Thursday 20 June 2013

Modelling Career: THE REALITY OF MODELLING JOBS

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.

MYTHS ABOUT MODELLING JOBS

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 )

MODELS and PORTFOLIO



A portfolio is the most important tool a model needs to get professional work. It is ultimately your modelling CV and will advertise your skills and abilities in front of the camera. Without a model portfolio it is almost impossible to be put forward for castings, as agencies will need to know that you have the confidence and natural ability in front of the camera before finding you paid work.
A model portfolio is a collection of professional images and your portfolio must say something about you, SAINTCITY MODEL INNK don't want to see pretty images, WE want to see attitude, personality and ultimately how versatile you can be.

The way you present yourself in your model portfolio is hugely important as you will either lose or gain work dependant on its quality, and your portfolio should always be aimed towards the style of modelling you want to succeed in.

A model portfolio is an investment and a photo shoot will give you the chance to see if it is an investment worth making.
at SAINTCITY MODEL INNK our portfolio services include:

1. DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
Your digital portfolio is a disk containing your chosen images from the shoot (SOFT COPY). Having your images on disk also means that you don't need to worry about them ever getting damaged or lost as you can download them straight to your computer. They can also be used over and over again as you can email them to agencies or clients to promote yourself unlike prints where you only receive one copy. They also allow additional retouching, re-sizing and cropping where you or your agency sees fit.
 
2. PRINTED PORTFOLIO
Your printed portfolio is a book of 10 A4 fully airbrushed images. This book is what you will take along to castings and to model agency interviews to show them your modelling experience and what you are capable of in front of the camera. Just like your digital images your printed portfolio is a collection of professional images that need to say something about you, agencies don't want to just see pretty images, they want to see your personality, attitude and ultimately how versatile you can be.

Having a printed portfolio allows a casting director or agent at your interview to flick through your book of images while you discuss the job or campaign they are looking for models for. It gives the impression that you are serious about modelling and shows that you have professional modelling experience.

Here at SAINTCITY MODEL INNK we can help you complete your printed portfolio to get you started in modelling and then once you are signed to an agency or freelance modelling you can keep it updated with all the latest tear sheets and prints from your latest jobs.

To find out how SAINTCITY MODEL INNK can help you to create your own professional portfolio please register and speak to one of our trained faces consultants today. (+2348032858545)

Wednesday 24 April 2013

MODELING TRENDS




This is not the first time I am talking or writing about TRENDS, in modeling there are so many yet the question keeps popping up… you should know by now the trends in modeling (sorry to say). You should know where you will fit in when you talk of being a model, even if it was suggested by a friend. I hope the question will be less on this issue of where best do I fit in or how do I know where I will do best.
Below are the major trends in modeling (don’t forget the Editorial and Non-editorial)

·         HIGH FASHION / COUTURE
High fashion modeling is the modeling for famous fashion houses and designers, either at fashion shows or in publication. The advertisers’ expectations run high
To get this kind of work you must be experienced and a known model with proven track record for this type of modeling. High fashion models account for an extremely small percentage of the total model population in the industry.

·         RUNWAY/CATWALK
Runway models work in fashion show, where cloths designers present their upcoming designs or shows, run by a store, mall, club etc. all runway models must meet a special requirement, have measurement that fits standard clothing size and a height over 180cm

·         COMMECIAL/PRINT/CATALOGUE
(Catalogue and Magazine, Product advertising, Sport (biking, hiking …), Sport specialties)
This is the biggest modeling category and most often overlooked and misunderstood by young models. Commercial models appear in ads, packaging, billboard, and magazine articles for everything from medicine to insurance, from work out equipment to office equipment. Photographs can appear on buses, magazine, newspapers and billboards. This is a category where personality and the ability to show different expressions are equally important as looks.

