Competition Questions
Most commonly asked Questions and Answers.
Q. Why is there an entry fee?
A. We only charge an entry fee because we use an outside processing company to handle all registrations. Therefore, we must charge a fee to offset the cost. *With all competitions, model searches, and pageants there will always be an associated fee. Whether it is tickets sales, entry fees, sponsorship fees and so forth depending on the event.
Q. Where and when will this competition take place?
A. The location is Labadee, Haiti July 2008.
Q. Why should I pay to be a model?
A. This is a competition and not a model call or casting that's the differerance. You should never pay to go to a model call or castings that could be a scam, however this is a competition for people who are already models or someone who is trying to be a model and want to network. This is not a model job! This is just a fun way to network and meet new industry professionals face to face.
Q. Will clothes be provided?
A. No, you will provide your own clothes for each category you are participating in. We will have stylist and designers there with clothes if you want to use them at no cost to you. However to play it safe bring your own clothes.
Q. If I'm not selected can I still come out?
A. Yes, our travel agent will arrange an inexpensive package for you and your guest. You can still come out and network :)
If you have any questions that were not answered please e-mail us at:
Some model think that when they work without an agent they save money on agent’s commission.
It is so wrong! When C.S.M.I. Agency is negotiating the terms with the clients you can be sure - you will get the highest possible rate for your job.
Please understand a very important thing. Working on your own, a model always is losing money!!!
If you want just to fool around and pretend to be a model, go ahead - be a Freelancer.
But if you are serious about your career - C.S.M.I Modeling Agency is the Answer!
Why do you think all supermodels and famous actors have agents? JUST THINK ABOUT THAT!
Of course NOT. You need to understand that when a company launches an advertising campaign that will require a model, they are likely investing anywhere from a hundreds of thousand pesos to a million. They need to be confident that the model is professional, will show up on time, and will look like her photos.
Sparkle Agency is the accountable party in this transaction.
Equally important as a model - C.S.M.I. Agency is the party that insures that you are going to do a job with a legitimate company and not walking into a scam or unsafe situation.
Breaking into the modeling industry can be an exciting but often frustrating experience for aspiring models. Competition is fierce in the industry and we literally receive hundreds of applicants each year from new models who wants to be the next C.S.M.I. Super Model. The staffs at C.S.M.I. Modeling Agency are the most experienced and knowledgeable in the modeling, acting, and fashion industries. We can teach you the ropes of the modeling industry. We are committed professionals who have worked with top most super models, reputed production houses, International agencies, scouts, photographers, makeup artists and stylists. We have thorough experience developing, managing and placing models into the glamour industry. That's a lot experience working on your behalf.
What type of modeling opportunities are there?
There are different categories of modeling opportunities and one of them may be just right for you. They include:
- Commercial - lots of different types if you're confident in front of a TV camera.
- Commercial/Print - lifestyle modeling.
- Runway - fashion shows, very thin models.
- Fashion/Catalog - tall, thin models 5'9" to 5'11".
- Editorial Magazine - unique look, size 4 - 6.
- Beauty - beautiful face and skin.
- Fit - try on clothes for runway models to ensure that the clothes are the right fit.
What questions should I ask when I interview an agency?
- How does your agency promote a new model's career?
- Does your agency pay for a new model's portfolio and composite card?
- What kind of contract would I have to sign to be represented by your agency?
- What percent commission does your agency take?
- What other expenses do you charge your models for (i.e., fed ex charges, courier services, beeper, etc.)?
- How often do you pay your models?
- What type of clientele do you have?
- Do you work with agencies in other markets?
Do I need to attend a modeling or finishing school?
Absolutely not. You may wish to attend a modeling or finishing school to learn proper etiquette and polish up your already graceful walk.
How do you choose a photographer to shoot your portfolio pictures?
Only have your picture taken by a photographer that your agency and other models recommend. Your agency will provide you with a list of photographers and prices for portfolio photos based upon the types of photos they believe your book needs.
How long can a modeling career last?
The length of a model's career depends upon how well the model takes care of his/herself. There are different agencies that represent all age levels including babies to middle age.
How do I prepare for a casting?
Ask your agency what you should wear. Sometimes the client request the models appear wearing a type of outfit, other times they will have clothes for you to try on. Look presentable, but not overdressed. Bring your portfolio and composite cards. Most importantly, be yourself.
