|
Modeling is supposed to be about exotic locations and lots of money, right? Well, how’s Cavanaugh’s with its plastic plants for exotic? And how’s $250 for lots of money — and that’s what participants had to pay. For some, the Sept. 18 ProScout seminar was only a temporary employment opportunity, but for others it represented the first step in launching a lifelong career. ProScout, a Chicago-based modeling scout company, was in Kalispell offering FHS students — and anyone else who showed up — the chance at breaking into a modeling career. “(People) say how superficial it all is, but I don’t care. It is a way I can make money,” said senior Morgan Ward. “If I do get it (a modeling job) I won’t stay very long. I just want to get some money for college.”
The dozens of people who showed up for the ProScout seminar were given some blunt advice. The company was looking for the whole physical package: how far apart a person’s eyes are, the distance from eyes to nose and eyes to mouth.
“She was honest about our chances at making it,” said Ward. “She presented it really well and was straightforward about the whole modeling process.”
Once the prospective models were selected, they were told that in November ProScout was hosting a Model Invitational in Banff, Canada. The Invitational will cost each model $250 plus room, board and transportation. Models are also required to have professional pictures taken before they go to the event. The weekend is designed to allow models to meet the agencies that can launch their careers.
“I called the Better Business Bureau to check up on (ProScout). I would hate to spend all that money and find out they’re all a bunch of flakes,” said Ward. “If I don’t get selected I’ll live, but I probably won’t enter myself in another one of these things. It is just a gamble you have to take.”
Ward was one of the more experienced models at the ProScout meeting. In the summer of 1995, Ward was selected to model for Dockers, The Gap, and Banana Republic. She was paid $100 a day for the shoot.
“It was great; you get paid all this money and all you had to do was wear their jeans,” said Ward. “(But) I didn’t really like the people much because they were superficial and condescending. They treated me like I was in a lower class.”
Ward is only looking for employment, but other FHS students are looking to the camera for a more permanent career.
This summer junior Lana Dolmatova and her mother were in Melbourne Beach, Fla., when an unexpected opportunity appeared. While walking through the mall, she saw a table with Arizona Jeans posters and people handing out surveys for passersby interested in modeling.
“I guess I was bored so I took the survey,” said Dolmatova.
After filling out the survey, Dolmatova had her picture taken and was told that if she was what they were looking for they would call her.
“I have always wanted to (model),” said Dolmatova. “People have always told me that I should model, but because I am only 5’6" I never thought I would. I found it was more about how you act in front of the camera” than how tall you are.
Two days later, an Arizona Jeans representative called to invite Dolmatova to the studio to model jeans for the Blue Bottoms catalog. When she arrived at the studio the next day, she found she was one of nine models — six girls and three guys — to participate in the photo shoot. Dolmatova was taken into the dressing room to have hair and makeup done and was surprised by the next question.
“They asked me if I would cut my hair,” said Dolmatova. “I didn’t know what they would do if I said no, so I said okay, but not too short.”
Dolmatova spent the next four days modeling Arizona’s jeans and T-shirts before her return to Kalispell. Upon her arrival she sent her pictures to a New York modeling agency.
Dolmatova is currently waiting for their response.
“I would (like to) pursue a career in modeling,” said Dolmatova. “There are not a lot of people who would turn a chance like this down.
“The only problem with (agencies) is if you don’t like what they want to do with you.”
|
|
