tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post7550415673795513384..comments2024-03-26T20:10:41.304-07:00Comments on Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary: Answering a Reader Question #332Dania Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-61293890563311020952012-03-16T20:36:14.442-07:002012-03-16T20:36:14.442-07:00Hi, Anonymous! I'll reply to your latest quest...Hi, Anonymous! I'll reply to your latest questions directly on here so that it's easy for you to refer back to.<br /><br />It's not that you're doing anything wrong so put that out of your mind. To find success in modeling/acting, it's all about pursuing and creating opportunities, as well as being at the right place(s) at the right time(s). You mentioned other alternatives that will definitely get you results. Based on what you've said, below are the steps I would advise you look into as a new approach to keeping yourself "fresh" on your modeling/acting skills:<br /><br />- Definitely contact photography schools, including those that are exclusively dedicated to photography, as well as traditional colleges/universities with a strong photography degree program. This info can be easily found online. Find the contact info (phone is the most direct/fastest method most times compared to sending an email) of the photography department and/or any of the instructors in charge there. Let them know you're available to be a photo model for their students' projects. I work with photography students and they're always in need of people to practice on. Many are super talented, even though they're still in school, and if you get lucky, you can get some great photos to build your portfolio with for free.<br /><br />- Register with a local promotional modeling agency (this is free to do so avoid any sites that try to charge you to join their database). Make sure you set your availability as being on weekends. Promo models get paid very well and if you can manage to get those gigs on a fairly steady basis, it's a great way to save up funds.<br /><br />- As far as the MM photogs, are you reading their profiles before you contact them? Instead of blindly requesting to work with MM photogs, it helps to first read their info on their profile page if they've filled it out. Usually they'll state whether they're open to working with models on TF projects or if they're only taking on paid work. Additionally, their MM profile will list what type of work they're accepting. If you come across a photog on MM and his/her profile says "Paid Assignments Only", chances are they're not going to be interested in doing a test shoot with you. So review each profile you come across before sending them a message. The MM castings are always a 50/50 shot. Either you have the look/stats a client wants or you don't. Continue to submit and eventually the right opportunity will find you on there. I submit to MM on a regular basis and sometimes go for weeks without getting hired but there are always new castings posted virtually everyday so there's always the chance for you to get lucky.<br /><br />So for now work on those three alternatives and remember that results don't happen overnight. As long as you're diligent in your efforts and stay on top of things, the ball will start rolling but it may take a few weeks or over a month to really start getting things off the ground. But that's normal so just go with the flow.Dania Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05395576931121009984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768796656331806390.post-46162232172872798582012-03-14T13:37:24.464-07:002012-03-14T13:37:24.464-07:00Hi Dania, I'm the same person who wrote the co...Hi Dania, I'm the same person who wrote the comment regarding money woes and needing to move out. Well I'm trying to get creative with my situation with modeling by making it a weekend thing or something done in the evenings after work. I'm a new model on MM and I submit to casting calls basically all the time and I personally contact photographers and none of them want to work with me is it because I usually request TF shoots. I've even considered going to local schools and contacting their photography department so their students can use me to practice on. Even though I'm taking a break from being completely active in the industry due to my situation I still want to do something at least once a month like a shoot or something related to modeling. I've even considered going down to a promotional modeling agency and becoming a promotional model so I could network and build a list of people that know me. I'm so determined but I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It's very discouraging because even though I can't do modeling or acting with full force I don't want this time to go to waste. I was hoping to use this time to build my portfolio and get more experience in front of the camera. Please help because modeling give me solace and happiness it gets me through the work week I just love modeling it's so fun and it doesn't feel like I'm working yes it's hard but I mean I enjoy it so I love when I have the chance to do it. I don't know what I'm doing wrong what do you suggest would be the best way to spend my time so I can still be proactive in the industry even it is behind the scenes for now. Is there another website you can suggest besides MM so I can network. I just want to be successful :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com