If you want to start in the industry of fashion modeling, you must watch for deceptive people. Some con artists are looking to defraud you, guaranteeing a wonderful career in exchange for up front payment. When the dust settles the only thing you'll have is an empty wallet.
Here are some issues that you have to look out for.
1. Classified ads. If you see an advertisement posted somewhere - in a newspaper, on Facebook, etc - then hesitate before attending. Successful talent agencies have plenty of walk-in talent, and they don't need to scour the mall. You may want to respond to open casting calls, but otherwise general adverts like these are a bad omen.
2. Asking for money up front. If the modeling agency charges you money up front before you can work for them, then turn right around and get the hell out of dodge. This is an obvious hint that they can't be making earnings on commissions, so they instead make profit elsewhere. If they aren't working, then don't expect for you to be.
3. Making you use their in house photog. A real modeling agency will ask you to get a set of images together with some comp cards, but they aren't going to force you to spend tons of cash on their own headshot photographer. You need to look around and choose a photographer or composite card printer that you feel comfortable with. If they really demand a specific photographer, they'll pay for it.
4. The agency wants you to pay to take their modeling classes or whatnot. It's just a way for them to dig in your pockets. It might seem more honest than a \"representation fee\" or some such thing. But at the end of the day it's just the same.
5. They promise you modeling gigs. If only it were so easy. No one can be positive that you'll get a job as a runway model, and anyone that promises that is just trying to butter you up. Chances are, they are just trying nudge you into giving them some cash.
After you've witnessed a few of these scams, they become a piece of cake to spot. The simple idea is that the company wants to \"sign\" as many models as possible, take their money in the beginning, and then keep them busy with a few casting calls. If new models keep walking in the door, they do not worry you're on the couch not working. They stole their cash. Don't let that moola be yours.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
A Few Things You Need to Know About Model Composite Cards
New to runway modeling? One of the beginning things you will must do is design a comp card. So what are comp cards, and what should you know about them? Here are a few things that any up and coming model should know about composite cards.
5. What Are Composite Cards?
Comp cards, also ocassionally called zed cards, are like a business card for fashion models. It contains a set of pictures from the model's port, and it lists the model's key stats. Sed cards should also include contact numbers for the model or for the agency to which the model belongs.
When you get down to it a comp card is a starting point between the model and a hoped for employer. If you go on a open call, you will be expected to leave behind a zed card - like an actress would submit a headshot or a regular interviewee would leave a resume.
4. What Kind of Pictures Go On a sed Card?
A zed card is kind of a small, focused portfolio. You want to catch the eye of your would be employer, and simultaneously show a bit of range. A zed card often starts with a headshot or similar close crop on the foreside, and a selection of several photos on the other side. The other side of the card should show some variety - different kinds of make-up, modeling, hair, what have you. It is also a good spot to include head to two images, instead of the headshot on the front side of the card.
3. What Stuff Should Go on a Comp Card?
The info on the composite card has two goals - to list size and stats and to list contact information. You should have typical measurements like chest/bust, waist, hips, height, and weight. You may want to also list eye color and hair color, but this is less necessary if it changes from time to time. You might also opt to include shoe size.
In terms of the contact information, that's your call. You want to include the easiest way for the casting agent to get in touch with you. If you maintain a website or online portfolio, you should include that. If you have a business phone number, you could include it. I would definitely include an e-mail address too.
2. How Large Is a Comp Card?
Print Shops will sell you on plenty of different sizes, but the traditional size of a comp card is 5.5\" x 8.5\". Comp cards were historically designed on A4 sized paper (~8.5\" x 11\"), but this changed to A5 size (~5.5\" x 8.5\") in the 70's. The printer might offer you a slightly smaller\different size (~5\" x 8\") to conserve paper and make the cards less expensive. It's better to keep to the business standard, though.
