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9 Tips For Actors, Models, & Voiceover Talent!
- Build a Strong Foundation Before aiming for a series regular role, ensure you have a solid acting foundation. Invest in quality acting training, workshops, and classes. Work on developing your acting skills, versatility, and emotional range. Building a strong foundation is crucial for your long-term success.
- Start with Smaller RolesMost series regulars don’t start in leading roles. Begin by auditioning for guest-starring or recurring roles in television shows. These roles provide valuable experience and exposure, allowing you to build your resume and establish industry connections.
- Get an Agent or Manager Representation by a talent agent or manager can open doors to auditions and opportunities for series regular roles. Agents and managers have industry connections and can submit your portfolio and auditions to casting directors for consideration.
- Create an Impressive Portfolio Compile a compelling portfolio that includes your headshots, resume, demo reel, and references. Your portfolio should showcase your best work and highlight your acting range. A well-prepared portfolio can make a strong impression on casting directors.
- Audition Actively Actively seek auditions for television shows. Pay attention to casting calls, and submit your materials promptly. Be prepared to audition frequently and consistently. Auditioning is a skill in itself, so practice and refine your audition technique. We have our own productions so we can give you shortcuts, but why not make more?
- Network in the Industry Building relationships within the entertainment industry is essential. Attend industry events, workshops, and networking opportunities. Forge connections with casting directors, producers, and fellow actors. Networking can lead to auditions and referrals. We give you 1000s!
- Show Versatility Demonstrate your versatility as an actor. Be willing to explore a variety of roles and genres. Casting directors appreciate actors who can adapt to different characters and storylines.
- Stay Informed and Be Professional Keep up-to-date with industry trends and developments. Be punctual, professional, and reliable during auditions and on set. Your professionalism and work ethic can make you a desirable candidate for series roles.
- Persistence and Resilience Landing a series regular role may take time. Stay persistent and resilient in the face of rejection and setbacks. Many successful actors faced numerous auditions and rejections before achieving their breakthrough.
Are You REALLY Ready to Do What It Takes to Be Financially FREE?
Most people now are so lazy they want everyone else to do all the work for them. Completely undisciplined. They require instant gratification. They cry about their lives, and circumstances. They look for lazy ways to make a lot of money that doesn’t involve hard work. They want something for nothing.
They are always digging in the wrong places. A big break, gambling, lottery, inheritance, a get rich quick scheme. The most important thing to understand about finding opportunities is that if you’re looking for buried treasure you had better have a good idea where its hidden before you start digging.
Most people can’t even complete a simple ten-minute task if it wasn’t for the last minute of a deadline, 98% of the population wouldn’t accomplish anything. Trying to get an underachiever to do anything without the fear of punishment is like trying to walk on water.
Most people to this day still don’t know that the odds of them scratching and clawing their way out of this avalanche of new tax laws and regulations to keep people poor is getting harder and more impossible by the day.
Every one of us was designed and trained to become a slave for the purposes of supporting only a handful of super wealthy families. No, it’s not as obvious as it used to be when our grandparents were working assembly line jobs in a dead-end factory (that’s been long put out of business thanks to China).
Instead, we’re blinded by what’s really going on with distractions such as the latest iPhone release, video games, endless amounts of “stuff” to watch on television and any other distraction you can think of. If only we’d take a few hours to actually sit, ponder, and think about the “bigger picture” on what’s really going on.
The first thing you can do is…stop watching so much television, especially the news. This is numbing your brain into a moron-like state. Stop it. Lay off the iPad and the video games, too. This is putting you into a non-existent fantasy land that will only disservice your ability to think creatively as time goes on.
The poor travel through life in economy class and waste their time on unhealthy habits and then wonder why the hell they don’t have anything. Their lack of education, laziness, bad habits, lack of guidance and mentors, poor attitude lack courage, have a lack of focus, determination, and courage.
The rich don’t say “No I can’t afford it”, but “How can I afford it?” Aren’t you ever sick and tired of being sick and tired? Poverty is caused by fear and ignorance, not the economy and government. The poor think liabilities are assets. Car, boat, TV, house.
The financially ignorant put their kids in day care because both parents have to or want to work, where by the kids are 3 times more likely to become aggressive, disobedient, defiant, combative, bullies, sick, and alienated.
