Glass Studios How to Guide: 7 Tips To Nail Your First Model Casting

Glass Studios How to Guide: 7 Tips To Nail Your First Model Casting 

So, What are Model Castings?

Model castings will play a big role in your journey towards becoming a professional model. Besides, it is the way most models get booked in for work!

The purpose of a model casting is for you to briefly show how you will perform if you are offered the job so, first impressions are everything. It important that you leave a lasting impression with the Casting Director,  the reasons they should hire you over any other model. Showing you are professional and prepared is key.

Here are seven of our top tips to nailing your first model casting: 

Tip 1: Read the Brief from your Agent

Always, always, always read your brief carefully, as it may contain information crucial to your preparation.

If you’re casting for a bikini shoot, for example, you’ll need to ensure that your skin/body is bikini ready. Moisturise, shave your legs and bring your own bikini with you. 

Always confer with your agent so you can prepare accordingly.

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Tip 2: Homework

Knowing a bit about the company that you’re casting for will not go unnoticed and will definitely score you some points. In the digitally driven world we live in, there’s every opportunity to go online and check out their website and social media platforms and make some notes for example, the types of models they’ve used in the past or even anything worth mentioning at your casting. Showing the Casting Director you have done your homework goes beyond more than just preparation, it’s showing your commitment. 

Use your research to spark some interesting conversation with the Casting Director, this could lead to their remembering you over the 20 or so models other models.

Tip 3: Leave your Entourage at Home

Even for your first model casting, you can’t take your cheerleaders with you. Think of castings like a job interview for models. So with that in mind, it’s not appropriate to bring friends and family along with you. If you’re under 16 it’s OK to bring a parent however, they will usually be asked to wait outside during the casting process.

Tip 4: Dress the Part

When attending castings you want to show that you’re a true professional. So unless they ask you to wear something specific for example, men casting for Hugo Boss to wear a suit for example, then the following is a staple model casting outfit:

Women/Girls – A little black dress or high waisted skinny jeans and a fitted tank top are the usual go to. Plain high heeled pumps and clean groomed hair are necessary.

Men/Boys – Skinny jeans, fitted plain tee, clean semi-smart shoes clean groomed hair are necessary.

Tip 5: Be The Early Bird

Always arrive on time if not, then 10 minutes early. No one likes to be left waiting, Casting Directors especially! If they have to wait for you during the casting process, it will be an uphill struggle to change their bad first impression of you especially with 20 or so more models, who did turn up on time, sat outside the room.

Tip 6:. Be Prepared to Take Direction

During your casting interview process there a few things that will be required of you. Depending on the job, you may be asked to try on clothing, walk for them (although this is typically just for catwalk castings) and most commonly be photographed.

When you’re asked to pose for a photograph, it’s good to start with a standard straight up and down shot and then move through a few small poses each time they take the next shot. This is all a rather quick process, therefore preparation is key! However, you do not want poses that look over rehearsed so practice posing spontaneously in different outfits. 

Tip 7: Always Be Polite

Last but not least, always be polite and courteous, even if you feel that the casting did not go so well. Thank everybody involved and leave with a smile on your face. Manners go a long way and say a lot about your attitude and approach – it could be the deciding factor between you and another model. 

Once you’ve left the casting, it’s a good idea to touch base with your agent and let them know that you’ve come and gone. That way they are more likely to follow up with the client.

Model castings will play a big role in your journey towards becoming a professional model. Besides, it is the way most models get booked in for work!

The purpose of a model casting is for you to briefly show how you will perform if you are offered the job so, first impressions are everything. It important that you leave a lasting impression with the Casting Director,  the reasons they should hire you over any other model. Showing you are professional and prepared is key.

Here are seven of our top tips to nailing your first model casting: 

Tip 1: Read the Brief from your Agent

Always, always, always read your brief carefully, as it may contain information crucial to your preparation.

If you’re casting for a bikini shoot, for example, you’ll need to ensure that your skin/body is bikini ready. Moisturise, shave your legs and bring your own bikini with you. 

Always confer with your agent so you can prepare accordingly.

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Tip 2: Homework

Knowing a bit about the company that you’re casting for will not go unnoticed and will definitely score you some points. In the digitally driven world we live in, there’s every opportunity to go online and check out their website and social media platforms and make some notes for example, the types of models they’ve used in the past or even anything worth mentioning at your casting. Showing the Casting Director you have done your homework goes beyond more than just preparation, it’s showing your commitment. 

Use your research to spark some interesting conversation with the Casting Director, this could lead to their remembering you over the 20 or so models other models.

Tip 3: Leave your Entourage at Home

Even for your first model casting, you can’t take your cheerleaders with you. Think of castings like a job interview for models. So with that in mind, it’s not appropriate to bring friends and family along with you. If you’re under 16 it’s OK to bring a parent however, they will usually be asked to wait outside during the casting process.

Tip 4: Dress the Part

When attending castings you want to show that you’re a true professional. So unless they ask you to wear something specific for example, men casting for Hugo Boss to wear a suit for example, then the following is a staple model casting outfit:

Women/Girls – A little black dress or high waisted skinny jeans and a fitted tank top are the usual go to. Plain high heeled pumps and clean groomed hair are necessary.

Men/Boys – Skinny jeans, fitted plain tee, clean semi-smart shoes clean groomed hair are necessary.

Tip 5: Be The Early Bird

Always arrive on time if not, then 10 minutes early. No one likes to be left waiting, Casting Directors especially! If they have to wait for you during the casting process, it will be an uphill struggle to change their bad first impression of you especially with 20 or so more models, who did turn up on time, sat outside the room.

Tip 6:. Be Prepared to Take Direction

During your casting interview process there a few things that will be required of you. Depending on the job, you may be asked to try on clothing, walk for them (although this is typically just for catwalk castings) and most commonly be photographed.

When you’re asked to pose for a photograph, it’s good to start with a standard straight up and down shot and then move through a few small poses each time they take the next shot. This is all a rather quick process, therefore preparation is key! However, you do not want poses that look over rehearsed so practice posing spontaneously in different outfits. 

Tip 7: Always Be Polite

Last but not least, always be polite and courteous, even if you feel that the casting did not go so well. Thank everybody involved and leave with a smile on your face. Manners go a long way and say a lot about your attitude and approach – it could be the deciding factor between you and another model. 

Once you’ve left the casting, it’s a good idea to touch base with your agent and let them know that you’ve come and gone. That way they are more likely to follow up with the client.