Los Angeles: CM goes LA – Become a model, casting dates & agency
Model Agency Los Angeles – Hello LA! Your favorite model agency is now in LA. Become a model, application, castings, now also in California, one of the most beautiful states in the USA. You always wanted to become a model at CM? You already applied for LA or you never did? Now is your chance! Apply online now or come to one of the next live castings. Here is some first info about LA.
Becoming a Model and Castings: News
Indeed, it’s time, the big dream comes true and we open our first office in Los Angeles! January 12 is the official start and probably the kick-off for a lot of work. With CM Models, we have built a strong and popular agency with clients over the past few years. With international jobs, in Europe and America. If you’ve been out of Los Angeles before but haven’t had an agency invitation yet, second chance? And even if you haven’t had any contact with our agency before, this is your chance to apply to our modeling agency.
Here are some first tips for your model application in Los Angeles and the process.
Becoming a Model: Requirements in Los Angeles
For models there are many requirements, for example, in the height, the weight, as well as in the resulting proportions. Even in Los Angeles there are strict measurements when it comes to international fashion clients, commercials and fashion shows. Of course there are always exceptions, the zeitgeist changes the fashion world, the media but also the advertising. What we as a model agency, also our model scouts pay special attention to, are for example small, extra highlights, such as freckles or tooth gaps. So there is no perfect model, not even in LA. But as a model you come very close to the ideal of beauty. As described, you can not summarize it in general have e.g. give a few guidelines.
For female models, the ideal case
- Body height women 174 to 180 cm
- Beautiful and / or striking face
- Slim proportions
For men models is the ideal case:
- Body height from 184 to approx. 192 cm
- Slim and athletic proportions
- Muscle building must not be too extreme
- Cutie or striking
As described, if you really want to become a model, you should try it and just send an application. Then you will see if the model scout gets back to you or if you don’t get any feedback. If you want to apply, you’ll find some important information right here! Before that, let’s take a quick look at the typical path to a modeling contract. How does one actually become tomorrow? How do you get discovered as a model?
Become a model in LA: 3 ways to a model contract
There are 3 ways to become a model.
- Scouting on the street or Instagram
- Online application with Polaroids
- Open Model Agency Casting
Let’s look at the 3 ways, their advantages and disadvantages, in detail.
Scouting on the street or instagram
The most direct and immediate way to a new contract in Los Angeles is to be discovered by one of the model agency scouts.
The very first step is a visit to our agency, here you get to know our model booker and we get to know you. Here it is no longer “only” primarily about height, weight, proportions, but about motivation and sympathy. This is the fastest way, therefore it is also quickly described.
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Online application with Polaroids
The best way for you is the online application. Here you can check quickly, free of charge and without obligation, whether your type is currently being sought in our agency portfolio.
The online application is completed in a few seconds, all you need is a few contact details and Polaroids. What that is, you can read here!
In addition, you only need to send a few initial data and information. The entry is very simple, there is a ready-made application form. You only need to enter a few details, e.g. your name, your place of residence, your contact details such as phone and email address and your height. In addition, you send two photos. Ideally a portrait and a full body photo. You can find a good description of how to take your photos in the link above.
Open Model Agency Casting
Way number 3, to become a model, are open agency castings, which are offered from time to time. E.g. in the context of Fashion Week. Here in Los Angeles you will get more frequent model casting appointments in the near future.
How does such an open model casting actually work? Basically, the agency wants to get to know as many as possible in a short time. Getting to know someone live is still something different than judging someone through photos or videos. Such open model castings are relatively costly for model agencies in the organization. You need a location, the right and important people, as well as bookers and scouts must have time. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to organize such live castings, because as described, you get to know the people much better!
Queue – at open castings there is often a bigger queue if 50 or 100 models are there at the same time. It’s best to relax, find a comfortable spot and distract yourself with your smartphone. Waiting times and patience are definitely part of a model’s job.
Model Castings: Dates in LA
Don’t want to miss a casting call in Los Angeles? Follow and very much to instagram!
Tip + Advantage CM: We are looking for models not only for the American market, but also for the European market. An unbeatable advantage, one management for two large territories.
Here you can see for example one of our last big castings in Berlin, Germany:
Who are we? CM: The Model Agency
Our agency was founded in 2015 and since then we have fought our way to the top! With our team! Model bookers, scouts, models, influencers, as well as accounting and international setup.
