A Tale of Two Realities

A Tale of Two Realities

It is the Best of Times and it is the Worst of Times. This quote was taken from the well read novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. That statement applies to the events of today. With the rising of unemployment, an increase in homeless families and especially children, with the continuous saga of the many wars that America is in, we are undergoing unbelievable turmoil.

With the many stresses plaguing the citizens of America, there are many broken people. Many of these people live in communities which essentially there is no community. Communities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and South Florida where people come and go with stakes in that area. There are people who are essentially lost. As a result of this, there are many people who have gotten in the inspirational, coaching, and empowerment business. There are some real people but there are some people who are essentially just plain FRAUD. These people also use others to promote their workshops while not paying for the people’s skills that help to make the event. They are vultures in this world that we live in. There are real coaches that are skilled in their respective profession.

I met someone not too long ago through a friend that is one of these types of people. In these times, you should be very careful in associating yourself with such people. MLM (Multi Level Marketing) businesses also prey on people who are lost with great hopes of achieving unbelievable successes. MLMs will make the claim that it is there own business but in reality, they are somewhat controlled in the manner they operate. The person I met is involved in MLM businesses and specifically targets women who are in the MLM business. The people targeted are especially vulnerable.

JACQUES WEISEL AND SAMUEL CLEMENS (MARK TWAIN)

JACQUES WEISEL AND SAMUEL CLEMENS (MARK TWAIN)

Jacques Weisel, a personal coach, coaches people to excel in their business through his substantial life experiences. Mr. Weisel has recently released his new book of his survival of life. He started from an early age at survival.  The first fight was with the Nazis, who up to now have been the most evil armies in the history of mankind.  The book is an autobiography of his life and the many turns and tribulations that one may be faced with during the course of one’s life.  

There are times that Mr. Weisel may rub people the wrong way, or rather the right way. His philosophy throughout his life has been to express THE TRUTH, which many people rather not hear. In many ways, Mark Twain, held the same philosophy.  Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain, wrote about the real world and the several of obstacles as well as injustices that one may encounter.  He was known for his brash remarks and he is also known for his permanent effect on history. 

I see the similarities of both Jacques Weisel and Mark Twain. Today, people talk about the Law of Attraction and the book and movie THE SECRET. Both will contend that there is another law that is of utmost important, THE LAW OF OPPORTUNITY, TO REACH SOMEONE’S POTENTIAL.  At the same time, both of them accept their place and did not see each other as more important than others. In the Law of Opportunity, each of us is approached with opportunities during the course of our lives. We do not listen to others, and then we will never see the opportunities. This happens, when we regard ourselves as much too important and live our lives in desperation and function on the lower levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Someone who continually thinks of money for example is someone that is functioning on this lower plain.

The pictures in this blog are of the following: Jacques Weisel newly published book 9 Knockdowns and 5 Miracles, Jacques Weisel holding his own collage as well as the Mark Twain collage, the Mark Twain collage, the layout of his book, and you will find links to Mark Twain’s quotes.  I have met many people who have stated that they are writing a book. Jacques Weisel did it once again.

On a separate note, I am creating a collage titled TWO WRITERS MEET. It is about the time in history when Mark Twain met up with a bell boy in San Francisco. The bell boy asked for Mark Twain's opinion in what he should write. Mark Twain said "Write What You Know and You Will Be Great." That bell boy was Jack London. The Law of Opportunity shined through for Jack London.

Mark Twain quotes

MODELS – WHEN CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER AS YOUR PERSONAL MANAGER

MODELS – WHEN CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER AS YOUR PERSONAL MANAGER

When choosing a photographer as your personal manager, you should first note that a personal manager is someone who will coach you and market you to work in the entertainment industry. They are not an agent.  A personal manager places a model or actor/actress in a better position whereby the agencies will want to sign the talent up into their agency. In order to do this, the following must happen:

1.)    The photographer must know what a model should have in their portfolio. A photographer who shoots weddings, portraits, or just portfolios for money will not know what an agency is looking for.  Choose a photographer who has done actual work in the industry. In other words, a photographer who has actual tear sheets (i.e. published work).

2.)    You should be able to tell that the photographer has worked in the business and has dealt with professional modeling agencies in the past. The photographer should have Agency Books, Head Sheets (oversized posters of the face shots of models printed by the agency), and composite cards.

3.)    The photographer should have professional memberships with photographic associations.

4.)    The photographer should be a member of business membership groups such as chambers of commerce, print industry groups, etc.

5.)    Photographers who promise a lot should have been featured in the news for their accomplishments. News meaning magazines, newspapers, Television, Public TV, or trade publications.

6.)    The photographer/personal manager will create a portfolio for the model comprised of a number of imagines to market the model. From the images, a few images will be used for a composite card which will also have a number of items printed on it such as statistical information of the model’s body (i.e. height, weights, shoe size, dress size, measurements, etc.) and contact information of the personal manager.

7.)    The photographer/personal manager should also be able to get the model/talent some work which not only will be paid but will enhance the model’s marketability by acquiring tear sheets for the model (i.e. proof of work). Tear sheet means that the page was literally torn out of the magazine and placed in the model’s portfolio.

8.)    A good personal manager will prepare the talent for actual work in film such as in commercials, short film, TV spots, monologues, etc. The talent should have a casting tape (now DVD) which would be used for marketing purposes to market the talent.

The cost for the model /talent to a reputable personal manager and photographer is nothing. The photographer / personal manager makes a percentage of what the model/talent makes. A typical professional agency will charge clients a model service fee of 20-35% which is added to the invoice of what is billed for use of the model.

On this blog, you will find samples of agency materials, a link to an actual casting tape featuring one of my past models/talents, and sample ads.  Jacques Weisel and I will be writing a book shortly on the modeling industry with also the view point from the other side, the Model. Amy Vitale will have a chapter giving her view on modeling from the model's perspective.

Sample Audition Tape

The modeling industry