21 Day Fix for this model

So I am on the 21 day fix and let me tell you, I think it is a great healthy change.  I love food but I don't always get the right amount of the right foods. This plan paired with a smartphone app that logs my calories and food works great.  I use the workout videos but also do my own workout. Really this is just amping up my normal running routine and is giving me the opportunity to tone areas I tend to ignore, such as, my arms and tummy.  I am on my 2nd day of this and have more than plenty to eat throughout the day. I was very surprised at how satisfied I felt after eating the appropriate servings of each food group.  I logged what I ate into map my run to get a calorie count as well as calories burnt and my first day I had a deficit of 788 calories!  Wow and I wasn't even hungry.  In fact I skipped my last allotted protein because I  felt full.

Photo Credit: Alan Poulson photography

For my first day, my meal plan was as fallows:

Breakfast: half cup greek plain yogurt 1/4 cup granola, 4 oz Simply Orange Juice = 1 serving protein red container, 1 serving grain yellow container, and one serving fruit purple container.

Exercise was the cardio portion of the video
I also ran 2 miles and walked 1

Lunch: chips and Guacamole,= serving of grains, yellow container and of healthy fats, blue container,.

Snack: carrot sticks and celery no dressing=  one serving of vegetables green container.

Snack: banana:= purple serving or fruit serving

Dinner: 4 ounce turkey burger with mustard and ketchup teaspoon or less of ketchup tomato slice and onion slice with spinach leaves.  Served on a thin whole grain 90 calorie bun.  This paired with a side of steamed vegetables m=   1 serving of protein red container, 1 serving of grains yellow container, 1 serving of vegetables green container. I also used my teaspoon for ketchup and there wasn't enough tomato to equal a full fruit serving.

I stepped away from the day feeling satisfied and good I love this diet and fully see it as a permanent part of my life now.  I wasn't able to get all my veggies in today hopefully I will do better tomorrow but I'm learning and so far I feel really good about what I have accomplished.

Ps. My husband likes it too I make his 3 meals and he is in charge of his own snacks since he is allowed more of every food group than I am.

Also remember to hydrate I am supposed to drink 65 ounces a day my husband is supposed to drink 95.

#Comp Card

I just finished up another comp card and thought you may want to take a look at it.  My new agency will be designing me one as well, but I needed something for current castings as I hate to show up without pictures. I feel it is very unprofessional to go to a casting call without a comp card, or at least a head shot.

My Rode Reel 2014 film competition

Hey there friends I know this is mostly for modeling but since I act too I thought I should share this with all of you. Please vote for the video through the link by clicking on the heart. Redcastle Productions is based out of Ogden Utah. http://www.rodemic.com/myrodereel/watch/1176
If this get enough votes it will become a web series.

Eating Right and Exercising with Small kids.

I have many friends that keep asking me " Kristen how in the world did you lose so much weight after having three kids?"  Well, It was not easy but anyone can change their lives for the better and become more healthy. Remember not to get mad at yourself for occasionally having a treat or enjoying food. Food is such a beautiful part of life so enjoy it but learn to make it good for your body and mind as well

After having my first daughter, I was overweight, depressed and had no energy. I took a lot of things for granted and even took the ones I loved for granted. That all changed when I lost my parents to Cancer. I realized that what we put into our bodies and how we exercise our minds and spiritual well being is such an important part of finding peace. I found that through exercise, I could slow my mind as if to meditate while moving.  I had always been able to do this while swimming laps but I now am able to do this while running.

My running time is mine no one can take it away, nothing can make me stop doing it. I find time everyday with or without kids to enjoy this now peaceful event.  If you are not in good enough shape to run long distance than walk .  If you have to take little ones they get restless than give them an activity to do while sitting.  My kids love the tiny magnet drawing pads or etch-a-sketch pads. I even made them small chalk boards.  I also let them listen to disney music through my smart phone when they are being especially restless. Little ones love to engage in conversation so if your walking take the opportunity to see everything around you and ask your kids what they see or give them something to examine such as a leaf. We have even seen small garden snakes on our walks which is always exciting.

