Why Should you be a Model? A List of the Perks of Modeling.

Becoming a model is a dream many girls out there, and for good reason.

Imagine wearing clothes from the hottest designers, walking down the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York, and starring on the cover of Vogue or Elle. Sounds like a dream right?

However, if you really want to become a model, it should be pointed out that behind all the glitz and glamour associated with the industry is a world where only the strong survive, where those that fail to persevere fail, and those with frail hearts go home crying. Becoming a model is by no means easy—just the task of signing up with modeling agencies in New York can be frustrating.

But the point of this article is not to dissuade you from being model—in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Below are some perks that come with being a model.

Free Stuff

Models get a lot of free stuff on top of their take home pay. Many clients, comprised of businesses and other organizations, not only pay you for modeling, but also give some of their products for free. Many of these businesses offer makeup and clothes, so it’s a great way to build your closet. Besides these items, you can also get free professional photographs, which you can include in your portfolio, and invites to the hottest events in town, just to name a few.

Incredible Experiences 

Modeling isn’t just about money and fame, it’s also about molding yourself into a better person through your once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The opportunity to travel, to work with people, and to step out of your comfort zone allows you to discover things about yourself that you didn’t even know.

Travel

This definitely deserves a special mention. Models who manage to find success get the opportunity to travel not just outside of their town, city, or state, but also outside of the country. Imagine trooping down to the Caribbean for a photo shoot, going to Paris for Fashion week, or staying in a hotel in New York, free of charge for work.

Salary

Models, even those who haven’t hit the big time quite yet, can make decent money. Even if you just work part-time as a model or work freelance, you can make enough money to pay your rent and utilities. Heck, you can even work your way through college. Models can make anywhere between $200 to $1,000 for every job—higher if you manage to sign yourself up with one of the high-profile modeling agencies in New York.

The Basics of Being an Actor: What to Do to Get Started

Imagine becoming a famous movie star.

How does being a world-renowned movie start sound to you? Imagine the screaming fans waiting for you at premiers, the people lining up to watch your movies, the money you get from your blockbusters.
Sounds great right?

However, the reality is that very few actors manage to work their way into B-movie territory, much less A movies. Those that do manage to find success have usually spent years paying their dues in theater and small budget flicks and TV shows.

Indeed, working your way from the bottom up is a part of the acting industry that’s here to stay. However, it’s not all bad. Paying your dues allows you to gain more experience and insight into how acting works. If gives you time to learn and hone your craft, becoming a better actor who’s ready for complex roles. It also allows you to forge connections with key people in the industry, which pays off when it’s time to find jobs.

Here’s what you can do to get the ball rolling.

Join Casting Calls

Numerous televisions studios in the country hold casting calls for new shows, movies, commercials and all sorts of productions set for shooting. Oftentimes, many acting agencies in Pennsylvania, New York and LA hold casting calls to sign new talents. Go ahead and attend these casting calls to get your name out there. If you don’t get the part, don’t despair. At least you got your name in the talent pool.

Join the Indie Scene 

Audition for an independent movie. Sure the sets will be Spartan, and the pay will likely be small, but indie films are a great vehicle for you to hone your craft while potentially getting the attention of critics, agents and film studios. Many of today’s most prolific names in acting and filmmaking first got their start in the indie scene, so don’t shy away from it.

Indie films also usually play around with more complex roles, allowing you to learn things you wouldn’t normally pickup in mainstream productions.

Find an Agent

You’ll often hear many people say that you know you’ve hit the big time when you’re getting an agent to help your career. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get an agent if you’re still a novice. Quite the contrary in fact, as agents, who secure jobs for talents, can help jumpstart your career quickly. Of course, it all boils down to whether or not you can sign up with acting agencies in Pennsylvania.

What are the Differences Between Acting on Stage and on Film?

For many actors, 

Most actors have had the thought of wanting to do both live acting and camera acting. Understanding the differences between stage acting and on-camera acting is important, especially if you want to concentrate on one of these fields in acting. Acting agencies in New York City commonly take in people who have talent in both stage and film acting.

But what to choose? It can be difficult to determine what field you want develop your acting skills in. Here are three things to consider when choosing.

Acting Environment

In theater productions, scenes and locations are designed by set designers and artists, who are tasked to put up grand backdrops that are changed or used alternately for appropriate scenes. This usually happens when the curtains go down.

When it comes to theater, the location and scenes are designed by artists and set designers who create elaborate backdrops that are rotated and changed when the curtains go down as the show goes on. Since the performances are confined within the stage, the complexity and number of sets are limited, which can place a heavier burden on the actors to portray the story.

With film acting, the sets are shot in real locations or green screens. Everything from music to special effects can be added after filming. Actors can get more comfortable with their environment and can even afford to make a mistake or two.

Cut!

With onstage acting, you’re only given one shot to deliver your performance. You have to say your lines perfectly and give out all your emotions on that scene. Any mistakes can be seen by the live audience and the show must go on no matter what. Your next chance for redemption will be on the next show.

In film, these mistakes can be altered and fixed by retaking the scene. Some directors would even ask the actors to create multiple takes to choose a better shot.

Delivery

Cameras can easily zoom in to capture the slightest gestures in movies. You don’t have to exaggerate your expressions, voice and actions to get the scene right. Stage acting, however, is a different story. Even if you have a lapel microphone to help the audience hear you, your actions are not as clear to the people sitting on the very back of the audience. You will have to project your acting skills in a dramatic and animated way.

When you sign up for acting agencies in New York, they’ll first ask you if you have experience in film or stage acting. It’s worth pointing out that the best actors we see today first started out on stage, so it’s always a good idea to develop stage acting skills.

