Modeling Fashion UCL

By: Heather Boilek
onetalentsource.com

Step One - Sit and Read:
First do your homework. If this is want you really want then start reading more about it. Learn the terminology, fees, contracts and the words we use. Learn the different types, requirements and what type you might fall under. You don't have to have the perfect look. Find your style and find other styles you might be interested in. Tip: Be yourself and keep it real.

Step Two - Crawl and Learn:
Start a journal of what you find and record it. Learn and discover Agencies, Groups, Clubs, MUA and Photographers in your area. Contact them and get more information. Remember they are busy and they are going to tell you only what they want you to hear. Read between the lines and just take it all in. If you go see an agency, don't sign or give them money to learn, just go see what they all have to offer before taking the next step. Learn the small techniques for improvement and all types of scams. You can find training on your own. Try attending a few Acting Workshops in your area. Tip: Find a pageant coach to learn interview techniques for agencies or Open Calls.

Step Three - Stand and Shoot:
Start your Model Bag. Now find Photographers that are willing to update their portfolio to get your portfolio started. Try to find Photographers that meet your style as well. Get a Varity of different looks and facial expressions and start your Portfolio. Use a MUA and Stylist that can help you or record different styles before or at your photo shoots. Photographers will be your new best friends and have great advice. Ask them to remember you if they need models for Stock or Ads. Tip: Find an Acting coach to help you learn monologues right for you.

Step Four - Practice, pose, and posture.
I have gotten a new outfit right before a shoot, then realized when we start the session that I have no idea how to pose in this particular ensemble. Now I put on every outfit, down to accessories, shoes, and hair, before a shoot and practice in front of a mirror. Plan how you might play with your necklace or how turning your shoulders just that much makes your waist look tiny. Does having your hair up with this dress elongate your neck? Figure out which poses are most effective and striking with each outfit. For many things, there will be poses to avoid. Figure out which ones they are. Does this one make the fabric bunch up, maybe that one creates a bump that wasn't there before. Do this for every shoot, interview, and audition and you will be that much further ahead of the pack.

Step Four - Walk and Interview:
Print your Head Shot and Comp Card. After you feel you are ready, start going to interview, open calls, model calls, open auditions and go sees. Write down what you learn at each one. You do not have to be represented by anyone to go to these. Tip: Remember it is going to take 100 interviews to get that one job. It's all like a pageant; a hundred girls but only one winner. Just get up and do it again to get discovered.

Step Five - Turn and Pose:
Call everyone that has schedule an upcoming Fashion Shows and ask for an Interview. Learn the four turns in Runway from a pageant coach. Learn all the poses from an experience model. Most small town Fashion Show Events don't pay for models or the pay is little. The experience is something you can add to your Resume. Some Fashion Show events offer the models clothes or discounts in exchange for Modeling. Tip: Buy Clear pageant shoes for these Runway Events.

Step Six - Bow and Act:
Type up your Resume and memorize at least three strong Monologues. Find the local small theaters to start your acting career. Go audition for Plays, Commercials and Films. Check out all the networks to see when they are having casting calls and apply. Tip: Learn the different types of voice, eye contacts and screen casting.

Step Seven - Enter and Win:
Enter a Contest. Find all the photo contests that you can and enter them all. Find a local pageant and enter it for experience. Treat it like an acting play and learn from it.

Step Eight - Volunteer and Give:
Give back to the community. After you learn all this knowledge and Talent, teach it to someone else. Helping others is what makes this industry a safer and friendlier. Find Support Groups that will help you in your career and you can help back. If you can't find a group, start one yourself. Tip: Working with a non-profit organization will only help give you free publicity.

Step Nine - Search and Network:
Market yourself and others. Create your own Web site. Go to meet and Greets. Mail your Intro-letters, Resume and Comp Cards to Casting Directors, Agencies and Advertising Managements. Pass out your cards to everyone you meet. Stay positive and never talk bad about anyone, because it only shows that you might talk bad about them if they leave. This is all about getting yourself out there and doing it through others. Network others and you are in turn networking yourself. It's a win-win situation. You have to get the free exposure and then your can start making the money.

Step Ten - Work and Play:
Work on keeping on top your game. When you find that it isn't fun anymore, take a break and look outside the box. Now you have learned to play the Game. Go Strike a Pose, Win the Role and Break a leg. Repeated Tip: Be yourself, follow through and keep it real.