If you struggle financially it’s because you have either failed to learn the laws that build wealth or else, you do not pay attention to them.
Most people don’t want to even try to be wealthy, they think it’s’ too much work. they just don’t want to be poor. Just enough for some level of peace of mind, and a few bare essentials.
Start by being extra-ordinary!
10 Essential Acting Tips for Every Actor
Be Prepared (Always!) This means you have to know your lines, understand your character, and be familiar with the scene, play or screenplay as a whole. When you’re well-prepared, you can focus on your performance and not worry about forgetting your lines or what to do next.
Be Truthful. The best acting is believable acting. And to be believable, you need to be truthful. This means connecting with your character’s emotions, intentions, and being able to express them in a way that feels authentic and honest.
Listen. Acting is collaborative. It’s important to listen to your fellow actors and pay attention to what they’re saying and how they’re reacting to you. This will help you to create a believable and engaging performance.
Physicality. Acting is not just about speaking lines, it’s also about using your body to express yourself. Be aware of your posture, your facial expressions, and your movements. Try and use your whole body to convey your character’s emotions.
Take Risks. The best actors are willing to take risks. Don’t be afraid to try something new or different and embrace your unique qualities. Allow those to shine through in your performance.
Watch Other Actors. One of the best ways to learn about acting is to watch other actors. Pay attention to their techniques and choices. What did you like about their performance? What didn’t you like? By analyzing the work of other actors, you can learn a lot.
Take Acting Classes. Acting classes can provide you with the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and to practice your skills in a supportive environment. There are many different types of acting classes available, so try and find one that’s right for your level of experience.
Audition, Audition, Audition. The more you audition, the better you’ll become at it. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t book something right away. Just keep at it and learn from your mistakes.
Network. Networking is a great way to meet new people, learn about new opportunities, and get support for your career. Attend industry events, take classes with other actors, and connect with people on social media.
Most Importantly: Have Fun! Acting is supposed to be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, why bother? It’s going to show in your performance. So, relax and let go, and enjoy the process of creating a character and telling a story.
How to Start Acting: Career Advice From 9 Experts
Wondering how to get into acting? The entertainment industry can feel unwelcoming and impenetrable, and for someone just starting an acting career, it’s tough to find a toehold. So we asked nine industry professionals, from directors to acting coaches, for their best advice for an aspiring actor hoping to make it in Hollywood or on Broadway. Here’s their take on how to start acting, with tips on everything from improv classes to defining what success means to you.
1. Focus on the craft of acting first
“Battles are always won at the start, so start at the beginning,” advise acting coach Steve Braun and director Risa Bramon Garcia. “Don’t get lost in the end game—the agents, the stardom, the bookings, the awards, etc. Start by taking every opportunity to act for its own sake—in class, in a play, in something you shoot on your own. When you do that consistently, the business reveals itself. We know this to be true and see it happen all the time!”
2. Decide whether acting will be a career or a hobby
“I am a major advocate of first starting with this question: Is acting an investigation, hobby, or a career?” says on-camera and commercial teacher Carolyne Barry. “It is easier to know where to start when you know where you want to go (at least at the beginning of your journey).”
“First, ask yourself: Is this going to be a career or a hobby?” adds acting teacher Amy Lyndon. “If the answer is career, then do your research and find the best teacher out there to start you off right. During your intensive training, start watching a lot of television and figure out where you fit in the business, then get some photos that represent what you are selling and put yourself out there. And practice. Build your credits and demo reel. When you feel ready to book and your package is together, look for representation. Keep practicing and studying during your entire career until you are consistently working at each job. When your jobs are compiled on IMDb, then you are on your way to building your business. You can have a small business or a big business—that is up to you how hard you are willing to work. A job is not a career. Set goals and achieve them. Then you are on your way to a successful career.”
“Often actors are mainly focused on questions like, ‘How do I get representation?’ or ‘How do I get work?’ But perhaps the first question to ask oneself, if one is just beginning, is ‘Why do I want to act?’ ” according to NYC-based casting director Ilene Sterger. “If it’s about the work and the process, terrific; if it’s about becoming famous, that is a far more elusive goal—and one which will lead to disappointment, most likely. Ask yourself what kind of acting you are most interested in—theater, film, television, stand-up comedy, etc.—and then you can create small goals for yourself.”
