As requested by a lovely anon, here’s a few things I found when doing my research about the modelling industry. Hopefully this will be helpful!
I tried not to biased when listing the various references here, but I’ll just add that, at least for me, this Guardian article seem way more interesting than Kylie Jenner’s advice. She’s a model though, and I’m not, so I’d say make your own opinion of it, but take everything with a grain of salt.
ABOUT THE MODELLING INDUSTRY
- How does modeling work? Why do I need an agency?
- Model 101: How an agency works
- How to Break into the modeling industry
- Six Things That A Legitimate Modeling Agency Might Ask Of You
- Intern Diaries: Inside a modeling Agency
- About Modeling Agencies
- Pointers on working in front of the camera
- Model Training
- Finding work as a model
- What does it take to be a professional model?
- Types of Modeling
- How Does A Modeling Agency Work?
- The Secrets on becoming a model
- Pressures of the modeling industry
- How to become a model
- Sexual Abuse of Models is Fashion’s Dirty Secret
MODELS’ INTERVIEWS AND TESTIMONIES
- Bryce Buell on How the modeling industry really works
- Kendall Jenner’s Modeling Advice Video
- Interview of two 16-year-old models
- The ugly truth of Fashion Model’s behaviour
So, now take your time. Do your research, just as if you wanted to start modeling yourself. You need to know what your character’s life is like, and, maybe these few questions will help you:
- What kind of model are they? Fashion, body parts? What do they like the most about it? The least? Would they try something else if given the chance?
- How did they get into this business? Do they love fashion and did their best to become a model, or did a booker asked them to come to a casting one day and only came because their friends told them it would be great?
- How do they feel about it being a full time job, maybe not as ‘dreamy’ as it might sound? Not seeing their family and friends as much?
- Are they new to the business or a super model?
- How often do they get the chance to get home, and take some time for themselves?
- Do they worry about the end of their career, or are they looking forward to it?
- Do they worry about their weight, and what they look like? Or are they the kind of person who eat everything they could find a look gorgeous without a diet, and don’t really care about it? Do they work out? If yes, how often?
- What is the favorite piece of clothing they got to wear? Their best souvenir from a shoot?
- Do their parents and family in general agree with this job?
- Would they accept to pose nude if asked? Would this be a big deal to them? Why?
- Do they get along well with other models? Their booker? The photographers?
- Have they been sexually abused by one of their co-workers before? If not, are they aware of the danger? If yes, are they aware what they went through is sexual abuse? More research will be needed if the answer to this first question was yes.
Just, really. Do your research, and try to keep it real. Take notes, and ask yourself these few questions, and maybe others that could pop through your mind. Just remind that, no matter what, your character is not just their job.
