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

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...

I know the phrase, “Sell Yourself,” sounds suspect but when I was 15-years-old, this is what I was taught when I first got into the industry as a model/actor. Over the years, I’ve come to know how important this concept is and have made it a point to implement it when I mentor, coach and consult models. The idea of “selling yourself” is quite simple: in order to convince agencies, clients, casting directors, etc. to work with you is to know how to pitch yourself to them. Essentially, learning how to talk about yourself in a confident and conversational way is one of the greatest secrets to booking gigs and building/maintaining a solid networking environment. Aside from the many castings I’ve been to over the years, I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of the casting process and experience things from the other side. It never ceases to amaze me how many models have a hard time talking about themselves. If you’re new and/or inexperienced, that’s one thing but I’ve seen mode...

I could've sworn I've done a post about modeling agency interviews but I searched and searched throughout my blog and couldn't find it so I figured why not cover all my bases and do one just in case? You can never have too much info about modeling agencies, right? :-) If you read my post, "The Difference Between Casting Calls & Agency Interviews," then you already know what makes the interview a whole 'nother ballgame. Interviews are more important than casting calls because this is a special one-on-one between a model and the agency that is arranged by appointment. Before I go into further detail, it is important to point out that any questions about what to wear and bring should be directed to whoever contacted you from the agency to set up the interview. Sometimes models will receive an email with basic instructions on how to prepare and what to expect, while others may simply state the day, time and address of the interview in the email. If ...

Ah, modeling agencies. They're awesome and scary all at the same time. Whether they're boutique or a mega operation with multiple office locations, these businesses employ the pros that know how to turn an unknown female or male model into a recognized and established professional. There continues to be a lot of misconceptions and myths about submitting to agencies. I can only hope that my blog has helped to properly educate and inform so that anybody thinking about sending a submission to a local agency does so with successful results. It's normal to be confused when navigating modeling agency websites and trying to figure out how to go about getting noticed. Going to casting calls (also known as "open calls") are one of the most effective ways to catch an agency's eye. After all, it's free and you get to actually meet with the staff. Getting invited to an interview at an agency is even better. In case you thought casting calls/open calls and agen...

It's always cool when I get contacted by people wanting to interview me about my modeling career and/or blog. This latest opportunity was for a great website that just launched and is all about interviewing and spotlighting people, especially women, who are successful business owners that use social media and branding to promote themselves. The head honcho of the site Over Exposed, Umar, emailed me after coming across my Modeling 101 blog. He loved what I was doing so much that he chose me to be his first interview for the Over Exposed Podcast's first episode. For anyone that's interested, the podcast can be heard right on the Over Exposed, Inc. website, as well as on iTunes. In my own words, you'll hear me talk about a range of topics, from how I got started in the modeling industry, to advice for new models and even the craziest things I've done to get a gig: The Over Exposed Podcast Interview: Dania Denise The Over Exposed Podcast Interview: Dania D...

Remember my blog post introducing the wonderful 40+ model named Maria? Well, she returned the favor by interviewing me for the site PhotoPlace NL, which is a Netherlands based social networking site for the modeling community. I was really happy to be interviewed and it just went live today. I was contacted by the site's owner, who told me my page on the site has already received a number of hits. I don't know if the Netherlands is a market that would be welcoming to my height and look but at least now that part of the world knows who I am! You can click on the link below to check out my PhotoPlace NL interview (the first part is in Dutch but the English translation is further below if you scroll further down the page): Dania Denise's PhotoPlace NL Interview Enjoy!

I often get many comments and emails from people wondering about modeling and the whole "age" issue. I've done a couple of posts about the subject but can certainly understand that readers still feel pretty intimidated about the thought of even trying to get into the modeling world after a certain age. While the industry as a whole hasn't been exactly welcoming to "older models," I firmly believe that anyone at any age can do modeling. It just depends on their goals and where they realistically fit in. I know Maria would agree with me--after all, she is one of the prime examples of a model that has enjoyed a lot of success in her career. Oh, did I mention that she's also over 40?! Maria is a working, professional model from the Netherlands. Want to know how she managed to overcome the age obstacle and remain as an in demand model in Europe?  Below is her story in her own words: ____________________ How to model after growing up... I start...

