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.