"I Want to be a Model!" - Guest Blogger Alyssa Dilts

Week #3

Doing Your Research Before Committing to a Convention or Modeling School

If you live in a remote area and do not have access to a larger market, i.e. Chicago, New York, Miami, LA, a modeling school or convention can be a great way for you to get started in the business. 

There are many advertisements for modeling schools and conventions.  Some are legitimate and others are not.  You must do your research before spending any amount of money!  I answer emails on a daily basis with general questions regarding schools and conventions so do not hesitate to ask questions and get referrals.

A legitimate convention can give potential models the opportunity to be seen by agents from all over the world at one time.  The costs can be staggering; however, most of these conventions also offer workshops on the industry as well as photo shoots.

Development plays a huge role in the progression of a new model.  Most modeling agencies will do their own development in-house and therefore it is not necessarily required for a model to go to a modeling school first.  However, reputable modeling schools not only teach the skills that are useful in modeling but can also offer guidance on personal confidence, poise and style which you can apply in all areas throughout your life.  Many of the modeling schools end their classes with attending conventions which is a way for the students to be the most prepared when they meet the multiple agents.

If a company is asking you to pay a signing fee and has no written contract of what they are responsible for, they may not be a reliable company.  Any school or convention should list exactly what they provide, i.e. classes (the subject and number), photo shoots, promotion to clients and/or agencies, length of representation, etc.  You should not sign anything that limits you to exclusively work with that company as it may keep you from signing with an agency in the future.

Check with open calls first.  If you do not have the money to invest in conventions you can attend open calls at almost every agency at no cost.  Some agencies only have open call once a week, however, at Elite Chicago you may attend any day of the week promptly at 3:30p.

Always keep in mind that modeling schools and conventions are not a guaranteed entrance into the modeling industry.  There are no guarantees in this industry and if someone tells you there are, they may not be a trustworthy source.  As discussed in week one, as agents we can only give you the opportunities to meet the clients, but it is up to them to confirm you.

-Alyssa Dilts, Elite Model Management

"I Want to be a Model!" - Guest Blogger Alyssa Dilts

I WANT TO BE A MODEL:  Week #2 

Knowing Your Niche as a Model

 

Last week, we discussed the “typical” requirements of high fashion models of print and runway.  The most “important” requirement is height with a range of 5’7” to 5’11” between the two divisions.  If you do not meet the height requirements for being a high fashion print or runway model, though, there are different areas that you could take advantage of in the modeling industry that are unknown (or overlooked) by the general public because they may not hold the glamour of high fashion.

 

The largest and most prominent area to look into outside of runway and high fashion is commercial print modeling.  The main difference between commercial print and high fashion print is that commercial print is product-based.  For every product there is a demographic that is targeted; different types of models will get more favorable responses among different demographics.  Not only is there a variety of heights that can be used, but age, size, and looks can also vary greatly.  As they appeal to different consumers, there are different attributes that clients look at when choosing commercial print models: character, lifestyle and girl/guy next door.

 

All three of these types fit a certain niche and represent the real world.

 

Character models play a role: A 65-year old male will be more likely to listen to medical advice from someone who looks like a stereotypical doctor rather than a chiseled male model.

Lifestyle models fit a demographic: The average mother of three probably won’t buy laundry detergent from a waif-thin 15-year old with smoky eyes and stiletto heels.

Girl/guy next door does not overpower the product: They are beautiful to look at without overshadowing the product and distracting the target demographic.

 

Although these are not as known and don’t typically come to mind when we think of “models”, they are just as important and present as a high fashion model and in much more demand.  A successful model is a versatile model.  In Chicago, a model can have a career as a high fashion model, a commercial model or even both!

 

Check back next week to find out how important researching modeling schools and conventions are before signing on the dotted line.

-Alyssa Dilts - Elite Model Management 

Guest Blogger: Alyssa Dilts

Alyssa Dilts is the Director of New Faces & Development at Elite Model Management Chicago where she focuses on the scouting and development of new models. Alyssa's style includes dressing with today's rocker chic trend while adding in classic elements to complete her look. But her most important style includes her dedication to helping models undertand that the more developed and knowledgeable a model is the more successful they will become in their career.  She holds classes for the new models on a regular basis reviewing professional practices, how to move behind the camera and how to walk the runway.

Alyssa will be my new guest blogger for the next few weeks, sharing with us her knowledge on the world of modeling!

Week #1

The Client Sets the Standard for The Model

The most often asked question of a model scout is “What are you looking for?”  Essentially a scout is looking for what the client is asking for.  However for me it goes beyond that and is not something I can put into words such as hair or eye color for me it’s the “it” factor.  I could be on the lookout for months searching for the next blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty but I’ll be stopped in my tracks when I see a red head and will want to offer her a contract because I know she has “it”.

 

Sure, there are requirements for high-fashion models.  However, most things can be altered as needed such as skin (if broken out), hair (cut, color, correct) or body (gain/lose weight).  We even work with models to be more outgoing and personable if they’re shy or introverted.  Of course, we cannot change a model’s height.  As agents, we know we see beautiful people of all shapes and sizes, but we also know what most clients are looking for, and that usually but not always, entails specific heights.  

It is the clients, not the agents, that set the standards for which the agents scout for.  If a client has to promote their next season’s garments and they want to hire models to help sell it, they look at the sizes and measurements of those garments and in turn call an agency to request that size of model.

The Chicago market is unique because it is more flexible with their requirements than primary markets such as New York or Paris.  Chicago clients are typically looking for something more diverse and therefore there is more leeway with height.  Women should be between 5’7” to 5’11” for print modeling and 5’10” to 5’11” for runway modeling.  A lot of people like to point out that Kate Moss is only 5’6”, and there are exceptions to any “rule” in modeling just like anywhere else. Keep in mind, however, that there is much more to making model than just height and beauty, and a young woman with an exceptional personality can make up for whatever other differences she might have.

With all of the television coverage and glamorization of the modeling industry, there are many pretty people out there that want to be models and so a potential model has to bring something unique to the table and the best way to do it is with a dynamic personality.

Check back next week to a guide to knowing your niche as a model.

- Alyssa Dilts, Elite Model Management