What's
the Desi Modeling Industry outside of South Asia like?
Desi Modeling Industry in the West is almost nonexistent
anyway, but it's slowly showing some promise... independent
film revolution is also here. The mainstream commercials
are not really looking for Desi faces yet as often as
they should. We don't see Coke commercial with Desi faces
on Desi Channels yet.
And the problem is that whatever little work there is,
in most cases people want all the talent for free, and
you can't blame them either... most things are so experimental,
they don't have the budgets... and lots of you are more
than willing to volunteer.
Maybe that's why we don't see too many Desi Modeling Agencies
cropping up... as there is not much to be made in terms
of commissions... yet.
How much chance do I have
of getting work?
Everyone has a different potential, but everyone has a
chance to do something or the other. Fashion Shows, Movies,
Commercials, Magazines and Catalogs all have different
requirements. A movie casting call may reject you and
pick your mother who accompanied you. All interested and
aggressive Men, women and children of all ages, all looks
& all heights, that happen to be at the right place
at the right time, can get work.
What is "Today's Model"?
We at Dulhan Inc., were always looking for models/talent
for our "DulhanExpos" and our upcoming magazine
"Dulhan". We held so many auditions and realized
an urgent need for a Desi Modeling/Talent Agency. We had
the contacts, the years of know-how and experience, so
we launched a full fledge Modeling/Talent Agency called
'Today's Model' at an international level. In a yet developing
industry, we pioneered without much profitability prospect
in the present tense.
What does "Today's
Model" do for the Models/Actors/Talent?
With everyone willing to volunteer all the time, it's
hard to get paid work for the Models/Talent. But we try.
It's also harder when very few of them have professional
Modeling Portfolios & Headshots. Mainly we offer help
with portfolio development & job placement. Period.
Everyone is presented with guidance & opportunities,
without any guarantees.
For job placement, we forward tons of modeling and acting
opportunities/auditions/casting calls to our members in
"SouthAsianTalent", "TodaysModel"
and "IndianFilmIndustry" yahoogroups. Our groups
consist of members that are producers/directors/ad agencies/
casting agents/music directors/technicians including Santosh
Sivan (Asoka), Suraj Barjatya, Karan Johar and all desis
related with the world's Independent Film Industry.
I have some concerns about
the 'Today's Model' Contract...
1) There is no catch - no jobs no commissions
2) you can try it and sign for only 2 years first
3) Signing an exclusive may hurt if there are several
Desi or American companies looking to sign you up, if
not, what's there to lose?
4) If you already have non-exclusive contracts with other
agencies, and you want the same with us, we can talk.
5) Exclusivity basically makes us your manager... which
is more than an agent, you get us involved in all the
inquiries that you get on your own as well, there is nothing
to lose, we may actually negotiate a better rate for you.
6) Wedding exclusivity is more important to us.
7) You are not losing any opportunities, actually we are
helping you get more.
8) Since most of you volunteer for most assignments we
send your way; you are getting what you want - fun, exposure,
experience & flattery; but we are missing out on the
commissions, but that is still okay... as we hope for
industry's development in the years to come.
.
Does joining "TM"
guarantees participation in "Dulhan Expo & Magazine"?
We have had 3000 inquiries in the last 3 years. Hundreds
of you have joined "Today's Model". We usually
only need 16 female and 8 male models per expo. It would
be impossible to have everyone in our projects. 'Today's
Model' is an agency and 'Dulhan Expo' is a client like
any other. We dig into our file of all the applicants
and pick the models when in need and also depending on
their availability on those dates. So:
1) Everyone is welcome to join 'Today's Model'.
2) All Today's Models will be sent all Audition Listings/Casting
Calls from Dulhan Inc. and outside clients/producers/directors/ad
agencies/casting agents... desi & mainstream alike.
3) You may get selected by 'DulhanExpo/Magazine' committee
or may not.
4) Dulhan Expo prefers to work with In-house Models but
occasionally will have models who didn't join our agency
as well.
