I need professional pictures? No. Not for submitting but you will need them eventually.

    What kind of pictures should I submit?

Lisa:Natural, clean snapshots. Clothing should show body line. Don’t submit photos that have other people in them. Stay out of the bathroom. Pictures taken of you in the bathroom do not belong in an agency “inbox”.

  What are some poses/faces to avoid?

Rebecca: Fish face, pouty face, any big goofy grins, overly sexy poses, selfies, and soaking wet poses. For some reason, people think they look best right when they get out of the shower or pool.

  Lisa:Duck face, kiss face and sexy poses should all be avoided.

  After getting signed:

  What if I want to change my hair or look?

Lisa:Once you are signed and have photos taken, you should not change your look. If you change your look, for instance, hair cut or color, you will have to have new photos at your expense and you will have to be taken off the agency website. You will not be submitted for any work since the agency can only submit photos that represent how you currently look.

  How much work will I get?

Rebecca: That is the magic question. If we could look into our crystal ball and answer that, well… we’d probably retire rich and happy on a private Caribbean island somewhere. Ha! In all seriousness, it all goes in waves. Sometimes, it’s kids that are booking and not adults. Sometimes, it’s the 25 and over. Sometimes, it’s only ethnic looks that are being booked. We never know. We had a 30-something, African-American female that didn’t book a single thing her first year with us and then all of a sudden, she was the model everyone wanted. You just never know.

  Lisa:If we only had a crystal ball… Just because an agency believes you have a marketable look, it is up to the clients as to what they are looking for.

  Will I get work right away?

Rebecca:Again, you just never know. We can tell you that if you are over 25, you will have a better chance of getting booked than a teenager in our market. Adults just work the most here. Teenagers work the least.

  Location, location, location

  Depending on the market available, you may have to relocate to find work. For instance, IZON mostly provides work for commercial modeling (think advertising). That’s just the market that’s available to us here. If you’re dreaming about walking in the next Oscar de la Renta show, then you might have to rethink your location.

  Height matters

  This is probably a given, but it’s very true. In the modeling world, height really is a big deal. Yes, Kate Moss is an exception, but not everyone can be Kate Moss. For fashion models: Females need to be at least 5’9 and no taller than 6 feet. Males should be at least 6’and no taller than 6’2.5. Commercial models can be a little shorter. Females can be 5’6 and guys can be 5’10. If they are ethnic, the height can even be less in a commercial market.

  Have thick skin

Confidence is the one thing that every model needs. Rejection is an everyday part of the business and shouldn’t be taken personally. Sometimes you may not have the right “look” a client wants, but that’s ok. The “look” is all based on the client’s vision and has nothing to do with you. It could be the clothing color or cut and they need a certain look to model it. It could be that they are trying to match a guy and girl together and need certain heights to make it look right on camera. Or, as often is the case in our market, the client needs to build a family and the models need to look related.

  Check your bad attitude at the door

  Attitude and personality are huge factors when it comes to finding work. No one wants to work with someone with a sour attitude. Always keep a professional attitude, arrive on time and treat everyone you meet with kindness and respect. Agents, bookers and clients are paying attention. People have been rejected simply from their nasty attitude in the lobby while they were waiting to be seen.