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Do
you have what it takes to be a model?
The right characterAll models must be
outgoing and of good nature, patient and have common
sense along with the ability to apply that common sense
as well as a strong happy personality which will withstand
the demands of this job. Resilience, good health and
fitness plus the mental ability to cope with rejection
IS ESSENTIAL at all ages. All models must the ability
within them to SAY NO if or when they do not want to
do something they are asked to do, which may not be
in line with, either beliefs, religion or principles.
Be strong and stand by them, even when under pressure,
or even the threat of not being assigned the work.
Never give into pressure to indulge in drink or drugs.
Those
that do have the attributes necessary or the foreseeable
promise of them must realise that Modelling is hard work
and very competitive. It can be very boring and time consuming
standing around at castings and auditions amongst hundreds
of other beautiful people all wanting the same assignment.
Models are expected by their Agency at some times to attend
castings, and it can be upsetting to see and hear of other
Models getting assignments when either you or your child
model has not. I have known many a model to have attended
over 30 auditions and castings and still not have had one
assignment, and it can been very upsetting and also an
expensive outlay if you have to travel to get to the casting.
Which is why most of the novice models live in or a short
train journey away from London or the other fashion cities
throughout he UK such as Manchester.
Think you've got it? Don't forget to check out our Top Teens page to see what it's like to be a model.
The
main types of modelling are: |
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Child Modelling
Children are one of natures
beautiful gifts, however, when it comes to modelling
no matter how much of a beauty, or how full of character,
EVERY child model must be well behaved and have good
manners. If you have a child, which will become either
a shrinking violet, sulky or throw a tantrum or burst
into tears when spoken to then forget it ! Child models
must be easy to direct and when you are present at
ease with strangers, such as the photographer, or client.
Although it is many parents dream to see their child
in a magazine or upon an advertisement poster, it is
also very hard work for both the child and the parent.
You must be a good timekeeper, reliable and prompt.
You will need your own transport, your own telephone
line or mobile and be able to be flexible with your
time. You will have to have a pleasant personality
and remember that no one likes a pushy or bolshy parent.
If you have commitments which will prevent you from
undertaking assignments with your child at a moments
notice then you have to be realistic and get your child
another hobby. We say that because it is better to
think of this as a hobby and assume that child modelling
will not pay huge sums of money. Note that fees earned
by your child must be paid into a bank/savings account
the name of the child. Chaperone fees are paid in the
name of the parent. The most important factor when
thinking about child modelling is that your child or
teenager must enjoy participating, the minute they
do not, then it is time for the modelling to stop. top
Teenagers,
Education and modelling
They go hand
in hand, the child licensing system was put in place
to ensure that education health and welfare does not
suffer. Any child or teenager under the legal school
leaving age and in full time education must obtain
permission by way of a license, from your local authority
for him/her to work in a modelling or entertainment
capacity. Thankfully child labour is restricted in
this country and there are rules governing child modelling,
acting and dancing for theatres. Ask at your local
council and they will be able to give you the up to
date details, as there are stringent rules about children
missing out on education, as well as the number of
hours that they can legally work. All good agents will
also explain this legal requirement to you. Many teenagers
dream of becoming the next Kate Moss, discovered at
14years of age, however, it is a fact that Kate did
not get her first real modelling opportunity until
she was 17 years of age, and although she attended
castings & auditions whist of school age, she did
finish her education first. Modelling does not last
forever, many give up after a few months and so any
teenager should aim at getting that fist full of qualifications
as good looks can fade, but no-one can take away what
you have achieved for yourself! top
 Catwalk & Fashion
You
must be at least the minimum height stipulated as some of
the girls can reach 6 feet tall. You will have to have stamina
as well as the resilience to cope with the very competitive
nature of the people you will be working and competing with.
Never listen to back stabbing or bitchy comments. Always
remember that other models do not decide who gets the job
at auditions & castings it is the client or the casting
director so keep focused on that fact and never let anyone
get you down. You do need to learn good posture plus specific
moves and turns before attempting this field of modelling.
