Page 32 – The Actor Career Center

I got a note on my Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/howtomodel) from a woman named Maggie. She wanted to know how she could find a plus-size modeling agent.

Here is my response.

Maggie, since you are not living in New York, L.A., Chicago or Miami, you probably will not find any modeling agent who only represents plus size models. Actually, there are few agents anywhere who only work with that specific division. Instead I suggest that you contact all of the local commercial agencies near your home.

Many commercial agents represent plus – size models. You can learn how to find agents throughout the U.S. by reading the “agents” chapter from my book, and from the agents list I offer on my site, HowToModel.com.

Here is a helpful site that teaches people about plus size modeling:

http://plusmodels.com/

After you create and print a composite sheet, this is what I would suggest you do first. I think it makes a lot more sense to create a sample composite sheet first. Simply scan and print the photos along with your name, contact information and your stats on a plain sheet of white paper at a local printer. If the agent loves the shots, then invest in comp cards. If not, then at least you did not waste a lot of money unnecessarily. Some printing companies will require a written release from the photographer giving you permission to make a copy, so ask your photographer for a release that gives you permission to copy the shots.

If you read my book, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model, you will learn exactly how to create incredible commercial photos that will give you your best chance to getting representation and work. You will even learn how to get photos taken free. The book can be ordered at www.HowToModel.com. You will receive 2 incredible directories free when ordering the book from this site.

One of the difficult aspects about our industry for me is how often people don’t return phone calls, text messages or emails. It has taken me a while to understand that we can’t really understand why someone does not respond to our message. It is not necessarily a statement about the person not liking or wanting to talk with us. There are many reasons why messages are not returned. Although it can be frustrating at times, I also have learned that many of us have incredibly busy lives, and we have to prioritize who and how we respond to others.

Even though I have learned not to take things personally, still when someone does not return a call, it can be frustrating. When people leave messages for me, I always try to have the courtesy to at least respond to them as soon as possible. Even if it is just to say that I can’t talk now, and to let them know that I will be back in touch soon. That is how I like to run my acting, modeling and workshop business.

I recently got a question on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/howtomodel) from a woman who wanted to know if it was possible to work as both a fashion and a commercial model. Here is my response to her.

Dear Aly:

There are some people who have the ability and looks to do both commercial and fashion modeling. The important thing to remember is to have two separate composite sheets. Many people run into problems when trying to combine both looks onto one card. That does create problems. The fashion people will see you as too commercial and the commercial people will see you as having too much of a fashion look.

You can give it a shot, but create two different composite sheets.

I recently got a question on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/howtomodel) from a guy who is 6’4. He wanted to know if he is too talk to be a male model. Basically, he was concerned that he might be too tall and simply wasting his time. Here is my response to Jerry.

Dear Jerry:

There are always some exceptions to the rule. But, generally, 6’4 would be considered a little too tall for the fashion industry. However, in the commercial modeling world, you never know what the ad agency needs. Although the majority of the jobs will go to people shorter than you, if you spend the time and effort learning how to create strong commercial photos, you never know what can happen.

I know you probably thought that I lost my mind. Too much traveling, not enough sleep, but I will stand behind my statement.

There was a go-see in New York recently for a pharmaceutical company. They were seeing people who had bad skin. Burned by the sun, age spots, dry skin and other things that don’t look good. The worse the better.

So, even though it is a bit unusual for me to say this, but for this particular go-see, those who do not take care of their skin, or are just having skin issues, those models will have the best chance of booking this modeling job.

I am not suggesting that you should do harmful things to your skin on purpose, but even if your skin does not look great, there might still be a job waiting for you.

This happens at nearly every one of my acting and commercial modeling workshops. A few of the moms, who are attending the workshop with their child, tell me afterwards that with the
information they learned from the seminar, they are now interested in trying to get work as a commercial model themselves.

Most women think that if they are in their mid to late 20’s – 50’s, or older, that they are too old to be a model. Many people are also under the misconception that models have to look exotic and be tall and skinny. In the fashion world that is true, however in the commercial modeling industry, all types, sizes, ages and looks are needed!

When you look at the ads in mainstream magazines, the women in the ads are portraying the mom, doctor, banker, realtor, business owner, lawyer, patient teacher, etc… Fashion models would not get booked for these types of jobs. Check out My Success Stories (http://howtomodel.com/success-stories.html) to see some examples of these ads.

If you ever dreamed about modeling but thought you were too old, not tall or thin enough, then now is the time to turn your dream into a reality. From personal experience, I know how scary it can be to try something new that you know nothing about. But if modeling is something you truly want to do, don’t let your fears stop you from fulfilling your dream.