If you don't have the equipment to exercise with small kids I strongly advise you to invest in a good jogging stroller, hand weights, a yoga mat for sit ups or yoga, a bike trailer, bike and a good exercise video program for rainy days.  You could also sign up for a gym that has a daycare for your kids I go to the gym everyday except Sunday during the winter months.  Below is a bike I invested in and it has paid for itself with the gas money I have saved not to mention all the smiles it has created. This bike is called a Madsen and it literally holds up to 4 kids as you can see my youngest is in a car seat strapped in with seatbelts.  Paying more money for good equipment is well worth the investment.  Looking back on stroller choices I wish I had bought a Bob jogger instead of the one I have. Well made equipment lasts so much longer and is worth the money and will most likely save you money in the long run if you use it.

Food choices are such an important part of life.  No one can force you to consume something if you don't want to, so taking certain foods out of the house is sometimes necessary.  I used to stock my pantry with chips and refined grains along with sugary cereal and candy.  Occasionally I still buy these things but when I start to have problems consuming to many poor food choices I take them out of my house and discontinue buying them for a while.   This takes self control I was so proud of myself this Easter after I threw out the extra cupcakes and cookies. I knew I would be the one munching on them so I got rid of them and into the garbage all those sugary fatty calories went.

I know for certain that my choices in health have affected my kids.  They witness me taking time for myself everyday to do something good for my mind and body. My oldest daughter is now 6 and she regularly says oh is this food good for my body or Mommie if I eat too much of this it will make me feel bad. If I instill this knowledge of self awareness and health conscious decision making into my kids lives now they will continue these habits into their adult lives.

My next and last point for this post is very important and I hope that if you gained anything from my writing this post it is this:  No matter what size you are today or what you think you look like you are loved and you should show yourself love.  Stop saying I'm to fat, to short, to this or that.  You are a person worth loving and a friend to someone or a Mom to someone or a Wife to someone and the calories you burn are not equal to the person you are.  Find a routine that works for you in your situation. Stop comparing yourself to other women.  You may think that because I model, I have no idea what it feels like to see thin women in magazines and want to be like that.  Your wrong.  Because I model, I am compared to other thin women who are all gorgeous and rejected by casting directors on a daily basis because they don't think I am thin enough or young enough or this or that.  However, my reality is: I am beautiful and I finally realized it even if I don't always have the right look for someone else's standards.

My first Runway show.

So I had a wonderful opportunity to be part of a runway show here in SLC.  It was the RAW Couture show that is held annually for up and coming designers in the area. I was lucky because I had met Olga a designer while helping out at a high school student showcase at the SLCC. I gave her my contact info and two of her models flaked out on her the day of her showcase. So she called me and said can you please walk and I thought oh yes yes yes I can so I did  and it was a blast.  I love runway I want to do runway every week but alas that is impossible.
Some of you are probably thinking well this girls is brand new why in the world would anyone think she can walk without training.  Well I had been practicing for quite some time reading and watching instructional videos but I think what really gave me the confidence and ability is my background in theatre. I love putting on a show and  acting is important in runway  you have to put forth  an attitude that sort of reflects the garment that is being displayed. I critique myself after everything I do and I know I will do much better the next time around but for a first this was pretty well done/  I really hope I get a character piece one of these days I would rock it.

Ryan Housten took this image at the show these are Olga Assayah's designs

https://www.facebook.com/ZaiyaCollection
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Houston-Photography/195057250539649

I'm no longer with Stars Talent Studio I am now represented...

I made a somewhat hard decision the other day.  I gave up representation by Stars Talent Studio.  I still think the owner is a great lady and highly recommend the agency to individuals who do not know how to find their own work as well as to those who need classes for self esteem and confidence building.  Plain and simple if I stayed with Stars I would have been kept on the back burner forever and I was not willing to be set there not by anyone.
Two days after leaving Stars I was picked up by NIYA Casting Network.  They have already sent me to 3 castings   NIYA is a great team to work with and  although I can not tell you the ins and outs of their methods, I do know she cares about me and that is very important to know that your agent is looking out for your best interest.  

My first experience with film!!

So I had a wonderful opportunity to do my first filmed job with Redcastle Productions right here in the Ogden Utah area.  We did a PSA video for some very wonderful ladies.  Each one of them a great mom trying to teach others by their unfortunate experience of tragedy.  I was very affected by each one of their stories and their bravery to share a very important message that hopefully puts parents and care givers to action in trying to prevent such tragedies from happening again.  I found and auditioned for this production on my own.  My agency Stars Talent Studio has yet to find me any work.  