3 Take acting classes I would suggest
starting with an acting class,” Barry says. “Do your research and auditing, then select the technique and teacher you want to train with. Then, commit yourself to that class for at least six months. If you love it, then continue, and when you can, add an improvisation and a commercial class or audition technique to see if you are interested in another area of acting.”
L.A.-based acting coach Joseph Pearlman thinks it’s best to “find an acting class where you can get up and work every week.”
“Research local theater classes, film classes, student productions, community theater productions. Read and study as much as you can,” Stranger says. “Try to find like-minded individuals—other actors, writers, etc.—who also want to pursue art and craft. Before you even think about getting work and/or representation, make sure you are prepared, in the way that athletes are prepared. You must have demonstrable skills/qualities which will make people want to hire you. First, make sure you love acting and have some talent for it. Then, just keep studying, honing your craft, and expanding your contact base, and from that, work and enjoyment of the process should follow. Dreams are wonderful, and it is important to have them, but reality has to factor in, too.”
4. Approach you are acting goals holistically
L.A.-based acting teacher Paul Barry recommends approaching the journey with an integrative mindset. “Should an actor begin with research? Improv? Given circumstances?” he asks. “Let’s say your doctor suggests that the only way to improve your health is through heart-strengthening cardio. Without healthy blood pumping to your heart though, or strong lungs to oxygenate the blood, or supple limbs to seek out and consume the food required for energy, you wouldn’t see the results you are after. Does an actor first focus on objectives? Personalization? Imagination? Stakes? Range? Listening? How can one separate them? Just start wherever you can but remember it’s about growing an organic system that works together to keep the whole functioning. Just like the human body, which functions so incredibly well.”
5. Move to a city with opportunities for actors
Carolyne Barry proposes that aspiring actors go where the action is. “If you are asking where to move to and train, I think you should strongly consider (especially if you’re thinking of this as a career) moving to a major city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago to study professionally,” she notes.
6 Commit yourself to the process!
“Most important is that when you’re making the decision to pursue acting, you consciously jump in!” says L.A.-based acting coach Anthony Meindl. “You can’t just dip your toes in the pool—you have to go all-in, no backups. If you really want to give yourself a shot at working/success, this is imperative. Once you make the decision, you should research the industry as much as you can. Any acting, agent/manager, or class questions you have can be answered immediately; we live in a magical world where there’s a box you can type questions into, and it instantly gives you direct answers: Google! After that, you can go audit and check out as many acting studios as you like and find the one that best suits your creative sensibilities. There you’ll meet other actors, maybe do projects together, and get the essential first-hand experience of acting. It’s a team sport! And always remember what it feels like to take a risk—to go all-in—because it’s special and it will sustain you on your journey.”
7. Embrace your unique path
“Start developing what I call ‘target market characters,’ ” instructs director-author John Swanbeck. “Think of all the films and television shows currently being produced as a large pie. Ask yourself which is the largest slice of the pie you easily fit into. Start developing a repertoire of target market characters that fit into that slice of the pie. I think one of the biggest mistakes actors who are starting out make is presenting themselves as an actor who can do everything and anything. The problem is that the people hiring actors won’t have the time to figure out what to do with you, and if they have the time, they won’t take it. You need to tell them how to see you, how to think about you, and where to cast you. As your career builds, you’ll have more options to do whatever projects and roles you want, but in the beginning, you’ll get farther by branding, if you will, your talent.”
“Reject the herd mentality and stop listening to what other actors are telling you to do,” Pearlman says. “Reject the absurdly stale notions of ‘type’ and ‘niche,’ as they only serve to box you in and stifle your originality. There is no one-size-fits-all path to an important acting career—you must forge your own career path and create your own acting opportunities. Embrace your personality; it’s your secret weapon and greatest asset as an actor.”
8. Directed Action.
The most important advice from us at The Florida Talent Factory and Channel 1 Studios is to DECIDE to become a presence in the Entertainment field, whatever niche you go into.
These Acting Class Tips Could Get You Signed by an Agent
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Actors have to make so many decisions! Should you sign with that agent? Should you work on this project? Should you hire that photographer? It never ends.
