Model Mayhem and One Model Place Models
By Marc Gagnon
I have been a Professional Photographer/Artist for the past 32 years. In the first 15 years, I had a sole proprietorship and filed my taxes under a Schedule C. I incorporated some 10 years ago. I have agents, administrators, and merchandising staff across the country under the name of Marc Gagnon Inc. Although my photography has progressed through time to something totally different, I still need models to photograph for me art collages. Although my work has been published in magazines through the world, I have been actually featured in magazines throughout the world and have been interviewed both on National Network television, public television and private cable; I am not respected by a large group of people. They are the models on Model Mayhem and One Model Place. First of all, there are many people in South Florida that actually think they are models when in reality they are not. Model Mayhem and One Model Place is comprised of I would estimate to say 90% of amateur photographers. In fact, many of them are low class. Of course, the models are quite the same. These sites actually recommend that you bring a chaperon. Why is this, because many of the people on these sites are creeps and it is somewhat dangerous. Because the people are so unprofessional, they begin to exert these behaviors themselves. They begin to trust the knowledge of people that have no experience in the entertainment field. By the way, the following jobs have nothing to do with the model or entertainment field:
1. Party Hosting
2. Mud Wrestling
3. Go Go Dancing
4. Promotional Modeling
5. Website Hosting
Shooting with photographers that have never been published is not considered professional and is somewhat compromising and lowering their standards. Unfortunately, I spoke with a model off Model Mayhem, and it was a sobering experience. GQ, a well- known DJ in South Florida has iterated to me that every girl thinks they are a model. These models are also drawn to model agencies that only have one year in business and you will not believe this, they require an exclusive contract which is illegal in the State of Florida. Florida is a right to work state. In order to require an exclusive contract, you must guaranty work and a livable wage. Recently I have found 5 very good models out of Florida, three of them were through referrals, one by accident and another through Star Now.
I recently brought two models with me to audition for a music video in the Tampa area. I brought Eva St. Laurent who has a Playboy submission application in, as well has a impending interview with a top agency in NYC this Friday. I also brought Stephanie Halidej who is also from New England. Eva St. Laurent recently the assignment which will pay a minimum of $10K. A model who was not invited would have gotten the assignment, but it was the thought by the musical artist that the model is not considered serious because she is occupied by the above work with Model Mayhem and the jobs listed above. Modeling takes the form of 5 categories which are listed below:
The main areas of modeling are fitting, showroom, runway, video work, print modeling, and television. Modeling can take many forms and a model can do many forms of work.
The first two forms of modeling are interrelated. Fitting, showroom and runway modeling require for the most part require specific physical requirements. A Fitting Model is a person that models for a fashion designer whereby they are used as mannequins to fit the clothes on. Generally, the model works directly for the designer. The pay in this line of work within the industry is considered the lowest that one earns. The showroom model may actually work for a designer or a high end boutique store. The showroom model is hired to show off the clothes to the private clients of the designer or store. The designer may wish to show off the clothes to actual buyers of clothing stores or manufacturing reps. The boutiques may hire a showroom model to show off clothes to very high end clients to purchase one of kind design before they are in fashion to the general public. At times, a boutique may hold tea functions at high end restaurants, resorts or country clubs where their new fashions are shown to the exclusive public. Generally, models that are either fitting or showroom models are at least 5’8” in height and are under the normal weight by 10 lbs. People in the business compare these models literally to hangers. The clothes literally fit on the models. The dress size is generally a 1 and usually fitting models for shoes are a size 6.
A runway model may work directly for a fashion designer but most times they are with agencies. Runway models are generally tall and have a strong European look. The hubs for the fashion industry in North America are New York City and Toronto. The other hubs for the fashion world are of course Paris, as well as Milan, Melbourne, Munich, London, Rio Janeiro, Tokyo, and Madrid. Modeling schools are known to teach models how to walk on a runway, although designers will actually choreograph each show differently, depending on the mood and venue.