If you want to fast track and could finance your career, C.S.M.I. Team will design a campaign to maximize the success of your modeling career. Models may work with C.S.M.I. Modeling Agency photographers to produce an initial set of pictures.
There is NO type of modeling or photograph that you HAVE to do (with the simple exception of a headshot) to be a C.S.M.I. model. You do NOT have to model swimwear. You certainly do not have to model lingerie, and you do not have to model anything that is in conflict with your cultural or religious beliefs. Certainly, the more that you are willing and able to do, the more opportunities that you will make available to yourself, and there is no legitimate modeling agency that will ever tell you otherwise.
Don't get the idea that the moment you join C.S.M.I. Agency all your problems will be over, and don't expect SPARKLE Agency to call you weekly to give you a work schedule! Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. You don't get "sent out" for most jobs. You still have to audition like everybody else, and you still have to go around and show your face to clients so they will know who you are and become familiar with your "look".
We are a modeling agency and we want our models to look like her photos. As a Sparkle model you will be required to maintain your modeling portfolio with up-to-date pictures on a 3 months basis.
Your portfolio needs to reflect your current look. Since hairstyles and clothing styles change rapidly your portfolio needs to reflect not only your current look but also the current look of Fashion.
You have to understand that photos in your portfolio will compete with other portfolios. If your portfolio is great - you will WIN. But if your photos are not good enough - you will LOSE! What does it mean? You never get a good job and probably no job at all.
In a word, NO. Though so-called “supermodels” may share a certain look or body type, the truth is there are thousands of highly successful models of all shapes and sizes. That’s because the modeling field offers a surprisingly wide range of full and part-time career options. In short, there is more to modeling—and the modeling business—than you’ll see in the top fashion magazines.
You can get your headshots made by our pool of professional photographers. We will help you find a photographer, we will direct you to the ones we know do the best jobs for headshots and for fashion photography.
Your headshot is what casting directors see FIRST. It's almost the sole factor in determining whether you will be called in for an audition. Your headshot needs to look like YOU. The photo should be UNTOUCHED. Wear your makeup and hair the way you normally would. Casting directors want no surprises when you walk through the door and expect to see the person in the photo.
Model's portfolios and fashion shots need to also be professionally done. They need to look fashionable. Let the client see what you look like when you are made up. Several looks are necessary, from casual to glamorous.
No. We are very selective and will only accept those individuals that we feel are marketable for our agency. We will determine this by your look and experience. If we do call you in for a Test Shot / Interview, your personality will become a factor as well. DO NOT call the agency to check on your application status. If you have not heard from us after four weeks, you may re-apply in 3 months.
We are not a school and we do not have actual classes.
Those businesses have nothing to do with your modeling career. Any modeling school or convention always accept you even if you do not have any chances to be a model.
How many aspiring models have been caught by these words: “You have been chosen!”
But the truth is: EVERYBODY WHO IS WILLING TO PAY IS ALWAYS CHOSEN BY MODELING SCHOOLS OR MODELING CONVENTIONS! The modeling schools are making money by selling classes and modeling conventions are making money if you pay for participation in conventions. If they will give honest opinions to aspiring models they will lose a lot of money and even can go out of business.
Yes, Sparkle Modeling Agency represents all ethnicities.
Aside from the physical requirements of height, facial features, well-proportioned body and having a healthy disposition, a model can become highly successful if he has the following qualities:
PROFESSIONALISM: Number One KEY TO SUCCESS
Don’t ever disregard or bypass your agency, if you do, you might as well kiss modeling goodbye!
Having a reliable agency means that you get every penny that you deserve. There’s a symbiotic relationship between the model and the agency. (In the medical profession, you are not a doctor if you are not connected in any way with a hospital; In Aviation, you are not a real flight stewardess if you are not attached to an airline). If by chance, someone offers you a modeling job without going through your agency, you are not guaranteed that you won’t be exploited and this may cheapen your modeling category. You might run into with Restrictions; Usage; Exclusivity or Conflicts, to avoid legal complications and loss of income, you might as well let your Agency do all the negotiations.
INITIATIVE: ability to act and seize every opportunity that goes his/her way.
DISCIPLINE: take control of his actions while focusing on accomplishing certain goals.
CONFIDENCE: ability to put himself/herself above others, in an objective manner, and having the self-assurance to do things.
