Why Modelling Isn't Always As Glamorous As It Seems

Why Modelling isn't sometimes as glamorous as it seems.

Modelling is hard hard work. There aren't very often posh dressing rooms with recliner massage chairs to lie in whilst drinking cloudy lemonade and having your nails painted. This post is about my experiences of very UNglamorous jobs I've done. Sometimes, you have just got to grit your teeth and get on with.


I did a job for a big sports company quite recently and no one had warned us there wasn't going to be a makeup artist there. All modelling jobs I've done there has been someone there to do your hair especially if it's for a well known company. Unfortunately, I was having a particularly bad hair day that day and hadn't really made much of an effort to make my self look nice as the job started quite early in the morning. Not that I put a lot of makeup on usually for jobs but it is best to turn up with your hair done nicely so you make a good impression. When I got there it was immediately quite obvious that I would have to be shot as I was - there was no hair stuff or makeup there at all! It was ok as the crew wanted us to look natural anyway but I still spent ages in the toilets trying to make my hair go straight!! I have to say those pictures were definitely not my favourites! I will pack straighteners and hairspray in my bag from now on!

This is my sister on a shoot for New Look in the hair and makeup room.



















One time, I was on a shoot for M&S (before I grew out of the sample size)  and another girl and I were shooting in the middle of a very busy park. This was about a year ago and it was a really hot day. We were shooting winter clothes as everything is always shot earlier than when it is put on the website. We were really far away from the caravan that was the makeshift make up and changing room so there was nowhere for us to get changed. The park toilets were on the opposite side of the park and were also a ten minute walk away. The crew were behind schedule so we needed to get into our next outfit really quickly. Because of this we had to change behind two polystyrene screens that the cameraman was holding up for us. Even though I knew nobody cared, I was still sure everyone was looking at me!!

I find that pretty much all the studios I go to are in really grotty places or look a bit strange from the outside. Once we got an email from my agency and she advised us to take a taxi as the place we were going to wasn't very safe in the evening. Luckily, the taxi driver dropped us off right outside the place the casting was at. I wasn't sure I wanted to be out on those streets! 

A very cool studio I did a job in!

NEWSFLASH!

NEWSFLASH!

 I have just had some bad news tonight :( A company who have been using me regularly for 2 years, M&S, have just said I am now too tall for their sample sizes and have been dropped! When I said there were no height limits - you can get too tall, as, unless you're modelling for a teen range, the average maximum sample size is age 10. However, the good news is M&S do a teen range so I just need to grow a bit more! The agency are putting my younger sister forward so good luck to her! I hope I won't have to retire just yet! :)                                                                                                                                                                    

M&S on location

M&S studio shoot

What Clients Look for

What Clients Look For

If you are with a children's agency, the client who chooses which models to use will be looking for certain qualities in the model. You can be 15 and be with a children's agency, but you must be short and young - looking for your age otherwise you are better off in an adults agency. The clue is in the name really - if you are with a children's agency you must look like a child!

Whenever a client searches for a model, whether they are looking for a blonde haired 6 year old, or a ginger haired 12 year old, there is one thing they are not looking for - makeup. This is why your agency will take natural photos of you in a studio, to put on their website (your profile). When applying for an agency you will probably be asked to send in some snapshots of yourself. Again it is very important that these are natural and actually look like you - it's also best to avoid logos and busy prints. The pictures must be recent and your face must be clearly visible. Imagine you are having a passport photo...but smile!! 

Clients do look for really different things depending on what product/brand they are casting for. Good agents should know what your look is, and will submit you for appropriate castings. You can be really successful and not necessarily classically beautiful. For example, companies like cereal manufacturers want real looking kids with bags of character, whereas a high fashion company such as vogue probably want a look that's slightly more edgy. I have modelled for quite a few magazines and clothes companies whereas my sister (who looks very cheeky) is cast a lot for T.V. commercials. We are with the same agency but have really different looks so get put forward for different things.

Another thing that some clients look for is experience. If you have just started out this can be quite frustrating as someone's got to give you this experience before you can have it! Because of this, it can often take a while for models to get their first job, however once you are able to add more pictures of work you have done, quite often clients will book you more regularly. 

Of course this is just the beginning, once a client sees you amongst loads of others at a casting, there are lots of other things to consider -  but I will post this another time! :)

Adult and Child/Teen Modelling

The Difference Between Adult and Child Modelling

Adult and child/teen modelling are completely different things. If you start with a modelling agency and are under 16 you can't expect to be doing runway every weekend. Child modelling is a completely different industry. Here's why:

• First of all, if you're under the age of 16 and wanting to be a child model, you will need a license. This license allows you to take time off school for modelling castings and jobs. To get a license you need to contact your local authority and have the full support of your school.  If you are over 16 you don't need a license as at this age, you do not legally need to be educated.

•  Secondly, there is no height restrictions for child modelling. For high fashion adult models, you need to be tall - at least 5' 7'' or 5' 8''. However for child/teen modelling your height is less of an issue.  I'm twelve, and am lucky because I am short - if anything shorter is better as you aren't to tall so you don't look like an adult yet.

• Also, child/teen modelling is a lot less competitive than adult modelling. If you're over 16 and in the modelling industry you are competing against loads of others all wanting the same thing. With child/ teen modelling, a 1 year old and a 15 year may be on the same agency's books. It goes without saying that they aren't going to be put foreard for the same job. If many models in an adult agency are between 18 and, lets say 25 there isn't such a wide age gap and so everyone is more or less competing against each other - and there are a lot more people competing to start with.