A print model is the most known type of model to the general public as they see the work of models day to day. Print modeling is one of the most lucrative forms of modeling. The concept of modeling itself is that the most people that a person can affect or in other words, the more exposure a model receives, the greater the pay a model will receive. A model that is only paid hourly is basically considered in the business world as a blue collar worker. A successful print model is paid according to how many people will see the advertisement. For example, a model that is paid for an advertisement that is placed on a billboard off a major highway will be paid more than a model that appears on a billboard in the country where fewer people will view it. You may ask how this is determined to estimate the amount to be paid to the model. The legit department of an agency has special rates for the charging of models in this circumstance and they are based on traffic studies where the billboard is located. A model that appears in a magazine is paid similarly. Respectable magazines are rated in their industry according to how many people read the magazine. There are auditing services that guaranty the circulation of a magazine to the buyers of advertisements. Magazines also have a demographic map that describe who are the readers of their magazine, how many people, and from what occupational area. Magazines segment their advertising by region, as well as nationally. An advertisement that may appear in Glamour Magazine in Florida may be different than an advertisement that may appear in New York. The editorial content may be the same, but the advertising may be different. The model is paid more also for the placement of where their likeness appears in the magazine. The cover is obviously the number one spot. The back cover of the magazine is another important area for the model to appear as it will be seen more. The third are of the magazine is the centerfold of the magazine. A centerfold of the magazine is considered one of the most expensive sections of the magazine, because the magazine opens easily from the middle. A model that is used for an advertisement in the centerfold is considered a centerfold model. The term does not only apply to Gentlemen Magazines.
Print modeling is the life blood of the commerce world. Models are hired for advertisement campaigns for small business, mid-size companies as well as for corporate America. Models are used for brochures for example which is part of collateral materials that companies use to attain more business. Department stores, clothing boutiques, and other fashion related companies use models to produce catalogs. Physical catalogs have been replaced for the most part with internet catalogs. Models are used for direct mailers on announcements for special sales to consumers. Many times, these photographs are purchased by stock photo companies where a company may not have a large advertising budget. Models are hired by photographers to build a large stock file and then are sold to Stock Photo Agencies. If the photo is sold to a company to use for its advertising campaign, then the photographer receives residual income.
Print models may also be used for such uses as POP (Point of Purchase) boards. These are used at tradeshows where businesses represent their wares to the public or other business at these events. Many of the companies have large presentations which are essentially miniature billboards at their respective presentation tables.
Models are sometimes used in print media for the sheer beauty on such items as calendars, posters, and postcards. Everyone has seen swimsuit calendars, and posters sold at music stores. With the use of the internet, a model may be marketed in this manner to the general public and acquire a following.
Models can also be used for CD covers of music, DVD covers for films, game box covers, travel log book covers, romance novel covers, and the list goes on. With the endless of possibilities that a model can do, this is why a model should continue to practice in front of the camera, in front of a mirror, and review magazines and a variety of other print mediums on a regular basis. The more comfortable they are in front of the camera, and able to project the proper expressions and body movements, their name will be talked about more by professional photographers and they will become more in demand to work.
Another area of modeling that is very lucrative is video modeling. The most popular and well known type of video modeling is music videos. This is another area where people are under the misconception that a model needs to be tall. Music artists are generally of all heights, and sizes. The artists as well as their managers generally do not want the model to overpower them with their size. Generally, they are looking for models that are on the shorter side. Susan Gallagher was used for a music video back in the 1980’s for the music group The Cars, which was the hit song YOU MIGHT THINK. Susan Gallagher was only 5’3” and she was also with the Ford Agency out of NYC. Great sources of the music industry for managers, record labels, and agencies are The Hollywood Reporter on the Music Industry, The Songwriter’s Market by Writer’s Digest Books, Billboard Touring Guide and the Musicians Atlas. In this case, a model should create a DVD and perform a skit on it to demonstrate they are able to project on a different type of medium.
There are other types of video modeling such as safety films or what is known as short films. Larger corporations are mindful is abiding to certain OSHA rules demanded on them by the Federal Government. Safety films are created to advise proper safety measures that a company should take to avoid injuries to its employees. The difference between a model and an actor is simple; it is the difference between a speaking and a non-speaking role.
Models are also used for video work for short films. These short films may be student films which are used to compete for awards at short film festivals. These are becoming more popular.
The most popular type of video work is actual commercials. The work is not only an hourly rate but residuals are usually factored in. A model is paid according to the amount of people view the commercial and how many times it is aired. Obviously, there are different levels on this type of work as with any. The larger the company that uses a model for such work will determine if this rule applies. I have seen models in the past where they only did a few commercials for the year and earned a livable wage. Most of the modeling agencies that are involved in commercials are considered talent agencies of which they also have commercial print divisions. One of the largest commercial print agencies is CESD which is out of NYC, LA and Chicago. If an individual becomes more popular on television through commercials, the individual joins such union groups as SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) to protect their labor rights.
