The ABC's of Modeling

A

Actor - Performers that act in tv films and/or on stages.

Accessory - 1. A decoration or piece of clothing that adds emphasis to an outfit. 2. A supplementary device such as a make up accessory.

Ad Agency - The abbreviated term for an Advertising Agency.

Advance - Money that is paid before the modeling job is completed. This is deducted at a later time from the model's pay. Advances can be given to cover modeling supplies such as portfolios.

AEA - A union for theater actors and actresses called the Actor Equity Association.

AFTRA - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that represents the union of performers that star in television productions.

Agency - A business that acts as an employment agency. An agency helps promote their models, schedules casting calls, and bills the clients for whom the model works for. An agency usually charges a commision of 15-20% of the model's total earnings for that job.

Agency Book - A group of headshots contained in a portfolio.

Agency Card - 1. A small card containing information about the model's agency such as phone number and location. 2. A card that shows a model's personal information such as height and weight.

Agency Contract - A model release or other written agreement that explains the obligations between an agency and a model, or a photographer and a model, this usually comes from the agency.

Agency Director - A person or individual that has a management position inside an agency.

Agency Party - A social gathering, party, or celebration that is sponsored by a model's agency. These can include, but are not limited to birthday parties, and holiday parties.

Agent - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.

Agent's Trained Eye - The skill of an experienced person to spot potentially successful models.

Age Range - An age group of individuals ranging from any age whether it is young or old.

B

Beauty Shot - A headshot from the shoulders up, where the main focus is on the model's face, including make up, hair, and accessories.

Body Shot - A full length photo of a model, where the main focus is on the model's body.

Book - A model's portfolio containing composite cards and photographs of a model that is representing a certain modeling agency.

Booker - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.

Booking - A job that already been scheduled and confirmed for a model.

Booking Out - When a model indicates times that he/she will be unavailable for work by crossing out time on his/her planner or schedule.

C

Callback - A second interview after a model has alredy attended and initial go-see.

Casting - When a business chooses a model for a fashion show, print, etc.

Casting Call - A request made by a business or company for agencies to have the models appear for an interview.

Cattle Call - An audition where a lot of models show up at the same time, and are competing for the same job position.

Catwalk - A term that is used to describe a fashion runway.

Character Model - A model whose appearance suggests a certain character, such as a grandmother or construction worker.

Client - The business that is hiring a model for a specific job.

Collection - Groups of clothing of different styles made and created by fashion designers.

Commentary - A description at a runway show that explains about the garment that the model is wearing.

Commentator - The person who is describing a garment that a model is wearing at a runway show.

Commercial Look - An appearance that appeals to a wide variety of people and consumers.

Commercial Model - A model who appears in commercial advertisements.

Commission - A certain percentage of the model's earnings from a modeling job that is taken out by the agency that is representing the model. Typical commission is from about 15% to 20% of the total job earnings.

Composite - A card with the model's picture, the agency representing them, and personal information (height, weight, etc).

Contract - A legal statement between a model and either his/her photographer, business, or agency that is representing him/her.

Convention/Trade Show - A trade show used to attract agencies who are looking for potential models with talent and poise.

Cover Girl - A female model who appears on the cover of a magazine or other forms of print work.

How Can I Get Down With EMG???

Many of you are wondering how to join the team...check out the EMG FAQS to see how we work!

Are there any fees required to become a part of the agency?
There are no fees involved. We only collect a percentage of what you make which guarantees that we will work hard for you.

Am I allowed to procure work through other agencies outside of EMG?

Yes. You will be required to sign a non-exclusive agreement with the agency. This allows you the freedom to work with as many agencies as you prefer.

What do I need to start working?

If accepted into the agency, you will need to provide a completed Independent Contractor’s Agreement, Registration Form. You must also furnish a copy of your driver’s license and social security card and W9 Form for tax purposes once you procure work. You will also need to furnish your Professional Resume and Will/Won’t Do Sheet in two separate word documents. For models, email a snapshot of yourself in a bikini or swim trunks as well. For actors, email your headshot. All documents and all pictures must be emailed to info@envisagemodelgroup.com. You may fax your Independent Contractor’s agreement to 206.339.9441.

Why do I need to complete these forms?

We need these forms on file to show that you are an independent contractor through the agency. We also need to verify who you say you are and forward that information to the IRS so you can get paid.

Do I need to send the agency hard copies of my pictures?