Some agencies will ensure you are given the training and
then fee is deducted from your earnings once you start work.
We never recommend people take catwalk training courses before
a genuine agency has agreed you have the potential. top
Photographic,
advertising & T.V. commercials
Fairly tall; but people such as Kate Moss got away
with being a little bit under the height criteria and
some chaps around also made it into agencies at 5’10
ins. You really must have something extra, which shines
through and you must photograph well. Patience is essential
as you will probably have to wait around for the correct
lighting and you should be keen and interested enough
to help the photographer or film/video director to
achieve the pictures they want. top
Parts
modellingYou will have a body part
or body parts which are an asset to you such as Legs,
feet, hands, torso, eyes, lips, teeth, nose ears. People
will have probably remarked upon the asset(s) and you
can model these. You must take care not to get bruises,
scars or cuts, and look after the asset at all times
as you never know when you may be asked to work. Usually
this is only part-time work so get another income. top
 Look-a-likes & Character
Do you resemble someone famous? Or do you have a certain
look, which is not perfect? The chap ‘Norm’ who
did the Twix bars adverts is a character model. Some agents
specialize in Look-alikes, character and striking or even
unusual looks. top
Plus–size
or petite
Plus size modelling
can vary from size 14 upwards usually to size 18. There
are a few agencies and sensible clients who have noticed
that not every person is rake thin. The Fashion Industry
is I hope going to become more realistic about size,
but this is still quite a new category and I believe
there is a long way to go before we see the catwalks
full of blossoming, sexy, voluptuous women ! See our
plus size agencies listed on the A List of agencies
page.
Petite
models are usually around 5ft 2” to 5ft 6” and
sizes 6 to 10. Girls and women who undertake this work
usually have a second income or work in promotions as well.
As I always said to my petite sister – diamonds don’t
come as big as bricks! top
PromotionsThis
is where quite often the smaller models with heaps of personality
knock the tall lithe beauties into a cocked hat. To be
a promotions model height does not matter. It is having
a friendly, bubbly, helpful and fun personality that counts.
Promotions can be fun since the work is not always the
same. It can be from handing out free advertising brochures
at something like the boat shows, to greeting VIP guests
at big nightclub opening parties or wearing a company logo “T” shirt
and just standing next to the riders at the motor cycle
championships. Whatever it is it is well paid and fun. top
Glamour
You do not have to be tall to do this type of modelling.
You should never go into this aspect unless it is your
decision alone, never be influenced, persuaded, flattered
or pushed into this aspect by anyone, even if you are in
love! This is not easy money to be earned, you will need
to have a very outgoing, bright personality and strength
of mind to say ‘NO’ when you want to. You will
have to work hard and put up with an awful lot of flack.
You need to be sure of your goals and what you are and
are not prepared to do, as well as how much of yourself
you are prepared to expose. Call the publications you would
consider working within and ask which agencies they use.
And they may be able to give you details DO NOT try to
go this alone get a good agent as this does attract the
sleazy and exploitive type of person as well as cowboy
agencies. So look after yourself and do also follow all
of the guidelines given on the site. For more information see IMM's Glamour Modelling FAQs top
Your
pet as a model!Everyone, rightly
so loves their pet and thinks it can be a star - BUT
not everyone’s pet is suitable. All animals in
the modelling & Entertainment Industry MUST be
very intelligent, house trained (unless a small puppy),
well schooled and obedient , and sociable ! Your pet
must be able to cope with strange people and strange
places and a lot of waiting around. The animal concerned
may be a pure breed or if it is a mongrel agencies
prefer them to have an unusual quirky look. The animal
must be fully inoculated and insured for health & safety
reasons. We have agencies upon our A list which also
represent animals in the world of modelling they include Elliott
Brown and Models
South West see the A
list of agencies for more details. top
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