Jennifer Rachaelle has been working in the entertainment industry for fifteen years. She has worked with some of the top agents, photographers, producers and directors, etc… JenniferRachaelle.com was designed on line to be visible to people all over the world, because so many people, just like you who are just beginning have no idea what they are getting themselves into. It is easy to be deceived when you have stars in your eyes!!!

Members of Jennifer Rachaelle have acquired the competitive advantage needed to embark on a successful new career in the modeling and acting industry, and her unique training platform is unsurpassed in the industry and has consistently produced highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals.

You will learn tips and tricks of the trade through her monthly newsletter and blogs. You will receive free content and information regarding being a part of the entertainment industry that will shave years off your learning curve.. Jennifer Rachaelle also offers private mentoring/coaching programs and can be contacted directly via e-mail to set up an appointment.

The number one goal of Jennifer Rachaelle is to help you and mold you to be the best that you can by consistently giving you the knowledge needed to succeed in this industry! Whether you want to act or model she is willing to guide you through all necessary steps and get you on your way. Working alongside some of the most established agents and world known photographers she has  been able to direct her members to the most trusted, successful people in the industry. Utilizing her extensive industry experience she is able to accomplish the ability for you to succeed. This industry is not ALL GLITZ AND GLAMOUR and if that is the impression you are under then you are in for a seriously rude awakening. It requires allot of hard work and dedication to your dreams!!

If you have a question or a comment to any of the blog posts, you are welcome to e-mail Jennifer at Jennifer@JenniferRachaelle.com

You will  receive a reply within a 48 hour period.

On your resume and in your marketing package make sure you list the number that you can be contacted at any minute of the day. This will be your life line in this industry. The more available you are to speak with when your agent calls, will send the message that you are serious about working in this industry and wanting to book jobs. People who do not make themselves readily available do not, and will not receive consistent calls.Castings can come in at any time and be only a few hours away. You don’t ever want to miss what could of been a golden opportunity. This may start out for you as a “hobby” or may be something you have always heard you should be a part of…

You must always be prepared for this to become your daily routine, you never know… Joining this industry could possibly change your life and you may very well be the next big name on the tip of  every ones tongue. If you have a casting, audition, fitting, open call, etc, that you are scheduled for be sure to have your marketing package together and get directions the night before. Estimate the amount of time it will take you to get there and give yourself an extra half hour travel time.

If you are going somewhere where parking may not be readily available ask a friend to tag along so you can arrive on time and they can handle the parking for you. No one is interested in seeing someone who cannot show up on time. Remember, this is your first face to face,in person impression, and any little thing you did not prepare for ahead of time could very well hinder you from booking the job…

Your presence, attitude, and aura will either give off a good or bad vibe. That is your decision… Be who you are but  REMEMBER it is your option to be respectful, courteous, on time, dedicated etc…

Your conscious decision, your right to choose success or failure…

After all, you got into this industry with the intent to work so give it your very best and do what is required of you.

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In the age range of newborn to five years of age, you the parent will be taking your own pictures of your children. Some parents will want to go out and have them taken professionally but it is not recommended or necessary, either is a composite card or head shot due to the out of pocket expense and the fact that at this age your child is rapidly changing.

 However, if your child begins to get booked for allot of jobs then getting them head shots to send out is not a bad idea!

 Cards have to be updated every six months for an adult, so imagine at this age it could end up being every other month and it’s just not worth it. A 5×7 color photo of your child with their name, date of birth and your contact info on the back is all you need to submit to an agent.

Depending on the agency and the direction that you are leaning towards you may also want to supply the agent with a black and white photo as well.

 One to three photos is all you need for a first time submission to an agent. If you are mailing out your photos to different agencies send an introduction letter with all of your contact information along with the photos and a self addressed envelope.

 If you do not receive a phone call or e-mail within seven business days from the time you mailed out then you can place a call or send an email to them to find out if the agency is interested in representing your child.

 Also, it should NEVER, NEVER cost you anything to be represented by an agent and if they are asking for monies then it is time for you to get up and walk out of the appointment or open call you are attending.

