So you want to model?
Q &A: These are the most common question asked during your first interview.
This is our response to those questions.
Do you think I can be a professional model? Answer - Don't think of your self as a model, think of yourself as talent. One in ten thousand "might" be full time professional models. One in one hundred thousand models might make the top one hundred. One in one million might make the top ten in the world! Talent industry is more forgiving and has a higher demand for people of many sources of talent including modeling. To days models have to be diverse and multi talented. Vocal, Acting, Dance, Athletics all sorts of ability with animals and machinery. The more you know and can do the more work and better paying contracts you will get. Intelligence, ability and a good moral common sense is in the majority of successful models in this business.
What do you look for in a model? Answer - That depends, there is a market for all types of body sizes and shapes, male and female. The question would be best suited to what do we feel is what you are suited to. Our talent work many facets of the industry. For instance, presentation spokes models for trade fairs and show - requirements would be well spoken, strong command of the language needed, healthy and good looking. Depending on product and clients request for size and shape, male or female and any other requirements needed for their product promotion. Salon models, again are many different sizes and shapes, male and female depending on product types and promotional needs. Big and beautiful to petite all shapes and sizes are used by the entire industry. Catalog and commercial usually run hand in hand, there requirements follow the fashion trends very close as well as public perspective. These are your hard working positions for the steady models with the required figure and look both male and female. Many times leading them into TV commercials and product advertising as long as they can perform live in front of a camera. Then comes the cream of the crop, designers choice run way models, the look is very important and the size and height is as well. Very few ever make the top 10 in this area unless they have what it takes to get there. This area either you do or you don't have it. My personal favorite area for models and talent today is in product promotion and presentation. Clothing, cosmetics everything you purchase in a product that is being promoted in one way or another. These talents are the winners in the modeling field today. Diverse, talented hard working people who can perform under pressure and with professionalism and grace. PROFESSIONALS!
How do I start? Answer - You just did! By asking and investigating, researching and deciding to pursue a career in the talent industry, either modeling or performing or all of the above (recommended). If you contract through our company we will assist you in - First - Learning how to work a stills set. (photography) Start your BOOK (portfolio). Assist you in T.F.P sessions with other photographers all over the country to achieve a good quality portfolio and gain much need experience in front of the camera and dealing with multiple different people, personalities and situations. We will then assist you in Canadian contract work in areas we feel you will do well, all important tare sheets. More portfolio building. Once we feel you have out grown our ability we will introduce you to managers and agents and agencies till you are acquired by them at which time we are paid a finders fee and a 15% re-imbursement fee from your first years earnings for our effort and time. We do this with "NO UP FRONT MONEY FROM YOU!". I am a talent scout, working independently locating talent and marketing them to the industry. I am not and agent or manager, we locate, assist in training and present talent to the markets best suited to the talent. Our company stands all internal cost and in house production costs for talent contracted to completion. If the talent fails, we loose our investment. If they succeed we make a very lucrative fee. Our company is the only one like it and because of that we are very selective on who we will take on under contract. Talent do have the option to pay their way through our company (not recommended) but this would probably be a futile effort on your part. If we feel we can succeed with you, then we will offer you a contract. If not then our feelings are you either have to far to go or little if no chance at succeeding. Our income is based on "our" success!
Would I have to do nude work? Answer - More times than not "NO"! BUT PLEASE!!! Remember that the North American product market is sex driven. Suggestive, scantily dressed, partially nude is used in jean adds, swim suit, evening wear, cosmetics all aspects of the industry uses sensual sexy presentation. So yes you need this type of imagery in your portfolio. I prefer to use form and figure photography in a artistic light to present the talent in as flattering an atmosphere with as little nudity as possible, but very suggestive. This will give the clients the knowledge that you are capable of promoting and presenting with a sexy suggestive undertone yet maintain a respectful responsible morality about your work. (very important) Not very many product promoters want a Playboy Centerfold selling their products. (that is to reveling)!
Who owns all the images taken of me? Answer - Ray Sproull is the photographer and owner of the company, he retains all rights to the images under contract. Releasing to the model the right to use in their portfolio for presentation to perspective clients. Ray Sproull retains the rights to resale and distribution of all artistic media produce while in the pursuit of portfolio images. This is none negotiable and any challenge to his rights will be cause for immediate discharge of the talent and cancellation of future contract obligations undertaken by the company or Ray Sproull.
When will I start making money with you? Answer - Real money? Never! You will be sold to an agency or manager before that becomes a major concern. I am here to get you on the right road, I do it as affordable for the talent as possible. Once you are making money you still have a contractual obligation to me for 15% of your income for the first year you are working. That is how I can afford to produce your portfolio, build your web page and spend hours in negotiations with managers and agencies trying to sell your talent to them. Until you are working you pay me nothing, but once you are working you pay me for my services. The more success you have the more I make. All the risk is ours in the beginning, but nothing in this business is free! You do pay eventually.
What if I decide this isn't for me? Answer - That is why we trial everyone first, then if down the road you quit. Well that is our loss we are supposed to decide ahead of acceptance of a talent weather we feel you have what it takes and if we are wrong and it does happen everyone parts no bad feelings. Any and all images will be retained by the company and photographer for distribution and resale by the photographer and company. If you wish upon leaving prior to the contract being sold to purchase your images they will be made available to you to purchase. No fees or charges will be asked for and no wages or fees will be paid out. No commissions or royalties will be paid to any model or talent who's images are sold publicly at any time.
These are the questions we felt were most prominent. If you have more questions or wish to have an interview feel free to contact Ray Sproull VIA this website.