One of the biggest decisions you have to make is choosing where to study your craft. When you think about it, nothing could be more important. Working with the right teacher will keep you well-oiled and ready for any opportunity that comes your way. So here are a few questions you should ask before handing over your hard-earned cash.
1. Is the school known to the industry?
Logic would dictate that you choose the best teacher, not the one who is the most famous. Well, the entertainment industry is a logic-free zone. Choosing John Smith in Arcadia or Jane Smith in Yonkers would be a mistake. They could be gifted teachers, but I would argue you could find someone just as good who is also known to people like me. Having the right names on your résumé sends a clear message that you’re serious about your career.
2. Can you audit a class?
This is important, because sitting in on a class will give you a sense of how far along the students are in their studies. Watching them work should make you feel challenged and excited to join them. You should not feel superior. Being the best in class doesn’t help you grow as an actor. You want to be the least talented person there.
3. Is the teacher right for you?
Some actors prefer someone with a gentle touch, while others like a firm hand. Make sure you pick a teacher who is the right fit for you.
4. Where is the school located?
This may not sound like a big deal, but it matters. When you’ve been working all day, sitting in traffic for an hour is the last thing you want to do. You should look forward to your acting class, not dread it!
5. How much does it cost?
Never, ever go broke for the opportunity to study at an expensive school. It’s not worth it. Financial need creates anxiety, and you probably have enough of that in your life. Find a class that’s both challenging and affordable.
3 Things Every Actor Should Know Early in Their Career!
There are a lot of things you need to know as an actor. Here are five lessons that can help early in your acting career.
1. Know your “type.”
Sure, in school you learned how to play a vast repertoire of roles—you were encouraged to stretch, to challenge yourself, to grow. Out in the real world, it is unlikely that you will be cast to play too far beyond your natural age, height, weight, etc. It’s important to have a clear sense of who you are when you walk into a room, and how that affects the breadth of roles that are right for you.
While vital statistics may seem straightforward, navigating the intricacies of type can take work. Don’t be afraid to have soul-searching, candid conversations with friends, teachers, agents, and casting directors. Let them know you want their honest takes, then make sure your headshot reflects what you’ve learned. You may very well have the talent to play roles outside your type, but you will first need to build a body of work in roles written for actors who look like you.
2. Agents, casting directors, producers, and directors are not the enemy.
The manager, agent, casting director system is set up so that many, many people have vetted you before you get in front of the person who can actually offer you a job: the director, producer, or both. They all really want you to be good, because it makes their job easier. Remember: if you nail it in the room, everyone in that system looks good.
3. Being a good person is just as important as being a good actor.
There are often several actors, who are all exceptional, being considered for the same role. Make yourself stand out from the pack by being a delight to work with. Are you someone the casting director wants to be in a rehearsal room with for a month? On a movie set for six months. At work on a TV series for seven years? It takes time to build a reputation. The way to do so is by treating everyone with respect while trying your best to do good work.
It takes persistence to have a life in this business. If you are going to spend your life as an actor, the first few difficult years will ultimately feel like a drop in the bucket.
Be on time. Be professional. Do the work. Be thankful. And keep giving it everything you’ve got.
What an Acting Career Really Looks Like in 3 Acts
Every actor’s journey looks different. Maybe you establish yourself right out of grade school like Jodie Foster; experience highs and lows end route to a triumphant comeback like Brendan Fraser; or pivoting to action stardom in your 50s like Liam Neeson. What does a career in acting really look like? There are a million different answers, so we broke it down in a way any aspiring performer should recognize: the three-act structure.
Act 1: Assembling the essentials.
It’s natural to immediately start dreaming of lead roles and red carpets, but the very first thing you have to acquire is: acting skills! It’s not enough to want to be a professional performer. You have to ensure you have the proper foundation to get the job done. To that end, decide if a formal education is the right path for you. Getting a degree is beneficial, but not a requirement. Stars like Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Cate Blanchett went to acting college; Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lawrence, and Zendaya did not.
Actor Margot Bingham (“Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” “The Walking Dead”) has a different angle on the required education for an acting career. “I would say psychology! Though I’m being a little cheeky, it is pretty accurate,” she says. “You have to have thick skin, and you will be dealing with a multitude of personalities. I would also study business, arts, and management. Take a class on contracts; take a class on negotiations. One cannot forget the business in show business.