Tips for Teen Models and Parents: How to Make Sure your Kid Find Success and Fun

Most models generally start out at a young age, which explains why each year, many teenagers try their luck and get into the modeling industry. Fortunately, more parents are now more open minded about helping their teens get an early start in the modeling industry. This is important, because parents should play an active role in what could very well be their teens’ future career. And with today’s crop of teen models possessing more talents than ever, modeling agencies in New York City are no longer looking at looks and skills as the only deciding factors when signing up a talent. They’re also looking at how professional and mature a teenage talent is—this is where you as a parent can come in.

Below are tips on helping your teen model deal with the pressure of being in the modeling industry. With these tips, you can help them find success, while ensuring that they have fun.

Let Them Decide

Although being a parent to a teenage model requires you to be hands on in supporting your child, don’t forget that your primary duty is provide support, not make decisions for your teen. Don’t decide if your teen should be a model or not; you can however, help your teen build self-esteem, become independent, become creative and stand out from the crowd.

Treat Your Teen as a Young Adult 

The modeling industry wasn’t designed for children. Teenage models, although young, can expect to see themselves in high pressure situations where they need to carry themselves with professionalism,
maturity and poise.

Remind your teen that if she really wants to make it as a model, she will have to behave as a young adult. However, don’t’ be too hard on your teen, despite the need for them to be mature. It’s natural for teens to have a hard time with the pressures of the industry and all, so be sure to provide support and see to it that your teen has fun.

Remind Her She’s Special

Your child will face rejection in the modeling industry, particularly when it comes to auditioning for modeling agencies in New York City. Throughout everything, never let your child forget that she is special and that rejection is a normal part not just of the modeling industry, but life itself. Nurture your child’s talent in any way you can and teach her the value of hard work. Don’t forget her education, so she can fall back on something in case she changes her mind about becoming a model.

Modeling Tips from the Photographers: What You Should Be Doing

Out of all the people working with models, photographers are perhaps the ones closest to models. That said, it’s important to know the value of listening to a photographer, especially during a shoot. In fact, you may find that the photographers you work with are also talent agents from modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, New York or Los Angeles.

The following are tips many photographers have shared for the benefit of models.

Do your homework about the shoot location and have travel plans ready.

Preparation is what makes or breaks the success of a shoot or any other modeling gig for that matter. For many models, this involves planning what clothes to wear and what makeup to use (assuming you’re being left to your own devices). However, it’s also important to plot your itinerary and travel plans well in advance, helping you get an idea of the length of time it will take for you to reach your shoot destination; this also allows you to know how you can fit the shoot into your schedule.

Find out the details of your shoot.

Again, do your homework. Learn all the details of the shoot or modeling gig; find out everything from the job site’s full address, contact numbers and email addresses of the photographer, your agent and director, and other miscellaneous information. Your goal here is to be aware of everything about the shoot and how it relates to you. Be a girl scout in this matter.

Discuss shoot themes and styles before the shoot

Before the date of the shoot, be sure to talk to the photographer, stylist and director about what themes and styles you’ll be having in the shoot. Talk to your photographer to get an idea of his/her style when taking photographs. Talk to the stylist to know what to expect when it comes to clothes and makeup. If you have any comments and suggestions, let the concerned people know about them.

Stay in touch with the people in charge

On the days leading to the shoot and on the day itself, be sure to stay in touch with the photographer, director as well as your agent. You want to be able to notify the important people in the event of an emergency, or when something comes up that may cause you to be late or worse, unable to attend the shoot at all.

It’s the least and most professional action you can take during these cases.

Modeling 101 – Practice your Walk at the Grocery

As a model, you’re expected to always have to look good and know how to carry yourself when you’re in public. If you’re still starting out, one of the most difficult things to get used to is the “catwalk” walk. This is how you walk down the ramp during fashion shows that modeling agencies in New York City assign to you, wearing the newest line of designs for the season from top designers. It’s a stressful job since it’s going to be your task to present the clothes and make the audience imagine themselves wearing it.

Walking down a catwalk is like walking down the isle of a grocery or supermarket. You have a small where you can walk up and down, and believe it or not, you can practice your “catwalk” walk while you’re doing your weekly groceries.

Wear your shoes

It might sound silly to wear your killer heels to the grocery, but if you want to practice the walk, you have to wear the heels. Use your favorite heels or the most comfortable pair you have and bring an extra pair of flats just in case.

Imagine you’re at the ramp

All you really need when you’re practicing how to walk is just your imagination. Just imagine that you’re walking down the ramp of a fashion show in New York or Paris. Just remember what you learned in modeling school or from watching fashion TV. Slowly walk down the aisle and turn at the end to walk back.

Less crowded

The less people the aisle has, the more space you have to practice with. If you’re shy or have a hard time imagine yourself in a ramp, then an empty aisle is definitely going to help.

Basket or no basket? 

Should you or should you not bring a basket? Well that’s totally up to you. If you need to get a lot of things from the grocery, then don’t hesitate to get one. After all, the whole point of you going to the grocery is to pick up food, not to show off your walk. If you’re trying out a new pair of shoes, a grocery basket is a good support to help you walk.

Smile

People might look at you while you’re shopping, but who cares? Smile and have fun. Who knows, someone from one of the best modeling agencies in New York City could be shopping at the same grocery or super market and spot you walking.

