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Answering a Reader Question Video Reply #4

Anonymous Wrote:

VIDEO REPLY!!
Hey Dania,
I am an aspiring model and basically here is my position. I am turning 18 in April and have been preparing for a trip to New York in June. I have zero modeling experience besides my own "photoshoots" of family members taking pictures of me. I am 5'8 117 lbs. hips 32 waist 26 bust 29. I live in Indiana and don't have time or money for local agents. I work 50 hours a week and study modeling all the time. I want to go to New York and go to open calls and castings for top agencies and see what happens. I have a great personality and a lot of modeling knowledge from the internet and such, but like I said no experience. I would love to sign to ford, elite, or IMG and of course do runway. I know this industry is competitive but i think other qualities I have will make up for my height. I am not cocky just confident and being positive towards reaching my goals and I was wondering what you thought about my random trip to New York and if it is realistic or what my chances were? Do I just bring polaroids to open calls? Do you know the process after being signed with a top agency from NYC is like? I know if I can get signed I will network my way to bigger things, but I want to be as prepared as possible for this trip so I don't screw up. lol Do you know what the open calls are like in NYC, or questions they might ask me? Especially being a "newbie" will they try and trick me? Anything you can think of that will help me I would really appreciate! I am glad I found this blog because you have experience and internet only provides so much. lol 

Thanks for the questions, Anonymous! Below is your video reply answer! :-)

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Comments

Anonymous said…
AHHH. Thank you soo much. I have been researching all this info about modeling and am glad I got reassurance from an actual model. A question I did forget to ask was although all agencies run differently do most of them have modeling apartments or any living situation at their expense or is it my responsibility to live near them at my expense? I will make sure to let you know how it goes. Im nervous that I will freeze up at the open calls and not let my personality shine through, but I have been going through all your post and have found amazing information so thanks again!
March 21, 2012 at 3:58 PM
Anonymous said…
I have a few questions about you! Is modeling your main/only source of income or is it just a side thing you do? How many agencies are you signed to? How many 'gigs' do you get on average a week? Good luck with your future modeling plans :)
March 21, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Dania Denise said…
You're very welcome...I'm always happy to help! :-) Many fashion agencies in NY have "model dorms" or "model housing." The decision as to whether they'll extend this option to you will likely be based on where you currently live and your willingness to relocate.

If you live within a 2 hour's drive from the agency, you won't be eligible (most likely) for model housing because that is a reasonable distance for traveling to and from gigs and castings.

However, if you're farther than that or live in another state and if the agency feels you'd do very well (as far as booking work), they'll definitely discuss this option with you.

I wish you the best of luck and would love to hear how things went! Nerves are normal but I'm sure you'll do just fine. :-)
March 21, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Dania Denise said…
Hey, Anonymous (#2)! Instead of finding the answers to your question in the "Answering a Reader Question Series", you'll find it as a regular blog post, titled "The Role Modeling Plays in My Life." Thanks for reading!
March 21, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Anonymous said…
Anon #1 again here, just thought of some more questions.. I plan to go to New York in a couple months like I said and I am trying to figure out which agencies to go to at what times etc. For the agencies that don't have open calls is the only other way to contact them through email, online submission, or mail? Also, on average how long does an open call take? Is it always filled with people? How many people usually go to open calls? I want to attend as many as I can in a week 2 weeks at most because of the cost to stay there. I live 16 hours away so its a long way and I want to be as precise as possible. Another thing, is runway available to models 5'8 or it changed to 5'9? Thank you again.
March 22, 2012 at 6:39 PM
Dania Denise said…
Hey, Anonymous (#1)!

If an agency doesn't hold open calls then, yes, you'll have to choose from the other submission methods listed on their website. Dropping by an agency that doesn't offer open calls is NOT recommended!

Open calls can be quick if there aren't a lot of people there (10-15 minutes). The average time you can expect to spend at an open call is typically between 30 minutes to 1 hour, including the wait time.

Not all agency open calls are crowded. Because they are offered every week, this helps to keep the amount of applicants more manageable. The actual number can vary from 3-5 to 15-20. Usually, the more prestigious the agency, the more people you can expect to show up.

5'8" is still the standard minimum height requirement for most fashion/runway agencies in New York. However, a select few have bumped up the minimum requirement to 5'9". You will need to go through each NY agency website to find out which ones stick to tradition and which ones have set the bar higher.
March 22, 2012 at 8:18 PM
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