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

Before diving into this post, make sure to read the original article I wrote to get caught up: MODELING INVOICES . Happy November! Wondering why I'm writing about a topic that's already been covered on my blog?  Well, that original post was penned back in 2008 and a lot has changed since then so I figured it couldn't hurt to add a few extra updates where they apply, especially since that particular post was mostly aimed at freelance models. GETTING PAID AS AN AGENCY REPRESENTED MODEL Similar to actors with representation getting paid, models with an agency behind them have the convenience of payment being taken care of by their agent. This could involve the agent billing the client directly after the work has been completed or you might be required to have a blank voucher signed by the client as proof of the work done and time put in. Once the client has been billed, it's time to wait for the payroll process to kick in and your agent will send you your cut by check or d...

One of the many things both actors and models have in common is they require professional headshots for use as proper marketing tools. Whether freelance or agency represented, this is your biggest calling card. To get caught up on why these types of photos are so essential for pursuing the industry seriously, check out my previous post: "The Importance of Actor Headshots & Model Headshots." So let's dive into what makes an acting headshot different from a modeling headshot (the "why" is answered in the blog post link above btw). MOOD/THEME Acting and modeling headshots all have a particular theme or mood they're trying to capture.  Model Headshots: Fashion, Runway, Editorial Headshots for models often are very dramatic/moody in nature. No big toothy smiles or fun facial expressions. This is especially true for high fashion, runway, and editorial models. Although black and white headshots (for acting) are seen as "old school" these days, in the ...

It doesn't matter whether you want to be a model and/or an actor, one of the most important materials you'll need for marketing/promotion is a professional headshot. As I've mentioned before, there are many similarities between pursuing a modeling career and an acting career but it's essential to understand the nuances.  One of the first to take note of is that the road to getting a professional headshot comes at different times for a model than it does an actor. MODELING HEADSHOTS When first submitting to agencies, aspiring models with no experience aren't expected to have professional headshots yet.  In fact, a majority of agency websites state their preference for non-professional, digital snapshots, with female and male models wearing no makeup. In addition to other digital snapshots (profile, full body, etc.), those types of images are enough for an agency to determine your modeling potential. If you already have professional headshots to submit, a modeling age...

The worlds of acting and modeling both fall under the entertainment industry but they don't always share a lot of the same factors.  Whether you want to become a model or an actor or if you want to do both, it can be helpful to understand exactly what kind of training/background one should have to pursue these paths properly. There's always an opportunity for misinformation to arise or people identifying a chance to make a quick buck with engaging content encouraging model and actor hopefuls to pay X amount of money to fast track them towards success. While the industry has evolved and adapted to keep up with the latest happenings online and in the real world, not all of it has completely changed. Many of the same things that were true for getting into the industry back in the day still holds true today. In this post, I'll focus on modeling specifically. DO MODELS NEED FORMAL TRAINING TO SIGN WITH AN AGENCY? The short answer is, "No." Why? Because modeling is the ...

Of the many hats I wear, being a coach is one of my favorites. I've seen way too many aspiring models and actors make needless mistakes and the opportunity to prevent people from that kind of stress and heartache always fills my cup. Whether I'm coaching an actor, a model, or a pageant contestant, the concept of the "Elevator Pitch" is part of my spiel. And for good reason. WHAT IS AN ELEVATOR PITCH? The idea for the elevator pitch comes from the business world and basically describes a brief way to introduce yourself in order to get your message/points across in a way the other person can easily understand. And when I say "brief" I mean brief ...30 seconds ideally. Picture yourself in an elevator with someone of importance. This person can make all your dreams come true but you've only got seconds before they reach their floor and step out of the elevator. You may never get this opportunity again. So you decide to briefly introduce yourself and what you...

As we all know, repeat business is good business. Once you've impressed a client the first time around, it makes their decision a lot easier as to who they'll want to consider for other projects down the line.  Not only does this mean money in your pocket but a surefire way to establish a solid reputation as a model everyone should work with.  Below are some easy tips to wow clients every time and keep your name in their mouths (in a good way) long after you've clocked out. TIP #1: BE ON TIME!      "Early is on time, on time is late and late, you're fired." I have lived by this motto my entire career and it has never failed me. In fact, it isn't unusual for me to be at a gig before the client. To be praised for something that should be common practice says a lot about how other models conduct themselves. Arriving 10-15 minutes early affords you the opportunity to prepare mentally for the work ahead. Who wants to get to a gig late, stressed out and feeling ...

It's always been normal for models to experience slow seasons but with the pandemic still making itself at home out in the world, many of us have been grappling with how to stay productive during a slow year. The modeling business is still thriving--just at a much slower pace and with the holidays now here, many agency offices have either closed for the rest of the year or dramatically reduced its activity since the clients they typically work with have also gone into holiday hibernation. Are you wondering just what to do with yourself in the meantime? Allow me to throw some ideas your way if you've been feeling stuck lately (or for a while): LEARN TO DO YOUR OWN MAKEUP Being self-sufficient is a wonderful trait for a model to have, male or female. Thanks to IG, Tik-Tok and YouTube, being a DIYer couldn't be easier. Playing around with makeup and hair for fun is one thing but step it up a notch and focus on mastering these skills as it relates to modeling. Of course, that d...

***This post is not the place to stir up debate, debunk safety measures or air out your stance on the pandemic. It is for informational purposes and not intended to be taken as medical advice. Any negative or inappropriate comments/links will be automatically deleted.*** Whether we like it or not, there's a lot going on that has taken all of us out of the norms, routines and habits we've all come to enjoy. When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade and every industry in existence has had to learn to overcome unexpected hurdles, do damage control and adapt to conducting business in an entirely new way. The modeling industry, both the freelance world and at the agency level, is no exception. Navigating the best way to conduct business safely should be the main priority for everyone and you should never be subjected or pressured into coming out of a comfort zone that you have established so let's make the clear up front.  By the same token, it is also crucial to consider t...

It's been a while since I've received a modeling scam email so I felt pretty special about receiving this one earlier this year, mainly because I felt it would make for a good blog post.  I meant to post about this sooner but it happened in March and COVID decided to hang out so...you know the rest. I've written about modeling scams in the past but because they tend to change over time I figured why not see what this latest fraudster has to offer? Below are the telltale signs that immediately signaled to me that this clown was one to add to a long list of shady individuals looking for a gullible model to take the bait:  FORMATTING ISSUES You know when you copy and paste text from different sources into the body of an email or a program like Microsoft Word and the result is a bunch of text of varying sizes and font styles? Super annoying, am I right?  So why on earth would anyone in the professional realm of the fashion/modeling industry send out an email where none of the...