 The agent gets paid when your child books a job and the pay rate for them is between 15-20%.

 Model searches that book hotel rooms and then call you back the next day to tell you your child has been picked and you need to put up ex amount of dollars , sometimes in the thousands!!!

 !!! IT IS A SCAM !!! 

DO NOT GIVE AWAY YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY, THESE PEOPLE ARE ROBBING YOU IN PERSON. YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIGHT YOUR MONEY ON FIRE!!!

 Check your state regulations regarding registration fees and such. Do your homework, your bank account will thank you!!!

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A composite card is a models marketing tool. Sometimes they are also called a Zen card and I’ve seen them done wallet, post card and standard size. However, standard size is what you will need for professional purposes.

 If you are trying to break into the modeling industry then you are required to have a composite card. Your agent will be sending your composite cards to their clients to help book you jobs.

A composite card will have your name and a head shot of you on the front of the card, and three to four pictures of you on the back card your stats and agency logo will be listed.

 Your composite cards need to be updated no later than every six months unless you decide to make  changes to your appearance. If this is the case, you are required to redo your composite cards right away. You should never send in a composite card with your hair blond and then show up at an audition with it black or  six inches shorter. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER…

Agents expect to see you exactly as you are on your composite card and will represent you as so. So please no glamour shots on the front of your card, you should look as natural as possible.

You may do a formal or fashion shot on the back side of the card if you choose, and it  gives you a little more room to play and show off your personality.

  Be sure to always take these along with you when you are attending an open call or going to a casting and include them in your professional marketing package.

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A head shot is the actors marketing tool and there are three different types.The commercial composite, theatrical and commercial head shots. Each one is used for a different avenue in the industry.

It is a 8×10 photo of yourself in B&W from the shoulders up. However, with changing times and trends, I have seen them in color as well and the photos of the actor/actress have been in in three quarter length shots.When giving a head shot to a agent BE SURE to have your resume’ attached, flushed up against the back.“This is the only and proper way to present your head shot”

Your head shots need to be updated every four to six months and that includes the resume’ on the back. Remember, you must always appear in person the same way that you do in photo…

There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule!!!

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Your Professional marketing package will consist of several items.
 

Your composite card and or head shot, resume’, introduction/cover letter and a self addressed stamped envelope. If you own demo or audio reels of yourself, please include these as well.When you are doing mail-outs to several or many agents at at time you must make sure they all receive a full package, do not leave anything out. If you are going in person to meet the agent, the same rules apply. The only difference between a mail-out and an appointment with the agent is that you will get to interact with them on a more personal level and they will get to see what you are all about instead of just looking at your professional Marketing Package.

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  Gotta Have It If You Want To Be A Shining Star

 As I told you in my last post about how to succeed in the industry, I was not joking when I told you that getting training of any kind and learning new things will push you up the ladder of success. Meaning, if you are lazy, you will be unaccomplished, and if your satisfied with just living mediocre day to day  then you will get nowhere in this business or in your life.

 This is your dream right?

 Do you want it so bad you can taste it and will do whatever it takes to get yourself noticed, seen, heard, talked and wrote about? You either want to be a success or a failure and from my experience I don’t think there are many people out there that want to fail or be labeled as a failure… You will fall down in this business but you will pick yourself back up… You will hear the word no over and over again, but you must keep focusing on hearing the YES!!!

No Holds Barred, Strut Your Stuff Baby… If you’ve got it use it, if you don’t, learn it, don’t ever expect the job/booking of a lifetime to just fall into your lap!!! Go make your dream a reality…

Booker : Person at agency who sets appointments for models

Booking : Your job

Book Out : Telling your agent that you are unavailable to work for certain days

 Casting : An interview for the model, actor, talent, etc… to see if they fit the requirements of the job/booking

Go See : Models interview

Fashion/Runway Show : Involves an audience, runway stage, music and photographers… Models walk or as I prefer to say, strutt their stuff down the runway to show off new designer or boutique clothing

Fees: Amount of money paid to model per hour

Fitting : Trying on garments to get correct sizing before doing a fashion show or shoot. The client will select  a model whose measurements match the sample size exactly

