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

Lizz Wrote: after reading your blog i felt a little more at-ease with the discesion ive made to put my foot in the modeling/acting business. i am currently,14,still a freshman. but its my ultimate goal to somehow get involved in this business. ive only modeled for a hair show, so i have absolutley no experience, but im fairly photogenic, do you have ANY advice at all, for me? it would be greatly appreciated. Signed, lizz  Hey, Lizz! The good news is that you're still very young and have plenty of time to get your foot in the door. Even though you've only done one hair show that counts as experience so you technically don't have "any" experience...you have "some" experience, which may not seem like a big deal but it goes to show that you have actually participated in modeling in some shape or form, which is always a plus. My best piece of advice for you is to first research the requirements in order to find out which type of modeling you actua...

Marla Wrote: And speaking of height; in the morning, after getting up, I'm 5'6.5" - but until the evening, a person can shrink up to an inch, until the spinal discs can "relax" and soak up moisture during the night again. When exactly do model agencies want one to measure one's height? Or haven't they ever considered this phenomenon? I'm sure some folks at modeling agencies are aware of this but the truth is that they more than likely won't care or take that into consideration. If you're shorter than their height requirement, that's all they will focus on. The height you are when you walk into the modeling agency is the height they will use to determine whether you fit their requirements or not. Sad, but true.

Marla Wrote: I guess the main reason why I'm confused is because I always hear that a tall model is important because of the designer's sample sizes. But the "commercial fashion" beyond the runway, in catalogues or at the mall is made for women with an average size of approximately 5'5" to 5'7", right? Or am I mistaken here? So, are high fashion sizes different or do the designers want the whole focus on the dress (as opposed to how a dress looks worn) which is easier if you're really tall and really skinny and in effect a human hanger?   Hey, Marla...good questions, thanks for asking them! Commercial fashion is geared more towards the actual consumer. That being said, companies that specialize in commercial fashion lines use "fit models" to tailor the size and the way it is supposed to look on the women that will more than likely be buying their clothes (and the sizes for fit models is usually much larger than the sample ...

Marla Wrote: Hello again! I've been wondering, what is the height requirement for commercial fashion? Can one really do it at less than 5'7"? I thought jobs for down-to-earth catalogues and things like that still went to more commercial looking fashion models as opposed to commercial print models.  Hey, Marla! Great question. Commercial fashion is a subcategory of commercial/print and according to industry standards, the preferred height range for female models in this field is between 5'5"-5'7". So yes, print models do mainly get submitted for catalogs and other similar print work for commercial fashion. However, this is mostly the case for medium to smaller modeling markets. The larger markets (NYC, LA, etc.) have recently started submitting their fashion girls for commercial fashion, although they must possess more "commercial" features and a mainstream look that would appeal to consumers. Model hopefuls that want to do commercial ...

Anonymous Wrote: um i m 14 and i went to this agency and they said that they cant do a photoshoot wit my braces on they said i had great looks and i should come back when i get them off:( well idk i m just kinda confused cuz i want to start my modelling career as soon as possible:) reply back thanks:) Hey, Anonymous! To clear up the confusion, the agency likes your look but will only work with you after you have gotten your braces off. So for now you won't be able to do any modeling work with them, including photoshoots, until your braces come off. Unfortunately, there is no way around that. Even though you may want to start your career asap, as my post "Modeling with Braces" stated, there isn't much you can do since the demand for models with braces isn't high. You're more marketable to an agency if you have your braces off. So in your situation you have one of two options: 1) Wait until your braces come off and then contact the agency in or...

Not everyone can become a model--that much I'm sure you all know by now. Even though it may seem like the world has fallen apart if you have discovered this truth for yourself, there are still ways you can be involved in the industry. Oftentimes those that want to do modeling also have similar interests that relate to modeling like fashion, photography, etc. If modeling is not in the stars for you, check out these related career fields that will give you an opportunity to see how the industry works and be a main player in it--even if it's not in front of the camera or on a catwalk. Booking Agent: Can't get signed to a modeling agency? Why not work for one! Bookers are the people responsible for organizing the go-sees, castings and shoots for the agency's models. Most bookers are assigned to work with specific models and you'll act as their go-to person. You'll be dealing directly with clients, casting directors, photographers, etc. and submitting the ri...

Marla Wrote: What's the font you used? It's pretty!  Hey, Marla! Thanks for the question. For those of you that are wondering what she is referring to, Marla is asking what font I used to create my comp/zed card, which can be seen at the following post: My Updated Comp/Zard Card To answer your question, the font I used is called Bradley Hand ITC.