I love my job because not only do I get to participate in fun shoots, shows and projects, I get to network with some amazing people. A while back I did a feature on Paul Fisher, who has represented some of the industry's top supermodels...well, he's back and with a new TV show that is actually premiering on the CW tomorrow, February 1 at 9PM (PST). "REMODELED" gives people an inside look into the industry from Paul's perspective as he and his crew aim to completely change the modeling world from the inside out. I had the opportunity to interview Paul and find out more about his mission and the steps he's taking to reach his goals... DD: After leading such a long, successful career in the modeling industry, why have you decided to take action now to change things? What prompted you to take things into your own hands through projects like "Remodeled?" PF: It was not an easy decision to allow the cameras into our business. I started on a journ...

Some time ago I did a featured blog post on industry professional, Paul Fisher, who is known for representing some of the world's biggest supermodels (Naomi Campbell, Janice Dickenson and Eva Herzigova, among many others). You've probably started seeing the television commercials for his new reality show " Remodeled ." I'm personally super excited about the series because it FINALLY shows what really happens in the modeling industry. What impresses me about Paul the most is his attempt to not only show agencies how they should be going about pursuing the industry and finding new faces, but how important it is for models to know and understand health and wellness and that they no longer have to put themselves in harm's way just to "make it." The Network Community is an online magazine that Paul is a part of, which is part of his mission to turn the modeling world into a more positive and healthy one, compared to what it's become known for in r...

It doesn't take long for me to start getting busy with modeling projects! Below is the latest site that I've been a featured model on. The blog "I'm Just Saying" was created by seanALIAN, a full time hair stylist and makeup artist. I was very fortunate enough to be the first featured model on his blog for the month of July. Check out his post about me at the link below: Dania Denise - Model/Business Woman! on the "I'm Just Saying" Blog Aside from my feature, Sean's blog is filled with everything that any fashionista and fan of the entertainment and fashion industry in general will love. It's a fairly new blog but I already know it's going to be a popular one so support a fellow blogger and see what Sean has to say! :-)

I was fortunate enough to be contacted by the Editor of Model Up Magazine (Hi, Mike!) a few weeks ago, who wanted to feature one of my blog posts in their upcoming online issue, which I gladly gave the green light for him to do. A short while later, I got another email, asking to interview me for another issue. I just got the digital tearsheet of my interview, which talks about not only my modeling career but being a professional writer as well. Check it out below:

I received an email on behalf of Paul Fisher, who has represented the likes of Naomi Campbell, Janice Dickinson, Monica Bellucci, Stephanie Seymour, Carre Otis, Brooke Burke, Kimora Lee Simmons, Nicky Hilton and many others. I read over his bio and what he's accomplished in his 20 years in the industry and he is taking a radical approach to the modeling industry and the role that agencies themselves play when it comes to the types of models they recruit. I thought it was a very interesting idea and felt that some of my readers could appreciate what Paul is trying to do. Check it out: Paul is using his knowledge gained over the past 20 years in the modeling and fashion industries in order help transform how modeling agents interface with their talent. Paul is really trying to do something special for the way young women are treated in the tough world of the modeling industry… By educating many young agents to have the “right” consciousness he feels he can accomplish this goal. ...

So I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a really awesome new television show called "Read Model Talk," which spotlights local up and coming and already established models in the Bay Area (Northern California for those of you not from around these parts). The director and interviewer, Mark D, was so nice and fun to work with. We shot on location in Oakland near Jack London Square on a beautiful, sunny day. The episode aired a few weeks ago on a local channel so it wasn't worldwide but with the talent and direction that Mark is going with his television show, producing and directing, I have no doubt that it will only be a matter of time before all of his projects hit it big-time. Thanks, for a great time, Mark!!! If any local models are from the Bay Area or surrounding parts and would like to be interviewed, Real Model Talk is always looking for the next model to spotlight. Shoot an email to mdouglas15@gmail.com and/or check out his site: www.visualchameleon.com....