How to go Mainstream is 3 ways

When a band goes into mainstream, most of their hard core fans would say that they’ve “sold out” or “given into the money”. If you look at it, if you go mainstream, you do make more money compared to staying indie or underground, however, there is a big possibility that you might have to do something to honor the corporate side of the deal, such as writing pop songs or becoming a spokesperson for a brand.

Whether you’re in it for the money, or you just want to take fame as far as it can go, here are a few tips to help get you and your band into the mainstream light.

 Play as many gigs as you can

First, you want to get as much exposure as possible. You want people to know your band and what you can do. Go to open mic nights, sign up for band competitions, ask productions and organizers to let you play during their next show, do what you need to do to get to play on stage. The more people know about you, the bigger your chance of getting into mainstream music.

Get a manager

If you want to go professional and mainstream, then get a manager. Someone who can help you get on top and stay on top. You’ll be lucky if a known manager would ask you if they can manage you, but if you already have a manager, then make sure he or she is competitive enough to handle all the competitions in the mainstream world.

Contact an agency

A manager is going to need a lot of money, so if you’re a bit short on funds, go for talent agents in New York City. The best thing about signing up for a talent agency is that they usually cost less than a manager plus, they can get you regular gigs, which means more money for you and the band. One thing you should know about talent agents in New York City is that some of them are fake, so be careful when you‘re signing up for one. Keep in mind that they should never ask you for a sign-up fee, after all, they’re going to get a cut form your talent fee.

These are just a few things that you can do to get the attention of big record producers and labels. You might think that going mainstream would kill your originally, but as your band grows, your music will also grow with it. It’s just a natural process and some of your old fans might not like it, but rest assured, you’ll get a lot of new fans if you go mainstream. 

How to Dress for a Fashion Show

Whether you’re a fashionista or not, you’ll be really conscious about what you’re going to wear when you’re attending a fashion show. Think of all the people attending this 10 to 20 minute event, showcasing the news designs of the season, and how they’re going to look at what you’re wearing. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to one of these events, maybe by the designer or a friend who works  for one of the  modeling agencies in New York City, and you’re having a hard time deciding what to wear, here are a few tips.

Know the show

Is it some top brand show for fashion week or an indie fashion designer who’s just starting up his or her clothing line? You don’t want to go too overdressed or too underdressed, so it’s important to know what type of clothes you should wear so it blends in with the feel of the show. Some organizers also ask the audience to attend wearing a specific dress code while others just want you to show up as casually dressed as possible.

Shoes matter

No matter what you’re wearing on top, your shoes need to be comfortable. Although most fashion shows will let you sit in front of the cat walk, you might be spending a lot of time talking and socializing before and after the show. You might end up regretting wearing those killer shoes because they get uncomfortable after some time standing around. You can also carry around something more comfortable in your bag, just in case you need to change.

No to shinny accessories

The models will hate you for wearing something distracting that could cause them to fall off. It’s already bad enough that they have to face the harsh, hot and bright lighting on the stage and the constant flashes of cameras. If you don’t want to end up outshining the designer’s clothes, try not to wear something that reflex too much light. It’s distracting and annoying.

When in doubt, go for classic

You can never go wrong with picking out classic pieces of clothes and designs. Sure they don’t really stand out as much, but it’s not overdressing or underdressing. Classic designs are also perfect for these situations because you can never go wrong with them.

You might not be dressed up like one of the runway models from modeling agencies in New York City, but you can definitely say that you have a good fashion sense. Follow these tips and have fun at the fashion show. 

No Experience as a Model? Here are Some Tips for You!

If you’re a complete novice to the modeling industry and haven’t had the chance to amass work experience, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s normal to feel awkward or inadequate at this early stage of your career. If you’ve managed to sign yourself up with one of the modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, New York, or Los Angeles, then good, but that’s not going you to be your sure shot to success.

Here are some tips to make up for your lack of experience in the modeling industry.

Develop your Confidence

Confidence is highly important for any model, but unfortunately, not everyone has it. Just remember to focus and relax when you’re on assignment. Concentrate on what poses you want to make, but don’t make it seem that you’re thinking too much and trying too hard. If you’re uncomfortable on a shoot, talk to the photographer and/or director. Use humor, or better yet, bring a friend with you to increase your comfort level.

Use your Body

If you haven’t done it yet, master the art of posing. Use your body to show off the different angles and poses the human body can make. If you don’t know a thing about posing, (you probably shouldn’t become a model) there are some examples of simple poses you can’t go wrong with. For instance, trying crossing your legs, or shoot from a higher angle than you are. Remember to move, and keep your arms moving and working.

Work the Face

You read that right. Work your face. Make as many expressions as you can—practice at home in front of the mirror. With enough practice, you can make the right facial expressions that set a great photo apart from a boring one. Facial expressions are so important that many modeling agencies in Pennsylvania  require  model submissions to have headshots of models making various expressions. That said, be sure to make expressions that convey dram and emotions.

Work with the Photographer

And by work, we mean really cooperating and forming a professional relationship with your photographer. Learn to communicate with photographers during photo shoots and listen to them. A good photographer knows what he/she is doing, and as a model, you really have no choice but to have faith in their wisdom. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t speak up and tell them what you think and what you’re comfortable and not comfortable with.

Questions to Ask a Modeling Agency to Tell if It’s Legit or Not

To be a successful model, you need to take great care in who you associate yourself with. For new models, one of the biggest ‘to dos’ on their list is to sign up with modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, New York or LA. However, that task can be harder than expected, what with the number of scam artists out there posing as modeling agents, ripping off new models and practically stealing their money.

Before you go off in search of modeling agencies, be sure to know how you can protect yourself and avoid running into a scam. Here are the questions to ask an agency or agent you’re eyeing.