Act 3: Making it.
You’re a working actor—you pay your rent, your bills, and everything else through your thespian endeavors alone. This achievement is near impossible without landing representation. An agent and/or manager will ideally be your number one cheerleader; they’ll get you into rooms and put exciting projects in front of you.
Essential Acting Skills Every Performer Should Master
In the entertainment industry, actors are the ones who help bring a production to life. They are responsible for embodying memorable characters and engaging with the audience—whether on screen, on stage, or from behind a microphone.
But how does an actor truly grip their viewers? Standout performers have all mastered a specific set of acting skills. Talent is, obviously, a given, but there are a few other techniques to finesse to take the industry by storm. From learning how to deal with rejection to marketing your brand, here are 10 essential acting skills every actor should master.
Memorization
Whether the character you’re playing is in one scene or commands the entire production, it’s up to you as an actor to bring the script to life. This makes memorization one of the most important skills that an actor needs. Preparing properly by memorizing your lines helps keep production on schedule, allows the creative team to make changes if they find issues with the dialogue, and ensures other cast members can perform their best in your scenes together.
There are many techniques for remembering your lines. To get you started, here are some tried-and-tested methods:
- Write your lines out by hand.
- Go the old-school route and read your lines repetitively, running them out loud with a scene partner. “Read the script over and over and over and over and over and over, until you almost don’t like it, so it’s so settled into you that, actually, it’s the last thing you’re thinking about,” Jamie Dornan told us.
Flag and remember your cue lines or the lines that come right before you have to speak.
Body and Voice Control
If an actor’s voice and body are their instruments, keeping them fine-tuned is essential for any sort of meaningful performance. Understanding how to manipulate your vocal range and physicality will work wonders for your character work. Think of how Bradley Cooper dropped his voice an octave to play Jackson Maine in “A Star Is Born,” or how Nancy Cartwright controls her voice to play characters as varied as Bart on “The Simpsons” and Chuckie Finster on “Rugrats.”
Being in full control of your body can elevate tasks such as:
- Fight or dance choreography.
- Taking on a physical character trait like a limp or facial tic
- Knowing where you’re moving in a space in relation to the camera.
Vocally, actors must excel at:
- Longevity: certain roles can place a huge demand on your voice, so knowing how to control it will protect you in the long run
- Correctly projecting their voices based on what the space requires (i.e., a theater will require different projection than a living room)
- Altering vocal pitch to fit the part.
You can practice vocal warmups with a coach or through guided exercise videos. There are countless methods to work on your physicality, from attending stage combat workshops to dance classes to yoga sessions.
Script Analysis
From the first audition to performing on a set or stage, it is imperative that an actor understands how to break down a script. Think of it as gathering clues with the goal of understanding the writer’s overall vision—while also discovering who your character is and how you will portray them.
The process of analyzing a script can become pretty detailed, depending on the size of the role and the nature of the project. You should always remember to ask the five basic storytelling questions: who, what, when, where, and why.
Here are four basic steps to get you started:
- Pay attention to the title, genre, creatives involved, and your character’s description.These details can help you prepare and put you in the correct headspace before you receive your audition materials.
- Read the script first from the audience’s perspective.It’s important to understand the overall story and the writer’s vision. Allow yourself to be moved by the piece and keep track of those moments, as they may help inform your choices once you delve deeper.
- Do your research.You may run across something you don’t understand whether it’s medical jargon or street slang. If there’s confusion, head over to Google and do some research. Being clear on the meaning of the words spoken in your scene will translate into clarity in your performance.
- Keep an eye out for the big events in your scenes. The tension in scenes will often ebb and flow to build drama. Recognize those spots in the script and identify how the comedic and dramatic plot points involve your character.
Stamina
Having physical, mental, and emotional stamina is a big part of the job. Between the long hours on set, the deep emotional work it takes to bring a character to life, and the regular hits of rejection, it’s important to have the fortitude to see things through to another day.
A few reminders to help keep your resilience up:
- Don’t take rejection personally.There are many factors at play that have little or nothing to do with your talent. You might not be the right height to play against the lead they’ve already cast, for example, or maybe you don’t have a driver’s license. Your audition is just one small part of the decision-making process.
