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Careers... |
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The past few years have seen an upsurge of interest in modelling as a serious career option. Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Madhu Sapre, Milind Soman, are today such household names that we read avidly, not only about their modelling exploits, but also about their personal lives. The exposure is so enormous that popularity ratings achieved by some models equal that of a movie star. In the last ten years modelling has ensured such instant celebrity status to all those that walk the ramp that many young aspirants see it as a serious career option. Until recently, modelling was considered a part-time occupation or a possible preparatory route for budding film-stars. But the new consumerism and greater aggressiveness to advertising and marketing strategy along with the boom in the fashion and clothing industry, has generated a large and continuing demand for fresh faces and personalities to launch and promote a variety of branded products or show a garment to its best advantage. Moreover, as men's fashions have also become big business, this career which was once open only to women, holds promise of increased openings for men too. Advertising and sales promotion is the major area of work for models where they are needed to endorse and publicise a product or service. The modelling work involves posing for still photographs used in the print media such as press advertisements, folders, brochures, etc. or for commercials for television, video and films. Fashion is the other large and growing area where modelling of garments and accessories is called for. Here, the work would involve posing for still photographs for fashion and clothes manufacturers, as well as for fashion magazines and journals ; ramp modelling where couturiers, clothing manufacture and export houses display their collections through live fashion shows ; and show room modelling where models normally on the company's payrolls work as mannequins wearing finished designs to display their cut, drape and workmanship. Modelling is much more hard work than all the glamorous gloss given to it by the media attention models receive. A model by association enhances the worth of the product, and the identification of a model with a product can sometimes influence brand choice to a greater extent than the qualities of the product. Models must therefore give their best to the job. This may require them to be up at dawn and often work till midnight on a shoot or ramp practice. During this time they must always appear fresh, bright and well groomed, no matter how uncomfortable or bored they might be. There are three main areas of work for a model. Some easily handle all three, while others specialise in one or two areas. Modelling for still photographs is the most traditional of jobs required of a model. This means posing in the mood of the character portrayed or showing products to advantage. Modelling for video or films often includes some acting or dance and is mostly conducted on location. This can be an elaborate exercise requiring many people, including a director, cameraman and sound technicians. Ramp or catwalk modelling requires models to display the garments they wear under live conditions. This can be at an exhibition or a fashion show, or at a showroom or point of purchase. Catwalk models are required to be tall, slim and striking, with a natural sense of balance and timing. The first step for making an entry into the arc light world of modelling is to prepare a portfolio. This consists of a series of photographs taken by a professional photographer which shows the candidates' qualities of good looks, and requisite height and build measurements. A good portfolio can cost anything from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 12,000 to put together, but is an essential investment as the quality of pictures can make or break a career. The portfolio can then be shown to an advertising agency, a model co-ordinating agency providing suitable models according to requirements, or a fashion designer.
Eligibility:
Duration:
Today there are several model co-ordinating agencies in most of the major cities who, for a fee keep records and portfolios of aspiring models on their rolls and maintain contact with hiring agencies generally acting as business agents on behalf of their models. Most model co-ordinating agencies are run by models themselves, or ex-models.
A striking appearance; good vital statistics; a minimum height of 5'7"; perfect skin, hair and teeth; grooming, poise, self-confidence, grace; good health; stamina; patience; agility, a sense of rhythm, balance, timing; self-discipline; a flair for dressing; some knowledge of acting and dance; photogenic features; camera and stage presence; a lack of self-consciousness and inhibitions; willingness to take orders and co-operate with photographers, directors, choreographers and other experts; and astute business sense.
Following are the major job prospects available to models :
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