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

A few months ago, I posted about one of my most recent shoots, which was for a dating website. I just got an email from the client with the ads that came about as a result. Below is the one of me and my "boyfriend" for the shoot, Paul: This online ad will more than likely appear as web banners for DateNation.com and could pop up just about anywhere on the Internet. So don't be surprised if you see me and Paul pop up while you're surfing the Web! Funny story: this image was shot in San Francisco, near the water, on a popular street/area known as The Embarcadero. The other models were sitting off to the side of us and in between the photographer snapping photos, we were all totally clowning around--we'd just finished lunch and were all a little giddy from full bellies and a tad tired from the long day of shooting.  Before this photo was taken, we'd all been talking about the movie "Finding Nemo" and I had just done a ridiculous reenactment of the...

Category: Communication For: Male & Female Models Although contacting agencies directly is not recommended--especially if they haven't replied back to your submission--there are exceptions to this rule. The ONLY time this is okay is if the agency has already contacted you with their interest (i.e. if an agency replies back to your submission and state they want to set up an interview with you). If the agency doesn't give you info on what to wear, materials to bring, etc. then it is acceptable to email your contact at the agency to ask those questions. Because communication has already been established, agencies won't frown upon you contacting them in this situation. But if you sent in your submission and never heard back, it is not acceptable for you to call or email them to "check in" or "follow up." No response back means the agency isn't interested in you at this time so move on to the next one.

Since I started my blog back in 2007, not only have I dedicated myself to publishing content and topics that people need to know when it comes to pursuing modeling, I've also become a "Dear Abby" of sorts when it comes to answering reader questions. A while back I posted my concerns about how many reader questions I was receiving. While I want to continue helping individuals with questions, I'm seeing that the sheer number that pop up everyday is starting to overwhelm the actual posts about modeling that my blog has come to be known for. Because I want to keep my readers happy by creating new posts about the modeling industry as well as answering their questions, I've decided to create an entirely separate Modeling 101 blog for the sole purpose of answering reader questions. Right now I don't think there's a tool that allows me to move my existing Answering a Reader Question series over to the new blog so for now those will remain here. However, fr...

...Gisele Bundchen does her own eye makeup for shoots? Because her eyes are sensitive and she doesn't feel comfortable with a makeup artist being that close to her eyes, she applies her own liner and mascara.

Maia Wrote: Hi Dania, I am in the process of being signed to an agency. Is 15% to the agent a good rate or not? Thanks!  Hi, Maia! 15% agency commission is a super good rate. Currently, the average rate a majority of agencies are charging (including mine, lol) is either 20% or 25%. So consider yourself lucky! :-)

Anonymous Wrote: I'm 13 years old 5'11 and my measurements are 33-21-34. I appear to be around 19 years old. I have been told I look to mature to model for teen clothing and I am unsure whether to wait until I am 18 or to try and sign to a modeling agency straight away.  Hi, Anonymous! Your height makes you ideal for fashion/runway/editorial modeling. So you can definitely work on pursuing modeling now instead of waiting until you're 18. What you'll want to do is go online and look up the official websites of local modeling agencies that are within a 2 hour's drive from where you live. Refer to each agency website in order to see what the requirements and submission methods are for fashion models. However, many fashion agencies list the minimum age requirement at 14. There are a few that take on models as young as 13 for fashion and runway work but for the ones that want you to be 14, that just means waiting until your next birthday before submitting to ...

Julieann Wrote: Hi Dania, First off I want to thank you for all the information you put out here, it is great to have all these questions answered. I was wondering about photoshop though with all the articles going on lately, do the VS angels have "real curves" or do they photoshop them in? Im a 34B and would love to transfer over from IMG to Elite/Ford but curious if my chest is big enough?haha I was to embarrassed to ask that in person:) Thanks!! - Julieann  Hi, Julieann! You're very welcome, I'm happy to have you as a reader! :-) VS angels have real curves BUT there is a lot of Photoshop magic involved in the final images. Airbrushing so that their skin appears flawless and without blemishes (and even adding a bit of toning/ab lines) is one of the most common photography retouching tricks that happens with VS. However, there are others. You definitely don't have to worry about your chest size because the VS models aren't all naturally big...