What has your agency done so far, and how does it work?

The reason for this question is obvious. You want to find just how successful an agency is, and you want to know what it is they do exactly. Although all modeling agencies follow the same business model, they can have different operational methods, which makes it important to know just what the agency your eyeing does for models.

If an agent has trouble sharing or won’t disclose their track record and nature of their work, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere.

Do you charge any fees?

Although a modeling agency that asks money from aspiring models prior to sign up with them is suspect, it’s not unheard for an agency to do that. Most model agencies will gladly explain to you how they make money, a process which involves agents finding work for models, and in return, getting a commission off of the model’s talent fee.

How successful are your models?

A legitimate agency should be able to tell you their success rate, that is, how successful their models are. Ask the agency for a rundown on the projects their models have handled, and check if they’ve actually done a good job. Most modeling agencies in Pennsylvania will readily give you a background on their models activities.

Can we meet at your offices?

And by offices, we mean an actual base of operations. Not a bedroom, not a hotel room. A legit agency will happily set an appointment for an interview during business hours. Agencies are businesses, so that means they more or less observe regular business hours.

Don’t be afraid to ask these questions from the agent or agency representative. Don’t be embarrassed to be upfront with your questions.

No Band Manager—What Now?

You’re part of a band, and you’ve finally decided to take your music out of your comfort zone, also known as your local bar and/or garage. It’s as this point when many bands ask themselves if they need a band manager to find and book gigs on their behalf.

The band manager gets a bad rep for being portrayed on film and TV as a bloodsucking leech, who only cares about making money. This however, is not the case—at least not always. The band manager may not get much love, but they serve a crucial purpose in the band. The manager is the person with the task for finding gigs, pouring over contracts, and seeing to it that deals and sponsorships serve the best interest of the band, both when it comes to money and promotions.

It’s important however, to understand that professional band managers take 15% to 20% of the talent fee received by a band for every performance and deal. For new bands, finding a band manager can be difficult due to the lack of resources.

However, having no manager doesn’t mean your band is without hope. Your band can still get out there without a manager.

Go DIY

Go ahead and manage your band yourself. Bands will naturally have a leader, or at the very least, one or two members who serve as the band’s driving force; if you’re one such person, don’t be shy to take the reins and manage the band. In many ways, going DIY is easier since all the band members actively play a role on deciding which direction the band should take. It also gives band members insight on the business side of the music industry.

Find Friends

You probably have friends who express a strong interest in the music industry, so why not get them to act as your band’s manager? Your friend is likely to be on the same wavelength as you are, having an understanding of how your band works, what kind of music you play, what your personalities are, and above all, what your band needs.

Consult Music Agencies in Pennsylvania

If you can’t have a full-time professional manager on board, get a part time one from music agencies in Pennsylvania. Part-time managers won’t be as present as full-time managers, but you can split the work with them and get the benefit of tapping into their connections with event organizers, record labels, and other musicians

I’m a Model with No Experience. What Do I Need?

Every successful model out there started from nothing. If you want to become a model but worry over your lack of experience, it’s perfectly normal to feel awkward on your first job, whether it’s a simple photo shoot or walking down the ramp. If you’ve signed up with one of the many modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, don’t think you’re already out of the woods—your journey’s just begun.

Below are a few tips to help you beat your problem of feeling awkward and inexperienced when on the job.

Confidence

Your ability to stay confident will be of the utmost importance when working in the modeling industry. You can’t afford to be uncomfortable, awkward and shy during a photo shoot or runway job, because it completely ruins what the client or photographer is trying to achieve.

Learn to relax, take a deep breath and dive into what you’re doing. Concentrate , pose and move your body. Listen to what the photographer or director tells you to do, and be sure to let them know about what you feel when on the job.

Posing Skills

Before you even think of applying at the top modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you have the skill of posing down pat. You should already know how to position and angle your body to make it, or certain parts of your body, look as best as possible. Posing is an art that’s all about enhancing your looks—it’s a crucial skill to have if you want to be a model.

Master the Face

As funny as it sounds, it pays to know how to use your face, that is, using it to make certain expressions at will. Your facial expressions can mean the difference between a stunning photo, and a boring and forgettable one.

Master your face and gain the ability to make wonderful and expressive facial expressions that enhance your facial features. When going over submissions, many modeling agencies in Pennsylvania will not only look at the facial features of models, but also the variety of expressions they can make. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your mouth shapes and eye expressions.

Rapport with Photographer

A good photograph is the byproduct of a good relationship between model and photographer. At photo shoots, be sure to talk with the photographer to see eye to eye on what the shoot’s goals are. This also helps build trust in the photographer.

Modeling Dangers: All About Eating Disorders

Fashion models have long been associated with poor eating habits and eating disorders, and for good reason too. Models are under intense pressure to maintain their body shape, which unfortunately, favors the waifish type of women.

If you’re a parent with a teenager aspiring to become a model, it pays to know what these disorders are and how they work. You may be busy looking for modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, but it’s important to set aside time to understand how these problems work.

• Eating disorders are caused by a complex set of factors, which go beyond just exposure to images shown by the media and industry of thin women. It also goes beyond the pressures to meet requirements in fashion modeling. The fact is, a woman who is psychologically healthy and thrust into these situations is  more likely to handle things well, compared to a girl who’s less mature and emotionally unstable.


• A woman with issues that lead to eating disorders should really just consider some other profession or line of work. Modeling looks easy, but it is incredibly stressful, putting intense pressure on a girl’s self esteem and confidence. The industry doesn’t excel at providing girls the responsible supervision they need, making it easy for pre-existing eating disorders and tendencies to worsen.


