Models of the Month..JULY!...

        Congratulations to the Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes! Models of the Month for JULY! IT WAS A TIE! Madison Kitty and Ali Marie Ponce! Model of the Month submissions for August will begin on July 15th! Stay updated by Liking the Become a Model in Less than 7 Minnutes! Facebook Page and sending a request to join the Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes! Facebook Group

How to Use Casting Websites the Right Way...

       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

How to Promote Yourself and Stay Classy...San Diego...

       Now there are many different ways to "make it" some of the highest earning fashion models have names you have never heard, they are not 'famous' and they lead normal lives.      
        On the flip side, there are models and personalities who got a lot of attention first and as a result, began making a lot of money.  Whichever route your planning on taking, or think your planning on taking....even if it's a combination of both..there is definitely a code of professionalism.  Just because there are models who don't follow it, does not mean it doesn't exist.  There is always a right way and wrong way to go about things, and I'm going to tell you about both..right now.  KEEPING IT CLASSY!
............................................................. WRONG WAY ...........................................................................         


        *DON'T NAME NAMES!        


 When you have a job/go to a casting. It's fine to be happy/proud/excited about it.  You probably want to let everyone know what your doing and talk about it on Facebook and twitter. That's fine.  Just make sure your doing it in moderation.  DO NOT GIVE EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR JOB OR CASTING! It can be considered unprofessional by a client, agency or potential client.  It can also be considered a breach of confidentiality.  When projects are in the works, not all clients want every step of the process advertised o the public.  You may think your helping yourself, but you could actually be doing the opposite...to yourself and the client.       
         Beyond that, nobody who will potentially hire you will be impressed with your "buzz" on Facebook or twitter. The only people you'll be catering to are those not in the industry....not anyone who is going to potentially pay you.  If your looking to get paid hosting gigs and other "personality" work.  Your resume, acting reel, music videos and our business sense will have to speak for itself.  There is nothing wrong with promoting yourself and having lots of fans.....but they definitely don't need to know everything you know, and definitely not every step you take through out the day.  
        If you tell them everything, there's no reason for them to research you, subscribe to you or be interested in you beyond a few minutes.  Don't f*ck on the first date....save something good for later...for certain people : )   

          Here is an example of an acceptable Facebook/social media post: 

                                               "Was at my movie casting all day! Lots of A-listers already signed on for this production...I hope I get it! Wish me luck!" Or something along those lines.        

Here is an example of what NOT to do (and I will paraphrase): 

"I just got back from my casting for the independent film Blue Sky! It went great! After I read my lines, the casting director called me back to do more lines and improv! Then he asked me to tell him about other stories funny stories I had...,everybody thought I was so funny and great! The director was Channing Tatum, the star actors/director/producer from GI Joe and 21 Jump street! Wow! Isn't that awesome!" 

        

Please, just don't do that.  DON'T NAME NAMES! Especially when the production/project is in the works.  What if the project falls through, or completely changes, or was supposed to be kept confidential???        You are just going to look desperate....and you WILL NOT impress anyone you need to impress in order to improve your career by bragging to random people.  This goes for models/actors and all other talent. 

 ACTIONS GET YOU PAID AND GET YOU FAMOUS.....NOT WORDS!!!     

    After the movie is released, the runway show is televised, the tv show airs....then go into as much detail as you want and tell everyone if you want to, but it's best not to talk too much until you have something to show people to back it up.  

        

*DON'T DO THINGS UNLESS YOU 

KNOW FOR A FACT YOUR DOING THEM RIGHT!  

I recently saw a models profile on Facebook which had albums for each "type of photography" one album was labeled "commercial" one was labeled "promotional"' etc etc.  As I looked through the albums it was blatantly clear the model had no idea what the categories of photography actually were, which means she had no idea what each type of modeling entailed at all.  And she was charging for photo shoots! Really???        People who know what they are doing won't work with her! All she's attracting are people/photographers who have no idea what they are doing. She might make a few dollars freelancing....literally...a few.  But she will never attract anyone who can help take her career to the next level.         If you don't know what the categories of modeling are, GOOGLE THEM! If our too lazy to do that just label the album "pics" don't do things when you don't know the right way...don't try to sound professional or experienced when your not...it just ...again...makes you look desperate and dumb.        

*DONT SHOOT WITH EVERYONE just to get free pictures.  Be more concerned with quality over quantity. 