1. What Quality Paper Should You Use?
Sed cards should be printed on high quality, tough card stock. When it comes to paper weight, the weight should be in the range of 12pt and 14pt. Anything lighter than 12pt will seem crappy; you don't want to come across cheap. Some comp card printers are starting to offer cards printed on photo paper, same as they offer \"greeting cards\" made on photo paper. Even though they may say that it will lead to nicer image quality, a nice quality printer can reproduce colors nicely on card stock. You should stick with the customary paper so that your card is more heavy and more durable, instead of just using the thinner photo paper.
5. What Are Composite Cards?
Comp cards, also ocassionally called zed cards, are like a business card for fashion models. It contains a set of pictures from the model's port, and it lists the model's key stats. Sed cards should also include contact numbers for the model or for the agency to which the model belongs.
When you get down to it a comp card is a starting point between the model and a hoped for employer. If you go on a open call, you will be expected to leave behind a zed card - like an actress would submit a headshot or a regular interviewee would leave a resume.
4. What Kind of Pictures Go On a sed Card?
A zed card is kind of a small, focused portfolio. You want to catch the eye of your would be employer, and simultaneously show a bit of range. A zed card often starts with a headshot or similar close crop on the foreside, and a selection of several photos on the other side. The other side of the card should show some variety - different kinds of make-up, modeling, hair, what have you. It is also a good spot to include head to two images, instead of the headshot on the front side of the card.
3. What Stuff Should Go on a Comp Card?
The info on the composite card has two goals - to list size and stats and to list contact information. You should have typical measurements like chest/bust, waist, hips, height, and weight. You may want to also list eye color and hair color, but this is less necessary if it changes from time to time. You might also opt to include shoe size.
In terms of the contact information, that's your call. You want to include the easiest way for the casting agent to get in touch with you. If you maintain a website or online portfolio, you should include that. If you have a business phone number, you could include it. I would definitely include an e-mail address too.
2. How Large Is a Comp Card?
Print Shops will sell you on plenty of different sizes, but the traditional size of a comp card is 5.5\" x 8.5\". Comp cards were historically designed on A4 sized paper (~8.5\" x 11\"), but this changed to A5 size (~5.5\" x 8.5\") in the 70's. The printer might offer you a slightly smaller\different size (~5\" x 8\") to conserve paper and make the cards less expensive. It's better to keep to the business standard, though.
1. What Quality Paper Should You Use?
Sed cards should be printed on high quality, tough card stock. When it comes to paper weight, the weight should be in the range of 12pt and 14pt. Anything lighter than 12pt will seem crappy; you don't want to come across cheap. Some comp card printers are starting to offer cards printed on photo paper, same as they offer \"greeting cards\" made on photo paper. Even though they may say that it will lead to nicer image quality, a nice quality printer can reproduce colors nicely on card stock. You should stick with the customary paper so that your card is more heavy and more durable, instead of just using the thinner photo paper.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Past of Modeling Comp Cards - The 1980s and 90's
In the past, sed cards were not affordable to make, and design methodology were limited. Most new models didn't have the money to make comp cards, so they got started with a basic 8x10, black & white print with a solid white outline. The model's stats were pasted to the opposite side in plain text.
I remember those days, printing dozens of copies of the same boring photo. So many times. These 8x10 photos were also pretty costly, and this impeded the model sharing them. Models typically sent them to businesses who were likely to offer them work, or to talent agents who were likely to put them to work. Models most likely missed out on a bunch of assignments due to the fact that they couldn't afford to pass out these headshots to anyone who was interested.
Over time, a model would become more successful and pocket more money. This would let the model to print a one-color comp card produced by an efficient printer. Only the most successful models in New York City could afford full color. Offset printing needs a lot of cash up front, but the investment became less expensive if an order of hundreds or thousands of model composites was done. At this point, a model would have hundreds of cards on hand - and the model could more readily afford to distribute a card to anyone who could be a little interested in seeing the model. The cards were even inexpensive enough to put in the mailbox to send to talent agents around the nation, enlarging a model's scope.
