FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. People are always telling me I should model. How can I be really sure if I have what it takes to model?

A. The only way to be sure is to ask a professional agency like Angie’s. As a guideline for aspiring female models that want to be on the runway or do fashion print they should be at least 5′8″ in height and have a well proportioned body with long, shapely legs. Aspiring male models should be between 5′ 11″ and 6′ 2″ tall with a medium athletic build. Great facial features, good teeth, healthy skin and hair. Also charisma, personality and confidence.

Q. What type of international agent exposure could a model expect within your agency?

A. Angie’s Models & Talent Inc., is known worldwide for their development of models. Angie’s Models/Talent Showcase is held every spring in May and offered exclusively to Angie’s Models and Talent. Prestigious agents from New York, Paris, Milan, Japan, Miami, Greece, Korea, England, Germany, Miami and LA are invited to scout for hot new talent. The purpose of Angie’s Showcase is to give the exposure to our models and talent, by bringing in the agents, Casting Directors, from all over the globe directly to see them! This is an incredible opportunity to meet some of the best agencies in the world!

Q. If I have so much potential, why would I need to pay for training and take a workshop?

A. Being just pretty is not the only reason a model gets a booking. A model must be confident and know what she is doing at a booking. How would you feel going to a casting/audition for a magazine or a designer runway show and be up against models that have great experience in the industry? It’s extremely important for us to send a model with experience in order to demand a “new face” model rate.

Q. Can anyone off the street take the Teen Fashion Runway workshops?

A. No. One must be chosen, selected from one of our open call/auditions. Angie’s workshops teach young girls about makeup application, runway, photography movement, business etiquette, posture, and TV/Commercial auditioning. The workshops are fabulous for our young female models to feel better about themselves and to be a lot more educated about the fashion business. It gets them ready to face the real world when they have to travel around the world. We have challenges in the workshops that also teach our young models about the rejection they have to face out there and why one doesn’t get the “job". We make it fun and keep it real!

Q. I’ve been told I have the figure and features to model, but I am only 5′ 5″ tall. Is there any hope for me?

A. Yes! So, don’t give up! Our beautiful Jenna Calvano 14 yrs old is only 5′5″ and she booked the Abercrombie & Fitch Print Campaign shot by Bruce Weber in PEI the summer of 2005. For shorter girls with the right look, the work is available in TV commercials, commercial print, film/acting. For shorter males they can also find work in TV Commercials, commercial print and film/acting.

Q. How do you find your talent?

A. Ottawa & area is full of beautiful people and Angie’s finds most of them through our open call/model talent auditions. We always have our eyes open wherever we go and many of the faces we find are attached to people who never even dreamed they could be a model. One of our success stories was found at Angie’s son’s basketball game. Another was brought in by one of our models. Parents of our models and talent are always on the lookout for us. Our models are our best scouts!

Q. What separates your Agency from others in the area?

A. That is a simple answer. As the CEO of the Agency, I get as involved as I can in my models’ lives and their progress. We support the parents’ pursuit for better grades in school and acceptable family behaviour. I believe most of the modeling schools in the area remain detached from their students. Angie’s Models and Talent Inc., doesn’t use an arrogant or haughty approach. We demand respect and dedication but the truth is, the only thing that separates me from my students is the knowledge I have of the industry and the connections I’ve made through Modeling In Europe, and North America and serving as a judge and scout at several reputable conventions.

Q. Does Angie’s Models and Talent also book modeling jobs as well as operate as a modeling school?

A. We are not a modeling school. Our main focus is developing potential models for national and international placement. We do offer a variety of workshops to our clients. Ottawa is still a relatively small market with few opportunities for experience. Many of the modeling schools here fight for the local market but merchants don’t want to pay for the talent when they can get a cousin or a nephew to do it for free. Whenever something comes up, we are right on top of it. We do local fashion shows and there are tons of movies and television commercials shot in Montreal and Toronto, which require models/actors and we do submit our actors on the daily breakdowns we receive from the Casting Directors. We have talent working on US/Canadian National TV Commercials, Feature Films, TV Films, Music Videos, Musical Theatre, Major Advertisement Campaigns, Print, Catalogue and Local Short & Independent Films.

Q. How do I know if an agency is reputable?

A. You should find out how long the agency has been in business, who do they work with, do they have success stories as proof. Are they members of the Better Business Bureau. Angie’s Models & Talent Inc., has been in business for over 14 years and clearly has a great reputation with the international agents worldwide.

Q. With all the positive and negative attention the modeling industry attracts today, how does that affect your business?

A. It requires me to explain the facts and dispel the fiction. Many girls think they will be driven around in limos, live in posh hotels and be wined and dined. On the other hand, some girls associate modeling only with sex and drugs. I use a common-sense approach and explain to the models and their parents that it does, in fact, exist in the modeling industry as well as in their high school and many other major corporations. Like anything else, moral boundaries need to be established prior to getting involved in any industry. I believe that most of the girls who have “fallen” had the propensity to self-destruct before becoming a model.

Q. How has it hindered your business?

A. I don’t feel it has but it has required me to take a little bit more time to make the model and their parents feel comfortable with me and trust in what we do.

