Model castings are a big part of the modeling process. They can be a fun, exciting way to showcase your unique beauty and personality, as well as an opportunity to make connections and move closer to your dream job!
NYC’s bustling modeling scene can be challenging to navigate. But, with the right preparation and guidance, you can succeed in model castings, fittings, and fashion shows!
Arrive Prepared
Modeling castings are important opportunities for models to showcase their talents and land jobs. They can be conducted by modeling agencies, clients, or brands, and are often held at the agency’s offices. They may involve a go-see, which is a personal interview or audition with the client or director to determine whether a model is right for the job, or an open call, where a large number of models attend a casting to be considered for a particular campaign or project.
A professional appearance and a courteous demeanor are key at any model casting. Arriving early, wearing form-fitting clothing, and bringing all required materials can set models apart from their competitors. During the casting, it is important to maintain a polite and respectful attitude and follow all instructions from the casting directors and staff.
Castings can be intimidating for new and aspiring models, but they can also provide an opportunity to learn and improve. By preparing for castings ahead of time, models can make a positive impression on clients and casting directors and increase their chances of landing jobs. This preparation includes researching the project or campaign, bringing a portfolio and comp card, practicing walks and poses, and dressing appropriately for the type of casting they are attending.
Models can also prepare for castings by researching the client or brand, arriving early, and preparing for any wardrobe requirements. The client or casting director may ask models to wear specific attire or a certain style of makeup, for example. If the brand is a fashion label, it might request that models wear their signature look or even bring the clothes they will be modeling for the casting.
While the modeling industry is a small world, it is important to keep socializing to a minimum at castings. It can be distracting for the production team if models are catching up with each other or talking while they should be focused on their audition. In addition, it is best to save the chatting for after castings, when you can catch up with your fellow models outside of the casting space.
Bring Your Modeling Portfolio
Your modeling portfolio is your most important tool when it comes to getting bookings. It’s best to keep your model book updated and to add in tear sheets (those are magazine pages or photos that show that you have done work) as you gain more experience.
Often, the number of images in your modeling portfolio depends on the type of modeling you want to do, but it’s generally good to have at least 10 to 20 top shots that show your versatility as a model. When you choose your shots, focus on choosing high-quality images and try to make sure that they are both full body and headshots.
Many models have the mistaken idea that they need to put every photo they’ve ever taken into their modeling portfolio, but the truth is that it’s quality over quantity when creating a model book. In reality, the quality of your model photos will directly influence how much work you get. Therefore, it’s essential to take the time to create a modeling portfolio that will reflect your unique look and talent.
When putting together your model book, it’s also important to think about the flow of the layout. You want to ensure that your models are presented in a way that will keep the viewer interested and encourage them to turn the pages.
Another thing to remember is that a client may only glance at the first few photos in your modeling portfolio when deciding whether or not to book you, so you’ll want to start with your strongest ones. These should be clear headshots that accentuate your facial features.
When choosing a photographer to take your modeling photos, be sure to find someone who is experienced in shooting for models and can offer creative direction to help you get the most out of your shoot. Once you have your photos, you can have them printed and bound at a professional printing shop or pay a designer to make you a physical portfolio with the images built into it. If you choose to go digital, it’s a good idea to keep your images on a cloud-based file sharing service so that you can easily email them when needed.
Don’t Bring Friends or Family
A model casting is a chance for you to meet the clients, brands, or designers who will be hiring you for a job. These meetings usually involve a larger group of models, but you can also have an individual meeting if needed. During a modeling casting, you will be judged for everything from your body language to how you carry yourself. Even small things like your eye contact or the amount of make-up you wear will have a big impact on whether or not you book the job.
The best way to avoid putting off the casting director or client is to act professionally from start to finish. This means avoiding swearing and making inappropriate jokes, as well as being on time for your casting session. Modeling castings can take a while, and you don’t want to be the person who shows up late and distracts everyone else in the process.
If you do run into other models that you know, save the catching up chatter until after the casting is over. Not only is it rude to other models, but it can be distracting for the person running the casting as they try to evaluate all of the candidates.
Models, regardless of whether they’re undertaking catalogue or high-fashion work, are there to sell an image, not themselves. Clients will have spent many hours thinking about how they want their products to be portrayed, and the model casting is their chance to pick someone who can bring that vision to life.
There are many different types of model castings, including open castings, closed castings, and project-specific castings. Closed castings are usually by invitation only, while project-specific castings are conducted for specific jobs and are aimed at models who have already caught the client’s attention. General castings are usually conducted by agencies to add new faces to their roster.
If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a modeling casting, always check the location in advance and contact the client or agency directly to confirm it is genuine. Also, never give out your personal details over social media and if you’re a minor, always have a parent or guardian with you for online interviews or Skype sessions.
Be Prepared to Wait
Model castings are a very important part of being a successful model. They are the first opportunity to meet with clients, brands or designers to see if you are the right fit for the job they are looking to fill. Castings can be a long process, so it is important to arrive on time and be prepared for the wait. The best way to prepare for a modeling casting is to research the company or brand that you are auditioning for and be familiar with their products. This will help you to answer any questions that may be asked of you during your audition.
During your model casting, you will most likely be photographed and asked to try on clothes or do some poses. It is important to have a positive attitude, even if you are not selected for the job. You want to leave a good impression on the casting team so they will remember you and be more likely to recommend you to other potential models.
If you are selected for the job, it is vital to follow the instructions given by the director and/or producer. This will include posing, walking or dancing and answering any questions that are asked of you. It is also important to stay focused and not be distracted by other models, friends or family members.
When you are selected for the job, it is a good idea to have a book or something else to do while waiting. Depending on the casting, you might have to wait for hours before it is your turn to audition. It is important to keep a positive attitude and not get upset or show frustration when it is taking longer than you expected. If you do start to get annoyed or upset, it will rub off on the casting team and could affect your chances of getting the job. So, it is a good idea to arrive early and have something to do while you are waiting. This will help you to avoid getting too nervous and distracted, which can cause you to make mistakes during your audition.
