tip of the week #3 – Casting time!
Posted by Livia Mastroianni in Tip of the Week on June 5, 2011
After so much work, casting time has arrived!
The first advice I feel like giving you is to make sure that your computer system is stable and ready to handle massive lag. This may sound blunt, but it’s true: if you are not able to control your system and manage such a laggy situation as a big casting or a fashion show is, your job opportunities will be limited, especially if you aim at becoming a good runway model.
Luckily, there are a couple of simple things that usually work.
Face lag Close all the unnecessary applications (i.e. messengers, music players, internet browser, graphic softwares, and so on), turn graphics to the minimum, clear cache in your Second Life viewer, and reboot your system. When you log in back to Second Life, it will take some time to fetch inventory again, so make sure to do this preparation well ahead of casting time, possibly hours before. If you have to change outfit during the casting, and if you have the chance to go to casting’s venue before casting time, my advice is to go there and try on all your outfits once so that textures preload.
Be focused Big castings are very often confusing. You will find yourself backstage with several other models who are as excited and confused as you are, chit chat will be going on, you will get to know new friends, but stay focused! Casting director will most likely give you instructions on where to walk and pose right when you arrive backstage. So it is your responsability to listen carefully and be reactive in following instructions. Do not panic or ask too many questions because all the information you need is going to be provided. You just have to line up, focus on what you have to do, and patiently wait your turn.
Have fun Live auditions are an amazing experience because you get to try yourself in a competition with other fellow models, and because that’s where you will network and get to know new people who may become friends. Stay calm, focused, and positive… you will have much fun.
You’re not chosen? If you consider lots of models apply to a casting, only part of it are invited to live auditions, and only one or few will be picked for the job, you have to take into account the possibility you may not be chosen. If you’re not chosen for the job, never blame it on designer or agency management. Whatever reasons you may have on your side, the truth is that chosen models were better than you in presenting what designer/agency was looking for. This doesn’t mean you’re not a good model. Accepting rejection in a positive way is a very delicate subject, but it’s important that new models stay confident and take all rejections as a trigger to work harder and overcome their own limits. If you stay objective, what may initially feel like a failure will turn in an opportunity to grow and a success for you and your modeling career, probably with some new contacts and friends in it. Never give up!
tip of the week #2 – Getting ready for a casting
Posted by Livia Mastroianni in Tip of the Week on May 29, 2011
If you’ve been selected to participate to a casting, there’s alot of preparation to do. After some information about applying to a casting, this week’s tip is on how to be ready for a live audition.
As usual, it’s essential that you read instructions. But much more beside it.
What are they looking for? Before you even start preparing your outfit for the live audition, you should have clear in your mind what the agency or the designer is looking for. Study their style and vision, visit their stores, or carefully read their website. Review photo sets or videos of previous shows, and if you have a chance, talk to someone who already works with them to have some insight and feedback. This prep work may take some time, but it will pay off. If you know who you are casting for, you will be able to be more focused in your preparation, and address your style choice towards something that the agency or designer really wants and needs.
Think You will be usually assigned a theme and you will have to prepare one or more outfits to present during the live audition on the runway. Once you’ve learned more about the agency/designer, it is time to think… think how you want to interpret the assigned theme, explore your favorite stores or fashion blogs, go through your inventory and check if you find an item that inspires you: it may be a piece of jewelry, a hair, a single prim of any outfit. That may be your starting point and you can build an outfit around it. You may often change your mind, because the more you work and try different combinations, better ideas will come to you.
Fitting It is important to have a folder of your outfit ready, including all the items you’re going to wear, along with the selection of poses you’ve picked. I’m going to tell you what I look at, first thing during a casting or a fashion show: fitting. No matter how stylish and creative the outfit you present is, if prims are not correctly edited, prims’ and layers’ textures are not matching, or if you distort textures or alter a prim with a wrong pose, there’s a good chance you will not be chosen for the job. I’m not a designer myself, but I understand how important is to “sell” a design in the correct way. This doesn’t apply to clothing only, but also to hair, jewelry, lashes, shoes or any other accessory you may be wearing.
