This is an interview conducted by my twleve year old protege. She was given an homework assignment to interview someone in the profession she wants to be in when she growns up. She wants to be a model. So thanks to Nancy Tennicott, runway director for Ford Models-Chicago as well Ashley Abboushi and Robin Harris the two models who agreed to do this. Here is Ashley's interview:
Education & Training:
1. What types of training is required for this job?
None unless they tell you otherwise. Some models may need to take some walking classes for runway or modeling classes to know what works and what doesn’t, what looks good and what doesn’t.
2. What classes did you have to take for the job Model?
None required however the agency offers runway classes and I’ve gone to a couple before.
3. How long was training for the job/career Model?
I started right away, you get better as you practice. The more photo shoots and runway shows you do the more you know what looks good and what doesn’t, the perfect pace and what you need to make sure you’re paying attention to like your hands at all times, how your clothes look etc.
Typical Day:
1. How many hours do you work?
It all depends, we can work either an hour or I’ve had shoots go from 7am to 9pm and some last for days.
2. What is your typical work environment?
Usually always fun, everybody is typically really nice. There is a photographer, a make up artist, hair stylist, clothes stylist and sometimes a photographers assistant.
3. Describe a typical day for you?
You go to a shoot, the agency will tell me if I have to bring anything like some black heels etc. and getting there 15 minutes is always best. You get your hair and make up done and then change, the photographer explains what they want and sometimes shows you examples of images he would like to imitate and then off you go!
1. How much money does a beginning model make each year?
We are paid per job not annually. We have an hourly rate which is different based on the agency.
2. Do you get paid for overtime or extra hours?
Yes, our day rate is for an 8 hour day but if we are there longer we get our hourly rate for the additional hours.
3. Are there regular raises?
I know my hourly rate has increased over the years but I’m not quite sure if it was that the agency raised the rates or if it’s because I have more experience.
1. Compare employment of a beginner and an advanced model.
Typically because you have regular clients and more people in the industry know you, you make more money because you are booked a lot more as apposed to someone who is new.
2. How often do you get to work with your boss?
We are the models, we are private business owners in a way. We are with an agency but they are the agents and only make money when we make money. They get us jobs but initially they work for us. The only boss we really have are the clients, the companies that hire us through the agency and they are almost always at every shoot making sure it is what they want.
3. How many job options are there for a Model?
Lots, it all depends on how much time you can put into it, how serious you are about it and how good you are at your job. If you have a good attitude, a good reputation etc. you will have more opportunities to work.
Job Skills/Talents/Experience:
1. What are the required job skills for this field?
You have to be organized and good with time management, you must have a good positive attitude and hard working because sometimes you are in a work environment that is not ideal - summer things shoot in the winter and vice versa so you may be really cold or really hot and you have to try your best to just stick it out.
2. What must be your strong suits to be a Model?
You have to not let it get to your head. This industry is very superficial, probably the most in the world- it is a profession solely based on looks and appearance. We are supposed to represent the ideal; perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect nails all the time. So as long as you can realize that they are almost unrealistic expectations and you just do the best you can it will be fine. The problem is that some models do unhealthy things to get to our intended look, for example not eating to maintain their weight.
3. What main talents should you have to be most successful in this field?
Any talent is a good talent I think. Each individuals skills are unique and the more skills you have the better it will be as in any job.
1. What personality type do you recommend for this field?
I am very outgoing however a lot of models are either vain or shy. Just a happy median I think is the best, you want the clients to like you, to remember you and to book you again so having a good attitude, being personable is a lot better than being shy in the corner, they’ll forget you in a second.
2. Do you need to be thick skinned?
I think so, like I said it’s all superficial. You need to always be at the top of your game because if you’re not, the agents will tell you. Our average measurements are different from the normal, skinny for a model is much smaller than skinny for an average person so as long as you can do what you can to be the best you in all aspects and not let it get to you when the agency says you are too big it is good but doing whatever you have to do (ex. not eating or smoking) is not safe and not healthy.
3. When did you decide that you really wanted to become a Model?
I have always liked being in pictures and started about 7 years ago. I just graduated college so now is the first time I’m actually modeling full time, throughout the years I would work part time and around my school schedule which is best, a lot of models don’t finish school because they are overwhelmed with the money, the fun and the glory of it but it will come to an end and if you are not prepared for that you will have major problems in the future.
General Questions:
1. Is there any dietary in being a Model?
We have to stay pretty thin, some girls are naturally very skinny even eating whatever they want however, if they eat Mc Donald’s everyday they will have bad skin. I naturally have an athletic body type but still have to workout and eat pretty healthy to remain the measurements that they want me to be and as long as I am doing it in a healthy way that is ok with me.
2. What is your favorite part about being a Model? What is your least favorite part?
I really enjoy it, I’m now traveling the world and working and seeing other countries and cultures which is my favorite thing! It’s a good experience and really fun.
I don’t really like that it takes months to get a paycheck, I don’t like that it is very superficial and that a lot of models act like they are better than everyone else because they are paid based on their looks.
3. What is it like being a Model?
Stressful yet fun! A great experience.
4. Why is Modeling important to you?
It’s something that I truly enjoy doing and I’m lucky enough to have this opportunity that not a lot of people have. It’ll also allows me to make a living and travel the world.
Good luck on your project and if modeling is something you really want to do, I strongly suggest finishing school first! Beauty comes and goes but nobody can ever take away your education. (If you work hard, school will be over before you know it!) :)
Ashley (Ford Models)
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