The Basics

WHAT IT TAKES - Attributes that Contribute to a Model’s Image

Physical Attributes

An aspiring model should be at least 5′7″ tall with clear skin, beautiful hair, straight teeth and a toned and well-proportioned body.

Ambition

You will never achieve your goals and objectives if you sit around and wait for them to happen. Those who go after what they want succeed. Of the thousands of models who try to enter the modeling industry each year, many quit after a few months. No model is made overnight. It takes time, effort and money to start a modeling career, just as it does for any business. Grooming, proper diet, exercise and the creation of an image through clothing, makeup and hairstyling are necessary investments in the model’s product-herself. She also has to find an agent and to start learning the skills of modeling. The process of putting together a portfolio is also time consuming, not to mention expensive. However, models must have one in order to work. Rejection is very common, especially in the beginning of a modeling career. Success really depends upon how much it is wanted and how wisely time, money and effort are invested.

Charisma

A model who rises above the crowd has a certain sparkle that sets her apart from others and gets her noticed. She has a strong individual style.

Smile

A brilliant smile is part of a model’s style. Straight white teeth are important. Those with unattractive teeth should seek the assistance of a dental professional. Orthodontics and braces have a lasting impact on one’s smile and facial structure. Of course, daily brushing and flossing after meals will help to maintain your teeth’s whiteness as well as keep your teeth and gums healthy. Ignoring your teeth will result in plaque accumulation that leads to discoloration, cavities, red puffy gums and mouth odor.

Posture

Posture is important to a model not only because clothes will hang properly, free of bulges and wrinkles, but also because excellent posture projects self-confidence and inner strength, qualities that naturally attract others. Clients know that their customers will buy their products if they see a confident-looking model appearing to enjoy them. Achieving excellent posture takes an ongoing commitment to sit, stand and walk properly. Check yourself frequently. You chin should be parallel to the floor, shoulders held down and pushed comfortable back and your pelvis tilted forward, eliminating sway back and fattening the stomach. Regular exercise improves posture and strengthens the muscles necessary to maintain the body’s alignment.

Personality

Having a warm and outgoing personality can make a break a career. If you are beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside, you will not succeed. Too much competition exists. Beautiful models and talented actors are in abundance in major markets. What separates those who work from those who don’t? A special “sparkle,” a warmth of personality will get you noticed and booked. In addition, if you are fun, non-complaining, and easy to work with on a job, your chances of getting re-booked are high.

Intelligence

Angie’s Models & Talent Inc., will not work with students who have below 70% or a “B” average in school, unless extenuating circumstances exist. If you are a great student, it usually means that… you do your homework, go to class regularly, get along with your teachers, and have discipline. To an Agent, they want to know, if you are booked on a job, that you will be dependable, show up on time, get along with your employers, and be prepared. Good students make good models and actors/actresses. If you are an under-achiever, work harder. The myth of the “empty headed model” is a myth indeed. Models and actors/actresses are smart, and they are achievers.

Family Support

Angie’s Models & Talent Inc., is the only agency in Ottawa of its type in the world that is completely family-oriented and family-owned. As a family business, we feel your best chance of success in modeling or talent lies within your own desire built on a foundation of family support. How much does your family want you do this? Do they care enough to understand the business with you? If you are a teen, will a parent or guardian travel with you to out-of-town auditions/castings and bookings? That’s what we recommend. A parent’s place in the modeling and talent industry is for transportation, safety, and moral support.

On the other hand, the industry has no room for “stage parents.” Your children or teens must want this opportunity themselves. They must be able to speak for themselves and interview without prodding.

Desire

How much do you want to do this? How strong is your desire and determination? Desire is the only attribute of success that you cannot do without. Desire, alone, is the largest determinant of your ultimate success. How many actors were turned down for jobs repeatedly before they got their “big break?” Supermodels have also been rejected. Lauren Hutton had a space between her teeth, Cindy Crawford had a mole on her face. Tyra Banks had too many curves. Angie’s 1st success story model - Courtney Miller, was too short. If they had not had the desire and determination to keep trying, they would not have succeeded.

Appearance for Models and Talent for Entertainers

Both appearance and talent have one thing in common; they are largely God-given. God, your parents, and genetics gave you a striking face, a handsome figure, or the ability to act, sing or dance. Of course, your gift should be honed and practiced. Great athletes have a gift, too. But none of these gifts are valuable without the hard work to perfect them. Interestingly, we have all seen models who were not attractive, actors on TV that cannot act, and singers on MTV that cannot really sing. So, appearance & talent is highly desired and can open a door, but it’s not 100% necessary.

Please know that most models and talent are achievers in many areas. Many are athletes, scholars, linguists, musicians, and community, school, and business leaders. The more skills you can “bring to the table,” the better.

Healthy Lifestyle

Proper diet, exercise, hygiene and emotional well being are reflected in a model’s skin, hair, figure and attitude and allow her to be able to handle the pressures and demands of her work.

Nutrition:

It is unfortunate that many models believe that they have to starve themselves to remain thin or to lose weight. Models are so busy and their schedules so demanding, that well-balanced meals are necessary for them to have the energy and nourishment to do their jobs. Proper nutrition is important. Many of us live in fast-food restaurants and rather than avoiding junk food altogether, we should be aware of what we are eating and make smart choices.

Exercise:

Models should consider exercising to increase endurance and muscle tone, to relieve stress and to improve their emotional well-being. Modeling often involves long hours of very strenuous hard work and if a model is not fit, she/he will not be able to handle it. Try different types of exercise and sports and stick with the ones that you enjoy the most.

Personal Hygiene:

You do not know how embarrassing it is to show up at a casting and have clients ask you to try on a bathing suit or lingerie after you realize that you haven’t waxed your bikini line in a month. The horrendous feeling of having to go out and show them the garment leaves you weak, as you know you have the hairiest legs you’ve ever had in your life and you just don’t want another living soul to see them. If you ever endure that, it will never ever happen again, because whenever you have any kind of casting in the future, the first thing that comes to mind is the memory of that horrifying day you forgot to wax your legs. Every hair on your body will be gone. You avoid ever having to go through that by being prepared. Dirty nails, greasy hair, body odor or unwanted hair is unacceptable for a model. Bathing regularly and using the appropriate personal products helps to ensure that you are clean and fresh at all times. Models cannot afford to soil a garment they have been paid to wear. If you perspire a lot, use underarm dress shields. Avoid perfume and scented deodorants. The smell of these products may linger in the garment. Tampons must be used with thin panti-liners.

Sleep:

It is a model’s responsibility to make sure that she/he gets an adequate amount of sleep so as not to show up at an assignment looking red-eyed and tired. While the requirements differ for everyone, the average person needs eight hours of sleep every night. Before an assignment, make sure you get to bed early!

Party, Party, Party

If models get caught up in staying out all night or in using drugs and alcohol, they will find not only that their appearance will suffer, but that their reputations may precede them. A model I worked with several years ago gave up everything because she partied too much. She had an amazing look and the potential for a very successful modeling career. The night before she was to do a $20,000 shoot for a major company’s advertising campaign, she stayed out late drinking. The next morning, having slept through her shooting time, her agent woke her only to be told “I am tired, I was out late and I don’t feel like working today.” She was fired from the campaign and asked to leave the agency. Even today she has not been able to find stable representation.