How I Signed With My First Modeling Agency

Hello my a-listers! This morning I thought I'd share the process of signing with my first agency. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I initially worked in entertainment abroad. So, this blog post will detail the experience of signing with that agency. Upon returning to America, I did sign with an American agnecy, but I'll get into that in another post. First, I'll start at the beginning and share my experience of trying to break into modeling on my own, and a few things I wish I could have done differently.

After my first acting job and a few modeling ones,  I figured I better get myself with an agency before I got screwed over by someone. Now, most agencies have three options when it comes to applying:

1. Online. This seems to be the current trend thanks to the digital boom. It also makes it easier for agencies since they say they will only reply to your application if they are interested in you. Therefore, they don't have to spend so much time going through faces at open calls. 
2. Open calls. Outdated, but still happening. Open calls allow anyone to come to their offices during a scheduled time. There, you will typically go over your portfolio, comp cards, do some test shots, and a general basic interview.
3. Mail. This is probably the most dated form of applying. It still happens, but it's going to take you a long time to get an answer. I wouldn't recommend this method at all if it is available.

I decided not to attend any open calls. I guess I was doubting myself and didn't want to waste time and money traveling from agency to agency just to be rejected. I decided to apply online. This process just required me to send some photos (professional ones not required!) in certain angles that they requested. Usually each company will give you guidelines on the types of shots to send, and for the love of God, do not send selfies! I figured if they didn't respond to my online application, at least I wouldn't have wasted time and money. I ended up applying to five agencies; three of them responded.

The first one - which was a prestigious agency in the country - thanked me for my application, and said that they would contact me if I fitted any of their future projects. I took this response as a kind "no" and moved on. The second agency invited me to their office for a full audition, while the third agency invited me to come to the agency's owner's home. Um. . . No thank you! I decided to pass on the third agency after some more sketchy things happened, but that's a whole other long story that I'll share in a different post. In the mean time, let's focus on the second agency.

The second agency responded hours after I applied online, and invited me to come in the next morning. I happily dolled myself up and hailed a cab over to their office. As I've mentioned before, this wasn't an American agency, so the audition process varied slightly form the typical auditions you hear of. I filled out a form with my basic info, and they took a few test shots at different angels. They finished by taking videos of me at different angels as well as me introducing myself on camera and stating basic things about my self (former experience, hobbies, etc). I also did some basic acting. Overall, this took less than ten minutes.  They told me that they would keep in touch, and they did.

A few hours later they sent me a text saying that I was all set, and asked if I was available for a television commercial tomorrow. I accepted and the rest is history. That's about all there is to it. It wasn't a stressful process, and overall, it was very easy. Again, a lot of this goes back to the key element in the entertainment industry: luck. I got lucky that I heard back from these agencies quickly, that they accepted me, and that they next day I had my first audition. Good things aside, there are somethings that I wish I did differently, and I hope you can learn from my mistakes.

1. Makeup. I wore way too much makeup, plain and simple. They even pointed it out to me and said that they didn't know what to do since I wasn't rocking a natural look. They did go through with the audition and sign me, but I really should have gone for a natural look and not have tried too hard. Keep in mind that they want to see the true you. They're professional people; they're imagining how you will look with fashionable clothes and dramatic makeup. Let them do their job and show them you.
2. Clothes. Going along with the makeup theme, I should have dressed casual and neat, rather than trying to look like a fashion queen. Again, they're professionals, let them use their imagination on different looks for you instead of trying to present one to them.
3. Time. I held myself back for so long by not biting the bullet and applying earlier. In the end, you'll truly never be ready, so you might as well do it now since you're the youngest that you'll ever be. Aging is not kind in this industry.
4. Confidence. Sounds cliche, but anyone can tell when you're owning the room and when you're not. I wish I acted like I knew I was a-list material, instead of someone that was seeking approval.
5. Portfolio. Agencies don't require you to have professional shots, but it definitely helps to have them. I wish I had gone to a studio and paid for some basic shots or sought a photographer who was willing to do a time for portfolio (TFP), so that I could have presented some quality shots.

That's all for now my a-listers. If you have any questions or topics that you'd like me to cover, let me know. In the meantime, find me on instagram at instagram.com/lifeonthatalist to always find the latest news on my life on that a-list. 

Till next time, xoxo

-J