Take your time This may sound obvious, but you really should put time and care in thinking first, and then styling your outfit. Just as an example, selecting poses for an outfit usually takes me hours, or days sometimes. Do not rush it and make sure you have enough time to prepare for the casting, if you’re not satisfied yourself with the result for sure designer or agency will not pick you. On the other hand, if you’re happy with your presentation, you know inside you you’ve prepared at the best you can, whatever the outcome is.
Next week, what happens during a casting? and how to get the best out of it?
tip of the week #1 – Application to castings
Posted by Livia Mastroianni in Tip of the Week on May 24, 2011
I would like to introduce a new weekly series of posts which aim at being helpful to those models who are trying to enter the modeling industry in Second Life. We all know how difficult is to become appreciated and recognized models, but nothing is impossible with hard work and professionalism. One step at a time, each week I will provide an insight on a specific aspect of modeling along with tips on how to face each situation in a professional way.
Where to start then… each model begin their career by participating to castings, and castings will become a regular daily activity in your modeling life… castings to enter a model agency, to participate to a fashion show, to be selected for print work, to proceed in a modeling or beauty contest.
Duly preparing your application to a casting is essential. Casting organizers often make a heavy selection after applications’ screening, and they may invite to the casting only few models out of the overall applicants. You understand that preparing the best application you can is of foremost importance.
Questionnaire – The first thing not to underestimate is to be complete and accurate in filling out the application notecard. Answer all questions, and simply answer to what was asked. If casting managers want to know something, they will ask in the application notecard.
Read – Carefully read instructions. Rules are there for a reason, that is to make the application and screening process as smooth as possible. Be aware of all the steps you have to carry out to complete your application, most questions will find an answer in the instructions’ notecard, so no need to bother casting managers, don’t you think? There is usually a person in charge of collecting applications and being the main contact with applicants. If you still have questions, make sure to contact this person only. If you don’t follow instructions, there’s a good chance that your application will be excluded from the selection process, no matter how good modeling potential you have.
Photos – Several castings will require you to prepare one or more pictures of yourself following a specific theme or style. If you contact a photographer for application pics, be prepared! Do not leave the whole job to the photographer, because this is your casting. Take at least a couple of hours of your time to meticulously style the outfit/s, it is even better to take few days if you have time. Once you’re ready, be very descriptive with your photographer and explain the concept and mood, or emotion, that you would like to portray in your photo. If your avatar has some strong and unique features, make sure photographer doesn’t hide them. Bringing with you some rl images or a couple of poses that really “emote” your outfit will be a good inspiration for your photographer.
Please note, some castings will require you to present a raw snapshot. If they ask you so, the biggest mistake is to present a beautiful photo with background and highly edited by a professional photographer.
Double check - before you submit your application, make sure to double check that everything is correct. In my experience, wrong photo permissions is the most common disregard. We all know SL can play tricks at times; if you’re sending textures in a folder, and not attached to a notecard, I warmly suggest you to check permissions several times.
This is only the first step, next week I will discuss how to get ready for a casting.
Outrageous Galmour’s Open Enrollment
Posted by Revanna Mistwallow in Outrageous Glamour on May 23, 2011
Quality Education at an Affordable price
!!! OG Academy Enrollment now open !!!
Next term will begin June 13th. Our class slots are extremely limited so grab our before they fill up.
Complete an admissions form here:
curriculum is viewable here:
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You must attend all classes at your level to qualify to take the final evaluation, there are no make up classes.
That is 8 for basic and intermediate levels and 6 for advanced level.
If you have any questions feel free to contact Lulu Breuer
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Prices:
Basic Level = 2000L
Intermediate Level = 2500L
Advanced = 3500L
Taken from notecard sent in Starwalkers in World.
A Fashion Shopping Secret
Posted by Alexandrea Ryada in Uncategorized on May 21, 2011
If you are new to modeling, the fashion world or even the virtual world of Second Life itself, there is a great way to purchase new fashions at reasonable prices. I’m going to let you in on a little secret called Sixty Linden Weekends. It’s a group that you can join and receive a list of items costing 60Ls from various designers. Granted the list includes everything from furniture to props to clothing but, it’s a great way to expand your wardrobe. I use a lot of what I buy from the list in my mix-n-match outfits if the whole outfit doesn’t suit me. There are a lot of high-quality, great looking items available on the list and it’s suited for everyone’s fashion taste. In order to receive the list in world, simply visithttp://slurl.com/secondlife/Heavenly%20Escape/144/180/24 and join the subscriber.