- Remind yourself that “no” does not mean “never.”Just because it was a “no” today doesn’t mean there isn’t a “yes” around the corner.
- You can only control your response.Realize that your ability to handle rejection is the one thing you do have control over. Set yourself up for success by incorporating opportunities to continue to learn and build your craft outside of the audition process.
- Your main job is to audition and “book the room.”Even if you didn’t get the part, if you gave a good audition, that casting team or director might call on you later down the line for another project.
“It’s an easier life to live to not dwell on what one didn’t get and should have got,” Gillian Anderson said. “If you go in doing the best you can, then you’ve got something to feel good about, and sometimes feeling good about that can be enough.”
Take a walk. Read a book. Watch a movie. Go on vacation. Take a nap. Do what makes you happy and feeds your soul. This is an industry where it’s common to connect your self-worth with the work you may or may not be booking. It’s important to recognize when you require a break and need to recharge.
Taking Direction
Taking direction is a vital part of the process. After you’ve created your character and made your unique choices to book the role, it’s inevitable that a director will give you a note to change something about your performance. Remember: They’re the ones steering the proverbial ship. Here are some tips for taking direction as an actor:
- Be flexible.Nothing is set in stone until the director yells cut and decides to move on to the next scene. They may want to see how different body language looks or how a change to your dialogue can impact things. You’re there to help bring the story to life, so always be ready to receive new ideas.
- Listen to the criticism.Acting is based largely on deeply emotional work that is personal to you. When a note alters your performance, take your ego out of the equation and listen carefully. Be sure to repeat it back to the director to acknowledge you understand.
- Don’t take things personally. Remember that the director is the one calling the shots. It’s their vision you are helping bring to life. If a note alters your understanding of the character and scene, view it as a chance to try something different and have fun.
- Ask questions.If something isn’t clicking with you, it’s best to ask the director about it. Remember, if you’re not clear on a scene change, that confusion will reflect in your performance.
On-Camera Know-How
Theater actors regularly play scenes to an audience in an environment that may require vocal projection and big physical actions. When acting on-camera, though, it is important to be aware of the distance between you and the camera, the framing of the shot, and how you may need to mediate your performance. The camera can pick up the tiniest facial tic or raised eyebrow. Unless otherwise specified by the director, less is usually more.
Productions commonly shoot a script’s scenes out of order. Be aware of the continuity of the story and keep track of where your character is throughout the shoot schedule.
An actor should be familiar with all basic camera shots. Here’s your starting point:
- The wide shot: Often referred to as the establishing shot, a wide shot sets up the characters and context for the scene. It lets the audience know where the action takes place, introduces a relationship between characters and their environment, sets the emotional tone, and establishes the story’s locale.
- The medium shot: Also known as a two shot, this is a technique that frames the view of a scene’s subjects. The shot is used to showcase the emotion between two characters.
- The close-up shot: This is a shot of an actor or object taken at close range intended to reveal important details of the scene to the viewer. These are the shots that feature the most emotion, allowing the viewer to connect with a character’s struggle in a story.
Hitting your marks, blocking a scene, and being aware of your surroundings are all key to on-camera acting.
Business Savvy
While it’s an agent’s job to submit actors for work, you are responsible for knowing your brand and maintaining your marketing materials. It’s up to the actor to take inventory of the items in your toolbox to ensure your management team succeeds in submitting you for quality roles.
Long gone are the days of hard copy headshots, which minimize the physical clutter that can come with this part of the job. Your brand should feel streamlined and accessible. At all times, make sure these components are updated:
All actors have those they look up to in the field. While taking acting classes to improve your craft is always helpful, it’s important to know what trends are currently in style—especially when it comes to voiceover work and television commercials. Writers regularly read other writers’ work to find inspiration, and the same can be said for actors.
Attend plays. Watch television. Go to the movies. Once you’re done, use resources like IMDB or Backstage to figure out who is casting the kinds of projects you want to be a part of.
Kindness
This may sound silly, but kindness is an acting skill that will take you far. When you’re on set, maintaining a kind demeanor with everyone from the background actors to the director will show that you’re an asset worth working with again. It doesn’t have to be a massive effort; small acts go a long way. When you’re working, always be sure to:
- Arrive on time, follow the rules, and leave any attitude at the door.