Here is a link to this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMLdE0jAM1A

A Good Head Shot vs a Great Head Shot

So when you go to get your headshot done it would be wise to select a great photographer however you start with what you can pay.  My first head shots were done for trade not for trade work, I literally traded a lady who is now one of my best friends a car seat for photos. I think I got the better deal my headshots that she took turned out great.

Shows personality

Photo Credit: Tiffany Fuller

My most current headshots taken have a variety of options. Some are really good for acting but some very generic and maybe could get me a job washing dishes in the background.  I however don't want to be in the background I want to be a main player a thespian front and center. 

Generic but pretty. 

Photo Credit: Rick Wallace 

Mysterious

Photo Credit: Rick Wallace 

If you want to stand out it's best to use a picture that makes your casting director look twice. I could use any of these headshots they are all good but I have a couple favorites and I'm sure when you look at them one stands out above the others.  So when you get your headshots remember to select the one that causes you to pause and take as second look.  

Creating a Comp Card, Zed Card, Model Card

Generally if you have an agent they will help you create a comp card and will usually be able to get it printed for a very minimal cost compared to printing on your own through a website of sorts.  For example through my agency Stars I can get about 25 comp cards for $30 but if I were to print them through say ModelMayhem it would cost roughly $65.  However the cards have the agency logo on them as well as their contact info, so if we ever part ways I have to reprint.  There are so  many places to print your comp card as well as design it.  I am lucky enough to know how to use photoshop and came up with a very simple design for my comp card that I need on the fly because my agency is troubleshooting a problem with their website and printing features.

If I were to have a comp card printed and sent to me the next day for a casting call the rush order would cost me double so instead of $65 for my card I would be paying $130.  So get your comp card printed and have at least 10 on hand at all times.

If you are going to print your own comp card you need to know a few things.  First comp cards are usually printed on cardstock.  They are 8.5 X 5.5 in dimension and they need to have you full name as well as measurements and either you agents contact info or you personal info.

This is the front and back of the card I just spent the last 2 hours putting together and I am sending it to a local printer here in town that specializes in giving customers exactly what they need as far as dimension and front and back printing.

Notice I have a variety of images and most of them are working images. Its important to show that you have experience and the best way to do that is to have more than one shoot on your comp card. The best comp cards I have seen show a person as a variety of characters such as a spouse, an athlete, a mother, a dog owner and so on. Lifestyle modeling also offers a model the ability to model for years rather than just during their teens and early twenties. 

Also please vote for me in this contest thanks for reading. 

http://www.exploremodeling.com/Casting/elfCosmetics2014/101446/Kristen_Rowe.aspx#83848

I just entered this contest please vote for me!

http://www.exploremodeling.com/Casting/elfCosmetics2014/101446/Kristen_Rowe.aspx#83848

What to do if you fall for a talent agency scam.

So first off let me tell you good job for even trying to do modeling or acting as a hobby,or job.  It takes a lot of self esteem to put yourself out there knowing full well most of the time you probably won't get the gig. Unless of course you have an inn somewhere and in that case send them my way because I have had to really work it to start being a paid model and actor.

So recently I have seen a lot of talk on some of the modeling facebook pages about being scammed.  I even had a reader send me an email asking my advise on what he should do to try and make some of his money back.  There are so many of us that fall for that high pressure sales pitch offering rewards in fame and money if we just take an agencies classes of pay high dollar for pictures.  I say (we) because it happened to me as well when I was about 16.  I went to a place called John Robert Powers and paid about $1200 for classes and was told I would audition if front of dozens and dozens of agents and become a golden child star.  Did I become a star? well no but I did learn a valuable lesson. Not until 10 years later did I decide to start pursuing a career in the media again

If you have been scammed by an agency there are a couple of steps you can take to try and get reimbursed. The first is to call the better business bureau which handles situations like this. No agency wants to have a bad rap with the BBB because complaints are logged and can be seen by the general public.  The second step if you are truly after teaching an agency a lesson would be to discuss options with a lawyer who can look into the contract you signed and hopefully find an out for you, so that you do not get sent to collections. Also, when  an agency scams you then make it known we live in a time that social media is amazing. Write a post on facebook about what they did and rate them on any and every site you can. Once an agency in an area has enough complaints their talent base will start to minimize and hopefully they will eventually go under.

