A lot of aspiring models think they can throw a cell phone pic up, pay for a casting website, and become famous ...that's not the way it works, life...or the industry.
There are a lot of great casting websites available, some completely free, that can get models and actors legitimate, paying work.... But only if you one how to utilize them!
Very quickly I would like to list some websites I do not recommend at all for ASPIRING models to obtain work:
-Facebook (professionals do not use Facebook to cast models with no experience)
-CRAIGSLIST (too many scams, perverts...more perverts... for models with no experience to sort through)
- model mayhem ( you need professional pics to get approved, and if you make it on the site without them, you'll pretty much be viewed as shark bait ....or scam bait)
Model mayhem can be a great resource, but not for models with no experience, and no or low quality professional pictures to try to start getting paying work. The dangers of scams and unsafe situations will out weigh the benefits. (using mm to BUILD your modeling portfolio is perfectly fine, with caution of course)
Now, you certainly don't need a full portfolio to be successful on casting websites, but you should definitely have a few great professional pics. A good head shot and a good full body shot at the bare minimum. If you have Lots of pics already, but no official portfolio, select the pictures that are the best quality and make you look best, while keeping in mind diversity. If you have commercial pics, fashion pics, bikini pics and a great head shot....make sure you use one pic from each category, don't simply select your best pictures overall. A casting website will usually allow you to have about 10-15 pictures, so consider this your online portfolio. Look at your pictures once you load them. Do any of them look too similar??? ...then delete one!!! Don't use 2 pictures with the same outfit!!! It's not the quantity of pictures you have it's the quality.
If your an actor, the minimum you need (and sometimes all you need) is a head shot. I would recommend models sign up for acting casting sites too, there is a very fine line between modeling and acting. A commercial modeling agency will supply a client with talent for a tv commercial....but so will a talent (acting) agency. It only helps your resume to have experience doing both! You might find you think you want to be a model, but you like acting more! Or the other way around. Below is a list of casting websites and sources that will get you legitimate paying work when you utilize them correctly:
- Actors Access (pay)
- Model Mayhem (free)
- CRAIGSLIST (free) for EXPERIENCED models/actors only!
- Modelwirenetwork (free) relatively new, so be aware of possible scammers just like on every other new casting website.
- GC Marketing Services (free) for PROMO MODELS, BRAND AMBASSADORS, EVENT MODELS, MYSTERY SHOPPERS ETC. - this website is 100% legit, no worries here. (this is a great website for aspiring models to join)
- Casting Networks (paid) You WILL GET WORK FROM THIS SITE!
- Heery Castings (for Philadelphia, PA area actors)
The suggestions above are websites I've used personally, however, there are so many more out there! You just have to search for them in your region/state! If you don't know.....GOOGLE IT! I don't just say that over and over because this blog is powered by google! I found about 20 casting sites that I didn't even know about by just doing research for this article! So if I can find them by accident....I know all you aspiring models and actors out there can find enough sources to get you lots of work! GOOD LUCK! ; )
Here are links to additional casting sources:
TheDailyActor.com
Taltopia.com
Top20Sites.com
*(Disclaimer: I am not personally or professionally associated with any of the websites, or authors of articles provided in the links above. Please always use your own common sense and discretion when applying for casting calls found online. If you have any doubt in your mind, double check everything!)
**sources: TheDailyActor.com, Taltopia.com, Top20Sites.com, CastingNetworks.com, Modelwirenetwork.com, HeeryCastings.com, ActorsAccess.com, .craigslist.org, ModelMayhem.com GC Marketing Services
