Industry Wire by MWN

Friday, September 9, 2011

Ask Joey: Scouting is Really Taking Off

Friday, September 09, 2011 Joey Hunter No comments

Ok folks, this scouting feature is really taking off! I have been talking with our agencies on ModelWire and they are all very excited about this feature and some of our members have recently been scouted and signed from MWN. In fact, we are featuring three blog articles on the Industry Wire right now about three models who have been signed by MW agents through MWN. Their names are James Douglas, Lauren Calaway and David Namminga. All three were signed by Scout Model & Talent Agency.

If you are seeking representation then make sure your status says, “SEEKING Representation”. If you get scouted and then signed by an agency - don’t fret, you can still stay on the site. You can change your status to “NOT SEEKING REPRESENTATION” so your profile will no longer be visible to the ModelWire agencies. Check out MWN Tip of the Week: Are You Already Represented?

I expect everyone’s profiles to be completely filled out and looking professional.

TMS Productions

I have this crazy hobby and want to continue to improve at it. My problem is our setups are getting more extreme and I want to find the best models possible without losing money at this. I'm lucky I make a living at being a video engineer so this is just fun. I guess my question is how do I get into agency models without spending agency rates? I waste a ton of time on MM and CL with mixed results.

First of all Jeff I am sure you waste a lot of time on MM and CL, they may have a lot of people on those sites, but most of their users aren’t professionals. That is why the MWN staff manually approves everything on our site, to make sure that our site maintains quality of our parent site, ModelWire.

Anyways, you have an amazing portfolio that showcases how creative you are. You need to get to know your local agencies. Build up those relationships and ask if you test their young models. Obviously, you can’t charge for your work but they should allow you to test their models for free. Start calling up some of the agencies from ModelWire Fashion Directory and schedule yourself some meetings.

Christopher Spears

Question 1: I was wondering if you would take another look at my portfolio when you get time. I added some different looks and I want your opinion if I'm heading in the right direction with my look.

I do like the other looks, as they prove that you can show some emotions in your photos - however, they look dated. Were they shot a long time ago or are they new photos? You need to take some updated/current photos of yourself with a couple different photographers. Start showcasing a variety of shoots in your portfolio.

Question 2: I've been wondering about something lately. I was on the internet just browsing at all the old cigarette ads and commercials, also alcohol & beverage ads from the 60's up to maybe 10 years ago. I must have counted thousands of modeling jobs that existed back then for these kind of ads and billboards that simply are not available to models anymore. Do you think that the absence of these modeling venues have damaged the marketplace for models trying to break into the business?

It’s true all of those ads generated a lot of money for the industry and we no longer have that avenue. But there wasn’t a lot of men’s fashion being advertised in the 70s. Though we may no longer have the abundance of cigarette and alcohol ads we now have menswear, so it balances things out.

cfall312

Can you look at my profile and let me know what I can do to better my profile?

Basically Charles, you need to get out there and start testing with different photographers. All of your photos are Digital Polaroids, which are good because agencies need those, but you need to show that you are serious about your career. You do that by showing multiple photos from different photographers.

And please fill out ALL of your sizes - that is another way to show that you are serious about your modeling career. You live so close to NY so you have no reason why you can’t find a professional team to work with.

Luther E. Sullivan III

I am seeking representation and I also would like a feedback on my look.

If your photos are all current and up-to-date, then I really like your portfolio and I think it is ready for you to start showing it around to agencies. So get out there and start finding yourself a Los Angeles based print agency. Make sure you check out the ModelWire Fashion Directory.

In the meantime,

Have a successful day!

JOEY

Follow me @thejoeyhunter

*Have a question for me? Ask away on my ModelWire Network profile http://www.modelwirenetwork.com/joeyhunter

Because of MWN David Now Has an Agent!

Friday, September 09, 2011 Shana No comments

When did you start modeling/acting?

I started modeling a little over 2 years ago during a summer break from school at the University of California Santa Barbara, where I am now quickly approaching graduation with my degree in Sociology. An interest in acting followed a few months later as I realized the two fields were extremely connected to one another.