- If you’re at an audition, remember the casting assistant’s name.
- When you’re on set, listen attentively to the production assistants and assistant directors.
If you’re kind to everyone you work with, chances are the creatives will call you in for other projects they’re working on. After all, kindness is the foundation of connection and relationship-building.
Looking to venture into fashion modeling? These tips from experienced models offer do’s and don’ts on how to become a successful fashion model.
Want to know how to become a model? Do you dream of being the next Gigi Hadid, gracing the cover of Vogue? Modeling as a career has become a much-vaunted choice now with thousands of aspirants chasing the dream of becoming the next supermodel.
How to become a model?
We have spoken to several successful models and agencies and put together a list of tips below that you must follow to break into the modeling industry and kickstart your modeling career. So, here’s how to get started in modeling.
Develop your modeling skills.
Study and understand posing. Practice runway walking. What separates a pretty model from another model is going to be their posing ability and their walk. Modeling is an art. Whether it’s binge-watching season upon season of America’s Next Top Model, scanning the pages of Vogue, watching YouTube tutorials, reading modeling eBooks like glamour shots photography or finding a favorite model. Posing and walking on a runway is very awkward at first. Practice. Here is a modeling tip for you: Have a friend shoot photo of you to get comfortable with posing, both in front of a camera and another person. Or start smaller and put a camera on a tripod and practice by yourself until your confidence grows before you start your journey to become a fashion model.
Practice model poses in front of the camera.
The next step to know how to start modeling is to practice in front of the camera. The supermodels you see in gorgeous magazine photos did not just sit in front of a camera and get lucky when a highly skilled fashion photographer took a picture of them. They worked WITH the photographer to create a masterpiece. Both equally skilled in their respective trade, a model will use her posing, facial expressions, and artistic intuition to help create the photographer’s vision. Having the right posing skills is an essential requirement for becoming a model.
Get a killer modeling portfolio AND a Video Demo
One of the most critical steps to become a model and to make a stable career is to have a well-rounded modeling portfolio that showcases your strong points through high-quality, stunning images. One of the first requirements from a model that agencies and clients will look at to make a great first impression is the modeling portfolio. It helps to have both an online version (your modeling portfolio website) that you can send to anyone via an email and a printed version that you can show when you meet someone face to face. You need all the exposure you can get to move up the ladder in the modeling industry.
Find the right modeling agency.
Every fashion model needs a modeling agency. The first step to getting signed by a modeling agency is getting seen by a top modeling agency in your area. Getting seen requires a very simple submission: snapshots of yourself. These snapshots are commonly referred to as ‘digitals’ in the industry (or occasionally ‘polaroids.’)
Modeling agencies are looking for the most simple and natural photos possible so that they can see you for YOU. Submit snapshots of you wearing little to no makeup: a light sweep of foundation and mascara at the most. Do not style your hair (but do make sure it is clean), and include photos of your hair down, and also of your hair up, pulled away from your face. The background needs to be plain and not distracting (standing against a plain wall works best). Take the photos using natural light; a friend can easily play photographer for you. If you have any friends currently learning fashion design than make sure to take his or her advice on your wardrobe selection. Your digitals should include the following images: smiling (with teeth, without), non-smiling, up-close headshot(s), left and right-side profiles, and a full-length shot (both facing the camera and turned away from the camera). Your outfit should consist of a t-shirt (solid color) and jeans.
Learn to embrace rejection.
Mentally prepare yourself for rejection- a lot of it. You MUST be able to handle having doors shut in your face without a second thought. Even the most stunning supermodels to ever walk the planet were told “NO.” They were told “NO” multiple times, many ways, by countless people. Rejection is part of the territory. The sooner you not only understand but accept that, the better off you will be. Don’t base your self-worth on appearance or anybody else’s approval of you. Start practicing now: challenge yourself to shrug off any criticism you receive this week. See if it was easy or difficult. The harder it was, the more you need to grow a tougher skin. Are you offended that you were just told to grow tougher skin? If so, that’s precisely the point! Start practicing the ability to let all criticism roll off your back! But don’t worry, everybody is capable of learning this skill with enough practice. A good mental mantra to keep in mind when it comes to rejection is: “Every ‘NO’ is just one ‘NO’ closer to a ‘YES.'”
