Firstly there are no set "rules" as to who will
work as a model and who won’t work in the fashion industry. It is all about a specific
look. The only basic requirement is that girls need to be at least
1.75m (that is 5ft 9 inches) tall, and guys at least 1.80 (5ft 11 inches) tall.
If you would like to know if you could have the potential
to be a model, you can reach Screenface at:
PO Box 774
Greenpoint
CAPE TOWN
South Africa
Or you could send photographs of yourself (with your
measurements i.e. height, waist, hips, bust/chest, shoe size and hair and eye colour).
These do not have to be "professionally" taken photographs. Our postal address
is:
Screenface
Att: Renico van Rensburg
P.O. Box 774
GREEN POINT
South Africa
8051
You can also send us a photograph by e-mail,
please ensure it is not bigger than 150kb and in a
.jpg format .
You can send it to renico@screenface.co.za
GETTING STARTED IN MODELLING / MODELING:
Once accepted by a model agency, there is a lot of
preparation to be done before you get your first "modelling assignment". You
have to acquire a professional portfolio by doing several test shoots. These are shoots
that you pay for and are done by a Fashion photographer who is
assited by a hair stylist & make-up artist. Some times the hair and
make-up is done by the same person.These photographs will be viewed by
your agency & yourself within a day or three to decide which
ones to use.You do not have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable
(which will show in the pics anyway -wasting your money.) These pictures
will be be used start off your portfolio, hopefully to be replaced by magazine
and advertising work. You will also have to make a comp card (almost like your own
business card, A5 size with one picture on the front and four smaller ones on the back)
the model agency uses these to "market" you to the clients.
You must realise that modelling is not an easy, glamorous life
style, you must be motivated and dedicated. You will be expected to be professional,
punctual and responsible concerning all aspects of the industry at all times.
At SCREENFACE the door to the booking office is always
open. Our models know that they can come to us any time during the day with any
questions they may have.
Here are a few notes to help you understand the industry
better
MODEL WORK IS OBTAINED BY:
- Having a good card / z-card / composite.
- Going to castings.
- Doing go sees.
- "Checking in with the agency."
I am sure you would like to know how soon
you will work as a model.
This varies. You must understand that you will not work
immediately. Once you have a presentable portfolio and cards you will start attending
castings, and from the castings you get the bookings. So basically there are no short
cuts, but as soon as you are ready to work your booker will start sending you to castings.
That is where you come into the picture. Model agencies can only do so much for you, but
once you are sitting in front of the client, you are the only one who can pull the booking
through.
MODELS
GLOSSARY / TERMINOLOGY:
These are a couple of words used in the industry,
I’m sure this will be of some help in understanding how everything works.
ad
Abbreviation for advertisement.
artist release form
A contract in releasing your claim of any rights to images been taken for
a specific client for an agreed fee. There are variations on these in the
industry presently.
weather day
Clients may not be able to film on a certain day due to bad weather
and
will call for another day to film.Quite often do they option a last
additional day on a shoot for a possible weather day.
beauty
When used in context such as "beauty shoot" it refers to a full face
photograph which would be used for a cover or a cosmetic ad.
booker
Staff member whose job is to handle requests from clients.
booking
When a model is booked for a specific job he/she has a booking.
booking out
When a model notifies his/her booker/agency that he/she will not be available for a
certain number of days.
brief
Information given to a model by his/her booker regarding the job or casting. It
will have information such as dress code etc. Or information a client will give to the
agency regarding a casting.
call back
After a casting the casting director/client may want to see a model
again to enable a final decision for final selection before the booking
casting
Clients ask to see models who fit a specific brief for a specific job. The client will
hold a casting. You must attend all castings and dress accordingly. If you cannot attend a
casting notify the agency.There are
no fees payable castings by you,as you will not be paid as well.
Casting Director
The person appointed by a client to facilitate the casting enabling the client to find the
best artists/talent for a particular assignment/tv commercial/film or advert.
Casting Directors DO NOT CHARGE YOU to cast. No fees Payable to cast.
composite / card / flyer /comp card
This is a card with photographs and measurements of a model. These are sent to
clients. If you do not have a card you will miss out on a lot of castings and potential
bookings.
contact sheet
A page showing several exposures from the same roll of film.
copy book
A copy of the model
portfolio pictures placed into a second portfolio book
cover shoot / cover try
when a model do a photographic shoot for the cover of a magazine /or
on spec (cover try) means that it is not accepted at the time of shoot.
Several models can do a cover shoot and the editorail team will search for
the best picture to be on the cover.
crew
All personnel who assist in the production of stills photographs and television
commercials, including camera operators, make-up artists etc.
commission
A commission of 20 % is deducted by the agency on all jobs. You will be quoted a
"model fee" which includes the agency commission and tax.
editorial
An "editorial booking" is a shoot for the fashion pages in a magazine. An
editorial is only used once.
go-see
When the model agency makes an appointment for you to see a photographer or a client. A go-see is different to a casting where there are lots of models. You do not get paid for
going on go-sees.
location
When a model gets booked to shoot on location it means that you will not be shooting
in studio. Normally location shoots take place out-doors.
main
book or book 1
Each model normally
have at least 2 books - 1 main book & 1 copy book (portfolio)
model romcard
cd rom fitting disk with model's images on. It can contain still &
video images,audio clips ,etc.
mannequin
/ mannequins
another word for model, models
N.A.M.A
National Association of Model Agencies.
on camera performers
agreement
Contract for your voice work/ performance in front of camera for a
paticular film/tv commercial ,audio visual.
on set
Meaning on the location where the filming/performance will be
captured/takes place.
options
An option is put on a model by a client or clients, to procure the models tentative
availability for their shoot. The options are then either taken up by a confirmed booking
or released.
Paye tax
Every freelance model from babies to the elderly pays Pay As You Earn tax
which is 25% presently in South Africa. This amount is deducted by your
agency from your model fees and paid over to the Receiver of
Revenue.
Irp5 certificate
You will be issued with a IRP5 (SA) certificate for the tax amounts that
your agency deducted from your earnings and paid over to the Receiver of
Revenue.
photo library / picture library /stock images
Pictures taken by photograpers to be places in "photograpic
libraries" from which clients can buy/"rent" a picture for
the client's paticular needs.
These might never be used by clients or can be used from editorial to
adverting
The model is compensated for his/her work day in front of camera while the
usage fees for the images ,when used, are between the photo
library/photographer and client.
portfolio / porti / book
A selection of photo’s and tearsheets that a model shows to clients.
pencil booking
A provisional booking for a model / models.
S.A.A.S.P.
South African Association of Stills Producers.
take
A model hears this word when being filmed or taped. When a director or cameraman says
"this is going to be a take" he means rehearsals are over and the models next
moves will actually be recorded. (hopefully for the last time)
tearsheet
As soon as a magazine appears in which a model is featured, he/she must buy copies and
literally tear out the magazine sheets. These pages from a magazine are called tearsheets.
These will be placed into the portfolio/book.
test
When a model does a test shoot it is purely for her book. Testing is vital to build up
your book, and so the clients can see your ability to work, it also gives you experience.
Models are not paid to test, they have to pay a photographer to test with them.
tvc
Abbreviation for tv commercial. - tv ads
This is obviously just a basic run-down on how things
work. We hope that you are more informed about the modelling industry now, if you have any
queries you can contact our Model Agency at the above addresses.
You could also phone us:
From S.A. on (021) or
Fax
us on (021)
or e-mail us at: info@screenface.co.za
.
From International areas
:
Tel (++27 21) &
Fax (++27 21)
or e-mail us at: info@screenface.co.za
.
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