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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Different Viewpoints of a Model's Success

Different Viewpoints of a Model's Success


Is your personal success as a model based on just having cool pictures of yourself to show others? Or is that success based solely on how much money you’re making? Well, how about other people in your career and life? How they may view your success can affect you, too. These are some suggestions of how to relate (or empathize) to some of the people that have different roles in your success.




#1 The Modeling Agency’s Viewpoint of your success as a model:





Think like an agent. Are clients going to book you? If you are signed with almost any agency, the bottom line will be how much money you are bringing into their business (or may potentially bring in). Remember this as your first and most important business lesson in your career as a model. Modeling agencies are your pipeline to how you are marketed (promoted) as a model, and they make their money (income) from “percentages” from 1.) the model’s commission and 2.) from the client‘s fee.



The more money that you make as a model in their agency is another dollar in their pocket. So, there’s more involved in the bottom line of how your agent looks at your "potential" as a model. Will clients hire you? They are looking at how much “income” potential you can bring to their business. They must run their business efficiently, and you must do the same in the planning of your career, too. The agency’s role in your representation is that of a glorified “employment agency” that is a go-between for the client and model. The modeling agency works to provide resources to market all of their models, so it’s in their best interest to keep the right variety of models that are in demand.

Another factor agencies are paying attention to is how you promote yourself. It's not just your look or personality...sometimes they'll be looking at how you use social networking to add value to your career.  You may be doing it for yourself by creating a following of fans to have even after a standard modeling career, but the agency also looks at your followers as value to THEM. If you add all of your fans to all of their fans...that's good for them. Whatever is better for them brings them "value".


The ultimate decision is made by the client to which model they want to use, but your agent and booker are your representative and they can sometimes have a strong hand in that process. Do not disrespect them! They know their power and should not be underestimated. Learn all that you can about the way your agency wants to promote you and follow their instructions on things that they need for you to do. This can increase your opportunities for success!







#2. Your Parent’s view of your success as a model:





Parents worry about all of the horror stories that they have heard about over the years. Whether their child is under or over the age of 18...parents are entitled to worry about their children. PERIOD. Some horror stories are really worse than others. Will their child be lured into drugs or pornography? What about nudity? How far will their child travel away from them and who will be responsible for them if they are in a dangerous situation? Will photographers take advantage of their child or manipulate their photos and use them on the Internet without their knowledge? How will their child’s self-esteem hold up against the “industry sharks”? Will their child be required to grow up too fast in order to survive in this industry? What about their education? Why do we have to pay money for our child to pursue a career as a model? (That makes parents skeptical, too!) So many potential questions from a parent's perspective.



A parent’s view of their child’s potential success can leave them with a lot of questions! Most parents are initially so proud that someone thinks that their child should model that they can view that alone as a “proud” success for you. So, don’t be too hard on yourself or your parents if questions arise that need more communication and opens up an opportunity for discussion. Discuss scenarios together and show them that you, too, are trying to do your homework about this industry and want to make safe, mature (professional) decisions. The more that you learn goes a long way with your parents as you break them into your status as being a responsible person and model.







#3. Your “significant other’s” view of your success:





Oh, my! Every model that I spoke to had similar stories about this topic. A close partner’s viewpoint (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife) can really be like an emotional roller coaster on your mind if you’re in a somewhat serious or longer-term relationship. It really can place a lot of strain on relationships and I’ve seen more than a few models just not ready to risk losing someone “that means so much to them” and NOT take the risk of losing them. They said good-bye to their modeling careers.



It’s confusing to both people in a relationship to have unknown fears, so just accept that this can weigh strongly on your decisions that you make during the span of your modeling career. Many models choose to not be in relationships because of the lifestyle that can come along with being a model. It may be a double-standard for you to feel that you have the “Looks” of a model and your partner likes having a “model” as a partner, but only to find out that insecurities, jealousies, and rejections can ruin what you think is a “great” relationship or cut short a promising modeling career.