• Young models in particular are most susceptible to eating disorders, since they’ve yet to mature emotionally and psychologically. They need the most supervision and guidance to combat eating disorders, which is just one of the issues young models face. Parent simply have to gain an understanding of these risks and form a position of judgment and knowledge of their daughters’ emotional health and maturity. It’s up to them to determine any warning signs presents and whether they help their daughters avoid modeling altogether.


• Far more common than eating disorders are the seemingly rational methods of models to reduce or control their weight to meet industry standards. They may not be suffering from your typical eating disorder, but they’re facing real risks that arise from the pressure the industry puts on models.

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to be there for your daughter through every step of the way. From applying at modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, New York or Los Angeles, to attending auditions, to working on modeling gigs, you should really keep tabs on your girl’s progress and how she’s handling the demands of the industry.

How to Make a Baby Modeling Portfolio

A good portfolio can get you more modeling opportunities. And like all models, baby models need a good portfolio to get noticed by possible clients. Your baby’s modeling portfolio can make or break a client’s decision. This clear book should show what your baby is capable of doing as a model and how versatile their photos are. Putting together your baby’s modeling portfolio for baby modeling agencies in New York City isn’t as difficult as it sounds, but it needs to be properly done to give you baby all the opportunities he or she deserves.

Here are a few tips on how to set up a baby’s portfolio.

Make it different

Since portfolios are made to show how versatile a model is when it comes to shots, you’ll want to choose different photos of your baby wearing different clothes, using a variety of facial expressions and different backgrounds, themes and scenery. You can choose these photos from previous shots or you can hire a photographer for a half day photo shoot and conceptualize a few different shots. Just make sure you take a break every now and then to keep the baby in a good mood if you’re planning a whole day of half day shoot.

10 shots

For a portfolio, 10 different shots will work perfectly. Pick out the ones that show the best of your baby. Include some photos that show some action, profile shots, smiling faces and serious faces. Some baby modeling agencies in New York City would make their client’s profiles for them, but you can definitely help out by choosing which photos you like form the group.

Get them printed

It’s best to just invest on getting these photos professionally printed. You want to choose a standard 8 by 10 inches sized photo. Choose the best material and try to get the water-proof type photo paper so the photo’s last longer. Don’t attempt to print these photos yourself, professionally printed photos will look better and they don’t really cost that much since you’ll be printing them in sets of 10 photos.

Bind it

Use one of those three ring binders that you can purchase at arts and crafts or office supply stores. These binders have protector sheets the hold the photos in place. Choose the best photo of your child to place in the front page. This needs to be a close up photo with no hats or accessories that could distract the viewer.

Why Join a Talent Show?

If you have a talent, like singing, dancing, acting or something one of a kind and a bit on the bizarre side, then why not join a talent show? It might sound like a long shot, butyou’ll be amazed at how joining a talent show has changed the lives of countless artists and performers. You get seen and heard, plus registration is usually all for free.

Below are a few reasons why you should consider joining a talent show.

Its easy exposure

It really is the best way to get seen and heard if you don’t have connection in the entertainment industry. All you need to do is to sign up, wait for your name to be called and preform like there’s no tomorrow. Another plus is the audience. Most talent shows have a lot of attendees and the audience is always alive and cheerful. Once you get the audience’s attention, the judges won’t have a hard time choosing you as one of the finalist or even the winner.

The prizes and perks 

These talent shows usually have really good prizes. A common prize would be a contract with top talent agencies in New York or Los Angeles where you can really start making a name for yourself. You also get to travel. Some talent shows would hold searches in smaller cities and take the finalist to New York or Los Angeles for the finals. You get free stuff from the sponsors and you also get to stay in a lovely hotel room while your away to compete for the show.

Everything is raw

If you’re just trying to get the attention of talent agencies in New York by yourself, you’re going to have a very difficult time. You will be competing with thousands of people, some of which probably have more experience or have already made a name for themselves. With a talent show, you’re usually competing with someone who’s also still starting out.

There’s always one happening

If you turn on the TV, you’ll notice a lot of reality talent shows happening on prime time. These shows have even been airing for more than 5 seasons, which means that people love them and can’t get enough of who can get discovered. There’s really no harm trying out for these talent shows. And who knows, you might just be the next winner and finally get your big break as a performer.

What happens during Baby Modeling Shoots?

All babies are cute and lovable, but some have something defend about them that make them perfect to be a baby model.  Baby modeling is one way for parents to save up for their child’s future and even put up a collage fund for their baby before they reach primary school. Although some parents flown down at it, baby modeling can seriously help for a brighter future. 

If you’re still new to the baby modeling scene and don’t know what to expect during photo shoots, below are a few possible clients that might get your baby as a model and what happens during the shoot. 

Ad and marketing companies

Many different types of businesses would approach ad and marketing companies to help them promote their products and services. They would also get in touch with baby modeling agencies in New York City to get a model. They might need your baby to model for a cute, silly or adorable ad that one of their clients want them to make.  These shoots are pretty simple and your baby’s photo could end up in and that has nothing to do with baby items. 

Diapers

Ad campaigns for diaper brands are usually simple and straight forward. Just a photo of a baby, usually without a shirt on, sitting down and wearing a pair of diapers.If you’re aiming to get a diaper company to get your baby to model for them, you might want to send in a simple photo of your baby with a white background and wearing diapers. These shots are easy and can last for just a few minutes.

