Whether you wish to have a career in modelling, acting, presenting, dancing, styling or as a make-up artist, professional conduct is imperative at all times. Time management and organizational skills are also essential tools required to build a successful career within the industry, as well as having a positive mental attitude. If your determination is great, coupled with a head for business then your chances of a profitable and enjoyable career will increase enormously. Remember, being a model or actor is the same as running your own business with the discipline to maintain financial and book keeping elements. In this case the product is YOU. Competition for work will be fierce and standards today are higher than ever so be prepared to work hard, develop your determination and stay focused. Your reward will be success, travel and a wealth of experiences.
So if you're interested, and think you've got what it takes, please take the time to apply online www.bmamodels.com
Best of luck for your future
Lynn Campbell-Walter
Director
BMA MODELS
Modelling is a serious profession.Professional models are 100% dedicated. BMA's models range from babies to grandparents and from fashion models to actors. On reflection and contrary to the usual conception not all models are tall and a diminutive size. Exploring the BMA website we find all shapes and sizes fit the modelling/acting world. Generally clients select models with healthy hair, teeth, skin and nails. Premium grooming is essential, a healthy diet, regular exercise and general TLC are all essential. You will need an air of confidence and not be retiring in front of the camera so if you feel good you will look good and be extra confident.
Female Fashion models are generally tall and thin, male fashion models are approximately 6', all are generally late teens to mid twenties. The Association of Model Agents (AMA) recommends that you should have the following measurements: females: bust-waist-hip measurements of no more than 34-24-34 inches (86-61-86cms) and height of at least five feet eight inches (1.72m), males: 38-40 inch (97-102cm) chest, 30-32 inch (76-81cm) waist, and height of at least six feet (1.83m). To Be a catwalk or runway modelthese statistics are vital.
Female Fashion models make impressive leg models . To be a leg model you must have long, thin legs with small ankles. Fashion models can accomplish everything from editorial to haute couture, high end cosmetics to notable TV commercials. However you do not have to be a fashion model to have a successful livelihood in modelling.
There is a huge potential for the more petite models to create a thriving career especially in TV, generally the models on TV are more petite than the Amazonian 6' model. There is such a vast range of diverse advertising strategies that require models of all shapes and sizes. I am testament to this fact. I had a highly profitable modelling career, started in my early twenties (somewhat very late) and I am only 5'6" which actually places me in no-man's-land, neither petite nor fashion. There is a vast range of products that necessitate models under 5' 8" and real people. For instance car manufacturers require models that enhance the features and not distract hence shrouding the car.
Equally there is an assortment of activity in advertising and TV for real people, characters, glamour models, fittings models, mature models, model families, grandparents, mums and dads, children including: babies, toddlers, youngsters, teenagers, and on again, couples, pregnant models, parent and child and dancers.
Advertisers look to appeal to a diverse and global population and therefore will look to utilize models of all ethnicities from Asian models, oriental models to Middle Eastern models to black models and from South American models to the pale skinned Caucasian blonde or brunette.
BMA is one of UK's top fitting model agencies, supplying female and male models to major retailers and manufacturers - 'a fitting model' is a live mannequin. All clothes brands and high street fashion houses will from time to time need to use fitting models when they are designing their seasonal range. Plus Size Modellingis enjoying an increasing demand as designers and clothing manufacturers realize the potential market for good quality clothing that fits women that fall outside of the size 6-14 market. The ranges that are available to plus size women are growing day by day. Plus sizes start at around 14 and upwards. It is essential that the plus size model is confident about her body as this will be reflected to the audience that the clothing is aimed at. You'll also need a fun and attractive personality, as well as great skin, teeth and hair. A curvaceous body is also a must, allowing you to show off the clothing at its best. Like all other kinds of modelling, a Plus Size model needs to be prepared, demanding work, long days, as well as distance travelling for events and photo shoots. Many of our models continue with us for years, starting in their early twenties take pleasure in modelling into their thirties and forties. Our Classic sectionis models in their thirties and upwards. Mature Modelling is attractive to many men and women throughout the world, and is often the home for people who were involved in the world of modelling from past times and are now mature and have found a corner of the market that is perfect for them. There is a great demand for mature models thanks to the huge variety of opportunities and advertising geared towards the more mature international market. There is also no age limit, and from the age of 30 plus there is true potential for the aspiring model.
Hand models are a specialized sector of the industry. A Hand models assets are good skin tone, no skin blemishes, and perfect nails not too long, smooth skin and with agreeably shaped fingers and thumbs. Perfect half moons are a must. Hands must be kept in great shape. A scratch can cost valuable jobs. The hand model must learn how to control their non working environment. Beautiful hands are called back time and time again. Remember, all hand shoots by definition are close-ups. Developing hand modelling experience in a constantly changing working environment is the key. Hands on many occasions must be held perfectly still for long periods of time.
