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Please take your time reading this information. You might even want to read it in stages. I promise, it will be well worth your time and effort.
The first thing you might want to do is read the entire chapter from my book about agents. This is one of the two chapters from my book that can be read free from my web site. I offer this to give you a tremendous amount of information and to allow you to see how valuable this book will be for you. It is really important that you know what kinds of things to ask, and look for to make sure you are dealing with a legitimate agent. There are many scams taking place, and these people can be quite good at telling you exactly what you want to hear, taking your money, and giving you nothing in return.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is never pay an agent any up-front money. They make their living by taking a percentage of each job they book for you.
Some of this free information is taken directly from my book, How to Become a Successful Commercial Model.
Getting started is actually a very difficult process for those with little or no experience. I know because in 1984, when I first got started I wasted a lot of time and money doing things that I should not have been doing, and spending money unwisely. Over the past 17 years, I have learned how to properly break-in, market myself and get work on my own, (along with the 62 agents that represent me), and make a living as an actor and commercial model.
Considering that I have been cast in 1,136 projects so far, I feel that my methods work pretty well.
I cant possibly explain everything to you that I have written in my book How to Become a Successful Commercial Model, but I will give you some very helpful pointers to get you started and send you in the right direction.
LEARN HOW TO PUT TOGETHER EYE CATCHING PHOTOS
The first thing is to understand how put together the right kinds of photographs for your head shot, portfolio and composite sheet.
Not knowing the proper ingredients of commercial photographs is the main reason people never reach there goals in the industry. I will share with you the secrets that I have learned over the past years.
HERE IS THE KEY FOR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
Every photo that you have taken must look like an ad. Dont make the mistake of doing what most people do and just stand in front of a camera and have pretty pictures taken of yourself. Generally those pictures get thrown away by agents and photographers. The way to get an agents and photographers attention is by showing them photos that tell a story. Your photos should look like they could be an ad for many products.
The way to accomplish this is to go through magazines that you could really imagine seeing yourself in, and study the ads. If you have the girl next door look then dont look at magazines like Details or Mirabella. Find magazines that you honestly could see yourself in. Dont be afraid to borrow some ideas from these ads. If you are a teenager, then maybe you could have a photo at a desk doing your homework. You are very frustrated because you dont understand the assignment. This could be an ad for a tutoring company, or perhaps a private school, for students with special needs. Being able to show different expressions in believable ways is what grabs an agents attention.
How to Become a Successful Commercial Model has 26 pages devoted to creating attention getting head shots, resumes and photos for your composite sheet.
YOU HAVE THE IDEAS, NOW YOU NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER
After getting the information, then find a photographer and start off with having a head shot taken. Do not reproduce any of the photos yet. Instead, show the contact sheets (those are all of your photos from the session in a miniature size format) to agents, photographers and art and creative directors at advertising agencies. See if there is one particular shot that really stands out. If so, that is the photo that should be used for your head shot. Head shots should always be shot with black and white film.
GET PHOTOS TAKEN FREE
One way to find photographers is to go to the ASMP.org web site. It is a great organization (American Society of Media Photographers). At their web site, you should be able to find photographers and even assistant photographers at their site. You can also check out local colleges to see if there is a photography department. You might be able to trade services with a student. You could get some great photos – free. Just make sure you know what type of shot is needed, and tell the student how to create a great commercial photo.
You can also find a camera club in your area. Perhaps there are members who are interested in putting together a commercial portfolio but cant afford your modeling fees. You can offer to trade services and get the photos at no cost to you. My book will walk you through the process of putting together incredible photos.
FINDING AGENTS
Find as many agents as you can. Here are some ways to find great agents. Go to the local community theater and ask the actors after the play which agents you should be contacting. Try calling photographers in the area and ask them which agents they deal with when booking models. You can try the same question at advertising agencies.
ou can call the AFTRA/SAG (the two major unions for actors) office closest to you. Their number is listed in the National SAG and AFTRA Directory that you get free as a special bonus when you buy the book from the web site. It costs $15.00 if purchased on its own. Ask them for a list of signatory agents in your area. They will give you that list free. Signatory agents are agents who have agreed to sign contracts with the union and follow union rules. Many of them work with commercial models.
REPRODUCING YOUR PHOTOS
When you have decided which photo to use for your head shot, then find a company who will take your photos and turn them into head shots and composite sheets. You can get the names of 15 companies that offer this service from the Industry Directory, which is the other free directory that you get when ordering the book from the web site. This is a $30.00 savings. Call these companies and ask for samples and prices. This allows you to make an intelligent decision on which company to hire. The prices can vary from as little as $80 for 500 head shots to paying over $1.00 each. Once you get your head shots back from the printer, start sending them out to agents, photographers and art and creative directors at the advertising agencies.
GETTING ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Once you begin working with an agent or agents, start doing some test shots under the agents guidance. Get some suggestions from your agent as to what categories you will likely be cast in. Once again, study my book, do the research I suggest and you will be incredibly prepared for your photo session, and produce very marketable photos. That is how you should get started and when to put your portfolio together.