Below is an outfit I put together using the list. The complete outfit cost me a grand total of only 190L!! YES!! 190Ls!
I used the same skin blogged about last week:
YS & YS Sole Reborn Skin (featured at The Dressing Room) – 70Ls http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/This%20Way/48/164/21
The complete outfit including jewelry and shoes came from TrendStyle. Other colors available including aqua, pink, and red – 60Ls http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fashion%20Place/51/95/23
The hair style is from AVA-TARE – 60Ls http://slurl.com/secondlife/AVA%20TARE/46/128/33/
So there you have it. A cute, casual outfit for 190Ls. Now that’s shopping!!
Picture taken at: Nic’s House of Tunes; Sweetwater Island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sweetwater%20Island/188/226/26
SL Education Link’s New Model Search
Posted by Revanna Mistwallow in Shows & Events on May 17, 2011
The SL Model Education Link is currently looking for aspiring female models to participate in our upcoming new model search. The SL Model Education Link knows that for a new model it can be hard to afford all the necessary items to start out a successful career, so we want to help you out! We have gathered a complete prize package courtesy of our generous sponsors, that will be the envy of your friends.
Rules:
- For this contest the eligible applicant must be an aspiring female model.
- Only aspiring female models will be eligible for this is contest. An aspiring model can mean the following; currently attending their first modeling school or plan on attending a modeling school in the future. If model has attended more than one modeling school and have runway experience they will be considered an established model. Established models need not apply.
- Contestants must be available June 2nd, 2011 at 4:00pm SLT in order to participate in the finals of this contest. If a contestant is not able to attend the final event they will be replaced by another applicant.
Contestant’s applications will be reviewed by the staff of SL Model Education Link a week prior to the contest. The final five contestants will be notified by May 26, 2011 if they will proceed to the final round. The five chosen to proceed to a final round that will be judged by a panel of three judges live on June 2, 2011 at 4:00pm SLT. All finalists will be judged on questions asked them during their panel evaluation as well as their styling skills.
Judges will be the following; Revanna Mistwallow, Owner of the SL Model Education Link, Jey Chau, blogger, model and CEO of Xi.Pu.Lui, Lulu Breuer, model, Co-owner of The Model’s Workshop and Director of the Outrageous Glamour Academy.
The winner of this contest will receive;
- A full scholarship to Xi.Pu.Lui Modeling Academy
- A pack of poses from Morgane Batista Pose Shop.
- A choice of one of three fatpacks from Mary Jane Shoes.
- A choice of one fatpack from LeeZu.
- A giftcard from Garded Secret Skins & More.
- A three photo package from Pictures in Motion Photography Studio.
- A choice of outfit from Gizza.
- A choice of fatpack from Shag Hair.
To apply online please visit; https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dGJmQnRLdzRJLVNIdDJWRzRJQ1RYVGc6MQ#gid=0
Modeling Groups: The Model’s Workshop
Posted by enelyaswansong in Modeling Groups, The Model's Workshop on May 15, 2011
Most might not know but there are groups in world that cater to helping models get jobs and provide them with information. In our series on modeling groups we will feature some of the most popular, as well as some you may not have known about. Today I will tell you about Model’s Workshop.
This group offers the following based on Charter:
“The Model’s Workshop is a group of professional SL models dedicated to helping each other be the best they can be. It’s goal is to provide an atmosphere where group members are encouraged to share their knowledge, information and skills to help each other grow as models. Projects may include regular workshops, development of a resource library, holding mock shows.”
Model’s Workshop founded by Monica Balut, has lectures and classes on modeling and photography weekly. Model’s Workshop also has SL models come and speak about their experiences once a week. Model’s Workshop also has a styling challenge once a week, each week with a different theme. As you can see, Model’s Workshop provides a great service and is a must for any model in Second Life.
To join Model’s Workshop group, please click here.
Visit the Model’s Workship website; http://modelsworkshop.wordpress.com/
Visit Model’s Workshop in world at; http://slurl.com/secondlife/Manhattan%20City/45/62/33/
Are You a Frugal Fashionista?