Modelling can be just the beginning of developing a lucrative but related career. Today's models often find that the experience she or he has gained, and the contacts made, can lead to a career in acting, presenting, fashion, styling, magazine journalism, public relations, fashion house direction, fashion design and many other fields. With the knowledge gained, you may even want to start your own business - many models do.
Drama School is probably the best option for any aspiring actor /actress. They will take on actors /actresses at any age. The course can last, on average, two to three years. You can get an accredited list of drama schools from the actor’s union ‘Equity’. Acting is first and foremost a craft. So, it's imperative that you take a wide variety of acting classes, work in a wide variety of styles with as many different groups of people that can be discovered. Try it all. From Shakespeare to comedy, “from improve to cinema verite” - the more you know, the more well rounded you'll be and ultimately, the better prepared you'll be for whatever roles come your way. If you aspire to work in film and/or television as an actor /actress, you need to go where the work is. You must take the time to master your craft. Acting is not a 9-5 job by any stretch. It's considerable work, often 14-20 hours per day, in all kinds of conditions and at least initially, for not much money. Even actors who make millions of dollars per picture still must "work" to earn their keep. They are on location for months at a time and every day they commit themselves both emotionally and physically to their roles. It can be extremely exhausting. You must prepare yourself both mentally and physically for this type of challenge. The best actors are those who immerse themselves 100% in the role they are playing. The happiest actors are the working actors. Actors initially may not receive payment but every experience is experience. “Improve” is one of the few styles of acting where you have absolute freedom to discover what effects you excel at, and which require improvement. So consider adding acting to your repertoire. Be Persistent. Those who are gritty and willing actually may succeed, success does not come knocking. Be Patient, rare is the true "overnight success". There are stories of instant rags to riches. But the reality is that there were years of hard work and preparation that led to this "sudden discovery."
Some actors progress into presenting positions. TV Presentersare the public face of television. Initial opportunities in modelling can provide this type of high publicity and the associated trappings. TV Presenters generally entertain and inform audiences on national and regional television as well as satellite or cable channels. Whilst TV Presenters work on all kinds of different live or recorded programmes, what they actually do depends on the type of show they present. In general they host programmes, introduce and interview guests and interact with the audience. During live broadcasts they follow detailed instructions from the production team in order to keep everything to plan whilst on air. They need to react quickly and positively to any problems or changes. Presenters are also often involved in planning, researching and writing their own scripts before filming. Many presenters are highly qualified in their subject matter. For example, ex-journalists, ex- financial consultants, ex-sports stars, ex-medical professionals, ex-academics, ex-tradesmen etc...
Make-up artistsstylize make-up and hair for anyone appearing in front of a camera (or a live audience in film), television, theatre, concerts, photographic shoots or fashion shows. As a make-up artist, you could create themes from a straightforward natural look to period wigs and make-up or special effects such as scars and prosthetics. Most make-up artists start by taking a relevant course in make-up or beauty therapy and building up their practical experience. Specialist media make-up courses include:
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts (Make-up)
VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up
ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion
Theatre and Media Make-up foundation degrees
BTEC HNCs/HNDs and degrees in media make-up
Intensive courses at private make-up schools
For some of these, you may need to have taken a course in general beauty therapy and hairdressing such as an NVQ level 2 - you should check entry requirements with course providers and see the related profiles for information about entry-level courses. As well as taking a relevant make-up course, you should also try to gain practical experience, build a portfolio of your work to show to employers, and develop a network of contacts in the industry.
You can get useful experience in various ways, such as: backstage in amateur theatre, photography projects and student fashion shows. Once you have built up some experience and made some contacts, your first paid work in film or TV may be as a trainee or assistant to the make-up team. You might also find casual work as a 'daily', doing the make-up and hair for extras in crowd scenes.
Being a fashion stylist is basically about styling people to the setting. On editorial photo shoots this means styling models for fashion spreads in magazines and newspapers. Similarly styling celebrities for significant red-carpet events and awards ceremonies. The clothes are usually loaned, because when an outfit appears in a magazine or on a celebrity, its high end advertising. There's a strong commercial element to styling. During a fashion shoot, you have to be hawk-eyed, ready to swoop on any visible incumbents e.g. a bra straps or an uneven hemline. Pickiness and organisation are important. Get a qualification under your belt, and then achieve work experience with a stylist in the most stressful environment possible - probably fashion shoots for a newspaper - so you learn to work under pressure and to a deadline. For information on courses and careers in styling, visit one of the following.