Anonymous Wrote: hi Dania I have a question that i've been thinking to ask you for a while but i just got around to it haha so i sent in pics to ford again after they asked for more and now I have an appointment with ford next week and I just wanted to know what to expect so I don't go in not knowing what's gonna happen... thank you! :) Hey, Anonymous! Congrats on your upcoming appointment with Ford...very exciting! Your interview will be very simple in nature. While I don't know exactly what will happen, here is what you more than likely can expect: you'll meet with one or more of the Ford staff and have a sit-down meeting, where they'll ask you basic questions to see what your personality is like. Some of the questions they might ask could include stuff like: - "Tell us a bit about yourself." - "What are your hobbies?" - "What are you studying in school?" - "Why do you want to be a model?" - "What ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania a question i have related to the modelling industry; I'm just beginning and have been and had an interview with Vivienne's and ,now here comes the part which upsets me, I went to walking classes at viviennes and was told that they would get back to me in a day or two and still I have not heard from them, are they really interested in me at all or am i just being hopeful for nothing.  Hey there, Anonymous! Agencies are really busy companies and deal with a lot of stuff on a daily basis. It isn't uncommon for them to take a while to get back to someone or even forget completely. It's not that you're not important enough to remember or that they're being disrespectful--they're more than likely just busy so see it from a business aspect instead of a personal one. If it's been longer than 5 business days (that means Monday thru Friday, not including weekends) since your interview, then either send an email or call the p...

Beatrizg1999 Wrote: Hi Diana..well i just googled "am i too old to model at 31?" and you link came up and it is very imformative, thank you! so at 31 i am well aware that i am too old to have a successful modeling career but im still holding on to this dream! I am 5'11, 130 lbs, Mexican with very exotic features...Everywhere i go i hear people whisper shes a model, or people come up to me and ask me if im a model and when i say "i wish!" they say well you should be. I am very into fashion, love taking pictures and am very photogenic...How can i go about doing something in the industry? modeling is on my bucket list and life is too short! i need just one run way, one photo shoot!!!!! i NEED it!  Hey, Beatrizg1999! At 31 you are too old for traditional fashion/runway/editorial modeling BUT you are not too old to do lifestyle/commercial/print. Even though you have the height for fashion, agencies won't consider you for this type of work because ...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I have a question about digital tearsheets. I know you said to take a screen cap of the page with the info, but what do I do when my photos appear on the bottom of the page where the info can't be seen if I screen cap it? Thanks!  Hi, Anonymous! The screen cap function captures whatever is one your computer's screen at the moment. So what you'll want to do is first scroll down to the bottom of the website where your images are and then do the screen cap. When you paste it into a blank document in Photoshop, you'll see that it will have captured that part of the site. Depending on the size of the image, you might have to zoom in or out on the actual page so that when you do the screen cap, it won't appear too small or vice-versa. If you're using a PC with Windows 7, you can zoom in and out on any website page by pressing CTRL and then tapping the "+" or "-". Each time you tap the plus or minus key, the scre...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I have a question regarding tear sheets. This photographer that I shot for is putting together a natural hair project. She says the pictures will be on her website when the project is finished. Since I participated in the project does this count as a tear sheet. I'm just wondering because then I could add it to my book. Oh and what is the technical definition of a tear sheet.  Hey there, Anonymous! Yes, the images of yourself that will appear on the photographer's website count as tearsheets. Because they are in a digital format, they fall under the category of "digital tearsheets." The technical definition of a tearsheet is any published/printed image that you appear in as a model. Online modeling images that appear on websites, online articles, advertising banners, etc. also count as being "published," therefore they are a part of the tearsheet family. To learn more about tearsheets, you'll want to check ou...