Regardless of all the potential rejection and criticism that models face over the span of their career from industry professionals and the public, they can sometimes be torn more by their partner’s opinion of them. What choice do you think that you’ll make if your partner is feeling insecure or pressuring you? These are potential issues that can set you up for either success or failure, and not just as a model. Consider your short-term goals and how you can incorporate that path into the “Big Picture” of your future.





#4. Friends’ opinion of your success as a model:





This one is complicated, too. Let’s start with the word “Jealousy”. You want your friends to be happy for you, but you may start to notice that they are treating you differently. Why? You will probably be correct to assume that jealousy is getting the best of most of them, but just also do a double-take on yourself that you may be acting a little different than they are used to you being.



Modeling is entirely a different dimension of reality (versus typical jobs), and you may not necessarily be your “old self” during your career all the time. Depending on the division of models that you fall into, this may really be a good thing “professionally“, but try to be aware of where you need to keep “model-mode” ON and when it can be toned down a few notches. People are friends with each other because they can mutually have something special to offer, but relationships can change if you stop “getting” or “giving” what this relationship needs. Some people are just naturally the center of attention, and if you are a model, that can work for you, but can throw off the balance of some other relationships depending on their personality.



As for petty jealousies from acquaintances (or superficial friends) that are hurtful to your feelings, try to thicken up your emotions to deflect them away from sabotaging your self-esteem and you’ll be in “good practice” for your actual modeling career that faces criticism from the industry and public all the time. The BEST friends are the ones who are there to listen to you vent, keep what you say in confidence, offer their opinion when they see you may need it, and are only a phone call (or Text, or Email) away when you need them for a laugh or a cry!





#5 The public’s view of your success as a model:





There are a lot of models in print, on the runway, doing promotions, etc., but what are their names? Is that how the public view a model’s success? Sometimes. The public really doesn’t know the extent of who or why some models are more famous than others. They just “hear” or “read” who is the next hot thing (flavor of the month) by reading magazines or watching entertainment news shows. Public relations is an art of it’s own when models and celebrities are involved. You may have a successful status as a model in your hometown if the newspaper writes about your local, national, or international ventures as a model (even if you know you are still a “small fish” in the sea of the modeling industry, but still, it‘s a nice perk)!



Being a model places you out there for comments by some brutally opinionated people who either think that their entitled to verbally abuse you or question why you are even a model. Ignorance is not a constructive foundation for you to listen to or even respond to. If there is a shred of truth to the opinion that you are hearing, politely acknowledge and mentally file it away, and work on it next time. You can’t impress everyone, nor should that be your goal. That’s not permission to be rude, but rather respond professionally when considering the source of criticism. I’m going to include the people who hire you into this category because they tend to look for what the public want to see representing their product. Your personality does put the “icing on the cake” when perhaps they are juggling who they want to hire, so how you present yourself publicly to them does matter. Show confidence as often as you can even if you’re faking it!




Wednesday, February 27, 2013

40+

There's a special place for men & women as they age in this industry 40+...What can we learn from them?  People over 40 are capable of having their special beauty and expressing their forms of fashion. It may not be ideal to a younger audience at first, but as they age they may be reassured that life doesn't stop being meaningful when your looks begin to change. They'll learn it can be a "good thing" to gain insight into beauty being more than just "perfection" that is shown in many magazines. Insight is a very valuable thing.
 
 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Parents Care

Hi A.K.A. Models friends! I'm sharing this because as some of you may know...I am a mom of twin 9 year old girls in grade 3. Speaking for many moms...I think I can say that I'm seeing signs already of my kids learning some stuff on the playground about words like fat, skinny, hot, sexy...it's weird to hear the words from children's mouths. I try not to even use bad language around my girls, but I can't hide them from what they're exposed to in society.

