First of all, congratulations on being scouted! This could very easily be the first step toward your destiny. It’s likely that you still have a lot of questions, starting with, “Who was that random person who approached me today and asked me if I wanted to be a model?” That person was a talent scout. He or she is much like the scouts who are sent to high schools to find talent for college football, basketball, and other athletics. Entertainment agencies have scouts who go out with the purpose of finding fresh talent for the runway, magazine, or TV and movie screen. Like athletic scouts, talent scouts are trained professionals who understand the industry demands and know exactly what to look for in a potential talent.
Now that you understand who scouted you, you might still be a little confused as to why. It’s likely you are asking yourself, “How can I be a model? I’m not exceptionally tall or thin.” Yes, it is true that in order to be a Runway model it is necessary to be tall and skinny. Just how tall and skinny? Girls need to be between 5’9” and 6’ with a waist measurement of 26” or less and a dress size ranging from 0-4. Guys need to be 5’11’ to 6’3 with a jacket size of 40R-42L. If this is you, then that is fantastic! You belong to a very small and elite group of models. If this is not you, don’t worry; 98% of the world does not fit into this category-- You have been scouted as a print or commercial model. This is great news as this type modeling has the largest percentage of bookings in the industry. While you might not be right for the catwalks in Paris and Milan, your potential lies in print ads and TV commercials. Print models are usually people of average height and weight who just have that little extra je ne sais quoi. You’re the girl who turns heads at the mall or the boy whose yearbook picture looks like a headshot. This is why you were scouted: there’s something about you that makes people take notice.
So what happens now that someone has noticed your potential? Soon you’ll be receiving a phone call during which you’ll be engaged in a short interview to determine if modeling or acting is indeed, a good career path for you. Your looks have gotten you this far, but contrary to some popular beliefs, there is a lot more to modeling than being good looking. This is a high pressure, high stress, high stakes industry, requiring the upmost professionalism and commitment. If the phone interview determines that you not only have the physical attributes required to be a model, but also the personal and professional qualities essential to succeeding in this industry, then you will be scheduled to come in to an open call and meet with a director for an in-person evaluation. If this interview goes well and the director recognizes industry potential in you, you’ll be asked to come in for a second interview, during which your future with the company and industry will be discussed.
As you begin this process, remember that you would not have been scouted in the first place, if there was not something special about you. You naturally possess something that most people do not, which allows you a toe in the door to what could be a wonderful and exciting career. Beauty and talent are gifts that can help you achieve tremendous success, but they are by no means the only qualities, or even the most important traits needed to succeed in this industry. How far you go is completely determined by your commitment, determination, passion, and drive.
Best of luck and may this be the first step of many in an incredible adventure toward success.
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