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

Hello, readers! I'm in my hotel room getting ready to pack up and get back on the road to head back home to the Bay Area. I'm a bit tired and a little under the weather (my voice keeps going away and coming back--I think it's the bad LA air!) but I have more memories to add to my experience in this pageant competition. Yesterday were the media events for the Miss California USA pageant contestants. We all met in downtown Los Angeles at 9:30am to board the bus. There was about 50 girls that showed up, which was really cool. We received free shirts advertising the stores we were visiting. Our first stop was Inta Gems & Diamonds, which is the official jeweler for the Miss California USA Pageant. We wore baby blue t-shirts with the name of the store and the pageant, along with jeans of our choice and heels. We also got to wear our sashes for the first time with our titles on it, which was exciting. Double-sided tape is going to be my best friend during this pageant because ...

So I finally made contact with the photographer regarding the J Winery photoshoot I did back in September. This was an awesome shoot that involved a lot of other models and took place in Healdsburg, California, which is pretty far out and filled with small towns and various wineries. J Winery is updating their brochures, fliers, website, and other promotional and marketing materials and hired us as lifestyle/commercial print models. I spent the entire day drinking wine and sampling the new meals on their menu. I can't say I've had a more pampered shoot! We literally spent the day drinking wine and eating. Who could ask for more? I'm not a drinker really so I took baby sips and eventually faked it (haha) but a few of my fellow models got pretty warm and fuzzy but no one acted out and the shoot went pretty smoothly. It was 90+ degrees out as well, but luckily they didn't have us outside for long. I left super early to make the drive, which was a little over 2 hours from w...

Hey, all! So I'm posting this from my hotel room in Palm Springs, where I just finished up my orientation. I had so much fun...all in one day! There are about 120 girls total, for both Miss and Teen (roughly 50 something Teens and 80 something Miss contestants). The orientation took place at the actual venue where the pageant is going to be at from November 21-23 of this year...the Riviera Resort & Spa. The venue is absolutely amazing! Gorgeous pool, huge facilities and all of the girls were literally all very sweet. It was very easy to make friends and one of the Miss contestants actually offered to let me stay at her house when I travel to the red carpet event in Los Angeles next Saturday--and she just met me today! No divas at all...well, so far. LOL. We started the day at 8:30am and signed in, checked our paperwork and took our place in the Grand Ballroom, which is the same room our competition will be at. After the introductory stuff, we were given a sheet of paper with ou...

Hello all my beloved blog readers! I know I haven't been adding posts as frequently as I used to but I've been so busy--don't worry, I have not forgotten about you all and my duty to providing you with tips, information, and resources about the modeling industry. Since I started working from home full-time (art business, modeling, acting, writing, teaching), my schedule began filling up with clients, projects, and yes, modeling work. I actually got back into acting as well and spent two days last week shooting for an educational company that wanted actors to portray college students and executive professionals for a CD-ROM that will be going in the back of textbooks. That shoot was a lot of fun. I'm still following up on past shoots I've done over the months...you know how difficult it can be to get copies and tearsheets, but I'm fighting for 'em! Soon as I get a hold of them, I'll definitely be sure to post them here. It's starting to get to crunch ...

For those of you that are hoping to be fashion models, there are certain things that are helpful to know before actually being in the situation itself. When it comes to go-sees and fittings, knowing little tips and tricks can make a difference between getting the gig and missing out. When you go in for fittings for various designers, you are trying on multiple garments, and each piece is precious to the creator. The last thing you want to do is ruin the material in any way. As you get to know them, you’ll find that most designers have their own quirky or picky requests when it comes to models wearing their clothes. But if you’re prepared ahead of time, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. BE NATURAL Fittings are fairly informal so don't feel the need to pile on the makeup and create a fancy hairdo. Natural makeup and hair is best, especially since it'll likely just be you and the designer (and possibly an assistant or two). Digital snapshots may be taken of you in...

(This post will be more helpful for freelance models.) Freelance modeling means that you not only act as your own agent and find your own work, you also have to deal with money and paperwork. While modeling agencies use vouchers in order to receive payment for their models and their company, freelance models can turn to a modeling invoice. You can find samples of modeling invoices online (make sure it is for actual modeling and not product modeling or some other type of invoice) or you can create your own in Microsoft Word. The invoice does not have to snazzy or impressive--it simply serves the purpose of stating who is receiving payment, the hours worked, and the agreed upon rate. The most important information to have on your modeling invoice is your full name (even if you use a model alias...you might want to add a line stating which is your legal full name and which is your model alias), your mailing address, contact number, email, the name of the shoot/project you worked for...

Lulu Wrote: Hi Dania, I see you talk about Parts Models in NYC, but I live in Los Angeles. Does it make sense to send any photos to them? Hi, Lulu and thanks for the question! After reviewing their site, it does not say they specifically only represent parts models within a certain area or region so you should definitely give it a shot and send in pictures. Even with the distance, if they really like you, I'm sure they will work with you around the whole distance situation. They may even only book you for work in the LA area. Who knows? But there's only one way to find out! Good luck! PS: I've been told this answer I provided is wrong and plain crazy to advise someone. To back up my answer, I see nothing wrong with sending an application to an area you are not located in. Even if it is just to receive a rejection notice. You never know what is possible unless you try and because of petite models like Isobella Jade, the world of parts modeling is gaining momentum. Will it ou...