Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

Hey, all! I just wanted to make a quick blog post to encourage all you Facebook fanatics to vote for fellow model, Amber Gibson, who is in the running for the "Face of Smashbox Cosmetics Contest." In order for Amber to be considered for the semifinals, she'll need to be in the top 20 and so far she's kicking butt but can definitely benefit from more votes! The contest is being held by Smashbox Cosmetics using their Facebook profile, which is why you have to be on Facebook in order to vote. The cool thing about this voting system is that it is through Facebook so all you need to do is log in and go to the link (which I will provide in a minute), click on the "Vote to Win" button, and then click on the link for "Highest Rated" and she'll pop right up! Voting takes a second to do and you can vote once a day until June 21, 2009. Another great thing is that you don't have to sign up for anything or create a profile for anyone. Pretty convenient ...

Facial expressions are yet another domain that you as a model need to master, especially if you are a commercial/print model. While fashion, runway, and editorial models are accustomed to mastering the stoic, blank, seductive look as well as the sexy pout, commercial/print models are required to go above and beyond when it comes to facial expressions. Knowing how to convey emotions is very important in this type of modeling because your job is to sell the product, idea, image, or company name. And in order to do that you have to put forth your best effort to convince the consumer that they want to buy whatever it is that you are promoting. Who would want to buy a new brand of cereal if the model on the box looks like she wants to spit it out? I like to think of commercial/print models almost as character actors. Depending on what the shoot is for, you need to get into character. It is common for the photographer or project director to give models a scenario or set up a situation an...

This topic may not seem like it belongs on a modeling blog, since the "casting couch" is a term that is commonly associated with the acting world but I've had some curious minds ask me about the chances of dealing with this situation when it comes to modeling. While I do answer a lot of common questions I want to make sure I address questions that aren't the norm. In order to get as much information out there as I can, it helps to address the concerns of the few and not just the many. Make sense? Let's move on. Never heard of the "casting couch" concept? Then let me clarify. In a nutshell, this term is used to describe the age old method of sleeping your way to the top--namely, young, aspiring actresses sleeping with directors, movie producers, and just about any high roller that in turn promises them the best roles or the chance to take part in a large film or television project. So what does the casting couch have to do with modeling? I'm sur...