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania how do I find talent agencies in my area. Modeling agencies aren't interested in me so I want to get into talent agencies as an actress. I have acting experience although I haven't done it in 6yrs. I want to jump back in. How do I go to agencies that turned me down for modeling and tell them I'm an actress. If they've rejected me for one category how do I get them to pick me for another category. Also in regards to modeling natural hair is so in I feel it's too in demand that agencies won't take me. I am considering pressing my hair whenever I visit agencies or send in snap shots. I don't want to perm it because I don't want to deal with those chemicals nor do I want to transition my hair again plus I figure if for whatever reason the agency wants my hair curly I can easily do that. Am I being unreasonable by not wanting to perm my hair but I'm willing to press it I just don't want something perm...

This blog post was inspired by a reader question. Anonymous wrote: Hi Dania! I was wondering, what's the whole "process" of getting signed to a top agency? Does it take a large amount of time just to get signed, what is the process? Thanks! For aspiring models looking to get their careers started on the right foot, getting an agency for representation is a step in the right direction. It's no question that having a good modeling agency is ideal for maximizing results as they relate to being marketed properly, gaining exposure and securing opportunities to work in the industry, as well as receiving a nice paycheck for your efforts. Many of you--especially newbies that have yet to interact with an agency in any way--might be wondering just what is the process of getting signed? What can you expect? How long does everything take from beginning to end? There is no black and white formula for exactly what happens for each model that gets signed to an agency but the...

This blog post was inspired by a reader question. Anonymous Wrote: Hi Dania, I'm a petite new model on M.M. what's the most effective way to use the site to make it work for me. I do not have an agency because all the one's I've submitted to don't want me now. So what is the most effective way to use M.M. and other networking sites in NYC. I often refer to sites like Model Mayhem when it comes to freelancing and ways to increase one's exposure on the Internet. Just to make it clear: I am not an employee of MM, nor do I get paid to endorse or mention the site in any way. I also don't get any bonuses or "kick backs" when I refer people to the site or suggest that they create a profile. I'm a fan of MM because--love it or hate it--it's been a useful resource in furthering my career. When used wisely, it can make a difference. That being said, below are some easy ways to effectively use this website in order to increase your prese...

Anonymous Wrote: 1: your amazing :) 2: thanks for all the information! 3: can you list some commercial print agencies in nyc? I'm trying to find some that aren't the big, super well-known type of agencies. Boutique agencies perhaps?  Hey, Anonymous! Well, aren't you sweet? Thank you for the compliments! Below are the names and websites of agencies in NYC that have commercial/print/lifestyle divisions worth checking out. Some are boutique, while others are a bit larger but not as super giant as the more recognized agencies in the area: Funny Facy Today, Inc. http://fftmodels.com/sample_only9.html Gramercy Models Inc. http://www.gramercymodelsnyc.com Model Service Agency, LLC http://www.modelserviceagency.com Silver Model Management http://www.silvermodels.com Bella Agency http://www.bellaagency.com

K.Renee Wrote: Hi Dania! I want to start of by saying that I love your blog and it is very helpful. I have a few questions that I have been wanting answers to for the longest. I am currently 19 years old and I am a college athlete. I am an aspiring model/actress as many other people are. I don't have any modeling experience aside from pictures that other people have taken of me and the only acting experience I have so far is an acting class I have taken here at school and I play that I was in here. My first question would be that without a resume that has substance what should I do in regards to contacting agencies. Also, what steps should I take to getting more experience for a resume. I want to start making a name for myself but I just really don't know where to start or what steps to approach. Your advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks.  Hi, K.Renee! I'm glad my blog has been of use to you and I'm happy you're one of my readers. :-) Since you ...

