Pursuing a modeling career?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a model. A low-level one in Chicago -- think dance wear catalogs and fur salon shows and car shows, lol. But I did a few good projects and got a couple of national commercials.

Modeling is the opposite of the rest of the work world -- the men are second-class citizens, making far less money and often treated poorly. In much of print work they are simply foils to the woman in the picture. And there is far less work all around for them.

I wish I could tell you how to get started, but I can't, I was modeling in the 90s -- things are so different nowadays with the rise of the influencer. But I would say this: first things first, he needs to learn his angles before thinking about putting a portfolio together.

And how do you do that?

[Anonymous]

100% guarantee your kid isn’t as attractive as you think he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He needs to be willing to be gay for pay.

+1

His looks might get him an audition or first show, but his willingness to submit to gay sex will get him call backs and steady work.

That’s life.

[Anonymous]

When my son was younger, he was interested in getting into modeling though it was for a brief period of time so I only have a few takeaways to offer.

I wouldn’t place my bets on modeling school - even one that also doubles as an agency (like Barbizon used to.)
I think that modeling schools try to present themselves as being very selective on who can attend but I personally feel that they basically accept anyone who is willing to shell out a huge amount of ca$h.

Also some modeling schools will hold open “casting” calls claiming they are looking for new/fresh talent but in reality these are just ways they try to gain pupils w/stars in their eyes. 🤩

I would research legitimate modeling agencies in your area and contact those that have a reputable reputation.
Keep in mind that modeling agencies tend to be in larger cities such as LA, NYC, etc. vs. the Midwest.

Best of luck to your son OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:100% guarantee your kid isn’t as attractive as you think he is.

This is not true.
I think most parents know whether or not they have a legitimately attractive child vs. one who has the type of face only a Mother could love.

Most kids are “kid”-cute but by eighteen if they are still cute they likely have the true birthright of authentic good looks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a model. A low-level one in Chicago -- think dance wear catalogs and fur salon shows and car shows, lol. But I did a few good projects and got a couple of national commercials.

Modeling is the opposite of the rest of the work world -- the men are second-class citizens, making far less money and often treated poorly. In much of print work they are simply foils to the woman in the picture. And there is far less work all around for them.

I wish I could tell you how to get started, but I can't, I was modeling in the 90s -- things are so different nowadays with the rise of the influencer. But I would say this: first things first, he needs to learn his angles before thinking about putting a portfolio together.

I’m the PP whose teen DS did this for print/online work. So, he would put on an outfit and stand in front of the camera on the mark. The camera would give a series of beeps and he would hit his poses with each beep. It’s fast. The faster he hits his poses, the faster he can move through his outfits. I don’t know if this is what the PP means but angles but probably close enough. Each pose on the beep has to be one that suits his features and personality. The kids who do this are so amazingly good at it. My kid was okay. He’s also not drop dead gorgeous. He’s a decent looking kid with symmetrical features, very vaguely ethic, and a decent build.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a model. A low-level one in Chicago -- think dance wear catalogs and fur salon shows and car shows, lol. But I did a few good projects and got a couple of national commercials.

Modeling is the opposite of the rest of the work world -- the men are second-class citizens, making far less money and often treated poorly. In much of print work they are simply foils to the woman in the picture. And there is far less work all around for them.

I wish I could tell you how to get started, but I can't, I was modeling in the 90s -- things are so different nowadays with the rise of the influencer. But I would say this: first things first, he needs to learn his angles before thinking about putting a portfolio together.

And how do you do that?

If he wants to actually be a working model he needs to figure this out. The human body looks good/interesting in photos with the body pushed into angles as opposed to just standing in front of the camera head-on with arms at the sides in a big sort of flat rectangle (this is why when you see a bunch of middle-aged women who post a lot online all in one picture they all have their hands on their hips and their hip jutting out and are not facing the camera straight on -- someone told them some basic how-to-pose-for-better-instagram-pics stuff and they are making an effort).

But the short answer regarding how to do it is that you look at hundreds or even thousands of pictures in magazines or online or whatever, and you practice in the mirror and/or in front of your own camera. You have to figure out what works with your own body and face. You don't just stand in front of a camera. There's actually a lot of skill to modeling, and not everyone can do it. I find runway easier, but lots of models don't; that's a whole other beast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my son was younger, he was interested in getting into modeling though it was for a brief period of time so I only have a few takeaways to offer.

I wouldn’t place my bets on modeling school - even one that also doubles as an agency (like Barbizon used to.)
I think that modeling schools try to present themselves as being very selective on who can attend but I personally feel that they basically accept anyone who is willing to shell out a huge amount of ca$h.