One strategy that seems to help them is showing them a little about how advertising works and how models are used to "promote" things. I show pictures as visuals and point out techniques that some "artists" use to give different looks. I'll wear little make-up around my house and then I'll show them how I can use make-up and special clothing for a special occasion. I basically am trying to show them that anyone can look perfect in a picture after the computer manipulates images. So far I think they understand the technical concept, but I think it might help if more kids know what people in the modeling industry know as "illusions".

You'll see me post articles like this once in a while when I hear about people that offer strategies that might help some of you that struggle with the balance of children being used to represent adults when there are so many other more mature and capable models that still "look young" enough for "fashion".
 
*Now check out the article below:
 

Monday, February 25, 2013

STRAIGHT vs. GAY (MALE MODELS)

Whether the fashion industry acknowledges this, or not, models are guided to "turn on the charm" with clients. (a.k.a. flirting) It's not just for female models with male clients, but heterosexual (straight) male models know that if they flirt with known homosexual (gay) clients...they increase their chances of getting the booking.

The fashion industry has a larg
e percentage of gay men as clients, but it's not a fact that the male models "must" be gay, too. There isn't the same demand for "men in modeling", so it still is considered to be dominated as a women's industry. With the competition for booking males so high, it's common to see a male model "flirt" with the client.

Some people in the industry call that tactic "Gay for Pay", but some straight male models just want to express that they are not homophobic and they just want to show their respect by being "fun" in their charming way.

I note this about male models because many of them say they are very straight and love all of their opportunities to meet female models. The males can even be considered "hyper-sexual" and "overly-masculine", but they still know how to turn on the charm.

I've gotten to know many male models over the past 2+ decades and many knew how to flip the "straight-flirt" with me to the "gay-flirt" with gay clients. I was confused at first, and yet, amazed that I just didn't know the difference, sometimes! Soon, I stopped trying to guess because there really is no reason for me to care "who" was "what"...I just wanted to ensure everyone (model & client) was being respectful and professional for their bookings.
 
 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cameron vs. Her Genes...Both are Winners


I posted the TED talks video of Cameron's presentation when it came out. I like showing balance to you, so that you stay aware of the respect (and sometimes the lack of) that is associated with being a model. Here was just a pinch of my passion to try and spread the word that "models" are more than what the stereo-type implies: 

Here's the TED talks video


Here's my perspective. I enjoyed her TED talk, and realize the message in its context, but some people may not. I feel it should have been delivered with a slightly different message from the facts and perspective that she was demonstrating. Cameron's giving her opinion of her career as only being based on her beauty. As a professional model though, she's not giving herself and all of the other models that treat their career as a "business" enough credit. "Looks" are just one part of the industry and it's not necessarily just "Beauty".

If she had no talent at doing her job and if she didn't have the interpersonal skills, her "genetic" looks would have NOT have gotten her as far in her career as the status of a famous model. I know it's easy for people to think negatively about a model's role, but these critiques can be a stereo-type that just perpetuates more misunderstandings. Society just doesn't have a balanced outlook, yet.
 
 
I hope someone understands what I mean as not being superficial when I say that Cameron does deserve credit for using her mental and physical traits in her occupation and that should have no apologies.
 
(C-A @ A.K.A. Models... an advocate because I care for the models as people...not just objects.)

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

"The Emporer's New Clothes" in Fashion

Ashley Mears (Sociologist/Model) helped me understand the "sociology" of modeling when I read her book, "Pricing Beauty". The lack of "Diversity" in fashion is one of the controversial topics that is part of the root problems in "Society" that has tagged along since modeling as a career has even existed. 
 
It's not everyone in fashion that can be so blind to the message they're sending, can they? Take it straight to the top of the "pecking order" and compare everyone below them that wants to stay in good standing as especially responsible. 
 
Reminds me of the children's story, "The Emporer's New Clothes". Instead of calling anyone out to expose their role in the charade, though, the elite VIPS have to start doing the "right thing" with their conscience.
 