So child/teen modelling is very different to adult modelling. Clients are looking for totally different things and the models provide totally different things too. Yes, children aren't seeing strutting down the runway very often but child modelling is just as fun in its own way. :) Please comment and subscribe!

Picture Page 1: The Studio

A plain, simple studio.

The things they can do with a blank canvas!

 

 

Picture page 1:

 The Studio

Silly times off set

Lights, cameras, SAY CHEESE!

Waiting to get started again

Last minute adjustments

Comment for more information on each picture.

Model Dictionary

Model Dictionary

Before you start modelling it is probably a good idea to learn a few of the terms used to describe things in the modelling industry. You will probably know quite a few of these terms to start with but there are a few quite strange ones that are really important if you want to know how close you are to being booked by a client. So....

• STUDIO: Usually a very plain white room with a massive roll of white paper you stand on, cameras, computers, places for you to change, a hair and make up room and a sofa for any parents to sit. If you are with an agency you have probably been to one to have your agency pictures done.

• CASTING: Basically an audition for models. You will have your photo taken by a photographer and it will probably only last for about 5 minutes. I will post a separate post about castings soon

•  COMMISSION: Your agency will take probably about 20% of what you earn when doing a job in order to pay their staff and keep the agency running. This is called a commission. It's them who got you the job after all.

• AVAILABILITY CHECK: A client may want to availability check 10 models and only need one. Your agency will phone you up and let you know you have been availability checked. Don't get your hopes up because there will be plenty other models who will have been checked too.

• ON A PENCIL: This means the client is not confirming you for a job but is thinking of booking you. This is a nerve wracking time especially if the job sounds exciting. Even if you're not booked, be proud you got this far - the client obviously likes you and might consider you for something else.

• CALL TIME: The time you are needed to start shooting. Aim to be there about ten minutes before the call time as if you arrive before any other models you will get shot (photographed) before anyone else and might even get the most shots because of it.

•  CLIENT: The brand that is booking you - say, next.

• ON LOCATION: This doesn't necessarily mean the shoot will be in the Maldeves! This basically means the shoot will take place somewhere that is not a studio. 

• FITTING: When you try on the clothes to see whether they fit. Usually a separate to the shoot. You probably won't have been confirmed for the job.

• STYLIST: The person who seems to be in charge of the clothes. They might dress you and will see that the clothes are right. The hair stylist does the same for your hair.

• FEE: The hourly rate you're paid.

• DAY RATE: The money you are paid for the job if it lasts all day. 

 

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Choosing A Good Agency

Choosing A Good Agency 

Having a good modelling agency is soooooooo important. There are many companies who claim to be a reliable agency but are actually scams. Here are some signs an agency is a scam:

• If the agency asks you for UPFRONT FEES ( fees they ask you to pay before they actually sign you up.) 
• The best agencies will NEVER accept you from just a photo you send - they will always want to meet you in person.
• Proper agencies NEVER promise work. If work is promised the agency is probably a scam. 
• If an agency DOES NOT HAVE A WEBSITE be careful. The best agencies will have a website. It might just be a small agency that is just starting up but it could be a scam.
• If you are unable to speak to an ACTUAL HUMAN BEING run a mile and don't look back!!!!

Even if you suspect an agency is fine, make sure you research it first as there are agencies out there who just want your money.

There are less agencies based in the north of England than the south but there are still a few. You might not get as much work as going with a London agency but if you live up north it might be a struggle for your parents to take you into London and some agencies only accept kids from London anyway. Here are a few good northern agencies:

• Urban Angels North
• Bizzykids North
• Kids Manchester
• Eurokids
• Tuesdays Child
• DK model management 

 If you are in easy commute to London for castings you have a much wider choice of agencies. Here are a few good ones.

• Urban Angels South
• Kids London
• Bruce and Brown
• Alphabet Kidz
• Bizzykids South
• Bonnie and Betty

If you get into any of the agencies listed above and don't receive any work don't panic! They are not scams - just keep waiting. There are loads of other agencies too so don't worry if the agency you are with isn't on the list! 

Do you want to start modelling?

Do you want to start modelling?

This post should give you some helpful pointers on being a model. First question, presuming you can't drive, is who is going to take you up and down the country at short notice for a job or casting. You could ask your parent but other options are relatives, professional chaperones or even dance teachers! If there is no one to drive you, modelling could be very tricky!

Modelling isn't all fun. You have to be really patient because sometimes you are left waiting around for quite a long time before you start shooting. 

Most people think the only thing you need to be to be a model is beauty. This really isn't true. You don't have to be stick thin and you don't have to be the next Kate Moss. However you HAVE to be confident in front of the camera and polite and confident around new people. 

Probably the hardest thing about modelling is the rejection. I have been modelling for five years and I have been unsuccesful lots of times  The more times you get rejected the easier it becomes but you must remember its not that your ugly or rubbish at what you do, the client is just looking for something different. If you can't handle being rejected modelling could really damage your self confidence. 

Modelling is really really fun and you make loads of friends along the way. As long as you never let it take over all of your life and focus on school as well you can do it quite often and still do really well at school. It doesn't have to be the only thing you do - I do dance 5 times a week on top (although you might not want to be quite as busy as me!!!!)  comment for any advice or feedback you want to give.

My Blog

My Blog

This blog is all about modelling. I am creating it because I think some people think modelling is basically another word for showing off. Sometimes I find it hard to talk about - even though my friends are really supportive of me there are some people who aren't. I want to give advice to anyone who wants to start modelling and make it more well known. I would love to post pictures of what I do and tell people what its like to be a model. Hopefully people will start to realise modelling is just like any other hobby. Please comment any feedback or ideas.

Gracie