Also some modeling schools will hold open “casting” calls claiming they are looking for new/fresh talent but in reality these are just ways they try to gain pupils w/stars in their eyes. 🤩

I would research legitimate modeling agencies in your area and contact those that have a reputable reputation.
Keep in mind that modeling agencies tend to be in larger cities such as LA, NYC, etc. vs. the Midwest.

Best of luck to your son OP!

Modeling schools are a waste of money. And they will take anyone's money. And flatter them to get it. They are in the business of selling classes and selling (usually terrible) photographs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are always looking for the next Fabio. Your son might appear on a book cover of a Romance novel, “Beach girl dreams” or “The Lonely Rich Woman”.

Nope. This is already the stuff of AI illustration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a model. A low-level one in Chicago -- think dance wear catalogs and fur salon shows and car shows, lol. But I did a few good projects and got a couple of national commercials.

Modeling is the opposite of the rest of the work world -- the men are second-class citizens, making far less money and often treated poorly. In much of print work they are simply foils to the woman in the picture. And there is far less work all around for them.

I wish I could tell you how to get started, but I can't, I was modeling in the 90s -- things are so different nowadays with the rise of the influencer. But I would say this: first things first, he needs to learn his angles before thinking about putting a portfolio together.

And how do you do that?

If he wants to actually be a working model he needs to figure this out. The human body looks good/interesting in photos with the body pushed into angles as opposed to just standing in front of the camera head-on with arms at the sides in a big sort of flat rectangle (this is why when you see a bunch of middle-aged women who post a lot online all in one picture they all have their hands on their hips and their hip jutting out and are not facing the camera straight on -- someone told them some basic how-to-pose-for-better-instagram-pics stuff and they are making an effort).

But the short answer regarding how to do it is that you look at hundreds or even thousands of pictures in magazines or online or whatever, and you practice in the mirror and/or in front of your own camera. You have to figure out what works with your own body and face. You don't just stand in front of a camera. There's actually a lot of skill to modeling, and not everyone can do it. I find runway easier, but lots of models don't; that's a whole other beast.

PP again.

He could start by watching the season of ANTM that Nyle DiMarco won. Watching that guy move and twist his body in front of the camera is a masterclass.

[Anonymous]

I know zilch about this, but there are a number of threads on reddit about this. They might be useful

[Anonymous]

OP, I can help. I recently accidentally became a model. I was "scouted" by a modeling agency. But I've since seen how other people ger into modeling.

1) find a reputable acting school in your area that specializes in "on camera acting" or "tv/film." So, not theater.

2) the school MUST do what is called "showcases". This is when students perform in front of agents and casting directors. But wait, you are saying, he wants to model, not act. I know. But you can't really work on legit modeling jobs unless you're signed. So the idea is getting in front of talent agencies so that you can be signed.

3) ideally, your school will offer programs to audition at a showcase in NYC or LA. Here's an example of such a program: https://www.instagram.com/connectnyc/


Finally, there are a ton of acting and modeling scams. Get into a legit school where you can be guided to good agencies and get customized help. Do not try to do this independently. Your son will be eaten alive. Also, ignore the gay for pay comments. This is not a thing for legitimate work.

[Anonymous]

Prob should move to NYC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Prob should move to NYC

Model here. It's not necessary anymore unless he is in high fashion, which is a niche of the modeling industry that has very specific requirements that he may not meet. Most casting calls are now just pre-taped digitals and reviews of your head shots or portfolios.

OP, modeling is an intentionally mysterious industry and there's a lot of BS on the internet. If they want him in NYC or Paris, they will put him up in a model house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I can help. I recently accidentally became a model. I was "scouted" by a modeling agency. But I've since seen how other people ger into modeling.

1) find a reputable acting school in your area that specializes in "on camera acting" or "tv/film." So, not theater.

2) the school MUST do what is called "showcases". This is when students perform in front of agents and casting directors. But wait, you are saying, he wants to model, not act. I know. But you can't really work on legit modeling jobs unless you're signed. So the idea is getting in front of talent agencies so that you can be signed.

3) ideally, your school will offer programs to audition at a showcase in NYC or LA. Here's an example of such a program: https://www.instagram.com/connectnyc/


Finally, there are a ton of acting and modeling scams. Get into a legit school where you can be guided to good agencies and get customized help. Do not try to do this independently. Your son will be eaten alive. Also, ignore the gay for pay comments. This is not a thing for legitimate work.

Also a model. This is kind of how I got into it. I was acting, and looking for an agent, and the agency that signed me after seeing me in a play wanted me to model as well. It wasn't out of the blue, I was 20 and 5'8" and 110lbs, and looked like how models look. But I'd been looking for an agent because I was acting.