NEWSFLASH!

Audition

Last weekend I had an audition for the part of Susan in A White Christmas. I have been in a show before for 9 months! However, this was a while ago so I was looking forward to the chance to go through the audition process again.

When we arrived we had to queue up for ages! Maybe an hour or more. We were all given a number on a sticker - I was 82. I think there were about 110 girls auditioning; all between the ages of 8 and 12. I was auditioning with my younger sister's best friend. My sister hadn't wanted to audition as she doesn't like doing an American accent! The company needed three girls to play the part on rotation. It was really exciting!

For the first round, they took girls in groups of ten into the auditioning room. They started with numbers 1-10, and went all the way up to numbers 100-110. I had to wait ages before I could go in, and my sister's friend had to wait even longer. When my number was eventually called, we went into a room and had to stand in front of a group of people sitting at a desk. I was a little bit nervous to start with, but the nerves soon went. All we had to do was sing 'Happy Birthday' in a group and then individually. Then we went back into the waiting room.

Once everyone had had there chance to sing, the company made a cut. Well over half the auditionees were told to go home. Once the cut was over there was only 36 of us left. 

We were then split into two groups. Luckily my sister's friend and I were in the same group; so we could chat when the first group were auditioning. After a nerve wracking wait, we were called in. This round tested our singing - we learned a song from the show. Fortunately, I had gone through the song a bit before the audition, so I kind of knew it before we had to sing it. That's always a good thing to do before a singing audition. Just look up songs your character sings and go through them - even if they say you don't need to. It's likely that you will have to sing it and it helps if you know it beforehand.

After we had been through the song as a group and individually, we were told to go back into the waiting room. After a few minutes, they made yet another cut. They brought the number down to just 15. Unfortunately, my sister's friend was knocked out - I was convinced she'd get further than me. She was so good about it when I got through though. That's the only bad thing about auditioning with friends - it is hard when only one gets through.  

We were now down to just one group and we went in for the acting round. This is probably the scariest round for most people. We got given two short scripts from the show and had a read through them. We had to perform them in an American accent - this was specified on the email we were sent so I wasn't surprised. In one of the scripts we had to act sad and worried and in one, happy. There was quite a long wait while all of us went through them. It is important if you are waiting around in an audition room not to talk or look bored. If you got the part, there would probably be loads and loads of waiting around! I tried not to be too nervous when my turn came - I had listened to everyone else' feedback and tried to take that on board before my go. Once I had finished they said 'well done' and I sat back down. Once we had all finished we went outside the audition room but not back to where my Mum was waiting.

They made another cut and I was down to the final 7! It was really exciting. We had to put a dance to the song we had learned earlier. It really wasn't that difficult but because I was nervous it made it harder. We performed it in threes. The further along you get, the closer you get to the other girls, and the more you want the part. Once it was over we went back to the waiting room, and were told we would find out on Monday whether we had the part or not.

Unfortunately, I didn't get in, but the audition experience was amazing. If you do modelling, doing auditions are brilliant as they are great for your confidence. They help you to learn to cope with rejection and are a great thing to be part of. I don't mind too much because the shows were over the Christmas period so it would have been tricky. I would have missed a holiday too. Still, I'm sure I will audition for something again soon.

Parents

Parents

In the same way you get a variety of models, there are a wide variety of parents too. I think there is a massive stereotype about parents of child models. It is really easy to just presume that the mum (or dad) is controlling everything and does not consider what their child wants to do. I suppose, if you have never met a parent of a child model, this view is pretty understandable. I mean, the parent is the one who gets notified of the jobs and they don't have to consult their child about it. Also, quite often parents will take the child to a job or casting and organize everything regarding the practicalities of it. To some people, this looks like it is the parent who is controlling everything and the child doesn't have a say in what happens to them.

In many, many cases this is not the case. By people presuming it is, they are only enabling modelling to become something only for 'pushy parents' and 'spoilt kids'. The more people who think of it as this, the less people who put their children into an agency.

What my parents have ALWAYS done, and what I'm sure many others also do, is to ask me whether I wanted to do the job before committing to it. Since I first started, they have always explained what the job or casting was for, where it was, how long I would have to be there, and asked me what I would miss at school. If, for whatever reason, I didn't want to go, they would always say no to the agency. It is really important to be able to say no to your agency, because, if you couldn't make it but felt pressured by the agency to do the job, you might end up missing something special to you and your family. A good agency will NEVER force you to do a job - they should understand that you have other important commitments.

Of course it goes without saying, that there are a tiny proportion of parents who could be labelled as a 'pushy parent.' I have seen quite a few that were waiting with us in waiting rooms. Here is how to spot a 'pushy parent.'