Baby food

With baby food, your baby is usually shot together with an adult that feeds them the brand. Get ready for a big mess since most of the time, they take different angels of the shot and your baby might end up playing with the food instead of modeling with it. The wardrobe department usually takes care of the messy clothes, but just bring extra wet wipes to help clean up.

Catalogs

Most baby modeling agencies in New York City give their clients these projects. These are usually for baby clothing and are the most tiring shoots to do, mainly because you will have to do numerous wardrobe changes so you have to make sure that the baby keeps a good mood throughout the shoot. Your baby might start to become irritated between wardrobe changes so keep them well distracted. 

How to Become a Triple Threat Performer

Knowing how to act, sing or dance is a great talent, but what if you know how to do all three? A lot of people can actually do triple threat performances (acting, singing and dancing at the same time) and become very well known about it. Most triple threat performers are found in theaters, especially on musicals. Bringing all that talent on stage gets you places, and if you want to be a star and get the attention of talent agents in New York City, considers becoming a triple threat performer.

So how do you train to become a triple threat performer? Here are a few tips.

Start young

Some people thank their parents for signing them up to summer acting, singing or dancing classes. Although you can never be too old to chase a dream and do what you’re passionate about, starting young has its benefits. For one, you have more time to practice and become better, plus you’ll get more experience. So if you can, start while you’re still energetic and young.

Work on your voice

Almost anyone can sing. You just have to learn how to control your voice and know which vocal ranges work for you. Get a coach or a voice teacher and have them listen to you sing. They can point out what you’re doing right and wrong, your range and help you sound better as a singer.

Learn different types of dances

Tap dancing is the most common dance style triple threat performers master. But if you know how to dance hip-hop, salsa, freestyle, and other dance styles, you can have an edge over others. Knowing different dancing styles help you cope with remakes, such as if they want to make a hip hop version of a classic play. It just makes you more flexible when it comes to moving,

Get your acting on

Probably the most important talent any triple threat performer needs to master is acting. You can always just act out that you know how to dance and sing, but you can never fake good acting. As much as possible, invest more on your acting skills then the other two talents, but don’t neglect them. Attend acting classes and join dramas and recitals to gain experience.

Balance everything 

Being a triple threat performer not only means your good in all forms of entertainment, it’s also important that you balance all three of these to become better. Sing, dance and act to make the crowd want more of you and the talent agents in New York City to sign you for a job.

Helping you Baby Model on the Set

Thinking about letting your cute, adorable child model for commercials and print ads? We’ll many baby modeling agencies in New York City are constantly looking for new talents, no matter for old they are.

Babies have it really easy when it comes to modeling. After all, the only thing they really do is just stand or sit around an look cute while the photographers take pictures of them. As a parent, you want to make sure your baby is actually doing a good job. However, babies will be babies and they will have tantrums and breakdowns while on the shoot.

Here are some tips to help you calm your baby down during these moments.

Always bring their favorite toy

Use this as a distraction. Babies usually have a favorite toy that they always look for and play with more often. Make it a point to always carry this around with you and hand it over to the baby once they look like they’re about to get into a tantrum. You can also bring extra toys with you so that they can have something else to play with or share with other kids on the set.

Have food around

Kids get hungry really fast, and spending half a day in a shoot and having to work will get them hungrier. Always have some food around just in case they want something to munch on during their breaks. Bring lots of water, milk or juice since most of the time, shoots are going to be really hot because of the studio and extra lights. Keep them well hydrated and give them something to drink even if it looks like they don’t need it.

Never leave their sight

The easiest way for babies and toddlers to lose their temper and get into tantrums is by losing sight of their parent or guardian. Babies usually have high anxiety against getting left behind or not being able to go near to their guardian or parent. Stand behind the camera man or where the baby is looking so they won’t feel left alone.

Never pressure them

Give them breaks and let them rest before their next shoot. Baby modeling agencies in New York City should only assign their baby models a specific number of work hours, so talk to them about this and agree on something the lets your child work, play and grow up as normally as possible.

3. Tips for Memorizing your Lines

As a new actor, have you ever wondered just how actors and actresses managed to memorize their lines to perfection? Just how do you memorize sections of Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

The secret (if you can call it that) to memorizing lines is practice and persistent repetition. Although there are techniques to speed up the process, it all boils down to practice and repetition.

Below are a few tips to make things a little easier.

1. Read Out Loud and Repeat

Reading your lines out loud, over and over again is the simplest yet most effective way to commit them to your memory. Sure, it’ll be a painful process of forgetting what comes next after this line and that, but the more you read out loud and repeat, the easier it becomes.

2. Listen to your Castmates

A common mistake made by novice actors during rehearsals is to wait on their castmates, that is, to wait for their turn to recite their lines. Change your approach by listening to your castmates and responding, rather than reciting with your lines.

Using this method and staying in character results in a better performance and enhances your ability to memorize your lines since you’re internalizing them instead of just committing them to memory. It also gives you a better understanding of the context of the dialogue.

3. Listen to your Lines

If you’re memorizing lines from a famous play or musical, such as Les Misérables, try listening to them while doing everyday activities, like chores, working out, or walking the dog. If your lines are taken from original material, record them on your phone (most smartphones have this feature) and listen to them with your headphones.

In fact, many actors not only listen to recordings of their own lines, but of other characters as well because, as mentioned earlier, it helps give them a better sense of the context of the diogue.

These are just 3 tips to consider when memorizing your lines. Try them out, and you’ll find yourself having an easier time when auditioning at acting agencies in Pennsylvania.

