ADVICE: Is 14 Too Young to Start Modeling?
QUESTION:
How Do I Become a Model I im Good at the walk and every thing but is 14 too early or late to start?
REPLY:
If you wish to be a successful model, there are physical attributes about yourself that will determine what kind of modeling that you do. It's more than walking.
Your age is fine. Some people start even younger than you because they have that certain look.
Depending on what region you're in, your modeling career will be influenced by that. New York is the place for modeling. If you seriously think about modeling, it may mean relocating to that area.
However, before you pack your bags, you have to consider your height, weight, hair color, and eye color.
Your height will be a huge factor in determining whether you do runway or print. Runway requires a minimum of 5'8". Most Supermodels are 6'0" and extremely tall.
Print modeling is where you're photos. With photos, height doesn't matter because the camera can make you look tall or the photo will be cropped to focus on certain attributes other than height.
I'd be wary of Modeling Schools. Modeling Schools promise to train you in how to do runway, hair, and essentials of modeling. However, a lot of modeling and finishing schools are set up to maintain the business to stay alive.
It means having a high turnover rate of models that go through the Modeling Program, but once you're done, your success depends mostly on you. Modeling Schools will sometimes ask for you to pay $1,000 - $3,000 to go through their program.
There have been a small percentage of actors and actresses that started off from modeling schools like Matthew Modine, but there were other factors involved that weren't solely based on the Modeling or Finishing School they came from.
There's a lot of grunt work that comes with modeling. You're expected to change in and out clothes quickly. You're not supposed to have an opinion. When you're starting out, it isn't where people cater to you. It's the other way around.
There's a lot of glamour and glitz that romanticizes the thought of Modeling and being in the spotlight, but sometimes that can be misleading. The same can be seen in acting. A lot of people want to be actors and think they can walk into Hollywood and get discovered.
However, there's a lot of work. That's even assuming you have the look. There are a lot of attractive people in L.A. all wanting to get discovered. The same goes for the Modeling Industry.
That's not to say it can't be done. It just requires hard work, a support network of family and friends, and making smart business decisions.
If you'd like to do modeling on a small scale to see how it works, you can do research within your area. Local malls sometimes have fashion shows. They may not pay much, but you'll get a taste of being on the runway and showing off clothing lines.
If you have a distinctive look, you may want to try finding local clothing designers. They may be interested in using you for print work. That will help you develop a portfolio that you can show. You'll need a "comp card" that lists out all your stats.
Modeling Schools usually offer Comp Cards and Photographers as part of their package, but usually it's so that they can stream you toward their photographers. If you're not in a major metropolitan area, you may have more difficulty finding a professional photographer that will know how to make a proper layout and comp card, but at least they'll be cheaper.
If you don't have much money, you can always go to a Community College and seek out the Photography Classes. See if you can make an arrangement with a Photography Student that will take your pictures for a cheap rate and allow you to keep the negatives so that you can do reprints.
If you send to agencies, take your comp card use a glue stick on the back with your resume attached to it. Avoid using a stapler. Those things get snagged on things. A glue stick and a manila envelope is sufficient. However, bear in mind that you'll be paying for postage, which can get pricy.
The most important thing is always attitude. If you have a good attitude, people will want to hire you. If you develop an air and complain, people will notice. Also be nice to the Costume Designers and Make-Up Artists. They talk.
If you've got a bad attitude or complain, they'll tell others and people won't want to work with you.
How Do I Become a Model I im Good at the walk and every thing but is 14 too early or late to start?
REPLY:
If you wish to be a successful model, there are physical attributes about yourself that will determine what kind of modeling that you do. It's more than walking.
Your age is fine. Some people start even younger than you because they have that certain look.
Depending on what region you're in, your modeling career will be influenced by that. New York is the place for modeling. If you seriously think about modeling, it may mean relocating to that area.
However, before you pack your bags, you have to consider your height, weight, hair color, and eye color.
Your height will be a huge factor in determining whether you do runway or print. Runway requires a minimum of 5'8". Most Supermodels are 6'0" and extremely tall.
Print modeling is where you're photos. With photos, height doesn't matter because the camera can make you look tall or the photo will be cropped to focus on certain attributes other than height.
I'd be wary of Modeling Schools. Modeling Schools promise to train you in how to do runway, hair, and essentials of modeling. However, a lot of modeling and finishing schools are set up to maintain the business to stay alive.
It means having a high turnover rate of models that go through the Modeling Program, but once you're done, your success depends mostly on you. Modeling Schools will sometimes ask for you to pay $1,000 - $3,000 to go through their program.
There have been a small percentage of actors and actresses that started off from modeling schools like Matthew Modine, but there were other factors involved that weren't solely based on the Modeling or Finishing School they came from.
There's a lot of grunt work that comes with modeling. You're expected to change in and out clothes quickly. You're not supposed to have an opinion. When you're starting out, it isn't where people cater to you. It's the other way around.
There's a lot of glamour and glitz that romanticizes the thought of Modeling and being in the spotlight, but sometimes that can be misleading. The same can be seen in acting. A lot of people want to be actors and think they can walk into Hollywood and get discovered.
However, there's a lot of work. That's even assuming you have the look. There are a lot of attractive people in L.A. all wanting to get discovered. The same goes for the Modeling Industry.
That's not to say it can't be done. It just requires hard work, a support network of family and friends, and making smart business decisions.
If you'd like to do modeling on a small scale to see how it works, you can do research within your area. Local malls sometimes have fashion shows. They may not pay much, but you'll get a taste of being on the runway and showing off clothing lines.
If you have a distinctive look, you may want to try finding local clothing designers. They may be interested in using you for print work. That will help you develop a portfolio that you can show. You'll need a "comp card" that lists out all your stats.
Modeling Schools usually offer Comp Cards and Photographers as part of their package, but usually it's so that they can stream you toward their photographers. If you're not in a major metropolitan area, you may have more difficulty finding a professional photographer that will know how to make a proper layout and comp card, but at least they'll be cheaper.
If you don't have much money, you can always go to a Community College and seek out the Photography Classes. See if you can make an arrangement with a Photography Student that will take your pictures for a cheap rate and allow you to keep the negatives so that you can do reprints.
If you send to agencies, take your comp card use a glue stick on the back with your resume attached to it. Avoid using a stapler. Those things get snagged on things. A glue stick and a manila envelope is sufficient. However, bear in mind that you'll be paying for postage, which can get pricy.
The most important thing is always attitude. If you have a good attitude, people will want to hire you. If you develop an air and complain, people will notice. Also be nice to the Costume Designers and Make-Up Artists. They talk.
If you've got a bad attitude or complain, they'll tell others and people won't want to work with you.