• To start with, their child will nearly always look really bored. They will usually be on some electronic device and looking like the casting or job is the very last place they want to be. The mum or dad will most probably be giving them little nudges every now and again and telling them 'stop being embarrassing and speak to the other kids!' If they don't look bored they will be really dressed up and most probably trying to impress everybody with their latest 'major campaign.'

•  Secondly, they will be absolutely surrounded by other parents hanging on their every word. They will certainly feel the need to tell everyone about which job 'we' did that didn't live up to 'our' high standards, and can't resist mentioning the company that only used 'us' for two shots. Everything will be about their child and them - never just about the child. Everything is a competition; if one mum says their child's done Dior, suddenly 'they've' done Dolce Gabana.

•   And finally, a pushy parent will ALWAYS get too involved in things. All they do is get in the way. They will insist on helping their child get ready and always sneak in behind the photographer. They take photos on their mobile and reminding their little 'star in the making' to keep up that fake smile. They will grab an unlucky member of the crew, demanding immediate dates on when the photos will be out, and probably grilling them on the amount of hours the child's worked and how much they get will get paid.

Pushy parents are a real pain, crews don't even like them and it can even stop the child from being booked again. Although it's nice to discuss what you have been up to -many mums are just interested in what goes on in the studio, but make sure you know when to take a back seat.

My First Job

My First Job

My first job was a straight job for children's magazine called 'Junior Magazine'. I really didn't have a clue what to expect - all we knew was that the magazine was a high fashion one ...and that we had never heard of it! We were given the address of the job and the call time by the agency; the Presidential Suite of the Hilton in London. I remember being really excited and a little bit nervous as well. It was great fun and I modeled the most expensive clothes I have ever modeled in my life - including a white, sequined Roberto Cavelli jacket!!. I was convinced I would end up spilling something on them. It was the first time I had taken direction from a photographer and I remember being really surprised at all the lights and equipment they were using. They had curled my hair into a massive pouffe that stuck out all round my head like a seventies rockstar - I didn't wear my hair curly that much then and I was amazed at how different I looked. After it had finished we took the tube back to where we were parked and I kept thinking how strange I must look with my hair all done up.

Obviously, I didn't expect all jobs to be like that. I didn't even know whether I would get any more jobs. As it turns out, I have been really lucky with how many jobs I've had, but back then I didn't have a clue how many I'd get. It's all down to luck at the end of the day - whether clients are looking for someone that looks like you or not. If they're not, then there is really nothing you can do about it, you just have to keep trying! 

TOP TIPS FOR A FIRST JOB

• When you have your first job you should expect to be waiting around possibly even longer than at a casting so make sure you bring plenty of stuff to do. 

• It is really important that you try to be patient and polite to any members of the crew even if they seem to be taking ages on purpose. If you are impolite or start getting bored or sulky they might not keep you on for as much time as they were going to; they might not even consider using you again. You can be the next Kate Moss, but if you are a diva at a shoot you won't make a good impression no matter how pretty you are.

• Make sure you don't let on that you hate the clothes. Not all clothes you will model will be to your taste. I am really small for my age so sometimes have to wear clothes mainly designed for ten year olds; sometimes I think I would NEVER wear this but I try not to let it show.

•  Don't worry if you are used less than other models that are there. If there are other models at the job, you might find they are being used more than you are. Don't worry at all. It might be that they have modeled for the company before, fit more of the clothes, or just had more shots planned than you did. It doesn't mean that you are any worse than they are.

There can be a lot of equipment on set!!

• Make sure you have time spare for the job to overrun, or if not, ensure you let someone know as soon as you arrive. If the company know in advance you are in a rush, they will shoot you first so you can get off quickly. In general though, it is best if you leave the whole day free in case the hours you need to be there change.   

• Have fun and enjoy it! It you want more info take a look at my castings post. :)

How To Make A Good Impression

How To Make A Good Impression

 

When you are at a casting it is unlikely you will be the only model there. If the casting is more of an audition (occasionally, models are asked to audition for an advert or to go to an open audition for a production or t.v. series,) you may even be auditioning with a group of other people. So, you want to stand out from the crowd. I'm going to focus on castings in this post as models will get more castings than auditions. 

When you arrive there is usually a receptionist at a desk. She or he will ask you your name, agency and height. As much as it sounds stupid, make sure YOU say your name and not the person who brought you. Although you might think it's only the receptionist, they could have a say in things at it still will make you look, sound, and feel confident anyway. The receptionist will give you a form to fill out asking some details about you (i.e your measurements and clothes size). They will then direct you to a waiting room.