We'll then need the "psychology" applied to marketing in a new way to balance the diversity for society and our youth. (I hope I see the day at A.K.A. Models when some of my "ideals" are shared & supported by even more like-minded people like yourselves...)

Monday, February 18, 2013

Please Join Us!


That's a picture of my husband & twins!
 
Please think of assisting me and finding the right audiences that need a reality check about beauty versus marketing.

Other than this page, click on this link to
A.K.A. Models...it's more relevant to how society looks at the industry. So many views...some right, some wrong. If you have children, this is the time to get involved in separating the reality vs. the fantasy, so that as they may learn to look at themselves, their friends, and the media in a realistic way.

My girls are in 3rd grade and I have already heard comments between them and their boy & girl friends that is raising red flags that they are becoming victims of advertising and beauty like the rest of us...although much sooner than I EVER remember. I have a conscience when I give models info about the industry, so I hope to alter some "information" that people have stuck in their heads.

I can't say that I'll be 100% effective in teaching my own children the stuff I've learned, but I'll be damned if I don't try to help them get through it with the stuff we've learned. I stand a better chance of succeeding if I have help of other parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends that can encourage the kids they love to have the confidence to not believe everything they see and hear...especially in the media.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM "A.K.A. Models"! Thank you for being an important part of this page and for all of the referrals that have been sent here. THAT is a compliment to know that people want to help support our youth and learn more about making modeling a "smoother-run, ethical, and safer place" within the fashion and advertising industries. (*an example below ;) )

BALANCING the pros and cons, plus incorporating strategies to keep the industry better represented as a professional organization will have a natural progression. It can cover many of the negative "gray" areas where there is no one accountable for protecting the model's rights as a child laborer, or adult laborer.

We need to make adjustments within the industry to accommodate the NEW standards of a career in modeling. Things have been done a certain way for many decades, but it's not working in everyones mutual favor. It is selfish for any professional to forget that "models" are workers and deserve occupational rules and laws of protection. (Example of a positive change: There is NO place for press and photographers to be backstage when models are getting changed for runway shows...that is just not professional, nor welcome...and if it is allowwed, it needs to change. It's not a peep show. In Mrs. Blackwell's world (a.k.a. "me") , I would go so far to say to place (heavy) fines on the people or press that violate any space of minors where they may be undressed backstage).

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

a.k.a.

We are proud to see many of the aspiring models take charge of their careers as a business! You are acting professional, yet your own personality shines through! A.K.A. Models supports all types of models because as a career it is growing more diverse.

For some of you it may just be a temporary type of career that you will grow from...and this will add to your life a certain outlook that only co
mes from experience. It may be a positive experience for you or it may be toward the negative side. Either way, it's your own unique experience that is never 100% the same as any other model.

Each "different type" of model may not always be able to relate to the work that other models do, either. I find that the more that you learn about the demands of each type of modeling "niche", it opens your mind to some of the basic issues that they share. As a career you can bond and learn from other models. You may meet a lot of them, so you'll learn who has something you can learn from similar to "on the job" training.

There are also models that have the right "mind-set" that are good to be around, so to stay in the loop with them. One thing ALL models have in common is that when they are working (or photographically testing on their own)...they are striving for the right looks that will increase their odds of being hired. The right "looks" will be subjective to other people's opinions, so all you can do keep trying.

This had an impact of why I chose the name "A.K.A. Models" because "a.k.a." means "also known as" and ultimately any model is supposed to be "another character"...not personal to their every day life. There are some people that just can't seperate themselves from their modeling career and find themselves less marketable with just "one look", so no matter what type, size, or sex of model...stay flexible and always ask yourself on bookings, "what image does the client want me to be?". You can't be the "same image" for each different client, unless "they want" you to be. Think of "what" you are selling and make it look its best...garment, product, accessory, promotion, or service.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Model Alliance Campaign

http://vimeo.com/modelalliance/campaign

The Model Alliance celebrates its 1st Birthday! Letter Below by Sara Ziff

Model Alliance turns ONE!