Anonymous Wrote: How old and how tall do you have to be to be a pink model since its for teenagers..right?  Hi, Anonymous! The VS Pink line is geared towards teens as well as young women BUT the age and physical requirements (height, measurements, etc.) are exactly the same as for traditional VS modeling. The models that get chosen to work for VS are all the same...some model for the Pink line, while others may do some work for the Very Sexy line, etc. Because the product is still underwear and intimate apparel (as teen-friendly as they are), you still have to be 18 to do this type of modeling for the Victoria's Secret company.

Briy Wrote: Hi, I'm an Aspiring High fashion model... I wanted to ask how do you lose inches to fit measurements, I am 6'1'' and currently 34-25-37, and have been working for 6 months to slim down and i have gotten no where...  Hi, Briy! The good news is that so far the only area you really need to work on slimming down is your hips. Your waist is one inch larger than the standard 24 inches but that's okay because you're allowed to be one inch maximum in any of those areas. So you'll need to work your hips down to a 35, if possible. I don't know what you're currently doing to try and lose inches so I can't really advise you more specifically for your situation. However, here is a link to a helpful article from the site LiveStrong.com that could be of use to you: How to Lose Inches Off Your Hips Fast

Brandee Wrote: HI IM BRANDEE AND IM 18 YEARS OLD TURN 19 NEXT MONTH ON MAY 7TH IM 5'8 SKIN TONE AROUND LIGHT CARMEL I HAVE LONG LEGS LOL I ALSO HAVE A SMALL TATTOO ON MY SIDE STOMACH THOUGH. BUT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A MODEL IM NOT SIGNED TO ANY MODEL AGENCIES ALTHOUGH I WANT TO I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA HAIR IS AROUND SHOULDER LENGTH MAYBE A LITTLE BIT LONGER THANKS FOR LISTENING HOPE I HAVE A GOOD REPLY BACK :-))  Hey, Brandee! I would recommend reading the following blog post to help you figure out what your next steps should be in pursuing modeling as a career. Let me know if you need help finding legit agencies in your area and I can give you a hand: Where Do You Start?

Michaela Wrote: Hi! I'm Michaela. I am currently in the process of signing on with Elite in July. I'm 15, And I understand you have to be 18+ to model for Victoria Secret, as well as America's ext Top model, but can you tell me If I have the right requirements? HEIGHT: 5' 11 WAIST: 24 CHEST: 32D HIPS: 36  Hi, Michaela! Congrats on signing with Elite soon...that is amazing! Based on your stats--and the fact that Elite is interested in you--I'd say you definitely have what it takes as far as requirements. You are very busty, compared to traditional standards, but if Elite is okay with your chest size, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. It all depends on how they envision marketing you and what projects they think you'd be ideal for. Of course once you turn 18, your bust size will definitely be suitable for VS, lol. Be mindful of your hips as well...34 inches is the standard and the largest most agencies will allow you to be is 35 inc...

Deja Wrote: Hi! I looooooooooooooove your blog! I was just wondering if its unprofessional, rude, or annoying to tell an agency their inbox is full. I've been trying to submit to an agency via email the past few days and every time I try to submit, my email always gets sent back to me saying their inbox is full. Hmm, so should I tell them? Hi, Deja! I looooooooooooooove that you are a reader of my blog! :-D Ah, the full inbox situation...it happens. They probably already know about it and are working to knock out the emails and clutter so messages won't continue to get bounced back. That being said, I wouldn't recommend telling them at this time...if they're already aware of the issue (my gut tells me they are), chances are other people have already been telling them about it and you don't want to jump on that bandwagon and risk annoying them in that sense. Your plan B would be to snail mail your submission instead. It might not be as convenient or timely ...

Category: Modeling Gigs/Castings For: Male & Female Models When searching for modeling gigs on sites like Craigslist, be wary of any posting that's asking for models to be "open-minded." This typically translates to: hopefully he/she won't ask questions and will do whatever I ask...especially if it's freaky-deaky. 99% of the time, postings like these are looking for attractive individuals to perform supposedly "modeling-related" tasks but also "additional" duties that are often sexual in nature. Avoid "open-minded" posts. Period.