Traditional school portrait photography may not represent you in the best light. School portrait photographers specialize in making photos to be displayed in your home or given to friends and relatives. These are most likely not the type of photos that will help you in the field of modeling.
The modeling industry has always been heavily based on the utilization of photographs. All aspects of model scouting, promoting and booking require photographs. The modeling industry is extremely competitive and is used to working with particular standards of photography. Professional photography can help aspiring and professional models who want to improve their chances of getting noticed and looking their very best.
All models must obtain a portfolio and unless a photographer is willing to trade their time for you to get prints, then it will certainly cost some money. How much you pay depends on how much demand there is for you. No fashion agency will guarantee work, even for mainstream models. The client decides whom they want, and the agency acts as the go between. The same is true for online and land based modeling agencies. Although they cannot guarantee work, they are often asked by the client to provide models for them. This gives these types of models more opportunities to obtain paying work.
Absolutely NOT! Not only are you wasting your time, money and efforts with a web site - advertising clients don't go to the web to find models and agencies don't want their models to have web sites. If a client were to contact a model directly - then the agency doesn't make money. Need we explain more?
Yes, while everyone can do a wonderful job on their own daily makeup, a professional makeup artist can develop a look and accentuate your features to bring out the best in you for every photo shoot. A professional make-up artist also knows how to style your hair to make sure it works with your clothes and the mood of the photo.
For men it is called grooming. The makeup artist's job is to make you look your best. All people have different skin tones. The makeup artist specializes to even out these tones to make your photographs look their best. They also work with your hair to bring out the best possible style for you and the photo shoot.
.
All of the models have makeup on. A skilled makeup artist applied makeup in such a way that it looks like there is no makeup on. REMEMBER makeup accentuates how you look. It brings out your best features.
Usually not. Kids are supposed to look like kids. Makeup can sometimes make them look older than they are. We start using makeup on girls at age 13 and grooming on boys around 16. But there are always exceptions to every rule.
You have seen them thousands of times, in magazines, newspapers, on billboards, posters and even on packages in grocery stores. These commercial models entice you to buy everything from food to shampoo, jeans to health insurance. When most people think of modeling, they only think of fashion models - those tall, thin, glamorous men and women who appear in ads for designer clothes.
Commercial models come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Some commercial models are gorgeous woman/ handsome men, and beautiful children, and many successful commercial models look just like everyday people. The individual who has the greatest chance of being chosen to appear in an ad is the one who can believably look like a mom, doctor, business person, plumber, student, grandparent, teacher, dad, etc. The best part about commercial modeling is that it is not necessary to have that "perfect" look in order to be successful.
Every photo that you have taken must look like an ad. Don’t make the mistake of doing what most people do and just stand in front of a camera and have pretty pictures taken of yourself. Generally those pictures get thrown away by clients. The way to get an client’s attention is by showing them photos that tell a story. Your photos should look like they could be an ad for many products.
The way to accomplish this is to go through magazines that you could really imagine seeing yourself in, and study the ads. Find magazines that you honestly could see yourself in. Don’t be afraid to borrow some ideas from these ads. Being able to show different expressions in believable ways is what grabs an client’s attention.
Most people do commercial modeling to supplement their income on a part-time basis. The hours are extremely flexible, and the hourly fees paid to commercial models are wonderful. And, of course, it is a thrill to see yourself or your child in a magazine, newspaper, brochure, or on a poster or billboard.
There is no guarantee that there will be steady work. That is why most people work part-time. There are no health benefits, and no money is withheld from your checks for tax purposes. You are responsible for paying taxes on all income.
C.S.M.I. Modeling Agency will always make school a priority. There are two reasons for this:
1) Most aspiring models are of school age and we are accustomed to working around your school schedule, especially teen age and kids modeling. Shoots are normally fixed up on public holidays/ Saturday and Sundays.
2) A model’s career, no matter how successful is extremely short and unpredictable, making it more important to have a solid educational base from which to draw on once the modeling career is over.
Honesty
Protection
Career guidance
Promotion
Professional and courteous service
To be paid on time after each assignment
Your pictures, book and resume to be kept updated
To be informed of your current address and phone number
You to have your own cell phones or landlines
Your skills to be honed and perfect
You to be on time for everything
You to show up for audition
.
