I am interested in modeling and acting and am looking for an agent. I live in NY area. My Backstage.com profile link is

My Backstage Online Resume

Steph_Modeling_for_17_Pic_1.jpg (35 KB, 248 downloads)

For acting, you better start investing in actual and professional headshots. A lot of what you have looks like snapshots and yearbook photos.

It would also help you to get acting training outside of your high school.

so is everyone else

try the old fashion way of getting headshots and putting them in the mail to the agents you like!

Stephanie
There are many threads here about getting started in the business. I suggest you do a search on them to get details. But for an over view:
First I would start with more training, second is, as others have said, some decent headshots. Then start auditioning. Look at the jobs on Actors Access, NYCastings.com, Backstage.com. Realize that you are going to do several projects that you may not get paid for, but will give you experience to fill out your resume. Then go for an agent.
Break A Leg!

Thank you everyone for the information and advice. Very helpful. I appreciate it



My Backstage Online Resume

You are not ready for an agent. Maybe a commercial one but you need some new headshots first. You also need to start doing unpaid work and get some classes to get some experience so that in a year or two, an agent may want you. Right now you don't have a lot to bring to the table.

You also want to keep the acting and modeling completely separate. Don't try to market them both to people. Focus on the acting as a separate entity. Take off anything that implies "model" of any acting resumes or the like. You will be taken more seriously.

Steph; sorry to tell you this but you are to short for modeling. Especially in New York.
Some agencies post their height requirements
on their websites. NYC is very competitive even
for commercial modeling. The agencies typically
take on models that can do both commercial and fashion that way they don't have to have so many models and 5'9" is what I have seen for minimum and usually 5'10" max for women. Yes their are exceptions but they are very rare.
A fashion photographer that shot my daighter in L.A. said clients are being tighter on requirments with the tougher economy. You could go to open calls if you must try. You will need
just poloroids for that.A head type of shot that shows your features, a side shot and full length. Good lighting,no make up and a light background like a wall with nothing on it. You can go to models.com and look at the "ones to watch" be careful of what you ask it is a rough crowd sometimes and you need parental permission to use the site. Aaron Marcus has a great site on modeling and doing commercials. He has helped us a lot. Be very careful a lot of people will rip you off if they have a chance like the modeling conventions that tell you you can be a model even at 5'6". I would suggest to stick to acting and take classes and join you drama club etc.. at your school. Do some plays and unpaid to build yor resume.
You do need professional shots. Call some good agencies and ask them who they recommend. They should be able to give you a few. Tell them it is for acting. If it is really what you want to do work at it. It takes time to develop annd good luck.

Start with this thread by Mominbiz:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...611031/m/6061061/p/1

And this book: (also mentioned in the thread)

Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to Show Business by Bonnie Gillespie

Before getting involved with ANY company/agency/manager, come back here and do a search.

Welcome and good luck.

1. I hope you have a parent who knows what you're posting on the internet. Safety first! THAT GOES FOR ALL OF THE MINORS ON THIS BOARD, cuckoo or grounded!

2. Before you subscribe to Actors Access, NYCastings, etc., be sure to have your headshots done. You will not be considered for professional gigs without professional photos, so present yourself only as a professional.

3. As far as modeling goes, since you are an actor, a great commercial headshot will do. Polaroids are for fashion/commercial (e.g., Ford, IMG) models, not commercial print (the talent agencies that have print departments) models. Once you start booking you'll be able to gauge how marketable you are and whether a comp card is needed.

4. Legitimate agents and managers have enough people submitting through the mail and will probably not scour message boards to find talent. Search the boards to figure out who to target and how.

5. Good luck!

Try this link too. A lot of information here.

http://www.bizparentz.org/

Thank you everyone for your help, advice and information. Yes, my mom is here when I am at Backstage.com. She does a lot of research for me. She has been so helpful.

Someone here had said that I should get better headshots. I got them today. Comments would be appreciated.

My Backstage.com Resume

My Models.com Page

Stephanie_Photo_Session_09-26-09-.jpg (27 KB, 85 downloads)

If you click on the Backstage.com Resume link, you can see some of the session pictures.

I am sorry Steph. You are a beautiful girl but I do not think these photos are any good. Go to any of the headshot photographers sites and look at the headshots -- it is just that, a close up of the face facing forward, no hands in the picture. legit usually with no smile commercial with smile. I would also not wear black, it makes you look older, before I read your resume I thought you were over 18.

You go girl! I think you are beautiful AND fierce! All you need are some better professional headshots, a bit more of an edgy look (maybe shorter hair and edged out, no curls) and you will definitely be a top model! As far as the height thing, dont even worry about that! Wilimena models represents girls under 5'7. Go for your dream girl! Ill see you on top one day!