WELCOME TO MODELLING DO'S AND DON'TS. HERE YOU WILL FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO AS A MODEL IN THE INDUSTRY. THESE ARE THE BASIC THINGS ALL MODELS SHOULD KNOW.
DO's
- Keep reasonable hours.
- Keep a daily appointment book of your scheduled shoots or castings. Noting all expenses, the address, attire of the job, the shoot requirements, the hours on which you plan to work and ofcourse the telephone numbers to contact agents or photographers on.
- ALWAYS be on time for any castings, shoots or interviews. It is always better to arrive 10 minutes earlier. It shows your interest, punctuality and reliability.
- Always be working on your portfolio. Never missing any opportunity to add to your collection. Request copies of tear sheets from ad agencies and magazines, or actual prints from the photographer. If you have done TVC (Televison Commercials) get a copy of the commercial. This is very important!!!
- DO- treat your client as any other person you are selling a product to, in this case YOU are the product. If your portfolio has recent glamorous shots then don't be afraid to show them off!!
- DO- be sure your new and old clients get a copy of your composite. This is where 3x5 cards or Zed cards come in handy. Show both old and new clients your best work.
- ALWAYS have your wardrobe ready. "Ready" means in excellent condition, everything must be packed, crease free, and ready to be transported. Shoes always cleaned and shinned. Presentation shows alot about the model.
- DO- apply your make-up before going to any shoot. OR allow time at the studio to do it on your time, unless a make-up artist is available on the set.
- Always find out about any make- up, hair requirements or wardrobe that will be needed on the shoot. Be sure to be well equipped.
- Do always act professional.
- DO- report any uneasy feelings, difficulty or problem that might occur or occurred on the set to your agency. It is better to hear it from you then the client, this way they will know how to handle the clients complaints.
- Becareful about bad-breathe and body odor. Always carry toiletries with you at all times.
- DO- try to keep up with the lastest happenings in the industry, fashion and advertising by reading fashion magazines.
- Do get regular rest. If you can manage a nap... so much better for you.
- Try to get a job as an extra in a film. It will help you with the experience.
- DO DO DO make it a habit to be nice to your co- workers and staff on the set. You never know what they could be doing on the set the next time around. Always be courteous.
- Remember you have to pay your 'do's' to make it!!
DON'TS...
- Don't- Ever miss an appointment without canceling it first. This is very important as it can give you a bad name in the industry.
- Unless you are a freelance model, NEVER discuss rates with the client, it is for your agency to do.
- Don't ever knock an agency, another model, studio, producer...anyone, to someone in the industry. Too often, what goes around comes around.
- Don't ever tell a photographer you are frightened.
- Don't...ever feel that you have to do anything for a photographer, or for any client, that you don't think morally or ethically right. If you think going to bed with someone is going to land you a job, think again; things simply do not work that way.
- Don't ever bring your mother to an interview, unless she understands the the industry and is your agent or manager. If you are a child then make sure you do.
- Do not ever give your home phone number to a client or anyone who claims that they can help you unless you want that person to call you on a personal basis.
- Do not.. eat, drink, smoke in the studio or while wearing any garment. Unless some one in authority gives you the right to do so.
- Don't...be pushy or overly agressive, not to be confused with ambitious, hungry or "greedy and needy".
- Don't be a Prima donna- you never know who is making the shots. Bad- mouthing is dangerous and tomorrow you may regret things you have said.
- Don't believe everything you read, in a newspaper or web ad. You never know what could happen.
- Don't...go to such interviews alone. Bring a chaperone or parent. If you have a question, contact a model agency or school, the Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, etc..
- Don't pay a fee of evaluation. If a agency ask for this they are not legitimate. Remember they are HIRING Models.
- Don't...get involved with anything you'll be sorry for later. Specifically, involvement with pornographic "modeling" can follow you for the rest of your professional days. If you want to pose for sex magazines, or star in a "blue" film or live sex show, then just pick up one of the many pornographic magazines, find out who publishes it and write for an appointment. And lots of luck. However, if you want to work later as a legit model or actor - you'd better buy up all of the negatives of any jobs you do from porno employers, if such a thing is possible in this era of ultrafast duplication.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL..... DON'T.... DON'T.... DON'T..... DON'T.....
Don't...let REJECTION get to you. It's part of the business and everyone in the business deals with it at one time or another. You may be the wrong type or your hair is the wrong color at the wrong time. There could be a thousand reasons. Keep pushing IF you think you pass the physical and emotional requirements. Modeling is a career of rejection. If you can't take the inevitable rejection, don't get involved in modeling.
