The Idiots Guide to Becoming a Model (Short Version)

So here is the most simplified way I can explain how to start a modeling career in one article.  Pay attention and DO YOUR RESEARCH when it comes to dealing with agencies and agents!!!
1) Identify what type of model you are.....Realistically!!
 - Fashion
- Commercial
- Glamour/Swim/Lingerie
- Plus
- Fitness
- Tattoo
(You may fit into several categories)
2) Find several agencies that represent the type of model you are and make appointments to be seen and/or attend open calls. Be as proactive as possible.  A phone call beats an email and an in person meeting trumps a phone call! (You may have to go to 20 or more agencies to get the right fit, don't give up!!!! ever!!!)
3) When you find an agency you are comfortable with... DON'T EFF UP. Go to your castings and show up to your jobs.  If you miss even ONE you can be dropped.
4) If your not getting enough work from one agency...keep shopping for more...the majority of commercial agencies and some fashion ones are non-exclusive, meaning you may be represented by as many agencies as you wish.
5) To make extra money you can do freelance work CAREFULLY. There are great websites for modeling and acting work ( ex: castingnetworks.com and actorsaccess.com) HINT: ask your agents for advice on what casting websites you should be using to get your own work!
THAT'S IT! STAY SAFE AND GOODLUCK!
(and if it's just not working..refer back to step 1 and re-evaluate yourself!!!!)

August Model of the Month Venus Freeman-Clark!

        The August Model of the Month Contest winner is Venus Freeman-Clark.  Venus is a full time model who stands at 5'7" and who's personal industry goals include becoming one of the 25 most successful black models of all time.  

         In addition to modeling, she is an experienced actress able to fit the 18-30 age range, she is bilingual (English and Japanese) an avid animal activist, an athlete who's best sport is swimming and also a loving mom.

         Venus is best known for her fierce runway walk and her chameleon personality. If you want to connect with her and become a fan you can Like her Facebook Fan Page here --->>>> Venus N Wonderland

        Venus can be contacted for bookings at: VenusNWonderland@aol.com

         If you want to become the next Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes! Model of the Month SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG AND FOLLOW BY EMAIL FOR SUBMISSION UPDATES and LIKE THE Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes! Facebook Page.

Quick Note about Casting Calls...

The casting calls posted on the CASTING CALLS!  page come from a variety of sources.  Some are directly from the client,  others are reposted.  Please use common sense and caution when replying to casting calls.  Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes can only be responsible for the credibility of the casting calls that are directly from the client to us.  We do our best to only provide safe, reliable sources of work, but there is always the potential for something to slip through.  If you've found that any casting call on this site has some fault or flaw, PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP! It will be deleted and noted so no other casting calls will be re-posted from that source! Thank you all for your dedication and patience while this blog has come together! We will continue to do our best to improve the quality and ease of use of this site in the future!  Good Luck and GET TO WORK!!! 

Model of the Month Madison Lorelle...

                            Our second co-Model of the Month is Madison Lorelle aka Madison Kitty.  Take a look below and find out why you should take some time to get to know Madison Lorelle....

Madison, who is 5'9" and only 22 years old, is extremely multi-talented.  She is a Promotional Model, Brand Ambassador, Commercial Print and Music Video Model, GoGo Dancer and all around performer and entertainer.     

         You've seen her in "Vice Magazine" and at events such as: Camp Bisco, Star Scape, Dance Here Now and Skate Park Academy.  She has been dancing since she could walk and is most known for performing at various EDM events through out New York.  

        You can find out more about Madison by checking out her Model Mayhem Profile and the PeekABoo Girls Facebook Page.

*For Madison Lorelle's booking rates contact: 

                                                          AddikennTalent@gmail.com

Get to Know our July Model of the Month! Ali Marie Ponce...

        The very first Become a Model in Less than 7 Minutes! Model of the Month Contest ended in a tie between Ali Marie Ponce and Madison Kitty.  They will share the Model of the Month title for the entire month of July!
        Find out why you should get to know our co-Model of the Month, Ali Marie Ponce...

        The beautiful Ali stands at only 5'4", but what she lacks in height, she more than triples in talent.  Her resume includes commercial print work, T.V., and independent films.  You've seen her in soap operas such as "As the World Turns" on "Rescue Me" starring Dennis Leary and on "Live with Regis and Kelly" just to name a few.

        In addition to her impressive resume, Ali bears a striking resemblance to a young Elizabeth Taylor and has experience/is available as a celebrity look-alike and stand in.

        Ali is represented by Peter Coe, a well known and respected former actor turned agent who represents models and talent through out New York, Philadelphia and beyond.  If you would like to book Ali Marie Ponce, please contact:
Peter Coe
PeterCoeAgent@aol.com
(267) 640-2009


        If you are interested in being considered for representation by Peter Coe, send your resume, head shot, reel and comp card to: PeterCoeTalent@aol.com.


      ......and don't forget, if you want to be the next BECOME A MODEL IN LESS THAN 7 MINUTES! MODEL OF THE MONTH....Submissions begin on July 15th.  "Like" our Facebook Page and join our Facebook Group for submission information and updates!

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