What are the Basic Requirements for being a Model
in general?
1) Mainstream Print/TV/Commercial/Film: Men/Women of all
Ages, Heights and Looks.
2) Mainstream Runway: 5'.9" for ladies, 5'.11"
for men
3) Desi Print/TV/Commercial/Film: Men/Women of all Ages,
Heights and Looks.
4) Desi Runway (in general): 5'.2" & up for ladies,
5' 7" and up for men
What are Dulhan Expo &
Magazine's Requirements?
Dulhan Expo's Fashion Show: 5'.5" & up
for ladies, 5' 9" and up for men (NY/NJ)
(Requirements are taller sometimes depending on the participating
designers,
and may be taller or shorter according to the availability
in other states & countries
when we expand)
Locals preferred for NY/NJ expos, you may travel at your
expense, if selected.
Dulhan Magazine: Men/Women All Heights. Ages: 20-30 mainly
(16-20 that look
Mature in Bride/Groom outfits maybe okay. More emphasis
on the
look, face & figure for the gals; and face and athletic
built for the guys.
Cute Children (Flower Girls & Ring Bearers), and
Hot Parents of the bride & groom (40-60 years of age).
Since the magazine is international, we would need models
in all the states of USA
and countries all over the world depending wherever we
sell a Fashion Spread.
What tools do I need to
get started?
You can join our agency by just sending some home pics,
if you don't have professionals...
But eventually you are going to need the following...
not too complicated, once you put yourselves in the hands
of a professional...
1) Modeling Portfolio (For Modeling):
10-20 shots 8"x10" or 9"x12" well
presented in an album (portfolio).
Blending the styles of a few different photographers,
developing it over a period of time and possibly consisting
of:
a) a mixture of Color, B&W and/or Sepia toned prints
b) a blend of Close ups, Medium Shots and Full Shots
c) a variety of outdoor, indoor and studio shots
d) an assortment of Western outfits (evening, sporty,
business, and swimsuit-if gutsy) and some Desi ensembles
(lehnga/choli, sari, for gals and sherwani, jodhpuri for
guys)
2) Headshots (For Acting/Singing/Dancing/Comedy):
Mostly a close-up frontal shot of your face, traditionally
B&W, nowadays color and more creative medium shot
or Character-Headshots are also welcome.
Usually you pick the best shot from the shoot (36 exposures
are okay to chose from) and get 100 copies made of it
(8"x10" size - rather inexpensive) and attach
your resume behind them. Lately you can rely on emailing
pics at the preliminary stages and either mail the actual
headshot or submit it at the auditions as required.
(Mass prints can usually cost $200-$300 for 100 8"x10"s;
shooting extra; we will just guide you as to where to
go)
3) Comp Cards (For Modeling):
Composite cards are of variety of sizes: 4"x6",
5"x7", 6"x9", 8"x10", double
sided, professionally printed by an offset press. Mostly
consisting of a headshot on one side with model's name,
his/her vital stats, agency's name and agency's phone
number on one side, and a collage of 3-5 pictures depicting
various looks from your portfolio. To be mailed or handed
out at auditions, works as your business card.
(4"x6" Prints can usually cost $250 for 5000;
design & shooting extra, we can check into smaller
quantities; we will just guide you as to where to go)
Do I really need Modeling
Portfolio/Headshots?
Most applicants are not sure/confident about their potential
or the modeling industry's scope. And they wonder if a
portfolio is necessary. Like I said earlier how every
aggressive person has a chance of getting to do something
or the other. Remember, a chikna ShahRukh won't do when
they need an Om Puri or a TunTun (God bless her soul).
And possession of professionally taken flattering photos
never hurts anyway (Sure it would make a helluva show-n-tell
for future grandchildren, right?)
How can i get my Modeling
Portfolio/Headshots?
MODELING: the only business with smallest required capital...
