In modeling and acting, clients prefer to deal with an agency, not only due to legalities, but also because an agency gurantees that the models & talents will be punctual, reliable, and prepared prior to any potential audition/booking.

It is possible for a model/talent to find work on their own, however majority of clients prefer going through agencies. If you want to re-enforce your chance of a career in the industry, then you require representation by a reputable agency and an agent that can promote you properly.

The bottom line is personal attention. You must develop a good relationship with your agent. Most importantly mutual trust between both parties is essential and knowing that you can work as a team. Once you have found these traits, you’ve found your agent!

A good agency will manage your career and will have ways to better your knowledge of the industry. Not only should thtey be able to teach you about the industry but also have different choices of products, toold and packages to offer. They should also be able to provice you proof of CLIENT and WORK that their existing talent/models have done. We all know there are costs associated with the industry but a real agency will assist you with various means (depending on your potential)

To be properly promoted in the industry, you are requited at some point to get professional photography session. Below is a breakdown of what is necessary for each area:

Talent/Acting:

• Professional 8×10 Black & White Headshots
• A natural upper body shot of the actor that is distributed with their resume to casting companies/clients
• Proper Actor Resume inluding special skills and measurements
• A Breakdown of work you have done. (TV Series, Commercials)

Modeling:

• Composite Cards & Glamor Shots. A composite card is like a business card which contains different looks of the mode, as well as their measurements, and contact information. It is used to send out to clients for ad & promotional campaigns, fashion shows, shoots etc…
• Portfolio: a portfolio is a collection of various pictures of the model and it serves as a resume in this industry. An experienced model would have tear sheets (previous pictures of work down), while a beginning model will have pictures by a photographer to show how they shoot (test shoots). Like any field your resume is of extreme importance and determines if you get selected for a given job or not.

A principal performer auditions for parts which have six or more lines, or an actor role that had five or less lines. Most principal actors have natural talent and potential but also develop themselves through professional acting coutses example: on camera training.

In extra/background work there are no lines involved or any auditioning. Extras do not require any experience and do not need any sort of training. Extras are merely fillers in scenes and are not featured performers.

The first step is to contact an agency of your choice for either modeling or acting and make sure to ask the following questions:

1. When does the agency have open calls or appointments?
2. Do they charge a consultation fee?
3. Is there a registeration cost or fee?
4. What are their requirements for either modeling or acting?

The second step is to make sure to do your resesrch. It is crucial that as a new potential model or talent, you check out the industry, be aware of what a prospective model or talent agency do, how they work, and what you need as a model or actor (see above).

The third step before showing up for your open call or appointment (is you do not already have a professional headshots or composite cards) is to bring along photographs that have the following:

1. Natural Makeup
2. No printed clothing, the attention should solely be on you. The pictures can be of headshots, body shots, and three quarter length.