As referenced before, you do not need to send hard copies of your pictures. We primarily work off the internet but when we meet face-to-face with clients, we do like to present them with comp cards. The agency will help you get your portfolio together so we can present them to our clients. We do offer a comp card service. If you want to furnish us with hard copies of your photos (we will include these in our press kit and give you more exposure) you can send them to EnVisage Model Group, P.O. Box 2370, Decatur, GA 30031.

How will I be notified about jobs?
We will send emails to you about assignments. You MAY NOT forward casting notices to your friends. If we find out, and we always do, you will be released from the agency immediately and without notice. Once your request is received, we will submit you to our client. The client will let us know who has been selected and we will contact the models accordingly. We then send out a
booking agreement. This is a mini contract for that job. All the information including rate, attire, location, contact, etc. are included on the agreement. Fill out the form and scan and email or fax back. After the event, we will need a completed work voucher from you to invoice the client and you must email us a follow up email to tell us how things went.

How soon will I be notified about jobs?

Just because you fill out your registration form does not mean you will start to receive casting notices in your email. You MUST electronically sign, scan and email, or fax your Independent Contractor Agreement to the agency. If you forget to do so, you will not receive casting notices until we are in receipt.

What do I do if I am not receiving jobs?

If you are not receiving jobs, email the agency at info@envisagmodelgroup.com and we will make sure we have all of your updated information.

When can I expect to start working?

There are no guarantees in this business. The needs of our clients will vary daily and by the season. Work can begin immediately, depending if your look is what the client is searching for. Remember, EMG will always work hard for you.

What do I need to take with me when I procure a job?

You will need to bring a copy of your Model Voucher every day you work. If you do not fill out the voucher accurately and daily, you will not be paid. You will be required to fax over every page of your model voucher once the assignment is completed. For certain jobs you will be required to copy and paste your resume onto our resume template. You are required to remove your contact information and take your resume and headshot with you.

What do I do if I’m late for a job or if I had an emergency and cannot work the job?

You must call the agency immediately. We do not tolerate lateness. This can result in being cut from the agency if we are not notified right away. If you have an emergency, you need to call the agency immediately. You are required to CALL, NOT EMAIL. If you simply email, this will be considered a “no call, no show” and you will be cut from the agency with no notice effective immediately. This is nonnegotiable.

What do I do if a client wants to pay me on-site?

Unless otherwise stated before the job, you will ALWAYS be paid from the agency payroll. You should suggest that the client get in touch with agency in regard to payment. If you accept payment on-site, you become liable for the 20% agency fee as well as any other pre-negotiated fees you may not be aware of. You will have to pay the agency…bottom line. It is best to remove yourself from that responsibility and have the client get in touch with the agency directly.

What do I do after a casting?

You are required to email the agency to let us know how each casting went. We all have to be on the same page.

How do I get paid?
After each job you work, you must mail your signed voucher with a SASE (self-addressed,
stamped envelope) to the agency at EnVisage Model Group, P.O. Box 2370, Decatur, GA 30031 immediately after you’ve worked so there will be no delay in your payment. Email the agency for the address.

How long does it take for me to get paid?

Clients have between 30 and 45 days to pay their invoice. Many times it won’t take that long but sometimes it does. Keep this in mind when waiting on your check.

How do I refer a friend to the agency?

Instruct them to send photos and their resumes to info@envisagemodelgroup.com. Just because you were accepted, does not mean they will be to. Make sure they understand.

What is “Model Etiquette”?

Model Etiquette is a manner of behavior that EMG expects you to follow. You are a reflection of the agency. It means to be sociable, assertive, ethical, pleasant to work with, and most of all, responsible. Please act accordingly.

www.envisagemodelgroup.com ◊ 404.313.7413 Office ◊ 206.339.9441 Fax

Ooooh...Shoes!

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Audition Tips - How to LOOK Like a Model

An important tip for all models to remember is, when attending a go-see, your pictures must transform to how you look in person. Looking like a model involves more than just pouting and walking the catwalk. Models have a confident mystique about them. Even the most unconventionally beautiful models carry themselves with an aura that exudes style, grace, and health. Here's how to get in touch with your own inner model and book that job!

1. Get fit. Being healthy is a million times more important than being thin. Exercise, eat properly, and drink plenty of water. You are what you eat, so learn to like it in order to achieve the weight you want and be as healthy as you can be. And even if you're already happy with your body, it still might be good to tone it up--turn that flat stomach into a six pack!
2. Mind your style, top to bottom! There are two things that can make or break your look: your hair and your shoes.
   