Flippers : False teeth used on  younger children to temporarily fill in for the baby teeth they are loosing

Freelancing : Modeling for clients without any agency representation… You become your own agent

Models Bag : A large tote/hobo bag in which you carry all your makeup and working essentials

Models Release  : A contract in which the model gives permission to use the photo however the client specifies in writing. This is a legally binding contract, so you may want to go over the paper work with your lawyer or agent before signing

Modeling Agency  : Represents  the model for employment and receives a percentage of the bookings

Monologue  : A scene performed by one person for the client, usually requires reading from a script and is designed to show off your acting skills

 Open call : A meeting for models, actors, talent, etc… to come and present themselves and is open to the public

Portfolio : A book with models tear-sheets, and some of your other work

Principal : Main performer

Print :  Photograph printed in newspaper or magazine

Printwork : Photos taken for catalog and mail order, books, brochures, ads for magazines or newspapers, magazine covers, commercial photography for household products, business products and services, glamour products

Talent Agent : They are your representation to the client. They will try to get you work and when a casting comes through and if you fit the criteria they will then submit your cards and info to the client. If you book the job the agent gets a percentage of your pay. Usually 15 to 20 percent.

If you are of any age, in school, college, whatever and have the opportunity to join theatre/drama class, music, secondary language, dance, cheer leading or sports team then you should use that to your advantage. You are already ahead of the game if you play it this way. You will also want to research everything you can about the industry and what is required of you. Read about some of your favorite model, actors, musicians and really listen to their stories…

It was not overnight for them and they had to work every part of their being to get to the point that they are at now… Undivided dedication brings about great results and those people delved right into their dreams. I’m sure there were days and nights where they felt they just couldn’t do it anymore but their persistence, dedication and faith they had manifested them right into the dream they envisioned and now they are actors, models, singers, comedians, etc…

The more you know and the more skills you possess will only bump you up the ladder your gonna be climbing to get to the top in the entertainment industry. For example, if you were to go to a casting and it was required of you to play a sport for a commercial and you didn’t know how but were willing to learn, who do you think will book that job? You, who is willing to be trained or the other person who already has that skill under their belt? Nine times out of ten it will be them and not you who books the job.

Allot of people may not give you the type of support you would like about wanting to do this and that is okay only if you still move forward. Success is your only option…

If you want to act than put your self in as many classes as possible and do plays throughout you years in school. This will build your stage presence and teach you what it takes to bring and gain control of your emotions. Watch documentaries on some of your favorite actors and listen to the advice they give, take to heart what they are telling you because they are speaking from years of experience and learning.

Some have fallen down hard time and time again, but they brushed themselves off and  brought their name back to life on the silver screen and back onto the tips of everyone’s tongue. It does not matter where you come from or where you were raised, but your life’s experiences will help mold you as an actor… Depending on where life has brought you, you may be able to reach further inside of yourself and give off the persona of a deeper person who knows and feels more and is able to exude that when you are in front of the camera. Knowing your skill and being able to be honest with your self about who you are and what you possess is gonna help you out tremendously along the way baby.

There are three P’s for you to remember:

Preservation

Patience

Persistence

The ending result if you follow the three P’s will be productivity. You will make it all the way if you just keep pushing ahead!!! Without these three qualities there is no hope for you , you will not achieve your dreams.

One of my favorite quotes is from Nicholas Cage, and he says this:

” To be a good actor you have to be something like a criminal, to be willing to break the rules to strive for something new”

Are you prepared to go out of your box and break your rules to strive for something better? Are you willing to risk it all o achieve your dreams? And can you do these things with no regrets?

I believe in you and that is because you are here right now reading these words and I know that they are speaking to you. Now it is up to you to take the bull by the horns and get ready for the ride of your life… Just remember no matter how many times you get bucked off, you need to get right back up on that bull until you master your skill. You are more capable than you may even know and I am here to help, motivate, constructively criticize and hold your hand as you take these steps…

I am so proud of you that you have gotten your self to this level. Now lets take another step higher and get you started in the entertainment industry…