It has been an incredible year for the Model Alliance, and we couldn't have done it without your support.

On February 6
th
, 2012, the Alliance officially celebrated its launch at the Standard Hotel, an event hosted by the Fashion Law Institute and board member Coco Rocha. We were happy to have models Doutzen Kroes, Shalom Harlow, Crystal Renn and many others there to support us.

At our launch, we rolled out the
Models’ Bill of Rights – a working draft of the rights all models should have to ensure fair treatment from agencies and clients – with the help of Actors’ Equity and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Together we also created Model Alliance Support, a confidential grievance reporting service for our members. We also created our Forum, where models are able to share their stories as a way to raise awareness about the realities of our industry, and we announced our Backstage Privacy Policy, recommending that as soon as “first looks” are called, fashion show producers ensure that photographers and any persons unnecessary to the show’s production leave the backstage area until all models have finished changing into their own clothes.
Events and campaigns hosted by the Model Alliance during our first year included: “The Business of Modeling” workshop for young models during New York Fashion Week, hosted by Advisory Board Members Doreen Small and Coco Rocha at the Model Lounge; the screening of and panel discussion following the documentary Girl Model, with participation from filmmakers Ashley Sabin and David Redmon, and model Rachel Blais at Sunshine Cinemas; the recent launch of the Model Alliance Mentorship Program, through which established models from top agencies including Wilhelmina, Marilyn and Mix Model Management are paired with younger models to serve as helpful and reliable resources; hosting the season’s first “Fashion Conversation” at the Museum at FIT with Professor Susan Scafidi; and raising awareness for the existing child labor laws in place for models under the age of 18, in part through my testimony before the New York State Department of Labor in which I advocated for child models’ inclusion in the proposed regulations for child performers. The Alliance also participated in the 10th Annual ILR Labor Roundtable at Cornell University, the Fashion Law Institute’s Second Annual Symposium and “Walking into the Future: What’s Next For the Modeling Industry?” panel, and the National Eating Disorders Association’s Proud2BMe Summit, among others.
The fashion industry has also made important strides this year – this past season certain designers, for the first time ever, agreed to start paying their talent actual money for their work. Our members joined together in February to speak out against the practice of payment in trade, and we applaud the industry for finally making this change. Vogue also pledged to not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder, through its Health Initiative. We believe that this is an important step in the right direction of setting concrete standards for the models they use. The use of under-aged models is linked to financial exploitation, eating disorders and abandoned schooling, and Vogue’s pledge helped bring much-needed attention to the protection of young models as workers. The CFDA also recently recognized the labor laws in place to protect child models in their Health Initiative.
This next year is already off to a busy start – the Model Alliance has upcoming events in February with the New York State Bar Association and the National Eating Disorders Association. More information on these, and other Alliance events, will be coming soon.

In solidarity,

Sara Ziff


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Do You Have A Designated Model's Page?

(Some) Models Have Pages...
Sharing public model pages & some of your best pictures to network with other industry professionals is part of a model's self-promotion.
Keep your personal friends page seperate from your professional model page to support your privacy vs. career! Although the amount of fans helps increase the reach to other people, "quality" supporters on your professional page are more important than just the "quantity".
On your page's photos, give credit to the people you work with at photo shoots such as photographers, make up artists, stylists, designers, etc...and mention your representation ;) if you are with an agency. Check if there are any special specific agency rules or tips about social networking.
Try to name albums based upon content or type of pictures inside such as Fashion, Runway, Commercial, Beauty, Tear Sheets, Catalog, Promotions, Bikini, Lingerie, Art, Fitness, Parts Modeling, Glamour, Just "Testing", Backstage, Miscellaneous Fun, etc...think of them as individual portfolios.