A Models Day Off..

While most models run from show to show (especially during fashion week) and most who are not supermodel status have multiple fittings, casting calls and are running around with iPhones in hand; most have some common practices when not on the runway or at a photo shoot.

Models Are Still In Style.

The key behind being a successful model is a very simple concept – marketing. Even when models or supermodels are not scheduled, their appearance and reputation is everything whether they have been in a national publication or in a local fashion show. This means not leaving the house in your sweats or without combing your hair. There are simple fashion tips most can take advantage of, as most models always look fashionable even if they are not on the runway or at a photoshoot.

Model Off-Duty Hair.

There are several ways to get model off-duty hair, but the following are insider industry secrets and not common day-to-day knowledge. These secrets are for getting perfectly imperfect fabulous model looking hair. First, a less than a perfect blowout is key – slightly messy is very sexy; which also translates into romantic and beautiful. Try an air dry. Most models want to avoid curling irons and hair dryers on their day off, so they opt for an air dry while using a subtle styling. Last, if you want model off-duty hair, you want to invest in great shampoos and conditioners. Most women have to deal with hair abuse on a minor level, if they colour their hair the bar raises a notch and when it comes to models they have to deal with their hair being abused on a daily basis.

Models On Vacation.

Models are expert travellers. Many models start off with honey and water for breakfast; but the most important tip that they share is lots of water and lots of sleep. Taking care of your skin is also a number one priority and this isn’t just sunscreen, but a healthy morning and evening skin regime. In fact, most models avoid the sun period during the summer months.

Models Day off Around The Town.

Most models would say sleep here is priority number one, and not hitting the bar scene the second they are off duty. While they still stick to a structured exercise routine and a healthy diet, their off-duty activities include what most people do. This includes visiting family if they are local, heading out to parks, movies, hitting up a spa for a relaxing massage among anything else most would consider a relaxing day-off activity xxx

Forever in Line

I hate going to castings. I know they are an important part of being a model but sometimes I wish they’d just book from my pictures.

I know, it sounds like I am whining. Going to castings are like interviews, you just have to do it to get the gig, but what if you had to interview every single week for a job you do every single day? It gets sort of old. I mean, how often does the same casting director have to see you before they get an idea about what you look like?

That One Casting

I remember one casting that I went to that was just ridiculous. An agent sent me to an open-casting for a fashion week show. Now normally when my agent sends me somewhere I don’t have to worry about there being a lot of people. I’m with a pretty good agency. So I generally don’t have to go to the castings that more amateur girls go to, but this one was different.

This show was looking for ‘fresh faces’, faces they haven’t seen before. Since I had never worked with this casting director, I qualified as a ‘fresh face’ and the agent didn’t hesitate to send me.

I wish he had.

When I got to the location, there were about 150 girls waiting in line. I could tell that most of them were not agency models. They showed up in party dresses, gaudy clothes, and things I wouldn’t wear even if they were paying me. One girl had a pair of shoes that drew more attention than her face! Sure, she was rocking those stilettos, but good luck remembering what her face looked like.

I amused myself by rating the girls in my mind on a scale of 1-10 – sort of like what I imagined the casting directors were doing inside. Girls with un-proportional shapes, awkward walks, and loud personalities rarely scored above a 4. I counted 75 girls that I would have scored that way. The girls who looked like they’ve actually been to a casting call before were few- maybe like a dozen or so. You could easily recognize them with their solid white or black shirts, skinny jeans and a nice pair of heels.

After I spent nearly an hour playing ‘guess who makes it through’ I turned my attention to the girls standing immediately in front of me. There was this girl, a 5’10 brunette with attitude oozing out of her in front of me. I noticed her bra-strap hanging out of her blouse as she leaned impatiently on one leg.

“Excuse me,” I tapped on her shoulder.

When she turned around, I noticed her face. Sure, she was pretty. But she had enough makeup to do three photo shoots back-to-back.

“Yeah?” oozed out of her.