No matter what happens for you in the industry, by learning how to best get started, you can feel proud of overcoming your fears by pursuing something important to you. So, take that first step by getting the right information.

After receiving many questions from people on Twitter, Facebook, and on my blog, I decided to create a series on how to best jump start or boost your acting/modeling career. In this series, I will share invaluable information that gives actors and models their best chance to succeed in this industry.

This series will be even more helpful with your input. Please post your suggestions, feelings or personal experiences on my blog page, Twitter or Facebook Fan Page.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Part 1: Figuring Out Your Type

The main reason why so many people never reach the level of success they desire is because they did not carefully do their research to figure out what their “type” is. What I mean by that is that you need to figure out who you are, what kind of look you have and how you will be cast.

If you look like the “girl next door,” then don’t have your portfolio filled with glamour shots. If you look like the neighborhood mom, real estate agent, teacher, doctor, student, banker, mechanic, etc…, then create photos that will clearly sell that specific look. Knock people over the head with your look, so they can clearly see how you should be cast.

Once you figure out your “type,” then create photos that accentuate that look!

Most people simply visit a photography studio, ask what shots the photographer would recommend, and then start the session. One of the keys to getting representation and work is to create a powerful composite sheet. You can do this by making your photos look like ads, and by showing a variety of expressions and emotions in the shots that you take. When you shoot a test shot, people should think that it is an ad for a specific product or company. Use props in the shot, but never have a logo or brand name showing.

You can get incredible ideas for how to make the shot look like an ad by spending time in a bookstore and look at lots of magazines. View publications you could imagine seeing yourself in. Study the ads, and let the professionals teach you how to create the photos that are right for your image.

This is a great way to learn and practice creating strong commercial photos. You can read more about this in the 26 pages I devote to this topic in my book, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model.

There are many ways to find someone to shoot your test shots. You can locate professional photographers by asking local agents who they would recommend to take your head shot and or commercial photos. There is a great organization www.asmp.org that has over 5,000 photographers. Try finding a photographer near where you live. You could even try getting photos taken free by contacting the photography instructor at a local college or university to see if there are students interested in taking these great commercial shots.

Before spending money on printing a composite sheet with your new photos, I would suggest printing a sample comp card from a local printer on an 8.5X11 piece of plain paper. You can have four photos on the front with your name, contact information and basic statistics.

This layout will allow you to clearly show your photos and different looks to agents. If the agents like the shots, then you can get regular comp cards printed. If the agents don’t like the photos, then you only spend $1.50 on printing costs.

I spend 26 pages in my book, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model, teaching people the best way to create strong photos for their comp card and head shot.

To get personal help and suggestions from me, read about my On-Line Private Consultation at: http://www.howtomodel.com/upcoming-workshops/private-on-line-workshop.html

If you are like me and travel quite a bit to auditions, rehearsals, go-see’s or jobs, you know that gas can be a big expense. I just drove over 1400 miles to get to a call back for a feature film, and audition for 2 other projects in two different states. The cost of the gas was something I was thinking about. There are many apps and web sites that people use to find the prices of gas. Here is one site that you will find helpful.

http://gasbuddy.com/

It really amazed me as too how different the prices can be in the same area.

Another interesting site for saving money on hotels is www.roomsaver.com

Safe travels.

Aaron

I have been asked by a number of women if they will still be able to still model if they are pregnant. Woman who are pregnant are able to get jobs that non-pregnant models simply can’t book. Quite often the stomach needs to be showing, so just stuffing a pillow under a shirt will not work in many circumstances.

While it is true that being pregnant will open up some jobs that you could not get otherwise, you will find that there are a limited amount of jobs available for pregnant woman.

If you are working with an agent, let him/her know that you are pregnant so he/she can keep you in mind for the right types of jobs.

I recently booked a modeling job for a pharmaceutical company. The medication helps people who have a common medical problem. I asked the agent my normal list of questions such as:

What is the product

What is the usage (newspaper, magazine, etc…)

Will they have a makeup artist

What are the hours

What wardrobe do I need to bring

How long is the ad going to run

What is the fee for the job

Since I will be traveling to another state for the shoot – is there a travel fee

What is the parking situation

For the usage question, I was told that the company wanted to do a Buy Out, which means that they can use the ad forever.

Unfortunately, Buy Outs happen more often in today’s market than in past years. Although models will receive a bonus for a buy out, which is great, the problem that occurs is that we can be kept from working for any competitors of that product forever. Fortunately for me, my face will be unrecognizable in this particular ad. So, even though I will still receive a buy out fee, I won’t be restricted from working for other competing products, since I won’t be clearly seen in the ad.

Sometimes it can be good to be unrecognizable in an ad.

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