........................................................................RIGHT WAY.............................................................

.DO: 

1) MAKE PROFILES ON NETWORKING SITES LIKE ModelMayhem.com, Modelwirenetwork.com etc. 

2) BE SURE THAT YOUR PICTURE IS ON YOUR AGENCIES WEBSITES 

3) CREATE YOUR OWN WEBSITE WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO, BIO, CONTACT AND BOOKING INFO, RESUME, AND agency info as well acting reel or clips from runway shows or other work you've done.  PROMOTE YOURSELF WITH YOUR WORK! 

4) Make a fb fan page

5) A twitter

6) Always be looking for free modeling profile sites, don't forget about specialty ones like fitness modeling and whatever else your qualified for. 

7) Getting a few hosting jobs (even if they are low paying or non paying) is also a good way to get out there

8)  look into marketing, promoting, and managing sources...think of yourself as a business because you are, you are the business, the product, the advertising all in one. 

9) Attend networking events 

10) Weigh the pros and cons of having a manager. (a manager is not an agent!)

*AS ALWAYS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE ACCESS TO FREE CASTING CALLS, CHECK OUT THE LINKS PAGE! 

How to Walk the Runway...

        Fashion/Editorial Models (Male and Female) and Plus Models need to have a strong runway walk.  As a model in one of these categories, you not only need to be able to take great pictures but walk a runway as well.  People have a habit of either oversimplifying a runway walk or over complicating it.  It's not rocket science, but at the same time, it requires more thought, body awareness and control than you would use while walking down the street.        

        This video sums it up.  This is how to accomplish a basic runway walk.  As the video states, different designers and different shows will want different types of walks, but they are all just a variation of the basic walk.

 Walk Like A Runway Model (Video)
       
         Posture: stand with your back against a wall, your entire body should be touching the wall....head, shoulders, butt, feet.  Now step away from the wall and walk while holding that same posture.  If you've never tried this before, it might take a few tries before it feels comfortable.  Some models will push their hips forward and lean their shoulders back to create the same posture instead of trying to focus on their entire body.  This works pretty well as long as you do it right! Don't over exaggerate or under....exaggerate. A runway walk should look as natural and effortless as possible.  

  
         Your arms should move naturally, but as little as possible. Don't swing them on purpose, just let them move on their own.        
        Your feet should point straight ahead of you.  Either imagine walking a straight line, or actually cross your feet across your body as you walk. (only slightly so it doesn't look forced)      
        Your facial expression should be RELAXED AND NATURAL!!! Don't look stiff, scared, awkward etc etc etc. There are a million pictures being taken of you as you walk down the runway, so you don't want a bad facial expression to get in the way of a great shot.  Think of something that makes you feel happy or calm.  Smile with your eyes, not your mouth.       
        Keep your hips under control.  Some girls can get away with not manipulating their natural hip movement at all, while others will need to focus on NOT allowing their hips to sway from side to side.  This depends on your size and body type as well as the way you move naturally.     

 
       * CLASSES:  Some agencies will train you to walk at no cost, others will want you to take classes.  I would recommend taking the advice of your agency UNLESS.....  
         1) you already have runway experience and you know the basics  
         2) you have a background in dance, gymnastics, or other types of movement.   
         3) they ask you to take a series of more than 3 classes (there's just not that much to teach)   

*Commercial Models do not need runway classes.   
*Promotional Models do not need runway classes. 
*Fitness Models do not need runway classes. 
*You do not need to attend a modeling school in order to learn how to walk the runway.

How to Deal with...D*Bags...

        So this is a recent Voxer conversation I had:

RandomNameHere: "Hey looking to cast you in modeling/video projects that pay up to $800-$1200 depending on your limits.  I could pay you to come by my studio and audition.


Me: "You can book me through __________ (my agency) Contact: _______(my agent) __________(my agents email). ________(my agents office phone number).  Thank you.


RandomNameHere: "Do you do xxx"


Me: "No."

       Now didn't that conversation seem like a waste of time for both of us? Of course.  However for an inexperienced or naive model that might have seemed like a great idea and she might have landed herself in a bad or even dangerous position.