Once you have been scammed don't be scammed again.  Do research before signing any paperwork. Make sure the agency is legit.  Ask questions during your interview and go in knowing that an agency should be making  20% on bookings and that should be their main source of revenue.

If you don't want an agent then find work on your own start out by doing Trade For shoots with photographers.  Call companies you want to model for especially if they are smaller businesses and local send them your comp card and head shot take initiative.  There is a modeling sight I really like called modelmayhem.  Sign up with them its free you will see casting calls on there for models some will be TF shoots some will be paid. I have even seen work posted on Craigslist.  The only downfall to being an independent model is that you may get paid less but once you have experience better agencies will want you. Such as TMG in Salt Lake City and I have also heard great things about Mc.Carty.  Stars isn't as big but they are also good. If any of you know of a great agency please put it in my comments.

Also research your photographer many agencies will recommend photographers but they shouldn't loop hole you into using a certain person.  I found a great photographer who gave me an awesome deal on photos for half the price the agency photographer would have charged.  He actually took the image above and its on my current comp card.  Better yet my second shoot with him was a trade shoot so I got many images for free. If you don't have good photos already and are an older model such as myself expect to pay at first but not thousands of dollars.  Head shots usually run anywhere between $30-$150 don't overpay at first because most agencies will tell you to get new headshots after signing you.  Images for a comp card will usually cost $100- $500.  Anything more isn't worth it because there will be a very slow return on investment especially if you aren't well lets say a Ford Model.  Know what type of model you are and market that. I am a commercial print as well as lifestyle model.  I can also do some high fashion.  My images on my comp card reflect that.

Photographers I know that are amazing in Utah!

Rick Wallace
http://www.rickwallacephotography.com/#!gallery/c1t44

Charles Uibel
http://www.uibel.com/

Tiffany Fuller: A Pictures Worth Photography-  She is great for child models!!

Paid Print Work! You can find your own work it just takes time.

These are a couple of shots from my latest shoot. I loved being in the mountains but it was definitely chilly.I could hardly move my hands at the end of the shoot.  This was a paid shoot modeling sunglasses for Johnathan Paul Eyewear.  It was really fun and I believe some of the pictures ended up on a billboard. I know for sure that it was showcased at the Outdoor Retail Event in Salt Lake.City. Charles Uibel was the photographer for it and he is so great to work with. 

I found this job on my own and many models don't use an agent it is very possible to find your own work I have so far found three jobs in the past three months on my own but I call all around and am constantly emailing companies to see if they need me for a gig. 

My review of the agencies I have seen in Utah and signing with Stars Talent Studio

So, I finally decided on an agent. I am now signed with Stars Talent Studio.  After auditioning and considering multiple agencies.  I decided Stars was my best match.  I auditioned with Craze, Urban, Mccarty and landed at Stars Talent Studio.  Amber Evens is one of the owners as well as a very upbeat positive person.  She told me to select my own photographer or I could use one of the Stars Photographers  for my headshot and also for my comp card.  She has encouraged me to take up some acting classes to better my chances at landing a job and the studio offers classes but does not require me to take their classes.  Instead they allow me to decide where I get my training but they do offer training for their talent and it does cost. I think it is very important for any actor or model to understand that if an agency is requiring you to train through their agency then they are probably making most of their money through training not bookings.  I love my agency so far and I hope they help me to find lots of work but having an agent does not mean work Good skills hard work and talent is what gets you work and even then you still have to have the right look to book a job.  So there you have it many agencies in Utah will suggest or make you take their classes for a cost Mccarty tells you about good training centers and will not sign you if your are not ready.  Craze charges outrageous amounts for photos but gives acting classes for free.  Urban makes you sign a contract that says you will pay X amount for classes and photos before ever even considering you for bookings and Stars Talent Studio takes on all levels of talent and allows you to develop skill while still sending you to auditions. I really like my agency I hope they take me far beyond what I feel I can do.