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How To Evaluate Models With Our Risk Analysis System
RAS Risk Analysis
System
Evaluating Model Prospects For Modeling Jobs
V 1.0
FTAGNCIES-OPRTNBKLSH
INI081210
INI091710
08/12/10
09/17/10
USE
AT YOUR OWN RISK. INDEPENDENT MODELING, C. A. PASSINAULT, AND OUR AFFILIATES
ASSUME NO LIABILITY, IN WHOLE OR PART, FOR ANYONE USING THE INFORMATION
IN THE RISK ANALYSIS SYSTEM OR ATTEMPTING ANYTHING DESCRIBED ON OUR SITE.
WE ARE NOT A MODELING AND TALENT AGENCY, WE DO NOT MAKE MONEY REFERRING
MODELS INTO JOBS, WE DO NOT REPRESENT MODELS, AND WE DO NOT GUARANTEE
ANY MODEL WHO YOU BOOK ON YOUR OWN. IT’S ALL UP TO YOUR JUDGEMENT.
SINCE LAWS AND LEGAL REQUIREMENT DIFFER IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE UNITED
STATES AND THE WORLD, PLEASE BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LOCAL LAWS BEFORE ATTEMPTING
ANYTHING DESCRIBED ON INDEPENDENT MODELING. SEE OUR LEGAL DISCLAIMER FOR
MORE.
THE WHOLE POINT OF THE RAS IS TO REDUCE RISK AND LIABILITY. BY USING THIS
EVALUATION SYSTEM, YOU CAN ASSUME LIABILITY BECAUSE IT WILL HELP YOU TO
REDUCE THE RISK OF SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO ON YOUR OWN, ANYWAY,
REGARDLESS OF IF YOUR OBTAIN YOUR PROSPECTIVE MODELS FROM AN AGENCY OR
NOT.
YOU MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES, AND YOU, ULTIMATELY, CALL THE SHOTS.
Introduction
This RAS is optimized for modeling jobs who are looking for professional
models (the principles outlined in this 
system
can be applied to just about any situation, as they are contextual, and
there will also be other RAS modules optimized for other scenarios. Keep
in mind that we have checks and balances in place, and there will be a
RAS for models who are looking for modeling jobs; that RAS will help models
evaluate modeling jobs! The point of all of this is to ensure that balance
is obtained, so no one can take advantage of anyone else. It is the only
way to maintain integrity in the modeling industry). It will help you
evaluate the credibility of models, while allowing you, with lower risk,
to avoid going through modeling agencies for models. Why limit yourselves
by being dependent upon a middleman? Booking independent models does not
have to be risky, and it is worth it, as you do not have to pay any agency
fees; it’s also worth it for the models, who also do not have to
pay agency fees. You also have the freedom of selecting models who you
have in mind, without having to go through a middleman, or having to communicate
what you need to them. You know exactly what you are looking for, and
the agencies don’t, unless you take the time to explain what you
need (We’ve talked to many art directors and casting directors,
and they all complain that agencies spam them with models who are not
at all right for the job requirement specified. This wastes time, and
money. If you do go through an agency, keep on them and make them do their
jobs! Get what you are paying for!). Since the agency is not selecting
models for you, or hiring them on your behalf, anyway, this can be a more
efficient process. Regardless of if you go through an agency, or not,
it is ultimately your call, and your decision.
Modeling and talent agencies are now an option, and are certainly not
the rule. If any modeling agency tries to dictate to you that their models
are more professional and reliable, have them put that claim in writing,
and hold them to it (We don’t see any agency doing that, as they
won’t assume liability, but if they make that claim, they should
at least be professional enough to back it up in writing, and pay up if
one of their referred models flake out and costs you time and money).
You might as well get something for the extra expense. Do not allow agencies
to tell you that they can evaluate, and select models, better than you
can. They can’t. You have to evaluate the models that they send
you, and book them yourself, anyway, so you might as well skip the agency,
and save time and money. If you cater to the agencies and allow them to
insult your intelligence, allow us to add to it. Just like models who
are ignorant enough to accept that the agency way is the only way, if
you allow yourself to be dependent upon agencies, you don’t deserve
to be in business, as you limit yourself. Being dependent upon anyone
is not smart business, and it is not cost-effective.
Independent models have the advantage over agency-only models who choose
to be blindly led, and who limit themselves by being dependent upon an
agency. The same goes for smart businesses who take the initiative, who
think for themselves, and save time and money in the process.
