No Modeling Jobs Left!!!

Why is it so hard to find a modeling job in SL?It seems that if you're not already modeling for someone you're pretty much screwed,Not to sound whiney.lol.But what can I do to become a succesful model?

One of the biggest problems in the virtual modelling industry, is that one person can have MANY MANY looks. It's simply a matter of time and money. If you're willing to shell out the big bucks for REALLY amazing skins, (or paint your own) and have a real artistic flair when it comes to avatar building.. then you have a shot at it.

I'm a content creator.. and I don't use models in my ads.. why? because *I* can model.. flip a few switches, turn a few knobs.. and my doe-eyed-dolly avatar can become a hot babe in a skimpy swimsuit.. a few more knobs, and I'm a porn star or a stripper.. spin a few more, handsome looking guy.. a few more.. gruff looking soldier.

I know some people DO use models.. but I think you'll find that many more don't.

Most paying jobs in SL require interactivity in some form. Strippers, prostitutes, security, dj's, things like that.. pay well. Photographing people is a real skill, and people WILL pay you for it... especially if you're very good at it. But modelling in SL is kind of a dead end industry.. in terms of product photography..

because the photographer can just as easily get on the poseball, as the model can.

Now with that said, there is the "Mannequin" movement in SL.. this is essentially a glorified form of camping.. where the shop owner "pays you" to idle your avtar in the stores for as long as possible, while wearing their wares. Many of these places only pay you in "store credit". There are a number of groups, in world, involved in this - I'm in one actually. (do a search for "Mannequin Sisterhood"

I use models for my pictures I make in the studio at my house. Mostly it are friends who want some good looking pictures and all is done on a friendly base (no payment, all pictures are shared).

But I worked with some more professional models. When agreed on forehand, there can be payment, but don't expect huge amounts of money from my side . But it can be a start of a good portfolio!

If you are interested contact me in game and we can see if can come to an agreement.

Morwen.

With most jobs in SL the key to working out how to do well is to work out what service you're providing to the other person and maximise it.

With modelling it's tricky because it's so different from how it works IRL. RL models provide their natural good looks but in SL most people are able to get those - especially the kind of people who are artists and make clothes, ie the people who would be hiring models.

From what I've seen, and it's just my observation, models are used commonly in two situations: new clothing designers who want to get started quickly and earn money, and therefore don't have the time/money to work so much on multiple avatars for themselves rather than designing the actual clothes; and "big name" clothing designers who, in the time it'd take them to make a model avatar, could have made another outfit that would sell for far more than they'd need to pay someone else to model for them. Unfortunately, the first category typically don't have money to spend, and the second category have so many modelling applicants they don't need to - which is why models usually expect to get paid with free clothes, rather than large amount of money.

So what I'd advise is to find as many things as possible to minimise the effort customers have to make - obviously you need good-looking avs in as many categories as possible but also collect suitable animations and backdrops, and practice precise positioning and posing of your avatar. Remember that you can always "roll your own" portfolio just by taking snapshots of yourself in bought clothes, if you can demonstrate a high skill at that it might help..

Gianni, although very different from getting a modeling job irl, modeling in SL requires many of the same processes.

Although much of the helpful advice on this thread is valuable, never discount your own determination to persevere to get the job. This means doing "more" than the next model or offering a more glamorous and flexible image(s) to the prospective designer that will convince them to hire you.

Your mindset should be that "while it is true that many designers can create their own models, none of them can do it as well as me because I am a professional."

A few helpful hints ...

1. Have a variety of looks (make-up and hair) and know how to apply them and when.
2. Have a large variety of unique model poses depicting your modeling flexibility (ie, exotic, sexy, humorous, flirtatious etc) and know how to use them and when.
3. Act the part. Be a professional model.
4. Design an impressive portfolio and distribute it freely for prospective designers to view. Your portfolio has to be impeccable and able to sell itself. This means that by viewing the portfolio, the designer will automatically be sold because they will automatically realize that their designs will benefit from your appearance; and although they could probly emulate you, they would never try to because you are "the professional" and to try to do so would take time, effort and finances on their part. None of which they have time for because they are designers not "professional models."

Finally, don't forget about runway modeling. This type of modeling requires the availability of numerous models. Very few designers, if any, have invested the required development for numerous alts to put on a fashion show all by themselves.

I hope this helps a bit. Remember, you will only get out if it as much as you put into it. Your level of success will be dictated by how good you are at distinguishing yourself from the norm.

Good Luck

We have the Le Cadre Modeling group, although over the past year we haven't used it all that much, for me it seems easier to take the pics and pose for them myself...
We plan to have live manequins soon, but I am not sure what or how to pay them... with models they usually just get the outfit they model...
Does anyone know the rate of a live manequin?

I would check for the Tortuga model training group, and for their monthly training sessions. Everyone is welcome at them, and Starr Raine, whoo runs them, is really good at helping you to learn the ropes and who knows where you could be?

They're having a show tomorrow in Tortuga, I believe, which can give you an idea of what they do there, too.

Mari
(A Tortuga child model, but not speaking here in any official capacity)

Adding to this excellent list:
1. and 2. Think in terms of what will be on the runway or shoot, too. Casual looks, formal looks, and so on. Put together looks that you might actually see in fashion magazines in the real world: many places don't require their models to all be Kate Moss but it doesn't hurt to have a good, solid look.

3. This is BIG. Be professional. Show up on time. Ask smart questions. Read whatever is provided. Attend trainings. You get the idea. Some of the bigger modeling houses are very serious about what they sdo, so you have to be as well.

4. Also useful. Again, make sure to vary your look in these. Don't do five shots of you in a swimsuit, but do formals, etveningwear, casual, dressy, loungewear, etc., etc. Find a good in-world photographer to shoot your images, or if you have an eye for them, take some yourself.

And yes, being able to say "I posed for ___" doesn't hurt if you do have it. I landed my first big modeling gig after doing one box for one person, and it has led to me doing additional boxes as well as one showcase, several runway shows, three modeling groups to do work for, and - most recently - using the skills from the runway shows to win the 2006 Bubbly Kids Pageant. You won't likely get the big job right off the bat. You need to work towards it.



I find runway modeling to be far more enjoyable than box modeling. It's a far bigger challenge, especially with a big audience (lag!). Getting some goodies doesn't hurt either.

Mari
(same disclaimer as above)