The model composites of the past were a certain way because of the technology and investments involved with printing. This determined a large picture on the front and a set of pictures, each a quarter of a page, on the reverse of the card. A location was also reserved on the other side of the comp card to hold vital stats for the model and a phone number.
Printing technology wouldn't allow the images on the back of the sed card from sharing space in any way, and you weren't able to include any fancy backgrounds or designs. All composite cards were thus made on a white background, with solid white outlines. These outlines also let the printing press to grip the sed card as it passed through the printing process. They couldn't extend the image to the edge, the way modern cards and set ups do. Despite the fact that printing techniques has come a long way, the zed cards we design today are still founded pretty solidly on this original design, which resulted from the realities of printing.
I remember those days, printing dozens of copies of the same boring photo. So many times. These 8x10 photos were also pretty costly, and this impeded the model sharing them. Models typically sent them to businesses who were likely to offer them work, or to talent agents who were likely to put them to work. Models most likely missed out on a bunch of assignments due to the fact that they couldn't afford to pass out these headshots to anyone who was interested.
Over time, a model would become more successful and pocket more money. This would let the model to print a one-color comp card produced by an efficient printer. Only the most successful models in New York City could afford full color. Offset printing needs a lot of cash up front, but the investment became less expensive if an order of hundreds or thousands of model composites was done. At this point, a model would have hundreds of cards on hand - and the model could more readily afford to distribute a card to anyone who could be a little interested in seeing the model. The cards were even inexpensive enough to put in the mailbox to send to talent agents around the nation, enlarging a model's scope.
The model composites of the past were a certain way because of the technology and investments involved with printing. This determined a large picture on the front and a set of pictures, each a quarter of a page, on the reverse of the card. A location was also reserved on the other side of the comp card to hold vital stats for the model and a phone number.
Printing technology wouldn't allow the images on the back of the sed card from sharing space in any way, and you weren't able to include any fancy backgrounds or designs. All composite cards were thus made on a white background, with solid white outlines. These outlines also let the printing press to grip the sed card as it passed through the printing process. They couldn't extend the image to the edge, the way modern cards and set ups do. Despite the fact that printing techniques has come a long way, the zed cards we design today are still founded pretty solidly on this original design, which resulted from the realities of printing.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I Own Hundreds of Photos. What's Next?
Now that photography doesn't necessitate rolls of film, everyone has hundreds of photos. You take them with your digital camera, you take them with your phone. In the blink of an eye, there are thousands of pictures cluttering up your hard drive... some good, some bad, some eh.
They shouldn't just sit idly by and gather dust. But what do you do? Here are a few thoughts for things that you can do with all of those digital pictures.
5. Share Them Online. There are dozens of image sharing services these days. Some websites feature fine art photos, others prefer people and friends. Use a webpage like DeviantArt to showcase your cool photos. Share photos of your friends on Facebook or Google Plus. Really, why should you keep all these pics if you don't want someone to admire them?
4. Get Them Printed. Does it still cost a pretty penny to print your photos? Not even close. You can print pictures for $0.10 to $0.20 if you look in the right place. Aside from ordering cheap photo prints online, you might find some deals to get free prints. Take advantage of these offers, and you can make a batch of 20 to 40 photos for almost nothing.
3. Make a Collage. After my daughters finished high school, they had a crazy amount of pictures of themselves because they participated in the yearbook committee. They each printed up a giant collage, about 2 feet by 3 feet, and included dozens of smaller photos. They organized it on the computer and got them printed in a big poster format. But you could simply print out a handful of smaller pictures and make a collage the old fashioned way.
2. Get a Gallery Print. Canvas prints are the next big thing. Decorating your apartment? Take one of your favorite pictures and get it done up on canvas. They look great placed on your wall; it's definitely better than a regular photo in a frame. If you want to invest a little more money, you can also make a mini gallery wall with a selection different wraps.