Evaluating models does not have to be difficult, or time consuming. That
is what the Risk Analysis System is all about. While we cannot guarantee
results from using this system, and anyone using it assumes all risk,
common sense will tell you that it will work. Businesses today book professional
models, models who benefit their marketing, without going through agencies.
A word of warning: Professional independent models obtain the same rates
as agency models. You’re already saving 10% to 20% in agency fees,
and so is the models. We have checks and balances in place. Independent
models are aware of what fair rates are, and we recommend that businesses
who book models with going through an agency pay the models what they
deserve to be paid. More often than not, booking independent models at
full rate is more of a bargain, because you are getting an experienced
model who thinks for themselves, and who works harder for their career
than agency models. Please do not discount the value of independent models.
Save you money by not having to pay agency fees, and pay full rates. Independent
Modeling has measures in place that will cause discounting tactics to
backfire. If you short models, and work gets around, you might just find
that the independent models will no longer work for you, and you will
be stuck dealing with agencies and paying agency fees. You will reap what
you sow, and we will help to make that happen. Just because we’re
here to help does not mean that independent models negotiate from a weaker
position. Respect them, and they will respect you.
This said, so-called models who operate from “web sites” on
free social networking or portfolio networking sites, who have tacky snapshot
pictures all over the Internet, and who otherwise do not invest in their
careers should not be trusted, or booked. Models who invest in their careers,
and are able to show that investment effectively on a real web site, are
more likely to be professional and reliable. Likewise, think twice about
booking any model who demonstrates a lack of professional judgement, as
the image of any business is important, and your product or service is
ultimately associated with the face of the model who visually markets
what you do. If a model has nudes all over the Internet, and those nude
“modeling” pictures are not compatible with what you do, we
suggest finding a more appropriate model. There are plenty of great models
to choose from, and you can be selective.
The
2010 Risk Analysis System for modeling jobs seeking models
Welcome to the 2010 Independent Modeling Risk Analysis System. This is
a free tutorial on how to evaluate professionals before you work for them.
While this version of the Risk Analysis System, or RAS, focuses on evaluating
models, this can be applied to photographers, actors, talent, modeling
jobs, auditions, and just about every professional who you are considering
working with.
While modeling and talent agencies may claim that the models who they
represent are more credible than independent models who contact you to
be considered for modeling job, don’t believe it. The agency wants
you to pay them for models. While we do not recommend paying models less
than you would pay an agency model (and we will ensure that models are
aware of what fair rates are for your type of job), you can save a lot
of money on agency fees alone, while making the audition selection simpler,
and that makes it worth it.
Please read our disclaimer before using this system. Anyone using the
RAS assumes all risk and potential liability. It’s up to you, and
Independent Modeling cannot be held liable for any losses which may be
incurred through using this system, or by using our site.
Although the point of the RAS is to help professionals quickly, and easily,
assess prospective professionals before working with them, any ones using
this information is responsible for the outcome.
EVALUATING MODELS FOR YOUR MODELING JOB
1. Get the word out.
Post your job offer on the Independent Modeling modeling job board. Make
sure that, to avoid other from stealing your job information and using
it as bait to lure in models and scam them, that you verify the source
of the contacts. If they saw your modeling job offer anywhere other than
Independent Modeling, or on any other online resource that you specifically
posted to, do not consider them. Make sure the contact goes through the
appropriate job board posting, and that they are aware that they do not
have to buy anything, or sign up for any site, to be considered for your
modeling job.
Please verify the sources of all contacts, and verify where they saw the
modeling job posting. This will not only help you verify how effective
your posting is, but will prevent modeling scams from using your modeling
job post in a way which will reflect badly on you. This will make finding
models without going through an agency easier, as well as help you avoid
any problems, such as model accusing you of partnering with a modeling
scam where they have to pay for something to be considered for your job.
2. Be prepared for models who
contact you
If a professional model contacts you, make sure that you are able to consider
them for any present, or future, jobs. We recommend that you have a section
on your web site where models can submit a cover letter, and a composite
card, to a physical mailing address. This will also make it easier to
consider models who are not referred to you from an agency. It’s
cost effective, and my using this Risk Analysis System, no more of a risk
than by going through an agency. As a matter of fact, by skipping the
middleman, you not only save fees that can total 40% of what you pay the
model, over what you pay the model, but the simplified process can make
finding the right model easier.
3. Evaluating the model before
an audition / go-see for your modeling job
To consider the model, ask yourself a few questions. The model should
be able to provide you with the necessary items and information, and evaluating
them is easier, and faster, than calling up a local modeling agency.
The main rule of thumb is this: Models who demonstrate a professional
investment into their career are more likely to be professional, and dependable.