1) With an investment of $300, one could get started and
shouldn't spend more than $2000 over the course of 2 years,
with some upgrades.
2) No legit agency should force it's models to get the
pictures taken by them. If they do, they are not legit,
a great warning sign.
3) Agencies do require a portfolio for sure to represent
you. They can recommend you photographers to work with;
offer to do it with the in-house photographers, but not
force and charge nominally; and also be open to you getting
it done on your own.
3) There are some new/upcoming photographers also who
are developing there own portfolios that maybe willing
to work on barter/testing basis. (more details when i
write the book on the subject, hehe)
4) Make sure to check the photographer's portfolio and
see if you like his/her style of work.
How does Sumit Arya's Fashion
Photography work?
Sumit Arya majored in Photography & Publishing from
City College of New York. He founded the City College
Modeling Club with 350 members and over 100 attendees
in each weekly club meetings. In only a matter of one
semester he organized model/agent networking parties,
modeling industry panel discussions, photo gallery tours,
beauty seminars and model of the year contest. He shot
over 50 portfolios for the fellow students at a professional
rental studio in Midtown Manhattan. Later he transitioned
to doing Wedding Photography and photographed some 800
weddings in the next few years to come.
Now thanks to Dulhan Expo and the Magazine, I'm back to
doing Fashion Photography.
How much does Sumit's Portfolio Package cost?
Besides Barter, one can pay for a Portfolio or Headshot
as well.
1)
Performing Arts Headshots only: $150
One Outfit
Studio or Outdoor Location
Professional Make-up & Hair $100 Extra
36 Exposures, Picture CD or Negatives + All 5"x7"
prints $50 Extra
you can print Color or B&W pics from them on your
own
2)
Portfolio Shoot: $300
2 Outfit Changes
Studio & Outdoor Location
Professional Make-up & Hair $100 for 1 Look; $50 Each
Additional Look
60-72 4"x6" Prints & a Picture CD
3)
Complete Portfolio Package: $600
Fashion Modeling Portfolio & Headshots
3-4 Outfit Changes
Studio & Outdoor Location
Professional Make-up & Hair $100 for 1 Look; $50 Each
Additional Look
90-100 4"x6" Prints & Picture CDs
10 Enlargements 8"x10" size Color or B&W
4) Composite Cards:
1000 Cards 4"x6": $200 (5000 for $250)
Color or B&W, UV Coated (Shine)
Graphic Design: $50 Extra
Can I get the Modeling Portfolio
on my own?
As an agency we just suggest that you should have professional
pictures to showcase your maximum potential, to bring
out your best with better make-up, professional lighting,
and talented photography skills. Where and how you get
it doesn't concern us. We may suggest getting new ones
or better ones if we don't think that they do you justice.
You need to submit a few 8"x10", so that we
can put them in our Agency's Portfolio. Actually your
whole portfolio should stay with us, and you should only
carry Comp Cards. So, if you have your own photographer,
please go ahead.
So, now what are Minimum Commitments towards your
company?
1) You can just submit your home photos, if we can see
your hidden potential in them you have a chance of being
selected for the expos and the magazine, we may hold auditions,
if we need to see you guys in person.
2) You don't have to join our Agency to do the Expos and
the Magazine; but you have to if you want additional referrals/audition
calls, and be a part of the special yahoogroups.
3) You don't have to have a portfolio to join our agency,
but you will not get as many assignments until you can
show your maximum potential.
4) You don't have to get the portfolio done by as, it
just helps as long as you have one.
What's Today's Model's Agenda?
1) Have a Agency Portfolio with all it's Models
2) All our Models should have Portfolios & Comp Cards
3) www.Todays-Model.com Complete Website
with Model's Profiles.
Meanwhile we are setting up a button at the DulhanExpo.com
website.
3) Advertise ourselves as a Premier Desi Modeling Agency.
4) Meet Ad Agencies, Manufacturers, Retailers and Event
Organizers and offer them our Modeling Agency Services.
