Tags:

Me topics

Dr G is here to help

Me articles

Your questions for Spotlight Model & Talent Agency

Here's what was said at our talk session Jos Evans, former director from Spotlight Model & Talent Agency.

pulse
hey everyone - glad you could join us . and a warm welcome to jos evans from spotlight model & talent agency who's here to answer your questions - just to let you know, your questions form in a queue so hang on in there as they will be answered! okay the chat room is now open so go for it ...
dude : how old do you have to be to be a model?
Spotlight : you can be any age but certain types of modelling such as catwalk are more suited to a certain age group.
Nichola: why is there a height requirement for photographic modelling as well
re height requirement - to work overseas it is definitely advantageous to be tall/spotlight
kate: are there any jobs for school kids
one of our top models is an 8 year old !!!
scott: how do i start out to be a model
usually by doing a course - we offer holiday and term courses for all ages. involves catwalk, deportment, presentation, video, photographic movement and a ton of other stuff
dude : what does it take to be a model
marketable look, the right attitude, training and skills are needed to be a successful model.
Leanna: where's your office and do you need to make an appointment
definitely need to make an appointment and we're down in spotlight plaza and this is where our courses are held. contact phone number ... 03 3799 979
min : so what is considered tall?
for adult females - usually above 1.74 metres - the input of the asian market means there is a greater demand for shorter models. for guys 1.82 metres. for catwalk height is more important. television models can be any height.
dude : do all models earn a lot of money, or only a few?
spotlight : childrens' rates for photographic start around $70 an hour. you can also earn thousands of dollars for a commercial. You may get a rollover if it is played for more than a year. the money is not consistent. very few chch models can survive on what they make. mostly it is a good source of pocket money and most models have other jobs as well. to make it a career, you really need to go overseas.
Peedee: is there much work for guys
yep. although a lot of work for guys tends to be in the 18+ age group. but, we had a 9 year old who did a commercial and earned $4,000 for a day's work!
dude : can you get into movies through modelling?
work comes up for extras and main parts too. We represent actors as well as models. "my gardener" shot in chch featured 5 of our people in feature parts as well as extras.
Shontel: do you have to be skinny to be a model
Being too skinny is not advantageous. Athletic & conditioned is the look we're after. My top model - elle macpherson. She never got caught up in the back biting. she used her brains, used her modelling career to further her business career. elle has done films, motherhood, and has a successful brand of underwear - and she still comes across as a nice person and not a big head. being better looking than someone else doesn't mean you are better than them as a person.
dude : can anyone do your courses or do you pick only people you think will make it?
Anyone can do the courses, but we only select people if it would be worth their time and our time to go on our books. people learn skills in the courses that can help them get other jobs too
rach : how do you pick people?
Face structure, well proportioned body, attitude - also by looking at who is on the books and what we need. don't want a lot of similar looking people. we are currently short of models at the age between 25-35 . older models in big demand in states because of baby boomer market. it is also hard to get models in 40s and 50s.
barbie : hey. my friends all say i could be a model but what do i need to do to get started?
give us a phone call and make an appointment. appointments are on fridays or you can do children's course mon 4.00-5.00, teenage tues 5.00-6.00 - you can just turn up to these classes ($15 a session) - there are also holiday courses coming up. ring to get a brochure. 03 3799979 and leave your name and address
min : so what do the courses cover that would be useful outside modelling
you learn physical presentation - makeup, manicure, skincare, skills designed to help you in presenting yourself which can be very helpful in getting a job. video, photographic and runway presentation help to develop confidence in the way you move as well as sessions designed to build self esteem and to cultivate the knowledge that the way you treat others and feel about yourself inside are at the end of the day more important than the way you look.
rach : how do you feel about the blame that is often put on the media and the modelling world for the increasing number of eating disorders in teenage girls?
Going by what you see on tv and what is coming through from the states (programmes such as fashion tv) that blame is fairly placed.
dude : i'm reading this book by alan bunn about a high school model who gets stalked. is is dangerous being a model?
Being a model isn't dangerous, placing yourself in unsafe situations is dangerous.
bloke : i'm a guy and my girlfriend picked up a brochure for me but i feel a bit embarrassed about this whole modelling thing. are there many guys with your agency?
Yes. there are guys on the courses, but not as many as girls. some people may perceive it as not manly for a guy to be a model, but many of the successful models on our books are top sportspeople in their fields such as jeremy dixon.
barbie : my mum's a bit anti me modelling cause she's heard heaps of bad stories about sex and drugs and stuff. how much of that is true?
There is probably an element of it overseas but like any scene it comes down to personal choice. Sex and drugs exist outside modelling as well. make sure to get involved with a reputable agency.
min : is there a look that is distinctly new zealand?
There are looks which are more popular in certain parts of the country. Canterbury is fairly conservative and has tended to favour a more english look (blonde).
Melanie Robinson the tv presenter started off as one of our models. she was "miss canterbury" - a very nice, friendly girl. she also became a member of the first women's all black rugby team.
hayley westenra was on our books.
rach : i've noticed that young models are becoming increasingly sexualised. why do you think that is and what do you think it means for us when we try and respond to them?
it worries me. i have noticed the overt sexualness of music videos - we can lay a lot of the blame in that field. as a father with a daughter, i see it as a concern.
sorry folks, but our hour's up. many many thanks to jos for dropping in to pulse and don't forget this transcript will be posted up to read at a later date. details of our next guest and don't forget to check out this month's competition - $100 to spend in euphoria!!! have a great month.

September 2003