Modelling is
incredibly hard work. If you think you will just turn up, have your hair and
make-up done and then leave after an hour’s worth of shooting, you’re wrong
DEAD WRONG. From the minute a model signs to an agency and starts attending
castings right through to the time that they finish on set, a mass of energy,
commitment and enthusiasm is required. Prepare to travel a lot and work weird
and wonderful hours that are nothing like the standard 9-5, starting in the
early hours of the morning and working until very late at night. That said, if
you love a fast paced life that’s full of exciting twists and turns, you would
thrive as a professional working model.
Modelling is a
quick fix cash earner.
As much as we’d love to agree with this
statement, sadly it’s a myth. At the start of your career jobs can be very
poorly paid, in fact, you may even be asked to work for free in order to build
your portfolio up if you don’t already have one. If you are paid, your agency
will undoubtedly take a percentage of your fee most especially those scouted
for and are yet to register of signed on by an agency.
Modelling is
glamorous.
If you’ve made it
as one of Victoria’s Angels, then yes, you’ll be treated like a modelling
goddess, but until then, working as a model is tough. You are expected to turn
up to photo shoots make-up less and your hair will undergo a fair share of
damage throughout the years. There’s a lot of waiting around to be done on set
and you will be expected to take direction all day long.
Models are
employed if they look great, personality doesn’t matter.
This is a myth you
need to stay well away from. Agencies and casting agents are no longer on the
lookout for girls or guys with ‘just a pretty face’. Having a vibrant
personality is just as important as good looks if you want to find modelling
success.
WHERE DO MODELS
WORK?
Anywhere and
everywhere!
Although it does
depend on what kind of modelling you specialize in (TREND).
If you are a
commercial, real-life, high fashion, fitness or advertising model, promotional
or ushering model, you are likely to work all around the country. One day you
might find yourself working in a studio, club or stadium, the next you might be
outside on location, whether that’s in the street, on the beach or knee deep in
mud. Your guess is as good as ours; it really depends on your client’s brief.
If you are an
in-house model (a model who has a fixed contract for a prolonged period of time
with a brand) you will tend to work in the same environment, or at most, travel
with the brand. You will find yourself working in showrooms, workshops, at
press venues or at fashion shows.
Lagos, Abuja,
Port-Harcourt is the hub of modelling in Nigeria but models can find work
throughout the NIGERIA, including EDO, DELTA, PLATEAU or another location that
matters. models work hand in hand with
these various project locations, models are expected to travel a significant
amount of time. Whether this requires hopping on and off of the tube all day,
traveling around the country or jumping on a plane, bus or cab prepare yourself
for living out of a suitcase away from home.
HOW DO MODELS FIND
WORK?
The most common
way to find modelling jobs is to get signed to an agency. SAINTCITY MODEL INNK
is one of the numerous Agencies that represent hundreds of models and their aim
is to match their client’s brief with a suitable female/male model. Getting
signed to an agency is hard work in itself (you need to have the right look,
personality, availability and statistics) but once you are signed, you are
professionally represented. However, this does not mean that you are guaranteed
work.
The second way is
to be a self-employed model. This means that you choose to represent yourself.
To give yourself the best chance of finding success as a self-employed model,
put a marketing plan in place, advertise yourself and get an e-Folio, portfolio
and set of business cards made. This is a harder route to take as you will have
less contacts and experience compared to an agency but this way of working
suits some model’s lifestyles much better.
HOW MUCH DO MODELS
EARN?
This really
depends on the job, the model’s experience and what percentage of a model’s
fees the model agency takes. To start with, models may be asked to work for
free to build up their portfolio. Some models will be paid straight away but
remember, if you are new to the industry your work amount will be modest to
begin with. In such cases, many models will take on a secondary job in order to
pay the bills. If you stick with it though, pay will undoubtedly increase.
Models prefer long contracts as these pay well and guarantee work for a set
period of time. NOTE that I did not make mention of digits, so don’t go rushing
and telling your agent of agency your dream digits
HOW DO MODELS FIND
PERMANENT WORK?
The best way to
find a permanent modelling job is to be an in-house model (REGISTERED). Second
to that, if you impress your clients, the chances of them offering you
permanent work later on will be much higher. Make sure your portfolio is high
class and kept up to date to give yourself the best chance of securing work.
CAN YOU BE TOO OLD
TO MODEL?
Sometimes, yes. It
all depends on what the industry are looking for. That said, older men and
women are employed as real-life models, for example, commercial clients will
often be on the lookout for motherly/fatherly types, advertising clients may
require a man or woman for their grey hair dyes, sixty plus schemes and so
forth.
Another way to
further your modelling career after a certain age (opposed to being in front of
the camera) is to consider the admin side of the industry. Agencies employ
scouts and bookers to manage their database of models; you could even set up
your own agency.(+2348032858545 for more info )