   
   • Look through hair magazines and talk with your hairstylist about what would look good with your face structure. Always keep your hair clean and styled, and make sure you go back to the salon every 2-3 months as your hair grows. Make sure the shade of your hair is vibrant; there's nothing worse than dull hair.
   • Wear clean, feminine shoes. That doesn't mean you always have to wear high heels (although that does help to send your model look up a notch). Models wear sneakers, too, and they wear them with style. Just make sure your shoes aren't worn out, and that you can walk comfortably in them (a grimace accompanied by a limp from the pain of wearing a torturous pair of shoes is unbecoming). See the Tips section for more advice about shoes.
3. Be fashionable. This one is a given, but a lot of people don't realize how wrong they are in the clothes they wear. Learn about your body type, height, skin tone and preferences. Discover yourself, and fashion will come to you. Rid yourself of any insecurities, because you can look bad in a Gucci & Manolo shoes if your shoulders are slouching and you have a scared look on your face. You don't have to wear designer clothes, especially if you can't afford them. Just look through fashion magazines, pick your favorites and then find look-a-likes. Remember: Clothes don't make you, they complement you.
   • Smile, and do it like you mean it. Models can be happy girls, even though they might look bored or fierce on the runway. They make tons of cash, have lots of beautiful friends, attend the hottest parties, and let's not forget that their job is to walk around in really expensive clothes. So generally, they appear to have good lives. Smile, be merry and people will notice that. It will help you meet people and be talked about. But to smile genuinely, you have to be genuinely happy with yourself. Some models are unhappy, some have eating disorders and use unhealthy ways to lose weight. Just because they do that, doesn't mean you have to. Don't hide behind your smile all the time. The key to being a good model is emotiveness (the ability to convey emotions).
4. Be your own makeup artist. Makeup is amazing, and any fashionista knows that. You can transform into so many different looks if you have the necessary tools and skills. Look through fashion magazines and practice the looks you see on yourself and your friends. Then invent your own looks and perfect them. Being able to apply makeup like a pro is a must for looking like a model. It requires practice, practice, and then some more practice.
   
5. Make sure every part of your body is as flawless as you can make it. We all have this idea that models are perfect human beings with perfect super powers, but they're just girls like you and me. Of course, they have been refined, polished, re-invented, and perfected. You can be all of these as well, with proper maintenance! Hygiene is extremely important.
   
   • Don't bite your nails and always keep them polished. This doesn't mean always have nail polish on just make sure to buff them and maintain them.
   • Keep your feet in impeccable conditions at all times (you never know when you will have to take your shoes off and dance on the tables!).
   • Soft elbows and knees are just as important as matching shoes and belt.
   • To get softer skin, try to exfoliate your skin at least twice a week with something simple like white sugar and aloe Vera mixed.
   • Keep those pearly whites pearly white! Use whitening strips if you need to, and stay far away from cigarettes and coffee, which will turn them yellow.
6. Be seen. What does it matter to look gorgeous if the only one that sees it is your family, and your teddy bears. Go out dancing with your friends, or dining, or whatever it is you like to do. Have fun and live it out. Models are also known for being party girls and amazing party hosts!
7. Educate yourself in culture. Stay on top of the arts, film, music, fashion, news and all things hip. Learn key phrases in various languages from countries with an active fashion scene. Travel the world, or watch the Travel Channel. Professional models learn to feel at home in any part of the world, and so must you--or at least you can pretend!
8. Watch your posture. How you carry yourself affects how people perceive you more than you think! Perk up that chin, throw those shoulders back, and glide through the air as if you just signed a ten million dollar contract. At home, practice carrying books on your head. Move like a dancer. Keep your head back, chin up, and shoulders down and back. Remember that every moment is a potential pose! However, you shouldn't become obsessed.
9. Be nice. Models carry themselves with a smile that tells everyone their friendly.
10. Looking like a model doesn't mean you have to cake yourself with makeup. they don't so you shouldn't either. Moisturize every morning. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Use a bronzer on your body and face, just to give you an extra tint. Foundation should be light. Eyeshadow is nice also but don't over do it. Eyeliner and mascara are better in black. Makeup should be about enhancing your beauty not covering it up.

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