Naomi Campbell hits people with phones. Kate Moss takes drugs and still gets contracts with Chanel. You're not Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell - if you were, you'd be a millionaire, you'd be world famous and I wouldn't be giving you advice. As an internet model, being an asshole will mean you need to go and get a job at the dodgy kebab shop down the road, and get hit on by wineos and pissheads for £5 an hour.
Shut up and do your job
Ok, if you're in severe pain, danger, or your extremities are turning blue, you should say something. If you don't like a dress, don't like the make up, don't like a photo or think the location is dirty/cold/ugly - shut the fuck up. You're being paid to model, not to be a consultant and art director, so unless you're asked for your opinion, don't give it. If you are asked about it, be polite. The best thing to do in that situation is to check that everything's as the photographer wants it and is what they had in mind.
Point out if: something doesn't fit properly, something's ripped when it shouldn't be, something is in the way (like a camera bag) - basically when something is going to screw up the image. Not when you don't like something. Just deal with it - it's your job. (This does not apply to test shoots - then, feel free to tell them something's not working!)
Answer your damn emails
Seriously! How the hell do you expect to book work if you don't actually respond to people who are basically saying 'hello, I would like to give you money, how much should I give you and when?' People remember when people don't respond to their emails. People have lists. People talk. These people are the ones you want to hire you, so it's not a good idea to piss them off.
Turn up on time, and actually turn up
I can't believe I'm actually writing this: Basic Decency 101 - be respectful towards people, which includes not wasting their time. You know that studios cost money, right? You know they're usually paying you by the hour? So why the fuck are you consistently turning up 15 mins late? Ok, tfl are shit, ok sometimes there's traffic - at least let people know.
Don't be an asshole
You're self employed, in a customer-facing role. Don't be an asshole - it'll cost you money.
Basically, you know all that 'manners' shit your mum kept going on about? Use it!
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Also, use some common sense on Forumes, I take part on a few model forums, and models who come accross as dickheads on them will certainly not be getting any work from me.
ReplyDeleteShould the model refuse to work with an mua on a shoot if the mua is not adhering to expected health and safety standards? Or would you consider that the behaviour of an asshole?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely mention it! 'I don't like the make up' is asshole. 'Those dirty brushes can give me lash mites and infections' is another matter entirely, as long as you handle it tactfully. The problem is that it's so easy to be labelled a diva as a model!
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