What made you want to become a model/actor?

I was asked to model for a catalogue by a friend who had started a new clothing line, with no experience and a day off work, I figured I would go and get a free t-shirt out of the deal. After seeing the pictures and hearing some gracious compliments, I decided to try it out and see where it could take me, maybe make a few extra dollars. Acting followed after doing a random day of extra work on a low budget film, where I met some very interesting people and fell in love with being on a set. I wanted to do more, and quickly got to work in acting classes and through an assortment of roles in student films.

How did you come across ModelWire Network?

I saw an ad for ModelWire Network on an acting website, and as I am always looking to expand my opportunities, I checked it out and made a profile after my initial research.

What was your experience like when Scout Model & Talent scouted you through our site? Were you surprised?

When Scout Model & Talent Agency scouted me I was initially thrilled at the interest yet surprised as to how quickly it happened after making my profile. Through email conversations with the agency I got to know how they work, and as I sent more pictures and interviewed over the phone everything worked out amazingly and am thrilled to be working with them.

Besides getting signed by an agency have you made any other connections on MWN?

I’m still very new to the site but am already meeting photographers who are interested in working together, and I try to stay up date with the Industry Wire to see what others within the community are up to.

What has been one of your favorite modeling memories?

I shot for a week straight with Harley Davidson Motorcycles in San Francisco earlier this year and was blown away by every second of the trip. From jumping on a brand new bike while decked out in beautiful leather gear and cruising around a scenic island at sunset, to shooting in the mountains, the city, and the beach under the Golden Gate Bridge, I’d say it was a pretty successful experience. Let’s just say I’ve had much worse day jobs.

What projects have you recently worked on?

As I mentioned before, I shot for the 2011 Fall Harley Davidson Apparel catalogue and website which was recently released. Right before that I shot for the cover of Moss Muscle’s custom car parts magazine which is sent out to their members nationwide every year.

As for acting I have had a very exciting last year, co-starring along a team of amazing actors in my first feature film called Killer Holiday. Every part of the experience was amazing, and I am thankful to have met such an amazing team. The film is in post-production right now and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

You can see more about the film and become a fan at: www.Killerholidaythemovie.com

Do you have any advice for our members?

Be proactive.

You can’t be Brad Pitt, but if you sleep until noon and watch reruns of Jersey Shore all day, nobody will know or care who you are. Shoot every chance you get, whether you get paid or not. Wake up early. Workout. Eat healthy. Be happy. Take advantage of every opportunity you see and just go for it. We only get one chance at this life so we have no time to lose.

Thank you so much for showing interest in my career and supporting what I am doing, I can’t wait to see what the future brings for us all, and can’t wait to share more stories as we experience them. Thanks again.

David Namminga

Twitter: @MrNamminga

The Spectacle of Nobility - Vogue Japan October 2011

Friday, September 09, 2011 Monique Adina No comments

This editorial is amazing. I love Vogue Japan's ability to always push the envelope and give us new interpretations of fashion and photography. Julia's big hair and peachy skin are great in combination with the refined, yet bold ensembles. The use of texture, chunky accessories, patterns and color is genius and one of my new sources of inspiration for fall. I may, on some occasion during the upcoming season, get 'bold' and try to recreate some of this 'noble' splendor. Hopefully, I don't make a mockery of the trend and execute the look with excellence.

Pics via Fashioncopious

Give Up the Plastic Bags and Get a Maptote

Thursday, September 08, 2011 Shana No comments

Plastic bags are being banned in different cities in the US and we all need to get on board with this movement. So when you start converting to grocery totes, make it personal and make it a Maptote.

Maptote is one of those companies that you can really get behind. First of all, it is ran and created by a married couple who decided to combine their degrees, Fashion Design and Cartography, to make a business where they both could use their talents.

Maptote owners Michael & Rachel

And they use 100% US cotton! All fabric is cut, sewn and printed in Brooklyn and you can see in their blog they are very hands-on with the entire process.