Task 3a
The current networks that I use are obviously Facebook and Twitter. Twitter I have actually started using more frequently and have attached to my Facebook so every time I Tweet it goes directly to my Facebook profile. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage is it saves me time from making two posts, the disadvantage is you can only type a certain amount of words. If it is a long post you can only post it on Facebook and simplify on Twitter and simply hope your followers will see on your Facebook the full post. I try to expand my networking on Twitter by posting constant Tweets to my Facebook for people to see and then follow. As for Facebook I add people who are photographers, designers, makeup artists, etc who have a certain number of mutual friends as me and/or have worked with my friends who are also models. I've also made a Facebook fan page with my modeling work to reach out to people who aren't on my friends list. Here I can reach others by posting questions related to modeling. Lately I posted a question regarding the newly formed workers' union created by models in New York to help better working conditions for models, never seen before anywhere in the world. I asked people if Toronto should follow New York's example. You can see here http://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Ellingham. I try to update it as much as I can so I don't lose "likes" and fans.
Another form of networking I use is Model Mayhem. This is a website made up of photographers, models, makeup artists, designers, stylists, magazines and anything related to the fashion industry, where castings, advice and many other things can be posted up. I regularly use this site to find my jobs and showcase my work. I've used this site since I started modeling. You can find my profile here http://www.modelmayhem.com/158202. I'm looking to push my profile a little bit further by changing my profile from basic (free profile) to VIP (a monthly fee) which will help get my profile noticed by more people, once I get a better income. With a VIP status my profile will show up amongst the "Model Mayhem VIP Stars" on the main page. I've also begun adding designers and photographers from outside of Canada to my friends list to broaden my networking.
I am still slowly finding new ways to broaden my networking. I may even start another blog separated from the BAPP course directed to people who read my tweets and Facebook posts. So far things are going really well with Twitter and Model Mayhem the most.
Task 3b
Co-Operation:~
In the fashion industry everything is based on image and sometimes people's view of beauty differs with each person. On top of working with various people with various different points of view on image, they have different views on how a shoot or show is run. A lot of times ideas and people clash and being the model you must adapt to be able to co-operate with everyone's vision and/or point of view. As the model you need to learn how to work around difficult situations and everyone's time schedules. You need to evolve and adapt around everyone but still be able to voice your opinion or give an input in particular situations.
Affiliation:~
Affiliation is extremely important in my line of work. As I have said before in previous blogs, I am not "standard" size for a model. My hips are an inch larger than the standard and even though I am 5'8 which is the minimum size for a model, agencies and designers are constantly looking for 5'10 and taller. I have gained a lot of my most prominent jobs purely from affiliation which I maintained through co-operation in previous jobs. The people I co-operated with in previous jobs remember me and they either rehire me for bigger shoots/shows and/or recommend me to others. Even working and socialising with other models have helped me with gaining jobs due to models needing replacements for themselves or recommending me to photographers they work with. Sometimes in these situations I feel it is actually necessary to bring your social life and work life together as long as you know where to draw the line, for example, not being drunk at certain socials or starting more than friendly relationships with coworkers. It is very important though in the modeling industry to attend social gatherings like after parties for certain fashion shows as long as you can compose yourself. This is where you can gain or lose contacts. I feel this is also somewhat attached to...
Social Constructionism:~
Talking and socialising with other models in the industry help me learn from my mistakes, understand that others go through the same as me and have had similar experiences in shoots or shows, I learn who is the right people to work with, what to expect and how these models are successful at what they do or why they gain certain jobs.
Sometimes though everything ultimately comes down to your image. Face or body. It is sometimes hard to except and move on but I find talking to other models really helps, I can put a perspective on things and not dwell. In this industry it can be very damaging to the self esteem but ultimately I find I can come out of it a stronger person. I'm still here and doing it aren't I?! :)
About Me
- Victoria_Not_So_Beckham
- Born in Toronto, I began dance training at an early age starting with ballet which eventually progressed into a main focus of jazz. Starting at the age of six I began my constant flip flopping of living in England and Canada. When in Toronto I attended the Interplay Dance School. In England I attended classes at Bodywork Studios. After alternating between living in England and Toronto with my family, I graduated from the Bethany Hills School near Peterborough, Ontario, to attend George Brown Dance with their foundation program. After George Brown I flew back to England for the third time in my life to attend the Cambridge Performing Arts College for three years, my major being dance, but discovered my true calling was the fashion industry. I have worked as a freelance model for three years and a stylist for just a year, also freelance. I put a lot of what I learned from my years of performing arts study into my modeling and into my styling, on occasion have actually had to model as a ballerina or style for dancers. I have worked with many prestigious people in the fashion industry already.
Victoria how are you doing on Part4 and thinking about the inquiry with your peers?
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