Posted by Revanna Mistwallow in Shows & Events on May 14, 2011
Announcing the Frugal Fashionista Challenge!
The Model Education Link is pleased to announce their new weekly styling contest, the Frugal Fashionista Challenge. As a new model it is often difficult to find stylish pieces on a limited budget, this is what inspired Alexandra Rayada one of our blogger’s posts about a cute beach inspired piece. Therefore we at the Model Education Link want to prove that you can be stylish on a budget.
Rules:
- You may only spend 500L on your complete look. This includes your skin.
- All items used in your look must be available for our viewers to purchase at time of your submission, (This can include places like The Dressing Room where items change weekly.)
- You must give details and list the price paid for each piece in your credits to be elgible.
- You must upload your entry to our group Flickr Group by the weekly deadline. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1655368@N24/
Winners will be featured on our front page the week after they submission and earn the week’s title of Frugal Fashionista!
All Submissions must be received by May 20th, 2011 to be considered for the weekly challenge.
Networking for Models: Facebook, Twitter & Plurk.
Posted by Revanna Mistwallow in Networking on May 13, 2011
Are you new to the modeling field and looking for a place to start? Networking is a key part to any model’s career. Making the right connections in world and outside is vital. There are many tools not only in world but also on the web that can really help boost a model’s career. Today I will focus on the three of the most popular social networks used by the Second Life Community, Facebook, Twitter and Plurk.
If you haven’t already created a Facebook for Second Life, you may want to consider at least making a profile for yourself for modeling purposes only. Facebook is the most popular ways of connecting with your Second Life friends and designers out of world. Facebook has many ways in which you can post information about yourself such as your resume in your profile, even your portfolio can be posted in albums. You can also like your favorite designers to keep updated on their latest news. This is a great way to free up some of your groups in world. You can also easily contact designers and fellow models by leaving them messages on their walls or in private messages. The many ways you can connect with friends and designers makes this a must for any model in the industry.
Please Like us on Facebook.
The main purpose of Twitter is to provide updates of what is happening in your life. This could be a great way for you to simply keep track of your career. You can update your status very simply with out all the added features that Facebook has. Although it is much simpler to use than Facebook, it is compatible with mobile devices and many website features. If you look to the side of our page you’ll find we have a space for our site’s own twitter updates, a great idea for those of you with blogs out there.
Follow us on Twitter, @slmodeledulink
Plurk
Not as popular as both Facebook and Twitter, Plurk however is very popular among the blogging community as well as with many designers. If you haven’t used Plurk before it allows to you add friends like the other two social networks but it’s updates are posted along a timeline that goes day by day. You can customize it easily, although it’s profile is much more limited than Facebook, and more along the same lines as Twitter. Having a presence on Plurk is essential for those that are looking to make contact with some of their favorite designers.
Lastly here are some tips for making a profile on a social network for your modeling career.
- Remember to Keep it Professional. Remember just like in your real life, your public Second Life should be PG.
- Don’t Openly Express Your Negative Feelings. There is nothing more unflattering than being negative unnecessarily. Keep your venting for your friends.
- Post Your Resume & Keep it Updated in Your Profile. Posting your resume in your profile will allow any businesses connected with you to easily access your information.
- Connect with Designers by Adding Them. Make sure to add your favorite designers as friends to keep up to date on their latest fashions and events. This may also free up a number of the precious few groups we have in world.
- When in Doubt Leave it Out. If you question whether something is appropriate, leave it out, chances are your intuition is correct.
Please stay tuned for the next post in this series featuring more information on how you our reader can better network within the modeling community.
Introduction
Posted by enelyaswansong in Introductions on May 12, 2011
Howdy, my name is Enelya Swansong and I am an aspiring model in the Second Life Community. I am still learning as things go but have taken several classes with different schools and entered contests all over SL. I am a model for UNITED, the Ultimate Style Card Fashion Show & Competition coming in June 2011.
I will be sharing my knowledge about being a model in SL, like how to become a model, information about model schools, contests, and groups. I hope to share the knowledge that I have learned and continue to learn with you, our readers.
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