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Modeling Terms and Phrases all models should know
If you are going to enter this business that we call modeling it is a good idea to be able to speak and understand the language.
The following is a guide of the commonly used terminology in the modeling industry.
Aftra
American Federation of Television and Radio Actors. Aftra is a union that represents professional actors, broadcastors, announcers and voiceover artists that work in television, radio, and sound productions.
Advertising
Advertising is the business that exists to drive consumers to buy products or use a service. The modeling industry is a sub-set of advertising. If it weren't for advertising there would be no need for models.
Agency
An agency is a company the model hires to help find her work. Modeling agencies specialize in matching the right model with a clients needs. An agency makes their money through commission. They generally take 20% of the model's rate and charge an additional 20% to the client.
Age Range
A model's age range refers to how old and young a model can look. For example, in some shots a model may look 16 and in others a model may look 25. Generally a models real age is not listed on a resume or comp card.
Agent
An agent generally refers to a person that markets an actor/actress. A model does not need to deal with an agent, but wants to deal with agencies, who may still submit her for some acting work as well as modeling work.
Audition
Often called a casting, an audition is an opportunity for an actor/actress to showcase her talents to a client. Auditions may be held for commercials, theatrical performances, films, TV shows, etc. At an audition, you generally have a short prepared piece to perform or may be asked to do a cold read.
Book (noun)
The book that holds the portfolio prints.
Book (verb)
"To book" To hire a model for a job.
Book out
Book out refers to times when a model has told her agency she is unavailable for work or castings. When a model is going on vacation she will tell her agency to book her out on those dates.
Buy out
A buyout is an agreement between a model and client that states the client will pay the model an additional fee (often in addition to the model's day or hourly rate) to use the pictures for multiple usages (print, web, packaging, etc.) without having to pay the model residuals.
Callback
A callback is a follow up after an audition so the client may audition you further. A callback is generally a good sign and means the casting director and client liked your first audition.
Call time
The time a model is expected to be on set. It is a good idea to always arrive 15 minutes ahead of time and be on set 5 minutes prior to your call time.
Casting
A casting may also refer to a model call or go-see.
Cattle call
A casting call that a large number of models attend.
Character Model
A character model is a model that may not look like a typical model but may have strong facial features that come in handy for playing certain part or promoting certain products. A good example would be an older man with white hair and a beard and a round belly that would be hired to play Santa in an ad or a commercial.
Client
A client is the person or company who is hiring the model.
Cold Read
A cold read is when the model or actor is handed a commercial copy or piece of a script and asked to perform it as an audition without having the opportunity to see and prepare the piece beforehand.
Commercial Model
See types of models. A commercial model is a model that is used to sell a product in print or television advertising. There are fewer physical requirements for commercial models than fashion models. A commercial model should be an attractive, real person that can act and has good business sense. Who should be a model?
Commercial Shot
An image created for advertising purposes. Generally the mdoels in these images are creating characters who are meant to look very real or humerous with larger-than-life personalities.
Commission
A percentage of a model's earnings paid to her agency for finding her the job. Most modeling agencies take 20% of what a model earns on a job.
Comp Card
A comp card is a model's business card. The card generally has a headshot on the front and four pictures on the back. It will also list the model's basic stats. The comp card is an abridged version of the model's portfolio.
Convention or Tradeshow Modeling
A promotional model hired to represent a company at convention or tradeshow. The work at a convention ranges from a model in a business suit acting as a company representative to a more sexily dressed girl (often referred to as a booth babe) that is in the booth purely to attract attention to the booth. (See also spokes model and promotional model)
Copy
The script for a tv commercial or industrial video.
Day Rate
A flat fee for a day's work that is paid to a model in place of an hourly rate. Day rates are generally not for more than 8 hours of work.
Demonstrator
A model who shows the use of a product either in a store or at a tradeshow. (See also promotional model)
Editorial Modeling
Editorial modeling is fashion modeling for magazines. This would be modeling for the layouts in a magazine that are not part of the advertisements. The pay is generally less than high fashion work but the physical requirements are not as particular.
Exclusive
An exclusive contract is any contract between a model and an agency that states that the model may only book modeling jobs through that particular agency.
Extra
An extra is a background play or a bit role in tv, film, or print. They have no lines and are just fillers to make a scene look more realistic. Extra work pays very little (generally not more than $100.00 per day and does not get listed on your resume.
Fashion Modeling
Fashion modeling is modeling where the clothing and styles are the focus.
Fashion Show
Any show that's purpose is to showcase a designer or a store's clothing. This can range from a formal fashion show on a runway to an informal show in a store.
Fashion Shot
Any photograph that focuses on the clothes.
First Refusal
A first refusal happens after a casting when the client likes you, may want to use you, still is unsure of whether or not they will use you, but would like to put you on hold for the time of the booking. (see also hold)
Fitting
A time when the model goes in to try clothes on prior to a fashion show.
Fit Model
A model that has perfect proportions for a certain designer and is used to try on clothes. It is important that the model maintain her weight and measurements.
Flat Fee
The amount of money that has been agreed upon to be paid to the model for a given job.
