Top Tips - Model Safety Advice

It's highly recommended that anyone that's thinking of entering the modelling arena be it fashion or glamour carefully reads and digests these essential tips. We have taken time and energy to compile to the best of our knowledge and experience a brief guideline that may help you - If you're not even going to bother reading these notes before you send in an application form at Amber Models or indeed any other serious promotional establishment, will indicate sheer lazyiness and lack of self respect already.

The following paragraphs have been compiled by the Amber Models team together with models and fellow promoters / photographers that share a genuine passion and concern about model safety and protection. However, the ultimate way to protect yourself from bogus organisations is prevention. Replacing starry eyes with good old fashioned common sense and gut feeling is essential.

There are basically two major routes that models take nowadays for promotion: either they find management / reputable agency or they push themselves via the internet. The main difference in becoming an agency model and an independent model is that an agency model has chosen an 'agent' who finds and assigns them modelling work and an independent model represents and seeks work for themselves. The golden rule is to stay safe no matter how you go about things and try and avoid the scams.

It works both ways though, If you are taken on by someone who is willing to direct and promote you never take them for granted. Treat a genuine offer of help like gold dust. Opportunity's knock is a light one in the entertainment's industry and it may only come round once.

I've always said that its as crucial to watch your conduct behind the scenes as it is in front of the Camera. Remember, just like the music industry success doesn't come over night. It sometimes takes years of practice and experience so always show appreciation to people that are giving you the break. Especially if you're taken on by merit alone and not by how much you have to pay a so called agency.

You cant buy star status so don't be fooled by people offering you the earth in exchange for large amounts of cash. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics. If you have potential for a model today, you'll have potential a week from now. There's no need to sign anything immediately. Ask yourself, 'why me?' Don't let your emotions - and the company's compliments - take control. Think carefully and critically about how you were approached: if it was in a crowded street, think how many others also may have been approached.

Scouting scams are usually at the root of modelling scams - The concept is very basic. People are told they have the look, they could be models, they are 'model material' The goal is to get the person to sign up for any number of things which will cost hundreds or thousands of pounds. For example, over half the models that we are dealing with at the moment have had the unfortunate experience of attending photo shoots under false pretences: They received phone calls out of the blue offering them free photographic shoots without even seeing them first. The unsuspecting model would pay for traveling expenses to a plush studio where they would be pampered and force fed delusions of grandeur. Ok the photographs weren't half bad but at £50 each! To put the cherry on the top in one case a girl paid £750 to obtain copyright of the images. One difference between a true scout and a bogus scout is sincerity. But how do you know if a scout is sincere? One test is to find out if the scout is paid by commission. Not commission on the number of people they sign up, but commission on the work the model receives through the agency.

Before you approach casting agents and promotional companies to get your first modelling job, you'll need to pull together a portfolio to show potential clients a variety of looks, but restrain from spending a small fortune to achieve this. Shop around to find the right photographer for you and someone that you feel at ease with. Check photographers out first, ask to see their work and references from other models he may have worked with.

You won't win an oscar or get more work for having lots of pictures in your portfolio. It is important to have a good selection of pictures that make you look fabulous and sell your personality and ability to do the type of modelling that you are trying to get work from. You need to be extremely critical of your images. Use only the best ones. Never use more than one shot of the same outfit or two pictures that are obviously taken at the same time and location - Remember, first impressions count in this game 'You only get one chance to make a good first impression' - There is no business where that is more true than modelling. Every agency or client that you contact - your modelling portfolio will always enter the door before you.

Any one under the age of 18 needs to have parental / Guardian consent in any sort of modelling or commercial photography and publication. This is under the law of the UK and many states and countries throughout the World: All that you do, needs parent / Guardian approval. Be weary of photographers / promoters telling you otherwise. Even if you're 18 and you have an appointment concerning a first time job or meeting please take someone with you - that's the danger of freelance models starting out on their own: at least with a reputable agent situations are checked out first and often it's with companies they have been working with for years. Well, if they are doing their job properly that is.

If you are in a valued position of being looked after by a good outfit then keep the enthusiasm and zest that put you there in the first place. No one is unassailable, you can be out the door faster than you came in. This may sound a little harsh but not if you take into account all the previously mentioned pitfalls out there. Here are some obvious pointers: Always look clean and tidy, It's a must. Remember producers notice uncleanliness and lack of motivation. At least be enthusiastic and show interest in the Industry you are trying to enter.

There's a prominent dividing line between being keen or becoming a pest, It's good to keep in touch with a promoter for advice and chat but avoid ringing up every two minutes asking why a job hasn't come up or being vindictive to fellow models. A managers life is hard enough in this competitive game and the chances are he's giving everything 100% anyway and needs valuable time to carry on with the job.

Greet Producer / Photographer with firm and genuine handshake in the process of doing so always keep full professional eye contact, don't look at the floor or through a person. This will gain you points.

During a job / shoot (even if nervous) always feel free to ask about anything you're not sure about. Politely ask who your working with to run through instructions and what is needed.

Whenever receiving remarks back, good or bad, always respond nicely and with gratitude. After all this person is giving you the golden opportunity to sell yourself.

After completing any job thank the producer / photographer even if you don't get through the casting a producer will always remember professional behavior and a happy face. Like any other Industry word gets around. Remember producers speak with each other.

Modelling is a form of acting, practice with a partner / friend or mirror even. Strike different poses, situations and emotions ie learn to look happy, tearful, stressed, sexy, sad and smooth. Often you don't know until the day what will be required of you.

It's important to eat healthy ie plenty fruit and veg and at least 6 pints of water a day. Everybody has some sort of busy life ie work, children etc, but try doing at least thirty minutes of cardio like walking briskly, jogging, swimming or skipping. Light weights in the gym are a great idea to tone your muscles and keep you looking fit and firm. All these things will improve your overall look including, skin, eyes and hair. A treat is ok sometimes in a diet but keep this limited as a balanced diet is the most healthy form of living.

Never burn the candle at both ends! We all want to party like Rock Stars at times but during regular castings and work its hard to do this. Knock late nights and heavy consumption of alcohol on the head.

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