Modeling Guide | Be A Model | Modeling Advice

Billboard hosts its Regional Mexican Music Summit, through October 8 in Los Angeles, where regional artists, concert promoters, retailers, sponsors, managers as well as record label, digital/mobile entertainment, marketing, advertising and radio executives come together to network, do business and discuss current industry topics. At the EkoFilm International Film Festival on the Environment and Natural and Cultural Heritage, the aim of the festival is to present new films and video programmes that reshape our perception of the environment through natural and cultural heritage in a local or global fashion. The Festival runs in Prague, October 6-12. Kimberly Graham, an associate at Judy Henderson Casting, conducts a limited group casting workshop in New York, on October 7. At Berlin’s PopKomm, expo goers can take part in an international music and entertainment business conference, focused on creation, communication and commerce, and with more than 400 solo artists, bands and DJs playing in over 25 official locations, all happening October 8-10. Monte Carlo will host the International Emerging Talent Film Festival, October 9-12, an event run by the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), a not-for-profit organization based in Monaco.

A Model/Actor Boot Camp with Aaron Marcus, will cover: preparing for auditions and casting calls; understand the differences between agents, managers, art/creative directors and casting directors; using special techniques for TV, film and commercial auditions/go-sees; accurately managing and understanding the business side of the industry; helping your agent by marketing yourself, and more. MIPCOM is the global content event for creating, co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content across all platforms. This year when it is held in Cannes from October 13-17, it features a series of specialised networking breakfasts designed with the intent of creating a unique forum around some of the challenges facing the industry today. At this year’s ShowEast, happening October 13-16 in Orlando, just some of the activities you can preview are major studio and independent feature films slated for Holiday 2008 release, product reels of upcoming releases, visit a comprehensive trade show of motion picture industry products, services and concession items, networking, and actually much more. The music industry operates under quite different conditions than the film industry, just as music festivals and film festivals do, and so MOFFOM was founded to build synergy between these two worlds. And so from October 16-20 in Prague, Music on Film, Film on Music will be conducted from Prague with a rich assortment of live music and film events.

The 43rd Chicago International Film Festival last year, was dedicated to distinguished film critic Roger Ebert. At this year’s opening night presentation, join director Rian Johnson and actress Rachel Weisz, for ‘The Brothers Bloom’, and a Perspectives Tribute October 18 honoring Sidney Poitier. The Connective Series in New York educates emerging artists, musicians and music business professionals, serves as a networking opportunity and helps raise awareness and funds for charity,  and on October 21 they review “How International Bands Can Break in the US Market”. From October 21-25, CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival gets underway, with most of its activities clustered within the New York University area of Greenwich Village, day and night. The Florida Media Market, October 23-26 in Miami Beach, is a non-profit membership-based organization whose goal is to build a platform where independent film and media makers meet with international buyers, distributors and production companies to buy, sell and network. SMPTE 2008, the annual event for technology, production and operations in the motion imaging industry attended by professionals in the motion picture studios, broadcast and cable networks, production and post-production community and related industries, gets underway October 28 for three days in Hollywood.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Bit Torrent, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog, a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. The Free Home Video Showcase serves as an archive for all past video presentations. This month on video you will see trailers and sample clips of Black-Smith Enterprises’  recent release of new feature, ‘Till Death…’  Surreal indie short by Marco Sanchez, ‘Emily in Nightmare Land’. Community generated zombie documentary, ‘Lost Zombies’. Horror genre short, ‘Creepers’, making the festival circuit, and slated for screenings in The Terror Film Festival, October 23, and The Severed Head Horror Film Festival, October 31.

How can you break into the game of show business and become a successful actor or model? Sue Porter Henderson, president of Henderson Enterprises Inc., a New York company providing actor assistance since 1983, former model and actress, and author of Secrets of Successful Actors, feels that the key to success is persistence, presence, and the proper training in the business part of show business. “Being confident and having presence and the knowledge of what it is they’re trying to do, is very important,” says Henderson.

For many seeking to become discovered, the journey may seemingly end before it begins. Henderson, who went to New York City in 1973 at the age of 23 seeking a modeling career, was no different – turned down at the front desk of a major modeling agency for being “too short” and “too old”. After talking with Wilhelmina Cooper, the head of the agency, Henderson realized there was a whole world of options she had not even considered yet. “She introduced me to an area of the business which I knew nothing about,” Henderson shares, “I only thought there was one kind – fashion.”

Henderson advises to not give up, even though initially you may be rejected from the career option you were pursuing. Persistence is the key to success. Not fitting into one field does not mean you cannot find your niche elsewhere. For instance, although the field of fashion modeling is incredibly strict, there is a space for all people, of any shape or size, in the commercial print-modeling field. “There’s many good ways that a person could be successful,” says Henderson, “If they can’t do one thing, they can probably do another.”

The proper training is also important to achieving your career goals. Agencies and talent scouts will not simply sign anyone. To enhance your competitive edge, you must first develop your talent from a hobby to a true understanding of the craft. Start with professional drama courses. Although major universities such as Julliard are recognized for their drama departments, any university with a department can give you the basis you need. Proving your skill through small roles in your chosen path will further enhance your reputation.

Like any major career choice, you must also educate yourself on the specific trials and costs, both emotional and monetary, that you will face. Proper research and consultation is necessary to understand the fiscal burden you may need to bear. Costs such as dental work, hair and skin care, and other physical enhancements can be costly even before you start working, but are necessary for the career. The cost of consultation, and printing and maintaining a portfolio will also exist. It is very important to properly understand the investment you are making before deciding on a major commitment.

There are many acting and modeling agencies that will promise you the world, if the price is right. Without knowing exactly what an agency wants, you may flush money away unnecessarily with no results. Because of this, education in the field is incredibly important. Otherwise, you may spend thousands of dollars, and meet hundreds of people that will do nothing for your career. “There’s one thing that you must know and that’s not to pay money up front to be represented,” Henderson warns, “There’s a lots of scams, and of course if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Knowledge also serves to help you find the right places to go. Sometimes, you may think you do not have a chance, when in reality; you are just in the wrong place. For instance, a senior seeking a modeling gig at an agency may pay money to find out the agency only deals with children. “You need to know the business before you get into it,” advises Henderson.

Ultimately, how far you go, and what you do are up to the attitude you start off with. In a business where critical comments are common, it is easy to lose confidence, but through persistence, patience, and above all, education and practice, you can achieve your dreams of a career in modeling or acting.