When your looking to get into the exciting life of a model scout, agent or booker. Be prepared for a lot of travel opportunities, attending fashions shows and events. If your lucky, these will be with fashion designers, photographers and other celebrities!
This new career can definitely be fun and glamorous. However you also need to consider that it can also mean lots of time in airports and hotels. You can have long hours and even having to deal with some cranky models from time to time.
Role Of A Scout
It is important to know the difference between a scour, agent and booker. A scout, as your probably guessed, is someone who goes out and scouts for new, potential models. They then present to either a specific agency or even multiple agencies. Once the model has been in contact with one or more of the agencies (and wants to contract the model) it is then the scouts job to help them decide. They need to know what one will be the best fit for them. and guide them to their best opportunity. Scouts look for models everywhere they can, shopping malls, festivals or concerts, at the beach, airports and events! Scouts always know what to look for, even if they are in big crowds like these.
Now the model is with their preferred agency. It is then the turn of the agent or booker to take charge. An agent and booker are used interchangeably and are usually the same role.
This role consists of booking their models jobs and shoot. They will handle the models ‘chart’ and help manage the model. They are able to not only receive the very best jobs they can. But also get jobs that are going to help their model work towards their dreams and goals.
1: Have A Passion For The Industry
If you are in a career that you do not absolutely love. You will find yourself to burn out very quick. The most successful are those who can’t wait for a new day to start. Those who cant imagine doing anything else with their time. It is this passion that pushes through the hard times. It is what really makes it worth it, along with the glitz and glamour that comes with it. But, it also take a tremendous amount of commitment and hard work to succeed.
2: Study The Business And Its History
When going into a new industry, its is always best to know everything that you can about it. Research about who founded the major agencies.
Plus who currently runs them? Learn the names of the early, iconic superstars. people like Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Lauren Hutton, Beverly Johnson and Caremen Dell’Orefice as these are the people who very first paved the way for models and made such statements doing so!
But also, know the names of today’s icons and those making their way to the top! This is going to show potential employers that you know your stuff. It will also show that you are willing to go that extra mile to make sure that you know everything that you can about the modelling world.
3: Know The Lingo
Be sure you understand the meaning of modelling terms and phrases. phrases such as ‘time for prints’, buyouts, vouchers and comp cards.
Don’t expect to be taught these things as these are the basics and are commonly used in the modelling industry.
4: Work As An Intern Or An Assistant
This is a great way to get involved with becoming a scout or agent as it means that you are able to learn on the job. You will be surrounded by all different types of people and will be in a constant state of enlightenment because of this. The more you learn, the more you grow and understand so by the time you do reach your goal you will have all the knowledge you will need!
Many of Hollywood’s mega agents and moguls including David Geffen (Estimated net worth, £6 billion) Barry Diller and Michael Ovitz all started their career in the mail room! You can even read an incredible story about one mans journey from the mail room all the way to the top in ‘The Mail Room: Hollywood History from the bottom up’ by David Rensin. Anyone serious about becoming and agent, this is a must read!
Not only this, but starting from the bottom means you are going to have an incredible understanding of how agencies function, the scouting and booking process as well as being able to meet some valuable contacts in the industry.
5: Focus On One Type Of Model
Decide what type of model you would like to specialise in to begin with. It should be what interests you, whether that be representing only female editorial models, male models or swimsuit models. By focusing on one type of model it allows you to know the ins and outs and means that you would be the go-to specialist in the field. Then, once working in the industry for a while, you can then branch out and specialise in other fields too.
6: Attend Conventions And Networking Events
What better way to get your face out there and your name known! Attending events like these gives you some grey opportunities to meet some incredible people, agencies and scouts. If you want to work on an international level then it is important that you do go. The International Modelling and Talent Association (IMTA) hosts modelling conventions in New York and Los Angeles annually. A less expensive option is the Faces West Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
If you are unable to attend modelling conventions for any reason, you are also able to have a look online for resources from ModelScouts.com. The scouts at ModelScouts.com often mentor new scouts who bring them new faces to market to major agencies.
7: Understand Basic Contract Law
Now this doesn’t mean that you need a law degree to be an agent but you should however, have a basic understanding of the contract law and how to negotiate contracts too. If you don’t know where to start, always have a look online! You will be able to find many places where you can learn about the basic contract law for little or no cost. Alternatively you could have more focus types of resources such as the book ‘Hollywood Dealmaking- Negotiating Talent Agreements’ by Dina Appleton and Daniel Yankelevits.
8: Be Willing To Take Risks as a model scout
To be a successful model scout or agent you need to be willing to do whatever it takes. This means being able to approach strangers in various locations, who you think have great model potential. Being able to have the courage to do this means that it is going to give you a great start to build your client base. For example, Gisele Bundchen, in an interview with Vouge Magazine, she said she was discovered as a teenage while sitting with her friends at a McDonalds, which proves that models can really come from anywhere! Always be on the look out for new talent wherever you are!
If you truly believe that you have seen someone with great potential do not be frightened to negotiate ‘time for prints’ or other special deals with photographers or clients in your area.
Being willing to take risks also means that you would be willing to work on a commission basis. Once in the industry you will notice that scouts and agents do not earn a salary but instead earn commission on what their model earns.
9: Always Behave In A Professional Manner
To be a professional in the modelling industry means always keeping to your appointment times. you need to take the high road in difficult situations and never ‘bad mouthing’ other agents or scouts. Although you would try to do these things in you regular types of jobs. In the modelling work it is crucial that you stick to these. Being a professional is more than just calling yourself a professional, you have to act like it too.
You will always need to make sure that you pay your expenses and payroll on tie and never owe money out, whether thats to models, photographers or anyone else whose services you have used. If you want to be a successful scout or agent you need to make sure that you do everything that you can.
10: Inappropriate Behaviour as a model scout
With any professional setting, inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Do not make any sexually suggestive comments or approach or stare at a model in a way that that would make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Unfortunately in this industry innocent behaviour can be manipulated or can come across as creepy and possibly even scary to a young model. So always be aware of what you are doing and saying and make sure that you allow the models to feel safe and comfortable around you.
11: Go With Your Gut
If you want to make an impact in the modelling world you need to trust your instincts. If you truly believe that one of your new faces has what it takes to make it all the way to the top, then do not let that feeling go! You will need to do everything that it takes. You need to show those around you exactly what you see.
It was this drive and determination that model scout David Cunningham had when he first saw Kate Upton for the first time. He knew she was going to make it and she was going to be huge! So Cunningham introduced Katie to New York super agency IMG Models. But with Kate’s curvaceous figure and bubbly personality mostly everyone thought he was crazy. Kate wasnt ‘fashion’ enough and wasn’t the typical model type. But Cunningham didn’t give up.
The head of IMG Models, Ivan Bart, then saw Kate and saw her potential and signed her anyway. And then, the rest is history. All because one man knew what she was destined for Kate Upton has earned millions of dollars, making her one of the highest paid models.So trusting your gut and knowing your instincts as a model scout need to be something that you pay attention to. This could be you one day, making a change and making a difference in not only the modelling world but to a potential new model too.–