Q. How do you prepare your talent to manage his/hers earnings?

A. Your personal finances are just that, personal, but I encourage them to save, save, save. Open an account. Keep track of all their expenses for tax purposes. I also make sure they don’t expect to make too much money for at least the first year or two during their development process. I encourage them to keep a journal of each job, its description and intended pay and to keep the lines of communication open with either the accountant or their booker.

Q. Being sensitive to your models’ feelings, how would you tell one of them that he or she should either gain or lose weight?

A. It is definitely a sensitive subject but having a great body is part of being a working model. We sit down together, I let them know what the acceptable measurements should be and we make goals accordingly.

Q. Do you educate your talent on diet and nutrition?

A. We touch on the basics and discuss the right and wrong way to diet but, really, everybody already knows what they should be doing. The problem is the implementation.

Q. Religion - Does the fashion industry’s image go against some of its beliefs?

A. It’s a crazy thing but not everyone I work with is religious. I think that, regardless of religious orientation, many people have a problem with industry’s image as a whole. Schools and agencies need to join together and change that perception. Occasionally, I run across a girl who is ultra conservative and refuses to show her midriff or too much leg etc. The fact is, a model needs to be comfortable showing her skin within reason, and if this isn’t an option, we will encourage them to pursue a different avenue. It can be disappointing but I respect their decision.

Q. When you place models with agencies in the US and Europe, how do you stay involved?

A. Outside of requiring a parent agency agreement, the bond I create with my models and their parents allows me to keep close tabs on my talent and I really rely on them to keep me informed. From time to time, I touch base with the agency and the model’s booker to make sure all is going well. I try not to annoy unless it’s necessary.

Q. What is one weak point you find in aspiring talent that you have to put more emphasis on and how do your turn it around?

A. It varies but most of the guys and girls I run across don’t have the proper self-image necessary to be successful in a competitive industry. Throughout training, image development and photo shoots, our talent begin to see themselves more positively.

Q. How do you prepare your talent for possible rejection?

A. Rejection is a part of this industry and each talent must learn how to handle it. We make sure that they understand that not each agent, casting director or client is going to love their look. That just means, “Where do I try next?”

Q. Do you surf the Net to find talent?

A. No. We don’t scout on any site. If someone is interested they look up our website and contact us either by phone or email. We do receive numerous emails from guys and girls. We do prefer that they come in during our open call/model talent auditions or if they live out of the area to mail us 2 snap shots in a bathing suit and no make up. One headshot and one full body shot. If they have the right look, height, body measurements we ask them to come in for an interview and if they live to far away we interview them over the phone and also talk with their parents.

Q. Do I need pictures?

A. Yes. Eventually you will need to get professional pictures and start working on your portfolio book. After you have been imaged - hair, skin, body is ready. To do pictures just like that you can waste a lot of money and your pictures will get you nowhere. Always best to shoot when your agent tells you that you are ready. Practice and read fashion magazines. Imitate the poses, the styling. Exude confidence.

Q. How much money can I expect to make?

A. The day rate for a model varies for each model it can be anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 or more. The hourly rate can also vary depending on the job $95 to $200 per hour or more. Then on top of that there are buy out rates which can be vary again depending on the usage and where it will be shown, etc.

Q. What is your message to parents with kids in the business?

A. It is very important that both the model and the parent have a clear understanding of how the industry really works. Shop around for the school or agency that you feel comfortable with then you will be able to trust in their guidance. Keep the lines of communication open and check in with the agent from time to time. Offer your child support but don’t hover, and remember, a legitimate agency will have your little model’s best interest in mind.

Q. What are three tips that would lead to a successful career in this business?

A. First, treat modeling as a business. Always be on time, make it easy for others to work with you, put 100 per cent into it. Nobody wants a drama queen or a diva on a set. No stage parents. Parents can travel with their teen model but need to be there for support and not to interfere and demand things from their agent or the client. Second, don’t party. This is the fastest way to bring any kind of career to a screeching halt. Parties tire you out, ruin your skin and make you unreliable. Keep away from drugs, smoking and alcohol. Every job/booking is an opportunity to meet and network with new people no matter how big or small the booking might be. Lastly, have fun, enjoy all the people you will meet and revel in your travels.

Q. How can I be successful in this business?

A. This question has been asked over and over by girls and guys wanting to be models and or actors. The answer…success is where “Preparation Meets Opportunity". So prepare, prepare, prepare!

Going to a workshop isn’t the only thing you need to do to be professional. It’s the entire package that an agent or casting director is interested in. “YOU” are the product you are selling. Your look, your style, personality, your attitude, make up, clothes, nails, hair, confidence, body measurements, all of these things come into play when you are preparing to compete as a professional.

If you need to knock off a few pounds, buff up, colour your hair, be more friendly or assertive, or maybe project a different style in the photos-it’s all up to you to seek out the professionals who can help you to create your image and at the same time be diligent about your training. After putting your entire package together, “YOU” then put yourself in a position where your preparation can meet opportunity.

Angie’s Formula for Success - Preparation + Opportunity = Success

Q. Last piece of advice?

A. It often takes a beginner quite a while to be clean looking and polished, as there is the tendency to overdo everything. Less is more, hence the true saying - Models are Created, Not Born. This is the only industry that picks you. You can’t pick it! Remember your agent’s/booker’s birthday, anniversary, etc. It goes along away for that next booking. Be close to your family. Family support is very important. Believe in yourself and always remain true to yourself.