Models who demonstrate professional experience in the marketing type which
your job fits in are more likely to be appropriate for what you are doing.
Models who operate from freebie web sites, who have a portfolio of amateur
and/ or inappropriate pictures, and who cannot follow instruction should
not be considered.
“Models” who operate from free services, and who cannot demonstrate
an investment into their career, CANNOT BE TRUSTED to be professional,
or to follow through on any modeling job commitment. These so-called models
are high risk, and they are the ones who have the potential to be flaky,
to change the terms of a job at the last minute, and to give you a headache.
These models are generally ignorant, take short cuts, and do work which
can conflict withe the market that you are working in. We recommend that
you avoid them.
Models who refer you to their agency should also not be considered, as
this would be missing the point of hiring models directly without going
through an agency. Models should be aware of the specifics of any modeling
job offer, and should be able to evaluate modeling jobs on their own (A
RAS for models evaluating modeling jobs is also available here on Independent
Modeling, as we promote professional balance in the industry). Models
who generally refer modeling jobs to their agency are not worth dealing
with because of the potential that they do not know what they are doing,
as well driving up costs. Since the model would not have to pay an agency
fees, also, by booking a modeling job independently, the only real reason
that they would refer a modeling job to an agency would be if they were
unsure of themselves, and had to use agencies to screen job prospects.
We do not recommend dealing with any model who refers you to an agency,
as the agency only complicates the booking process, and drives up costs.
If any model were to refer us to their “agency”, we’d
tell them to have their agency find modeling job leads FOR them, like
they are supposed to do, instead of the model having to do the agency’s
job for them. Additionally, we’d tell them that you’re looking
for an independent model who knows that they are doing, and to relay to
their agency that the job may not be available for them to refer to the
model, or to the other models who they work for (represent), as you will
probably have it booked before then. If a model wants to be an idiot,
let them be an idiot. Don’t book them. There are lots of better
models out there, models who know what they are doing, and who have their
act together. Those models are more dependable, and professional, too;
most agency-only models lack a backbone, and are too wishy-washy to do
the excellent work that you deserve. Do they need the agency to hold their
had during the job itself, too? This Risk Analysis System will help you
evaluate professional models, so you won’t have to go through any
agency.
DOES THE MODEL HAVE COMPOSITE CARDS?
Make sure that the model has composite cards, and make them mail you at
least two. If a model does not have composite cards, it is more unlikely
that they have a portfolio to bring in for consideration when you are
evaluating them in person for the job.
Some models may have web comps, much like the web comps used here on Independent
Modeling. While these can be printed from a computer in a rushed job,
they should not be considered to be an appropriate substitute for composite
cards. Printing composite cards is a career investment, and is one of
the indicator that a model is serious about their modeling career, and
that they will do a good job.
If a model does not have any composite cards or web comps, we would not
consider them for anything.
DOES THE MODEL HAVE A WEB SITE?
The web site should be a professionally design web site, a web site which
is not based off flash templates. The web site of the professional model
should have a .Com domain name.
Models who market their careers from a free social networking site, such
as Myspace or Facebook, or a modeling portfolio site, and who do NOT have
a professional web site should not be taken seriously.
If a model has composite cards, and a professional portfolio, we would
consider them for a job, even if they had a web site, but if they don’t
have any of this, we would not consider them for any modeling job!
While it is appropriate, and even smart, for a professional model to augment
their web site with freebie social and portfolio networking accounts,
these free services are no substitute for a real web site.
If a model refers you to a free online portfolio networking web site,
and does not have a professional web site, look around at the other model
profiles on the portfolio networking web site, instead. See if those models
have professional web sites, and if those models have invested in their
careers. You can consider them for the job, instead, and take the amateurs
as seriously as they take their careers. Make sure that you thank them
for the leads.
Models who do not invest in a career do not have any interest in taking
their career seriously. They cannot be considered to be professional models,
and should be avoided. If they are not serious about their career, and
do not bother to invest in it, will they take your job seriously? Seriously,
such models are high risk for unprofessional conduct and being unreliable.
Lower your risk by only working with professional models who invest in
their careers, and who take their careers seriously.
IS THE MODEL’S ONLINE
PORTFOLIO PROFESSIONAL QUALITY?
Don’t consider a model who has a portfolio of amateur photographs.
DOES THE MODEL DO WORK WHICH IS COMPATIBLE, AND RELEVANT, FOR YOUR JOB, AND YOUR TARGET MARKET?
DOES THE MODEL WORK FOR FREE, OR CHEAP? BEWARE OF A FALSE ECONOMY!
UPDATED 09/17/10
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