A image (ie: portfolio/comp cards) are probably your most valuable tools. You will take it with you to appointments, drop it off for others, and send it by messenger and overnight courier to clients and prospects throughout the country. But there are other tools of the trade as well. What are they? Keep reading.

1. Headshots and comp cards and you should have at least done some TFP with some photographers at this point if you followed my directions. Use the headshots and shots to create a comp card. If you haven't a clue what makes a good headshot, find out here HOW TO CREATE A GREAT HEADSHOT

2. If you don't have a clue where to begin, list yourself on these major model sites and you will get exposure and can build up a book doing TFP, sometimes they even send out casting calls:
Musecube
One Model Place
Portfolio Promotions
Model Network
Models.com
Dazzlemodels
Go Portfolio
Net Model
I model

IMAGE OVERLOAD: WHEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH:
Don't make the mistake of putting every test or paid assignment that produces a tearsheet or every TFP into your portfolio just to fill it up, because an agent isn't going to separate your superlative hair from bad makeup, photography, or fashion styling. Following are some of the things that are important.

PORTFOLIO CONTENT:
1. The quality of the prints, color copies and tearsheets.
2. The choice of images.
3. The creativity, inventiveness and enthusiasm with which you complete assignments.
4. Layout. How well did you tell the story of who you are as an model? Is there a flow in your book that keeps the viewer with you til' the end? Have you included enough range to let them know you are capable of performing on an all day shoot with several changes? Try to put in your book at least one or two of the best images from each category (commercial, fashion, alternative, etc). Put tearsheets in there as well. Put your STRONGEST image in the front..your second strongest in the back..this will leave a great impression.
PRESENTATION: The inside, outside, and collateral elements of your portfolio. Size, typeface (font), cleanliness, neatness and accessories all come together to create an impressive presentation.
SIZE: A 10x13 book with 9x12 pages or a 12x15 book with 11x14 pages are safe bets and are standard in the industy. They are fondly referred to [by their page size] as 9x12 and 11x14.
STYLE & TYPE: There are custom (made-to-order) and off-the-shelf (cash-and-carry) portfolios. Custom portfolio makers offer books that can be built according to your taste and pocketbook. Style choices include things like: color, materials, embossing. You can also just go to staples or an office supply store and get a presentation portfolio. They have them in leather and plastic (if you want to start off small). Once you get signed with an agency you will most likely get one embossed with the agency logo..or you can even get one with your name on it. One Model place offers nice portfolios when you are ready to splurge a bit more.
APPEARANCE: Prints and tearsheets are most impressive when cut and mounted so they don't move around in your book. Portfolio pages come in two different materials: plastic and acetate.
ACCESSORIES: Pockets. Carrying cases- get some business cards at vista print with your information on them to hand out to possible agents. If you have a website already, list that link..Vista print has cheap business cards.

PRINT PROMO CARD: Leave behinds. Your very own personal mini brochures that show potential clients what you do, your style, and the way you approach your art. It acts as your calling card and leave-behind all rolled into one. It will remind others of what your work is like long after you and your portfolio have left someone's office or studio. Here are a few good places to get them from:

CK DESIGNS (I LOVE Ck designs..they are by far the cheapest with the best quality)
Model cards Tell them I referred you (Sun Karma) for a discount Model cards
E Model Comps
Go 4 color
Mini Comps

PDF [electronic] PROMO CARD: A new way to send documents across the world wide web. It's called Adobe Acrobat. You can easily just take a scanned image of your compcard and convert it to Pdf by using adobe's free online conversion tool: Create adobe pdf You can also get these neat little things called "Model CD cards" to mail out instead of a promo card. These have you bio, resume, and pics on them. They are just like a mini-site. They aren't cheap..so send them where you will have the most impact. You don't want these things getting thrown away. Model CD card

Now that you have your cards and promo tools, GET AN AGENT:

Tips To Help You Get an Agent
1. Write a short cover letter telling them about you- this is your promo letter. Include in it a resume or a brief synopsis of your skills and what you have done thus far..
2. Be creative in your mailing approach- create a type of 'promo pack' with your materials. Make it fun.
3. Include a contact telephone number on everything you send as well as email address
4. Be Polite. Do not call the agents asking if they got our package, they go through everything. Perhaps this month they do not need your type. Do not take it personal, they might need your type next month.
5. Be Professional.
6. Stay Persistent. No one cares more about your career than you.
7. Be Prompt. Always be on time…if an agent calls you to meet with you.
8. The more mailings you send out the better your chances.

Order mailing labels from Casting List.com and mail out your comp cards and your promo letter.
In part III, I'll give you some names and address of major casting agents that you can download and print and send out..but more on that in part III.