1. Design a Slideshow. Get some software, like Windows Movie Maker, to organize a movie using your pics. This is great for a collection of pics from a single night or period of time. Make the memory of a weekend getaway, a special graduation party, or a senior year of high school. Create it to some songs and bam! Instant memories.
Be creative. There are tons of things you can do with those photos that are lying around collecting dust. The important thing is to actually get up and do something.
They shouldn't just sit idly by and gather dust. But what do you do? Here are a few thoughts for things that you can do with all of those digital pictures.
5. Share Them Online. There are dozens of image sharing services these days. Some websites feature fine art photos, others prefer people and friends. Use a webpage like DeviantArt to showcase your cool photos. Share photos of your friends on Facebook or Google Plus. Really, why should you keep all these pics if you don't want someone to admire them?
4. Get Them Printed. Does it still cost a pretty penny to print your photos? Not even close. You can print pictures for $0.10 to $0.20 if you look in the right place. Aside from ordering cheap photo prints online, you might find some deals to get free prints. Take advantage of these offers, and you can make a batch of 20 to 40 photos for almost nothing.
3. Make a Collage. After my daughters finished high school, they had a crazy amount of pictures of themselves because they participated in the yearbook committee. They each printed up a giant collage, about 2 feet by 3 feet, and included dozens of smaller photos. They organized it on the computer and got them printed in a big poster format. But you could simply print out a handful of smaller pictures and make a collage the old fashioned way.
2. Get a Gallery Print. Canvas prints are the next big thing. Decorating your apartment? Take one of your favorite pictures and get it done up on canvas. They look great placed on your wall; it's definitely better than a regular photo in a frame. If you want to invest a little more money, you can also make a mini gallery wall with a selection different wraps.
1. Design a Slideshow. Get some software, like Windows Movie Maker, to organize a movie using your pics. This is great for a collection of pics from a single night or period of time. Make the memory of a weekend getaway, a special graduation party, or a senior year of high school. Create it to some songs and bam! Instant memories.
Be creative. There are tons of things you can do with those photos that are lying around collecting dust. The important thing is to actually get up and do something.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
What is Sharedcontent.rpln And Why Am I Getting This Error Message?
If you use Adobe InDesign and you've tried to open up a file that someone else sent you, you may have run into an error message claiming that plug-ins were missing and that it couldn't open the file. Among these plug-ins are probably Sharedcontent.rpln, Text.rpln, Generic Page Item.rpln, Graphics.rpln, Xml.rpln, Hyperlinks.rpln, Formfield.rpln, and others.
What's the problem? Apparently, Adobe InDesign files are entirely not backwards compatible. If you try to open a file created in Adobe InDesign CS 5.5 in an older version (i.e. Adobe InDesign CS 5), you'll get this error message about sharedcontent.rpln (read more in this article).
What's the solution? Well, the simplest (and more expensive) solution is to purchase an upgrade to Adobe InDesign. You could also ask the person who sent you the file to save the file in Adobe's IDML format. This creates a more abstract file format which is compatible with more versions of InDesign, including at least InDesign CS 5.
You might also want to complain to Adobe about the change. Some would argue that this approach is designed to force people to upgrade. Possible... and it's unlikely that your complaints will really change anything. Oh well... good luck!
What's the problem? Apparently, Adobe InDesign files are entirely not backwards compatible. If you try to open a file created in Adobe InDesign CS 5.5 in an older version (i.e. Adobe InDesign CS 5), you'll get this error message about sharedcontent.rpln (read more in this article).
What's the solution? Well, the simplest (and more expensive) solution is to purchase an upgrade to Adobe InDesign. You could also ask the person who sent you the file to save the file in Adobe's IDML format. This creates a more abstract file format which is compatible with more versions of InDesign, including at least InDesign CS 5.
You might also want to complain to Adobe about the change. Some would argue that this approach is designed to force people to upgrade. Possible... and it's unlikely that your complaints will really change anything. Oh well... good luck!
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