Tips for Keeping your Complexion Looking Great

As a model, it goes without saying that your main assets are your looks—everything from your face, body, skin, and hair should be kept in great condition, otherwise you’ll be out of work.

Even if you’ve been signed to a modeling agency in Pennsylvania, New York or Los Angeles, you still owe it to yourself to keep skin looking healthy and at its best.

Here’s a brief list of beauty tips on how to do just that.

Clean Skin is Healthy Skin

One of the keys to having great-looking skin is to have clean skin. To keep those much-dreaded breakouts away, engage in a simple routine of using a gentle facial cleanser after waking up and before going to bed at night—this helps keep skin and clear. Don’t forget to exfoliate your skin with a face scrub at least once a week to remove dull, dead skin cells and bring out a glow to your skin.

Keep Out of the Sun 

A little time out in the sun is good, but too much of it can damage your skin. Ultra violet rays can cause wrinkles, age spots, skin lines like crow’s feet, and premature aging—if you’re really unlucky, even skin cancer.

The best way to mitigate the harmful effects of too much sunlight is to use simple preventive measures, such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, etc.

Stay Hydrated 

More than half of the human body is made of water and for it to function properly, it needs to stay hydrated. Your organs begin to function poorly when you consume little water, and it shows on your skin as well. The skin, by the way, is your body’s largest organ, so it really pays to stay hydrated.

Eat Healthy

What you eat shows on your skin. If your diet consists mainly of fatty and greasy foods, your skin will show it—it’ll be greasy and dull and marked with acne. Likewise, foods high in salt increase your water retention and give your face a puffy appearance

Conversely, foods high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will give your skin a fresh and glowing look. Vitamin C for instance, is a wonder vitamin for your skin.

 Get Enough Sleep

The human body needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep to recover and rebuild damaged and dead cells. Failing to get enough rest will show in your face; these signs include dark eye bags, puffy eyes, blood shot eyes, dry skin, and more. Of course, make-up can always hide these things, but nothing beats getting enough sleep.

Why Should you Keep your Photos in your Portfolio Updated?

If you’re trying to sign up to a modeling agency in Pennsylvania or New York, you may have heard agents and even other models say how important it is to keep your portfolio updated.

Have you ever wondered why this is so?

Easier to Find Work

One of the secrets to finding work and staying in work is to keep your portfolio updated. So, with every new picture you get, whether it’s from tear sheets of test shoots, be sure to add it to your portfolio. Modeling agencies and clients want to look at your book and see your most recent pictures, and they’re more likely to hire you if your portfolio looks good and new.

Rules on Keeping your Portfolio Updated

Unfortunately, many models still don’t know one crucial rule maintaining a model portfolio: you should only keep current pictures in your book. Most agents and clients consider a current picture as a picture that’s less than 6 months old, so be sure to keep tabs on your pictures and swap them with new ones every six months to keep your portfolio fresh.

Changing Looks

If you’re a model who frequently changes your look, whether it’s by cutting your hair or coloring it, you’ll have to update your pictures more often. Likewise, if you’ve gained or lost significant amounts of weight, you’ll need to change your pictures to something very recent. Even if you haven’t changed your appearance in any way, seasonal trends in fashion will affect your clothing choices, which may look dated after just a few months.

Prepare for Continual Updates

If you’re a model, you have to come to terms with the fact that updating your portfolio is a never ending process. However, you don’t usually have to worry about how to keep your pictures current, since working models are given multiple opportunities to take plenty of pictures of themselves. Every print job and shoot you take as a model is an opportunity to add pictures to your portfolio. Most of the time, photographer, clients and modeling agencies in Pennsylvania will gladly give you some of the pictures from the shoot. If the pictures appearing in some magazine, brochure or catalogue, simply tear the page off the magazine and include it in your portfolio.

As a professional model, your portfolio is one of your most important tools for finding work. Work on perfecting your portfolio and you’ll find that work comes a lot faster.

The Challenges of Being a Model

Modeling is not as easy as it might sound. You’d think that all a modem needs to do is walk down a ramp or cat walk or pose for photo shots, but it’s more than that. Not only is it a challenging profession, getting into the modeling industry is also difficult. Below are a more difficulties and challenges of becoming a full-time model.

Very hectic schedule

Imagine having to go to one show to another, especially during fashion week. Or having to dress up to go to another gig or photo shoot when you just had one this morning. Models actually have to follow a very tight schedule, especially if they’re signed under modeling agencies in New York City. Although this might sound fun and exciting at first, it gets very tiring and hassle after some time.

You have to watch your figure

Your frame can’t be too big or too small. You constantly have to watch your figure since most of your clients are very specific when it comes to the models frame and body. Fitting in exercise with modeling gigs is going to be a struggle especially if you work full time as a model.

You have to look perfect

People have a stereotype when it comes to models. They always have to look good with flawless skin, great hair, and beautiful clothes and shoes. Being a model, especially if you’re a well-known one, means that you constantly have eyes following you no matter where you go. Whether it’s on the job or you’re day off, you will be bringing that stereotype around with you, so you can’t just walk out of the house looking like a mess.

It’s time consuming

Modeling will take you to places outside the city or even the country, and there are times that you will have to work on holidays for special shows and events from modeling agencies in New York City. This can be time consuming and you won’t be able to have some time for yourself, and even your family. You’ll be lucky to be assigned in a project based somewhere near your home.

 What to do after modeling?

This is the most common questions models ask themselves. What life is there after modeling? As much as you want to, you can’t model for the rest of your life. Not unless you become a very successful supper model and get job opportunities outside the modeling industry, you will have to think about your future and what you’ll be doing 10 years from now.