- So CM is not “just” a model agency, but a management.
Another advantage that many models and influencers appreciate about our concept. We not only take care of the placement, but also the set-up and international placement. So that you can work not only in your local market, not only regionally and nationally, but internationally.
We are looking for models for various jobs for our clients in Los Angeles. Starting with fittings and showrooms, for fashion retailers and buyers, to fashion shows, with something more perfect. Typical model jobs at our agency also include social media shoots, such as for Instagram, as well as e-commerce shoots for new collections and campaigns. Once you’ve mastered all these levels, it’s on to campaigns, photo shoots and commercials. With broadcasting, on national TV, streaming providers on an international level, in the cinema, as well as on your smartphone, in apps or in the browser.
Here again a small overview, to the different model jobs:
- Showroom
- Fashion show
- Social media
- E-commerce
- Campaign
- Commercials
Welcome to the City of Angels
From Central City to Bel Air to Hollywood, Long Beach, Venice and a little further to Malibu, no part of LA and yet beautiful and relatively close. But LA is most famous for Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and the world famous Hollywood sign.
CM @ Santa Monica
Model Agency Los Angeles
What does it take to be a model? And… what recommendations do we have for your next spontaneous trip to LA? From restaurants to hotels to the best parks to relax in. Read more about our model agency and Los Angeles here.
If you want to make it to the top, you should have a goal as a model. You should work abroad sooner or later! Although you already have many options in Germany and already live in a big market for advertising and fashion, there are even bigger jobs and campaigns abroad. You already know the “Big Four” from Fashion Weeks all over the world. But there are many more interesting markets for models abroad. In Europe, for example, there are Istanbul, Athens and Barcelona. In Asia there are several well-known and up-and-coming metropolises. As a model you can work here in Seoul, in Tokyo, Hong Kong or right next to Hong Kong, Gzenshen. As a model, the world is open to you.
International Modeling: Chand from Stockholm visits Germany / Shooting Time
In our new small model documentary we accompanied Chand three days in Germany. Together with Oliver Rudolph Chand shoots for trueprodigy. The brand sells in over 35 countries! So that the looks in the new lookbook, the shop and the store elements are just right, the label flew Chand in from Stockholm. We accompanied Chand backstage, in the hotel, in the gym but also at breakfast. A little insight for New Faces!
Casting! Casting! Casting! Production cities in Southern Europe and Asia
Most models are automatically drawn to the “Big Four”. However, many also go to cities for a few months to build up the book, cities that you don’t initially associate with fashion, but which are a microcosm all of their own. These include cities like Istanbul, Mumbai and Hong Kong. Here, products are produced for the whole world. Not only fashion, but also electronics and toys. Many producers are keen to do photo shoots and video shoots directly on location. Here the productions are much cheaper. Thus, the teams are larger, the shootings sets more elaborate.
Elephant, helicopter or dreamlike South Seas beaches? No problem! These countries are a real Eldorado for building up your own book, as you can get an extremely wide range of jobs directly. In addition, there are big brands that produce photos for dealers and buyers right here. This way you can also quickly get international brands. What is the catch? Of course there is a catch, the payment. While you earn four-digit sums as a model in Germany even as a New Face, here it’s only a few hundred euros. While German agencies are strict about rights of use, a subsequent payment is often not so certain. The A&O here is a large agency that has been working with the local agency for a long time and has had good experiences.
Placement – Model agencies and jobs worldwide
At some point comes the moment in which your model agent or your model agency will talk to you about the topic of foreign countries and placement. In principle, there are two different forms of placement abroad.
Direct Booking – direct booking of the model for commercials and shootings
Direct bookings are the most pleasant form of cooperation for you as a model. Your mother agency recommends you to their partner agencies or one of the agencies would like to work with you. Through direct bookings model agencies try to fill their portfolio perfectly, so that they have new interesting models for their customers. With high priced jobs it is often no longer relevant where you come from. The travel expenses are taken over Europe-wide or even worldwide. That’s why agencies like to take good models for direct bookings. You are then just like in your mother agency in the model board of one or more agencies. Availability and option requests are then always forwarded directly to your parent agency. This does not change much for you. Also all updates of measurements, pictures and video material will be coordinated by your mother agency. With a little luck you will get your first bookings quickly. Since these are “direct” you won’t have to go on a casting beforehand, you will be booked solid and travel to the production location. But it is much more profitable for you to give directly on location, to “on stay”.