So, you're in a small room full of people waiting to go in to the studio where you will have your photo taken. The person who brought you should probably fill in the form as you don't want to worry about writing email addresses and taking different measurements. You might be nervous, or not.  If you are nervous, try to control your nerves as you really don't want to come across as nervous in the pictures. If the casting is running late, use this extra time to spruce up your hair, maybe give your face a wipe to freshen up a bit. Don't sit there doing nothing as you will most probably get really bored and not in the right frame of mind for a casting. You want to feel and look really fresh and upbeat.

You will probably have a number that you were given at the reception desk. When your number is called, you will directed to the studio/room where you will be photographed. There will be a photographer and possibly some other people sitting at a desk. Look them in the eye and say hello. Wait for them to tell you what to do next. They might change you into some clothes from the brand you are casting for. Don't worry if the clothes are too big or small. It doesn't mean you haven't got the job or you are too fat/thin to be a model! They will have just brought a few samples in that some models will fit and some won't. More often than not however, they will just shoot you in what you are wearing. 

Once you are standing in front of the camera, the nerves might kick in. If they do, take a deep breath and remember the casting really isn't  that important. You need to only focus on what the photographer is telling you to do. If he or she asks you to do some poses of your own here are some that will make a good impression and some that definitely won't:

GOOD:

• One hand on hip. Smile. Look into the camera. Shift you weight slightly.
• Turn your body. Both hands on your hips. Small smile. Look back into the camera.
• Tilt your head. Small smile. Look slightly above the camera.
• One or two silly poses that show a bit of your personality! This helps you to be memorable.
• Just have fun and be girly. Laughing is good. 

BAD:

• Sexy poses. Sticking chest out, sticking bum out e.t.c.
• Pouting.
• Anything too little girly like blowing kisses, cupping chin with hands, skipping e.t.c. This looks a bit cheesy.
• Moving around too much - the pictures will be blurry.
• Standing there looking helpless is the WORST thing you can do!

If the photographer gives you any direction make sure you make note of it and change. Don't be upset if they tell you you are doing something wrong - they want to see how you take criticism and use it constructively. When it is time to go, say thank you and maybe ask when they will let you know whether you have got the job or not. The casting will probably only last 5 minutes and won't be too difficult. Just enjoy it and have fun.  

First Casting

First Casting

Your first casting is always very exciting! It's a really important day - I still remember mine after 5 years and I'm sure I will remember it for a long time yet. My first casting was for a Walk To School Campaign and was in a studio in London. I remember thinking going to London was the best thing EVER and riding on the tube was AMAZING! I remember going into the studio and my mum stood at the back of the room and I walked to a spot marked with tape and had my photo taken. I had to hold up a card with my agency, age and height on it and do what the photographer asked me to do. There wasn't anybody else in the room and I hadn't had to wait very long at all. I really enjoyed myself and we went for a meal afterwards. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job from that casting, but next year I got it without a casting as a straight job. 

For your first casting, whatever it may be for, there are a list of things you must make sure you have done before the day:

• Most importantly, make sure you know when you need to be at the casting and where the casting is. It might be a good idea to print off a Google map that you can use in case you have to park far away and walk, or, if you haven't got a SatNav, for driving there. If you are further away from the casting, taking the train avoids the traffic and can be easier.

• Also, it is a good idea to decide what you will wear the night before the casting - especially if you are setting off early in the morning. You don't want to wear anything too sparkly or with too many patterns as you want the client to see you and not your clothes. Don't be afraid to wear some bright colours though; it can make you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.

• Ensure your hair is freshly washed and you have clean nails (no polish or just a clear coat). Do this the night before as you don't want to be rushed in the morning.

• It is really important that you look like you do on your agency pictures when you go to a casting. If a client expects you to be a short 13 year old with straight, red hair, you must make sure you look like that. There will be no one to do your hair and makeup at a casting so make sure your hair is done, and if you are over about eleven or twelve you can maybe wear a little bit of blusher or lip gloss. Definitely do not put on any eye makeup, lipstick, or fake tan. When I go to casting I put on a little bit of powder, blusher and lipgloss. I sometimes wear a VERY light concealer if I have a spot that is really obvious. I have only just started doing this though and you definitely don't need to wear any makeup. 

• When you pack a bag for the casting it is important you have: your height/measurements or a tape measure, a hairbrush and hairspray to spruce up your hair just before you go in, the number for who to call if you are going to be late or have any other questions, a snack and a book or phone for if you are waiting around, a waterproof so you don't get drenched just before you go in, (this has happened to me before!) 

• It is best if you arrive 5-10 minutes before you were told, as you will then not have to stay much longer than the call time (hopefully!) The longest I have ever had to wait at a casting was probably only about 30-45 minutes.

Don't be too disappointed if you don't get the job. The client will probably be seeing models all day and you are probably unlikely to get it. Still, castings are really fun and you never know, you might get a job out of it!

 My sister and I outside CBBC!