Make yourself constantly look better.
Take care of your skin, hair, body, and health. Like it or not, modeling is an aesthetically driven industry, and beauty/appearance is undeniably essential. (That being said, you can still make it as a commercial model regardless of physical beauty or body type.) However, for fashion models, the height/weight standards are more rigid and inflexible than with any other genre in modeling. There’s not much you can do about genetics, but it IS up to you to make the most of the genetics you were given.
If you do not fit the current fashion model requirements (height/weight), there are many other genres in the modeling industry that you can pursue instead. Please read this article on the types of modeling to learn which genres you may be a good fit for.
Be Professional
Getting into modeling is not an easy task. You have to be a professional through and through. Answer phone calls. Return voicemails and emails promptly. There is no excuse to be 30 minutes late for a meeting, casting call, photo shoot. If anything, you should always be 15 minutes EARLY. This takes planning and time management skills. Aspiring models make a big mistake when they adopt the mentality of: “Well, I’m pretty enough to be a model, so I will just skate by with my looks alone and minimal effort.” Many up-and-coming models of the past never worked another day in their life in the modeling industry after their unprofessionalism, lousy attitude, and reputation began to overshadow their beauty. Nobody wants to work with a diva. There are plenty of other beautiful girls in the world who WON’T be snotty or rude.
When you book a job, you are representing both yourself and your agency. When you are on set, treat EVERYONE with respect. If your makeup artist was given a specific directive, which she followed, but you hate the way she did your makeup… well, that’s too bad. She did her job, so now do yours. Produce some killer photos, regardless of your makeup preference, and without saying mean things about the makeup artist to others. Respect and courtesy will take you a LONG way in your modeling career!
Commit to work.
Modeling may seem easy and glamorous, but that is by no means the reality. It will take a lot of commitment on your part to become a model. Are you prepared to maintain a diet, fitness, and beauty regimen, even when you are having a dry spell and not booking any work? Are you willing to do a 12-hr photo shoot in freezing and windy conditions, while wearing a wardrobe that offers no warmth, while still getting the shot and not complaining? Have you accepted that it may take years once signed to a modeling agency to garner success (if ever) while your agency develops you as a model?
Build your social media following
If you are an aspiring fashion model, it is likely that you are seeking modeling agency representation. As mentioned before, submit your digitals, practice posing and walking, develop a beauty regimen, etc. while you wait for responses from modeling agencies. In the meantime, build up your social media following and learn how to manage multiple social media accounts like an expert. It may help get you signed to an agency, believe it or not! Building a following on social media is a very new phenomenon. These days, modeling agencies will take a model’s online audience into consideration when weighing whether to sign them or not.
Advertisers use models all the time, but more and more so they want to use models who already have a built-in audience to promote to. A large social media following is not a requirement to be a fashion model, but it is an important attribute. This trend does not show any signs of slowing at current. So, jump on board as soon as you can. Be wise in your social media strategy and message. Know what you stand for, show your followers your authentic self, engage with them regularly, and post great photos! You can even take it a step further and start a blog, a YouTube channel, etc. Many non-intending influencers have turned into professionals’ models on account of their large following.
Never let your pride down
Till now, you have seen most of the steps on how to become a model, but not letting your pride down is not less important. No matter what, you are still a valuable person with feelings, thoughts, and opinions. You are so much more than just a pretty face. Most fashion models accept the jobs they are booked by their agency, which is fine and quite standard. But if anything, ever crosses the line or makes you feel uncomfortable, you need to learn to speak up and voice your opinion before it’s too late. While we just mentioned commitment being a vital attribute, there is a fine line. You should never become SO dedicated to your career that it becomes more important than yourself and your own needs. What do you stand for? Make it known from the start and stick to it unwaveringly.
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https://www.castingnetworks.com/
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Indeed.com
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11 Potential Income Streams for Actors & Models! Click Here!
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THE GREATEST TEACHER IS A MENTOR.
A great teacher has always been measured by the number of students who surpass him. The secret to making all the money you want can be reduced to a simple formula.
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