WEBSITE: The world wide web is here to stay. Everyone has got or is getting a web page and so should you. As important as your portfolio and hopefully less to maintain. The trick to creating a website is not getting it built, but getting it seen. If you build it and don't promote it (by at the least submitting it to major search engines like Yahoo), it's like trying to sell a house without a real estate agent or a newspaper ad. The only people who will know that your house is for sale are the ones you tell and the people who drive down that street. I'm going to talk more about website promotion in Part III..so stay tuned.
Try to find a good webdesigner to do a site for you. You can do a search on the internet, or here are a few good ones:
Alluring Designs (tell them sunkarma referred you and get a discount)
One Nation Underground
IModel (free model site)
Model network (pay for a site you design)
Milenium Dezign
Tanaka Designs
Design Attic
Site 2 you
Georgia Asphalt
(use code 4402 for a discount)
Rt Web Designs
Webtys

Templated sites: Monster templates (they will tweak your template for an extra fee, usually cheaper than having it designed!)
Hoover Web Templates
Template Monster
Go here to 'tweak' your template:
Template tuner

THE INTERNET: When you think "Internet", think information, research and access. The next time you need access to information or have to research a project, dial up one of the popular search engines and go for yours. Look for 'casting calls'. One good resource is dailycall.com as they deliver castings to your cell phone. Onemodelplace.com also has a very good database once you join them.
Daily Call- casting blastsThe Daily Call is a good source of casting blasts. They deliver them to your email and your phone..so you will never miss a casting in your area. I recommend subscribing..its a good service. Model Scouts will submit your pics to over 1000 modeling agents. Very good service if you are trying to get discovered. This is also a great service once you have your comps.

THE RÉSUMÉ: The only thing worse than a poorly compiled portfolio is a sloppy résumé and cover letter. It's often said that a résumé won't get you the job, but it can lose the job for you. A résumé may not guarantee you the job assignment, but it can and will help you get your foot in the door of many television and film company decision makers who won't entertain meeting with you until they review it. Here are some tips on creating a good resume THE RESUME

THE REEL: A reel, like a print portfolio, is a compilation of your work that has appeared on music videos, television commercials, television shows and/or in feature films. A reel is a production. It is created by collecting the music videos, TV commercials, TV show episodes and feature films on one or more master tapes and then editing them down to a few fabulous minutes of an artist's best work and laying some music over the top for mood. If you have them, convert them to avi files or smaller files that can be previewed on your website.

CREATIVE DIRECTORIES: Resource guides provide you with names, addresses, phone numbers, email and web addresses as well as other important information that will help you reach out to photographers, artists, producers, art directors, production coordinators, directors, fashion editors, beauty editors, etc. Following are some of the best in the biz and detailed information that will help to determine which ones fit into your future marketing efforts.

ASSOCIATION OF FILM COMMISSIONERS INT'L.
AFCI $Free Published Annually (323) 462-6092 Fax 462-6091

More than 250 film commissions. Organized according to regions around the world. This directory contains just about every production directory for film and TV in the world.

THE BLACK BOOK
The Black Book $72-$110 Published Annually in December (800) 841-1246 (212) 539-9800 Fax (212) 539-9801

The Black Book is probably the most prestigious directory of advertising photography produced. Strictly advertising related. When an art director in an advertising agency is looking for a photographer to shoot the new American Express ad campaign, they are more than likely going to turn to the Black Book first.

LA 411
LA 411 $69.00 Published Annually in January (323) 460-6304 Fax 460-6314 CD ROM available

The production bible. A "must have" for people who produce television, video and film projects in Los Angeles. It is used to hire everything from hair stylists to zebra painters. A great help if you are interested in working on music videos and television commercials. It lists the names and phone numbers of working professionals who can hire you as an apprentice or assistant if you are just starting out.

FASHION & PRINT
Fashion and Print $ 59.95 Published Annually in July (800) 223-1254 o (212) 869-2020 Fax 869-3287

Formerly the Madison Avenue Handbook, Fashion & Print 2000 is a comprehensive, detailed listing for image making professionals who need resources in the New York, and Miami, Florida. Individual listings are available.

LEBOOK
Le Book $ 112.00-$160 (depends on where you buy) Published Annually (212) 334-5252 Fax (212) 941-4150 info@lebook.com

An annual, international reference to the fashion world. More than 10,000 fashion professionals, including the best designers, stylists, photographers, modeling agencies, catalogue companies and studios.

MIAMI PRODUCTION GUIDE
Miami Production Guide $ 50.00 Published Annually in December (800) 223-1254 o (212) 869-2020 Fax 869-3287

Focused on film and television production resources in the Miami area. The directory includes listings for directors, producers, photographers, video duplication, libraries as well as hair, makeup and styling agencies.

MINNESOTA PRODUCTION GUIDE
MNFILM.ORG $ 50 Published Annually in January (612) 332-6493 Fax 332-3735 Published annually by the Minnesota Film Board. While the book has a price, those with an interest in producing a feature, commercial or video in Minneapolis can get a copy sent to them for free. The guide supports the states efforts to bring Hollywood to Minnesota.

Stay tuned for part III: How to market yourself as a model…or, whatever you are.

(c) 2004: Sun Karma

; Buy the book…coming soon