How To Evaluate Models With Our Risk Analysis System

INDEPENDENT MODELING

Changing the business of modeling

10/28/12 - NOTE: This RAS was originally published in 2010, and is in need of a large update. Although the information is still effective, and useful, expect more to be published as soon as we can get to it. Use at your own risk. Thank you.

RAS Risk Analysis System
Evaluating Model Prospects For Modeling Jobs
V 1.0
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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; this is the first module. 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. In our opinion, any business who is not open to booking models without going through an agency is selling themselves short, and is handicapping themselves.
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 modeling and talent agencies.
A word of warning: Professional independent models should obtain the same rates as agency models. You’re already saving 10% to 20% in agency fees, and so is the model. We have checks and balances in place. Independent models are aware of what fair rates are, and we recommend that businesses who book models without 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 do. Please do not discount the value of independent models. Save your 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 word 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, or that you can get greedy and take advantage of models just because they don't have an agency working on their behalf. 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 with 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 whom they represent are more credible than independent models who contact you to be considered for modeling job, don’t believe it (and if they make this claim, make them put it in writing and guarantee it. For some reason, they won't back up their claims with action, for some reason. We wonder why? Talk is cheap). 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 one 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 deter others 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 that 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. While it is true that we offer portfolio photography and other services here on Independent Modeling, please realize that models are not obligated to buy anything to use the site, or to respond to your job post, and that we do not withhold any details of how to contact you so that models are forced to sign up and pay for something in order to contact you about the job post. This makes us legitimate, and also allows us to market services on a site where modeling jobs are also listed.

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, modeling jobs. We recommend that you have a section on your web site where models can submit a cover letter (All professional models should be educated enough to compose a cover letter), and a composite card, to a physical mailing address (or, if you prefer, you can have an email address where they can mail you a cover letter and JPEG files of their composite card or web comp). This will also make it easier to consider models who are not referred to you from an agency. It’s cost effective, and by using this Risk Analysis System, no more of a risk than by going through a modeling 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 market which your job fits in are more likely to be appropriate for what you are doing. If a model has any work in their portfolio which conflicts with your company image and / or the modeling job, such as nude pictures all over the Internet, don't consider them, and move on to the next prospective model (this will not make us popular with fetish models and models who do high-risk work, but we don't care. Models who try to book mainstream modeling jobs, which this site focuses on, should not compromise. High-risk modeling work is a specialized niche part of the modeling world, anyway, and it's on the fringes. It's also not compatible with the marketing which most businesses do). Why take on risks to your image and credibility?
Models who operate from freebie web sites (social media and portfolio networking sites, where they can set up a free profile in five minutes, and then vanish when they pull a no-call, no-show on you; changing their "name" and setting up another profile), who have a portfolio of amateur and/ or inappropriate pictures, and who cannot follow instruction should not be considered. If they are not serious enough about their career to invest in it, they are not professional. The lack of investment itself is flaky, and those models should not be trusted. Easy come, easy go.
“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 with 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. So, the model does not know what they are doing, and has to have their agency help them evaluate jobs? 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. Agency-only models are also ignorant; they enable agencies to limit , and to manipulate, their careers, and to tell them what to do instead of what an agency is supposed to do, which is work FOR the model. Do they need the agency to hold their hand 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 (or, have a professionally designed composite card, or web comp, file that can be sent to you through Email or printed off of their web site). If a model does not have composite cards, it is less likely that they have a portfolio to bring in for consideration when you are evaluating them, in person, for the job. If they do not have a portfolio where you can evaluate their work experience, and where at least some of the pictures shown are relevant to the type of modeling job that you are considering them for, do NOT consider them; a lack of a professional portfolio demonstrates that they did not invest in their career, that they are not serious about it, and that they are not professional enough to be trusted. Next model, please.
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. The same goes for a printed portfolio, and a book (models can also put additional composite cards and paperwork in their portfolio book, which makes it a portable office as well as a marketing tool).
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. these things are fine as extras, but are no substitute.
If a model has composite cards, and a professional portfolio, we would consider them for a job, even if they did not have 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!

09/17/10 - 11/03/10 - 10/28/12

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