Let's break this down:

           1) Voxer.  That's already wrong. There are certain ways a professional will contact you FOR THE FIRST TIME.  They are: phone call or email.  (If you are connecting with someone through Facebook, ModelMayhem, or another networking source this won't be the case for obvious reasons.)  People who are after something more will use more casual methods to make their first contact.  Unfortunately Voxer automatically connects people based on a variety of information so it's less private than other methods of communication.  It's too easy for them to get shut down quickly over the phone and emails from a stranger are usually deleted unless they provide CLEAR job details.

        2) I had no idea who this person was.  If I had submitted my personal information for a casting call of his he would have stated that casting call so I would know who he was.  If someone just finds you out of the blue offering you work it's usually a good time to either let it go or look into it much much further.

         3) He threw "large" amounts of money into his initial contact, meant o impress an inexperienced model.  Once you start working as a model you get an idea of the general pay rate your working with.  Conveniently...for comparison sake... I have a photo shoot next week paying $750 and there was no casting. My agency booked me directly. (that's not always the case but it happens more often than not when your dealing with a good agency/agent) So why would a working model be impressed by that pay rate?  She wouldn't. He was targeting an inexperienced model.

          4) He said he could pay me to come audition. WHAT? Auditions are not paid...that's why they're called auditions.  Again, an attempt to target an a non-pro. I'm assuming in this case his "audition" would have went something like this: RandomNameHere: "So if you sleep with me you can have the jobs and lots of money....and by the way, it's not modeling..it's web cam modeling." Web cam modeling is code for Porn, and XXX directors/producers/casting agents who are looking to lure real models into porn use this term to attempt to confuse girls who don't know the difference.

         5) He didn't mention anything about XXX until after I had given him my agency contact info.  Of course, I already knew what he wanted, but it's always good to let people know that you can't be booked directly by just anyone, that you are an agency model (if you are) and you have standards....also I like to see some of the ridiculous responses.  Had I not thrown that info in his face right off the bat (assuming I didn't know any better) then that conversation would have continued long after it did.

        ............................................HOW TO STOP THEM IN THEIR TRACKS................................................     ..        (Them= time wasters, non-professionals, porn directors, perverts, predators, and guys/photographers who are just out to try to meet and hook up with models)
       Whenever someone contacts you without all the proper information (Pay rate, hours, date, time, clear job description) up front...just refer them to your agency immediately.  If you don't have an agency, then your independent agent.  If you don't use any independent agents, then you have two options:
     
          1) Refer them to your website, or another place them have to go to see your rates and booking information.  You can say "All my booking information can be found on my website ." By giving them another step, our differing a lot of bs.  If they are a person who is serious about booking you, they'll do what you say and follow the steps they're given.  If you don't have a website, just get one.  You need one anyway if your a freelance model.  There are lots of completely free websites you can create, like WIX.com for example.  There are also very low cost ones set up specifically for modes portfolios like 4ormat.com
       
        2) You can simply create an alternate email address and tell them that is your agents contact information.  While "posing" as your agent you can ask them the job details as an agent would do anyway....if they don't give clear details, or if they don't contact tha email address just let it go.  You've probably just saved yourself from becoming a rape victim.

   ....................................THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD SEND UP RED FLAGS........................................
 - What kind of modeling work do you do/are you looking to get?
 - Who do you model for?

         This experience has brought a lot of other hilarious (to me) but potentially dangerous (to some) situations/attempts back to my mind.  The point is, it happens all the time, there are people who use the modeling industry and even the word "modeling" to manipulate inexperienced and aspiring models into harms way.  Don't be one of those girls! THIS IS WHY I ALWAYS SAY "DO YOUR RESEARCH' and "LOOK INTO IT."             You should never be afraid that you'll lose work because you haven't handled something correctly.  If you handle yourself professionally and watch out for situations like this, you'll never lose a legitimate day of work, and you'll keep yourself safe at the same time.

   If any other models/actresses have any situations of stories similar to this and would like to share them for a future blog post please submit them to: AddikennTalent@gmail.com
       Remember: STAY SMART AND STAY SAFE!

Blogs and Sites with Related Content...

If you have a blog or website with related content, please submit your URL to AddikennTalent@gmail.com and I will link back to you and include your site in a "Links" page.

How to get FREE casting calls and more...

* For FREE Casting Calls: Send a request to join the "Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes" Facebook Group! Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes Facebook Group

* Please "LIKE" the "Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes (blog)" Facebook Page! There will be information on model contests, article submissions and more! Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes (blog) Facebook Page

* Send industry related article submissions to: AddikennTalent@gmail.com