Tips for Launching your Career

Beginning can always be a hit or miss thing, more so when it comes to modeling. Getting your career off the ground as a model can be one of the hardest things to do, mainly because the industry is awash with plenty of talents just waiting to be discovered. If you haven’t had any luck applying at the many modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Pick a Modeling Niche

When most people think of models, they often visualize the fashion models they see on film and TV—think America’s Next Top Model. However, any model who knows her stuff will tell you that there are many niches of modeling, which can include commercial modeling, Internet modeling, plus size modeling and more. Knowing what your desired niche is important because it helps you focus on something, streamlining your efforts on something your physical features are best suited for.

2. Always Have your Photographs Ready

When you’re out looking for modeling agencies in Pennsylvania, you don’t want to get started without having your photos ready. The last thing you want is to get an opportunity but not have your portfolio ready. And in the modeling business, opportunities can com e and go in the blink of an eye. If you’ve yet to be signed to an agency, don’t worry about having professional photos. Just make sure you’re in focus and that you’re photos clearly show your face and body profile.

3. Go for Agencies in your Vicinity

As someone you to modeling, you’re probably looking to work not far from home so that you don’t disrupt your daily routine all that much. Fortunately, agencies have sprouted like mushrooms in many cities across the country; gone are the days when agencies were headquartered in entertainment industry hubs New York and Los Angeles.

4. Market Yourself

If you have managed to get yourself signed to a reputable modeling agency, don’t rest on your laurels just yet. Now that you’re done with the agency search, next on your agenda is to continually market yourself to photographers, other models and clients. Your agent can only do so much for you, remember that. You have to go out of your way to promote yourself and get your name out there.

5. Establish an Online Presence

Social media has also made it easier for models and clients to connect with each other. Register on sites like ModelMastery, Onemodelplace, and ModelMayhem to network and learn from industry pros.

Tips for Male Models: Keeping yourself Looking Presentable

In many ways, male modeling is somewhat more challenging than female modeling. For instance, it’s hard for many aspiring male models to accept that to look good, certain things must be done that may deviate from their idea of what men should and shouldn’t do.

This is particularly evident in grooming, which many men shy from for fear of being considered “too metro sexual.” It’s not that men don’t want to stay clean, it’s more they don’t want to delve into the “deeper” aspects of grooming, such as pedicures and manicures, tanning, waxing, and more.

Unfortunately, if you’re serious about becoming a male model, this is something you’ll just have to deal with. If you’re from the Pennsylvania area, you should know that the best modeling agencies in Pennsylvania are highly particularly when it comes to personal grooming. This is consistent with recent statistics that show men have taken a stronger interest in many aspects of personal grooming, with global sales of men’s grooming products spiking at $19.7 billion in 2009.

With that said, are you ready to take the plunge into male grooming? Here are tips on what you should consider.

Facial Hair

As a rule of thumb, you should always go to an interview with an agency or client with a clean-shaven face. Unless the open call’s notes indicate that growing a beard is OK, you want to come with no facial hair.

To get a close shave, it’s a good idea to give your face time for the swelling and puffiness normally associated with sleep to subside. An hour after waking up will suffice, preferably after you’ve showered and washed your face. You’ll know when the best time to shave is when your face’s skin looks tight.

Hair

As for your mane, there aren’t any hard and fast rules on the kind of hairstyles agencies want. If you can go to a stylist for an opinion, go ahead. If not, just make sure your hair is clean. Fix your dandruff problem, get your hair colored if you have specks of white hair, and make sure your hair looks healthy.

Fingernails

Your fingernails are another important factor in good grooming. Nothing turns an agent or client off more than a male model with dirt and grime between his nails and fingers. Be sure to keep your fingernails neat and clean. Use a metal file to trim your nails and keep them shaped.

Tips for Parents: Working with your Child’s Talent Agent

A problematic blight of the talent industry these days is the prevalence of scam artists signing unsuspecting actors and models, particularly children and forcing them to pay up for representation. As the parent of a child model or actor your duty is to educate yourself continually about the industry your child is in—that includes doing your homework on which agencies are legitimate and which are not.

Every talent agency operates by a specific set of rules; simply find out what the rules are. Likewise, it also pays to know the warning signs of an agency or agent that’s looking to rip you off.

If you’re from the Pennsylvania area, there are many Pennsylvania talent agencies that work within the confines of the law. All it takes is a matter of knowing where to look.

If you’ve already found an agency, you’ll have to learn how to deal with them on behalf of your children. This take a little finesse and an understanding of how the industry works.

Below are a few tips on the subject.

Signing up with an Agency

Before you make the decision of signing your child with an agency, it’s imperative that you do your research first. While it’s tempting to troop down to the nearest open calls for child actors, it’s imperative that you look up the agency’s reputation first before attending the open call. With the number of child agencies run by fraudulent individuals, it’s important that you tread carefully.

Before you even think of attending an open call with your child, take note of the following:

Compensation

A reputable agency will often only collect money from commissions gained from booking an acting job for your child. You should always be wary of agencies that ask for registration fees and any other monetary fee in exchange for being signed. You also don’t want to sign with an agency that encourages you to sign up for a fee, with the “bonus” of enrolling in an acting class of their choice. This is a classic scam.

Reviews

One of the best things about the Internet, at least when talent agencies are concerned, is how they’ve made it easier for people to find information and feedback about talent agencies. In the old days, online reviews were unheard of, allowing scam agencies to flourish all over the country. If you’re eyeing an agency, look up as much information as you can about them on the web.