“Your strap is showing,” I smiled at her, nodding my head at her shoulder. Lifting her over-manicured finger, complete with diamond insets and a sunset, she popped the bra-strap back into place. Without any type of gratitude, she turned around and shifted her weight to the other leg.

I didn’t see her after that casting. I was kind of wishing I would. She definitely had potential, she just need a little – well, a lot of guidance.

My deep thoughts about the pretty girl with the attitude were interrupted by the sounds of a slamming door and high heels stomping out of the room. There goes another one of my fours.

How I love the casting game.

So What If They Didn't Call Back

Early last week I went for an audition for a production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. For the audition I was asked to prepare a light comic speech from any play, (although it was suggested to go with another Oscar Wilde play) and to be prepared to a reading chosen on the day from the play.

In my eyes this was a successful audition. I performed my monologue, got the laughs in the correct places (a couple of unexpected ones too), then I was asked to perform a monologue from the play, which I did a couple of times as the director wanted to redirect it to see how I took direction. We also had a nice little chat once I had finished performing about my previous experience in theatre and my previous employment etc.

Now it’s been about a week and a half. From previous experience if you haven’t heard anything in about a week you’re not going to hear anything…

So how do I feel when I go to auditions/castings and I don’t get that call back? I feel the same way that I feel every day. I feel like I’m part of some inside joke where I watch the entire world get mad over stupid reasons. Why would I care if one casting director overlooked me? Maybe my voice was different to what he wanted or my lack of professional theatre experience was off putting or maybe he had a different look in mind.

At the end of the day I’ve been to model castings where I have seen casting directors being extremely cruel. Even if he calls my teeth crooked, my walk lame, or my fingers too long, I’m still going to be a model. Same for acting. If my accent was too broad or I look to delicate to play the role at some point I still will get paid to display my beauty in front of a camera, whether it’s for photographs or for films. So what if he doesn’t call back; it doesn’t change who I am. So don’t take these things to heart, it may seem personal, but honestly it’s just business xxx

Modelling Castings

Ever been in a room with 50 other girls who look like you? I have. It’s a bit of a mind fuck (I tried to think of another way to describe it, but I’m not that literate).  

I’m not here to give you tips on how to succeed in a modelling casting because to be honest I don’t have that much experience in them, I have attended my fair share of castings but I have mostly gotten my jobs through photographers seeing my portfolio or recommendations.

And honestly I hate castings.

I find them daunting. Who wouldn’t? You’re in an extremely vulnerable position, someone is solely basing you on your looks, you are being judged and it’s hard not to take it personally. However attending a casting can obviously be very beneficial to you, it is your opportunity for the employer to meet you as you are. The purpose is for them to get to know you briefly and evaluate your potential.

Castings can vary greatly. I just want to explain the basics of what can happen at these castings.

First of all a lot of waiting, you may have been given a specific time of 10am but so may 20 others. Some castings also hold the call backs the same day so make sure you remain available the entire day.

Your picture will be taken regardless, you’d be surprised how many girls aren’t expecting this….you are at a modelling casting, this shouldn’t be a surprise that someone wants to take your picture. Your picture will always be taken so the employer can remind themselves of who you are when discussing if your who they want.

It’s the same if your there for a runaway casting they will always ask to see you walk, pose, turn and walk back. Notice I said pose not pout, I just wanted to clarify that, there are a lot of ‘models’ that think this is the same thing….it is not.

If this casting is for a job to model something e.g lingerie, shoes, accessories, they may give you something similar to see if you fit the clothes and the criteria, don’t take this lightly, if they ask this they are seriously considering you so treat this as the actual job rather than the casting, prove your worth.

They will ask questions, it’s like an informal interview. Don’t be afraid to talk and when I say talk I don’t mean they want to know your life story, how many followers you have on Instagram or about your dog. I mean talk about something relevant to your work, to this job or agency in particular e.g latest photo shoot, your next project, what your future goals are (the realistic ones).

The reality is castings are daunting, but feel confident in your own abilities, if you did read this blog expecting some tips I’m sorry to disappoint, there is only one piece of advice I can give you at the moment, show your personality and let your inner beauty shine xxx