Go-See
A go-see is a modeling audition, or when a model goes to see (meet with) a client and show them her portfolio.
Headshot
A headshot is a tight shot that generally shows only the face and sometimes the tops of shoulders. Headshots shows a person as they are but in the best possible way. (Sample Modeling Headshots)
High Fashion Modeling
Fashion modeling for the top, couture designers. This can be print modeling or runway modeling. This work pays the best but is the smallest percentage of all work and hardest to get into.
Hold
When you are put on hold for a job, the client likes you and is seriously considering you so they want you to keep the time of the booking free.
Industrial
A production that is not intended for broadcast. They are often educational or training materials for companies.
Informal Fashion Show
Modeling clothes in a store or elsewhere where there is no runway. This may also be referred to tearoom modeling.
Model Bag
The bag that a model takes with her to a job. It should include anything and everything that you may need for the job.
Non union
Any job for television that is not affiliated with SAG or Aftra.
Open Call
An open call refers to a posted time during which a model may go to meet an agency or a client.
Per Diem
A daily spending allowance given to cover expenses involved with a job, for example a spokes modeling job, that requires traveling.
Petite Model
In major markets like New York, a petite model is any model that is under 5'8. In smaller markets, a petite model is generally under 5'6. Most petite models do not book fashion work.
Plus Sized Model
A plus sized model is any model that is generally a size 12/14 and over 5'8.
Portfolio
A model's portfolio is a group of pictures of the model put together in a book that she uses to market herself with. (Sample Modeling Portfolio The pictures should show the model's age range and a variety of different expressions. A great portfolio will show the model's ability to act and still make her look amazing.
Pose
The position a model stands in either on the end of the runway or in front the camera. Every model should learn how to pose.
Principle
A principle part is a featured part in a commercial or television show. Principle work does go on a resume.
Print work
Being hired to be in a photograph that is for the purpose of being published in print media.
Promotional Model
A model that is hired to represent a product or a brand in person and not in front of the camera. Promotional modeling is done to generate consumer awareness about a product or service. It includes tradeshow and convention modeling, sampling, product demonstrating, and spokesmodeling.
Release
A legal document between the model and the photographer. The release allows the photographer to use the photographs taken during a shoot.
Residuals
Additional money paid when a commercial runs in repeats. These rates are dictated by the unions.
Resume
A modeling resume lists the jobs a model has done. It uses a three column format.
SAG
SAG is the acronym for the Screen Actor's Guild, the labor union that represents actors in film and tv.
Scout
A person who looks for potential models in a crowd or at a modeling convention. Be very wary of modeling scouts, often time it may be a scam.
Shoot
A shoot is any time when a model is in front of a camera, either for still photographs or for footage for a commercial, tv show, industrial, or film.
Sides
A short piece of the script that you will be expected to prepare or do a cold read from at an audition.
Slate
Prior to any commercial audition, you will be asked to slate. This is stating your name and sometimes what agency sent you for the camera.
Statistics
A model's statistics are her height, measurements (bust, waist, hips), hair and eye color, dress size and shoe size.
Submissions
The process of making submissions refers to when a model sends her comp card and a letter introducing herself to the agencies in her market. How to contact a modeling agency Submissions also occur in modeling agencies when they send your pictures and stats to a client for a potential job.
Tear Sheet
A photo done that has been published in print media featuring the model.
Types of Models
Commercial modeling is the vast majority of modeling work. There are no height requirements but you must be an attractive, real person who can act. Commercial modeling includes modeling for television commercials and commercial print modeling. Commercial print modeling includes casual/lifestyles, corporate, fitness, swimwear, lingerie, glamour, and alternative modeling. Parts modeling is also part of commercial print modeling. Commercial modeling also includes promotional modeling.
Fashion modeling includes runway, catalog, editorial, and fit modeling. A fashion model must meet certain height requirements.
Nude modeling is modeling done while naked. It includes glamour nude, artistic nude, and erotic nude modeling.
Web modeling is not a legitimate form of modeling. It is however a way for amateur models to connect with amateur photographers. This is great for the photographers, but unfortunately leaves the model with poor pictures and bad habits.
Union
In acting, a union job is any job that falls under SAG or AFTRA and needs to comply with their work standards. Often, these jobs will only use talent that is part of their union.
Usage
How the images from the shoot will be used - will they be featured on a billboard, packaging, in a brochure, ect? Often times if there is additional usage (for example, the images were shot for a brochure but wind up being used in national magazine ads), the model will be paid an additional fee unless there is a buyout.
Voiceover
Voices recorded separately for television, film, or radio that are dubbed in over the picture.
Voucher
A billing form used by models after completing a job. The voucher logs the number of hours worked, the pay rate, the job, etc. It is filled out on set upon completion of the job and a copy goes to the model, the client, and to the model's agency so they may bill the client.
Wardrobe
The clothing provided (or that you provide) for a shoot or a job. The term wardrobe can also refer to the clothing requirements - business, casual, etc.
Weather Permit
A job done on location that depends on the weather being good.
