Let's dive right in and see exactly what open calls are all about and whether it would be in your best interest to add one (or a few!) to your calendar.
WHAT IS AN OPEN CALL?
I did a post about this quite some time ago explaining all the details about an agency open call (click here to check it out) but in a nutshell, an "open call" is specific to modeling and talent agencies. It is a designated day and time frame where anyone is allowed to come into the agency's office to be evaluated. Open calls are free of charge and no appointment is required.
PRO
Open calls get you in front of an agency in-person. Nothing is worse than submitting an online application or email with your photos and stats to agencies and waiting weeks to hear back--or never hear back from them at all.
The beauty of open calls is the opportunity to skip the waiting and meet with a modeling agency's staff face-to-face. It's much easier to make a great first impression and showcase your personality during an open call. With emailed and online submissions, all the agencies see are photos and info, which can make it tough to stand out among the rest.
CON
Not all agencies have open calls. The only way to know which agencies have these events and which don't, is to visit their websites. It will state clearly somewhere on there if they have open calls or not. For those that don't, do NOT drop by the office unannounced. Usually that is also stated on the website to discourage people from swinging by without an appointment.
Do NOT call to ask if they have open calls or inquire why they don't (if you check the website first for this information you'll have no need to call them to ask anyway). It's okay if an agency doesn't have open calls--it just means you'll have to submit via online or email, according to what options are listed on the website.
PRO
They're free! Legitimate and reputable modeling agencies do not charge people to attend an open call. There are no hidden fees or weird stuff when it comes to that. You show up, you get seen, you leave. That's it.
CON
They're only on specific days and time frames. Open calls are NOT a Monday thru Friday thing where you can come in anytime during 9-5 business hours. Again, refer to the agency's website to find out what days of the week and what times they have open calls.
Sometimes they're only offered 1-2 times a month. Others might do them one day every week or every other week. Most open calls range between 1-2 hours. This is to maintain crowd control and make it easier to evaluate people efficiently. If you show up on the wrong day and/or outside of the stated time frame, they won't see you.
PRO
You don't need professional photos. Similar to submitting to agencies in other ways, having a polished portfolio and professional images isn't mandatory or required when going to an open call. Agencies almost always prefer non-professional, digital snapshots to see what you naturally look like and how well you photograph without filters and retouching.
Make sure you submit the right kind of snapshots. Agency websites often post examples for how your snapshots should look so be sure to mimic them whenever possible.
CON
A lot of times open calls are only for fashion/runway models. There are many agencies who only offer open calls to fashion/runway height models (male and female). This means no commercial/print/lifestyle, baby/kids or actors. If this is stated on an agency's website, you have to respect it and submit another way.
Showing up to try and prove a point or make them try to see you (if you are not fashion height) won't turn out well so don't chance it and follow the guidelines like everyone else.
PRO
You get to experience the agency's atmosphere. Nothing is more exciting than stepping into an agency's office. You get to see all the hustle and bustle, the comings and goings and the people involved with running the business. You can't get that with an online or email submission.
Each agency is different and if you plan on attending several open calls with various agencies, it will give you insight as to how each one operates and the kind of "energy/vibe" its staff and other models give off.
There might be an agency you always thought was so amazing but upon attending the open call, you may find yourself turned off by snobby staff or an environment where people don't seem to want to be there. Think of it as a sneak peek into what you would be dealing with, if offered a contract for representation.
CON
It isn't a guarantee you'll be signed on the spot. Going to the open call is one thing. The decision for an agency to offer you representation is another beast entirely. The best outcome is to find out right then and there that they want to sign you. A more common outcome is that they'll let you know in a few days what their decision is. Another common outcome: they thank you for coming in (that's the polite way of saying, "No, thanks.").
Even if an agency tells you at the open call that they'll be in touch, there's a chance that they might not get back to you right away or at all. This could be for a number of reasons but if you were told that they would reach out and they haven't (give them at least 2-3 business days), follow up with an email or phone call to inquire. Remind them of your name, the date you attended the open call and that you wanted to see what your status is. See where it goes from there.
PRO
If you can't make one open call, there's always another date. Because open calls are held on a somewhat regular basis, you can plan ahead which date you want to attend. In a worst case scenario, if you find yourself running late or just can't make it, don't stress because you can simply plan to go to the next one.
Btw: only attend one open call per agency! Do not go to an agency's open call every time they are held, hoping to change their mind if they've passed on you the first time. The ONLY time you can go to an open call for an agency you've already been to is if you've allowed for a significant amount of time to pass (i.e. 3-6 months).
CON
They only see people within the listed time frame. If an open call goes from 1-2pm and you get there after 2pm, guess what? They won't see you. If you're in a long line of models waiting to be seen at an open call, they'll only see the models up until the end of the listed time frame--so even if there are still people waiting in line, the agency will tell everyone else to come to the next one. So it pays to be early to an open call to get ahead of the pack.
PRO
You get to meet other model hopefuls. Although not all the people attending the open call will be as chatty (some may be rude about it), chances are you'll meet other aspiring models like yourself to make small talk with while you wait. There will be models with experience but overall, you'll be exposed to a range of men and women with the same goals as you. While that might seem intimidating, it's always nice to meet new people and possibly make a new friend who is as in love with the industry as you are.
CON
You might not actually be "seen" by the agency staff. What?! Before you freak out, let me explain. There are some agencies who conduct their open calls by bringing in models one at a time into a room with the agency staff (or maybe even in pairs or small groups, it's all up to each agency's preference). This is where you get to answer basic questions and they can learn a bit more about you and also evaluate your runway walk (if you're going for fashion/runway).
However, there are other agencies who simply ask for your snapshots or portfolio (for models with experience) and then leave you in the waiting area while they take your materials to a different room to go over with their team. If they like what they see, they'll come back to get you and bring you into the room to talk further.
If they aren't interested, they'll come back out, hand your materials to you and thank you for your time. That's it. All you can do is thank them and leave. It sucks but sometimes it plays out that way.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There are certainly more pros and cons I can think of but for now these are the biggest ones. Over time I will add to the list as they come up. In general, think of the open call as your shot to show your personality and enthusiasm for pursuing modeling and why you'd be the ideal addition to an agency's roster.
Plan properly when it comes to deciding which open calls to go to and always read any guidelines or instructions for attending open calls as they are listed on each agency's website. Remember: not all agencies operate their open calls the same way.
At the end of the day, if you follow the rules, show up early and have the proper materials prepared, you'll have increased your chances of getting agency representation. While it isn't a guarantee, it is definitely a step in the right direction and could yield better results compared to only submitting online so start searching for those open calls and get your calendar ready.
Comments
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