On Stay – Work abroad for two to three months
The supreme discipline for models: conquer the world! During an On Stay you will travel as a model for sixty to ninety days to a partner agency. Especially in the beginning, you will live in model shared flats and attend countless castings every day. If you decide to take this step, it is clear to you that you want to concentrate fully on life as a model. A stay abroad must be planned in advance. In Germany, most models start after school, before they begin their studies. For models it is the ideal time to travel. You are currently in the stage of “never seen before” and are in the absolute prime of your life. If you take the chance now, you can make it internationally as a model.
On Stay Expiry – How you live during your stay
First of all, as a model you have to actively decide to try your hand abroad. The active decision is important because you will have to deal with big agencies and clients at a young age. For example, if you say that you would like to go abroad, your agency will invest time in finding a good agency for you. Contracts will be signed and maybe airline tickets already booked. If you break off a few days before, this will not have a positive effect on your career, as trust will be lost. It is also important for you to have thought everything through in advance. You will be in a foreign country and will also be living with strangers for sixty to ninety days. If you are still young, talk to your parents about your plans right at the beginning. They have a lot of life experience and can always give you good advice on your way. Besides, you will always have a contact person in your agency from the beginning.
Many models ask me at the beginning, how does such an “On Stay” work? Will it cost me money? With a good model agency behind you, your stay abroad is just as well planned as a package holiday. Contracts are signed weeks or even months before the trip. So you know very early when you will travel, where you will live, who your local contact person is and much more.
An On Stay never costs you money as a model. Good agencies always work on the principle that you as a model have no investment. The partner agency abroad takes over all your expenses in advance. This includes the flight tickets, the accommodation but also services on site such as gyms, drivers or “pocket money”. In the end, the costs are deducted from your income. If you end up with a negative amount, the agency will cover the costs. This is what we call “minus balance.” In any case, you gain experience, certainly footage and it doesn’t cost you a cent. Good model agencies invest in their models. If you are proposed for an On Stay, the agency believes in you and the success you could have abroad. Also the local partner agency believes in your success, otherwise they would not invest time and money to fly you in for two to three months.
Yulffi: Bangkok, Munich, Cologne, Madrid to Tokyo
Yulffi is on the road a lot. Here he was after his Reebok campaign (Munich) for a stopover in Cologne to shoot with our Janine, Lea and New Face Johnson. Soon it’s back to Bangkok and with a little luck on to Tokyo.
Garantuee Contract – Guaranteed income and great jobs
Models who have made it far, had many clients and an absolutely fantastic book will gradually get their first “Garantuee Contracts”. Then you even get a guaranteed minimum income from the agencies. They do this when you are so good as a model that, in theory, you don’t need to travel abroad anymore. Or, you already travel so much that other agencies have to convince you to come to them. If you made it here, congratulations.
At some point you will just travel. No longer for sixty to ninety days, but for days and weeks, from country to country, from production to production. Because at some point your network will have grown so much that your management will completely take over the management of your time. You constantly get requests and have to plan your life and all your travels exactly.
If you haven’t had the question in your head for a long time, maybe now you will.
How much does a successful model earn anyway?
As I said, at the beginning of your career you will usually do small jobs for relatively, small fees. Models who make it definitely have the chance to earn an incredible amount of money. Of course I can’t tell you the exact fees, but I want to give you an insight. In Germany you will get for most shootings and shoots fees that are in the four-digit range. Some of them even fall into the three-digit range, for example for small labels that you like yourself. Commercials, on the other hand, quickly bring in high four-figure, sometimes five-figure amounts. It depends on how many production days there are, in how many countries the commercial is broadcast and in which media. For a large commercial, for example for a luxury manufacturer, it can be twenty to fifty thousand euros or US dollars. Whereby the limits are open, some make it already in very young years to etrem much success like supermodel Cara Delevingne or Beckham offspring Brooklyn Beckham. For his first Burberry campaign he got 57,000 US dollars, at the age of 19. It’s worth travelling for, bit by bit: Berlin, Milan, Paris, New York.