·         4 PROMOTIONAL (promotion/hosting)
Promotions are how many models make a living. Promotional models ranges from being hired to hand out free sample of products to staffing trade show booths in large convention halls. This is a category that rarely involves being photographed and is very much about your personality and ability to interact with people

·         5 CHARACTER/PEOPLE (character or people modeling)
Some jobs require models with an everyday look, such as truck drivers, mechanic, supermarket clerk, school teacher, farmers, etc (all models in television commercials are character models)

·         6 BODY PARTS
(Hands, Feet, Shoulder, Legs, Stomach/Abs, Eyes, Back, Butt, Smile, Lips, Hair, Arms, Body double)
A body parts model is someone who is modeling their best feature(s). if you have a perfect smile, feet, hand, legs, abs, butt etc this may be for you, body part models are needed to model things such as watches, hand cream, jewelry, eyewear, makeup, shoes, etc. this category also include body double for film or video productions

·         GLAMOUR
(Swimsuit, Lingerie/Underwear, Glamour nude, Artistic nude, Erotic and Adult photography, Erotic and Adult film)
Certainly not for everyone, but if you are comfortable with your and you are of legal age, glamor modeling can range anywhere from calendar girl to swimwear catalogue model. This model trend pays more as well

·         FILMS/ VIDEOS
(Reality TV/Soap, TV Commercials, TV and Movie, Theatre and Stage acting, Film and presenting)
Films and video productions may be interesting to you if you have a background in drama or some previous acting experience

·         PLUS SIZE/BIG BEAUTY
There are opportunities for oversize models. The demand for ordinary-looking models with whom a majority of the audience can identify continues to increase. The market for full-figure model is growing and includes editorial, commercials, television and more. Many other opportunities exist that might fall into one of the modeling categories mentioned above

Tuesday 29 January 2013

HOW TO BE A SUPER MODEL



Modeling for magazine, video production, an artist or art class is much more complicated than it may seem. In addition to the obvious requirements of being able to offer what is required, there are many other requirements for successfully fulfilling the role that will enhance you as a model and give the edge over other models for the same job.

Steps to Becoming that Model
Step 1
Find places to work: Contact your local art school, college, advertising agency, musical studio or television stations to see if they are hiring models. You can also ask your modeling agency if they have any firm in need of models.
Step 2
Make a portfolio: If required by the institution, prepare a resume. Include any previous modeling experience, performances, art schooling, acting, dance, or other activity you have done which would benefit an artist model.
Step 3
Inquiry: Ask the person hiring you if there are any rules or guidelines that models must follow. Discuss payment on the job which can vary greatly but generally, I will recommend =N=10,000.00 and =N=25,000.00 (magazine photo shoot) for upcoming models with registered agency. Also discuss average length of poses, how many breaks, and does the artist or group use one pose or many different, varied poses attract more fees.

PREPARATION
ONE
Plan for the session by thinking about poses:
Length Poses for figure drawing generally fall into three categories:
Gestures which are less than three minutes,
Short poses which are three to 20 minutes,
Long poses which are done for as long as necessary
Be Expressive - draw on any personal experience to think of poses that are interesting or inspiring. Any physical activity may be a source of good poses. Many models draw on the poses done in classical works of art, but these should only supply ideas, not be copied.
TWO
Put together a "modeling bag" including the following:
·        slippers/sandals
·        a date book and pen for booking future sessions
·        a timer - it's hard to look at a watch for many/most poses
·        drinking water and a lunch, or snacks if required
THREE
Before you leave for your session, shower and apply lotion so that you won't offend the artist with your body odour (lol) and will have nice smooth skin. Lotion also soothes dry skin which could otherwise cause you to scratch an itch while posing. Wear minimal jewellery unless otherwise requested.

Begin the Session
    1
Upon arrival, you will be expected to change. A private change room will likely be provided or there may be a folding screen behind which you can change.
    2
Step up onto the model's area and place your wrist watch where you will be able to view it or set your timer after consulting with the artist how long the session will last.
    3
Follow the artist's direction. Keep your body and eyes very still. It is useful to fix your gaze on one spot; do not make eye contact with any artist. Relax into the pose, but not so much that you move from your original position.

Afterward the Session
    1
When you are finished with your session, get dressed. Between sessions, put on your robe to keep your body warm. Don't walk around with the modeling outfit.
    2
Have your date book and pen handy when you come out of the change room in case the artist would like to work with you again. It's also a good idea to have business cards to hand out to artists or media persons if you are doing modeling as your main job.

Tips
There is a chance that someone may request a photograph to use as a reference for completing a work outside of a job. This would be up to you and require an additional payment.

Warnings
Private Sessions will be higher-paying; but bring the slight risk of sexual harassment or worse. Take as much care as you think necessary.
When responding to an advertisement, whether on the Internet or otherwise, find out as much as possible before accepting the job.
Cell phone cameras have emerged as another problem. Institutions may have rules against them but models must be vigilant.
For more inquiry contact SAINTCITY MODEL INNK 08032858545, 08039375851