Posing Techniques

One of my major challenges in shoots is proper posing. I may not be camera shy or short of ideas for poses but positioning your body so that it flatters your physique and looks good on camera is truly a skill.

I got the opportunity to sit in at a shoot with the beautiful Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe 2012 Avionne Mark and model Sarah Agostini. Avionne has such poise and grace in front of the camera. I definitely picked up a few pointers from both models during the shoot.

Capturing 'action' shots

Even for 'action' shots, she posed. When shooting a leaping pose, Avionne faked leaping and held the pose for 2 or 3 seconds after the motion to give the photographer enough time to capture that perfect shot.

Avionne Mark holding her leap

Smizing

The first time I heard of smizing was while watching America's Next Top Model. Tyra Banks made a point that models should learn to smize i.e. smile with their eyes. This involves a light squint, seductive or fierce look with the eyes, depending on the theme of the shoot. The point is- your eyes need to speak as much as your body to sell the shot.

*runs off to practice smizing in front of mirror*

Sarah Agostini smizing

Working the ensemble

With long and flowing garments, don't just let it hang on your body- play with it! Use the extra cloth to give the picture life. Play with your outfit whether it be cloth, a head piece or accessories.

Avionne Mark using the long pieces
of the garment to liven the shot

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:

https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be

https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling

http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Demonstration Modelling

Mid- makeup application 

by makeup artiste Avinash Singh

Well as you may already know, there are various categories of modeling- from promotional to runway, commercial and demonstration to name a few.

I was asked to be a demonstration model for makeup artiste Avinash Singh for Dia Mia Spa. This I believe is the easiest type of modeling there is- you literally do nothing! Lol. You don't have to speak, retain product information or walk. All that is required of you is your presence. You are a muse to the artiste- whether it be for hair, nails, makeup or what have you- you just sit or stand in one position for onlookers to observe. 

Before make-up application

After make-up application

For this particular promotion, Avinash applied Carnival-themed makeup to my face. 

Contact card of Avinash Singh

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Tobago Fashion Coda Casting

So as promotional modelling is slowing down with the close of Carnival, runway modelling is slowly but surely coming onto the scene. The season for runway shows is upon us with upcoming fashion shows such as Runway Shift, Tobago Fashion Coda and Tobago Fashion Weekend to name a few.

I attended the casting call for Tobago Fashion Coda and was very nervous since this is one of the more prestige shows locally and mostly professional models were casted last year.

Auditions were held on March 22nd at KCASA DE ITIALIA.

When it was my turn to walk, the floor was so smooth at K CASA, it was slippery with my heels. As if this wasn't bad enough, my picture came out like a mug shot. I was almost certain I was not going to be selected. 

I was asked if I was available on April 24th (date of show) and told to check their page on Facebook for the list of chosen models.

Photo taken at casting

Model #66

Model Release and Authorization Form

Piece of Facebook post announcing final female model list

I was super excited when I realized I was selected :D


TIPS FOR CASTINGS:

MAKEUP
I don't wear makeup when I cast-- maybe just eyeliner and a bit of lip-gloss.
If your face has marks that need covering up, you can use some concealer and very little powder just to give a smooth and even, yet subtle look.
It is best to have minimum makeup on your face when casting as the judges like to see models with a 'natural' look.

HAIR
For runway show castings, it is best to have your hair pulled back in a pony or bun.

ATTIRE
This organization specified that female models attend in a fitted jeans and white fitted top.
This is the norm for most fashion show castings.
Do not wear excessive jewelry. I don't even wear earrings or a watch. The plainer you go, the better. Remember: the judges want to see you as a blank canvas for the designers' clothing!


Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Sasi Caribbean TV Commercial Shoot

Okay guys, so I've done a few photo-shoots and fashion shows and a million promotions in groceries and at events, but I have never done any advertisements. Knowing my interest to expand in the modelling industry, my friend gave me a link to a casting hosted by Sasi Caribbean Studios. This casting was late last December for a TV commercial for Scotia Bank Insurance.

I walked into the room filled with other models and immediately felt intimidated because I recognized most and they were very experienced models; models who were former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe delegates and models whose faces were familiar from other TV and print ads. 

As my turn to audition came, I made my way from the waiting room to the screening room. There was one photographer and one director from the advertising agency. I took pictures (for the agency's database since this was my first time), then we got to it. I had to simulate a situation the director described, recite a few words and smile A LOT into the camera. Even though the Sasi Caribbean Studios Director asked me to repeat a few times, I found the casting went alright. 

In January, I found out that I was shortlisted which meant that I had to go back for round two of castings for the lead female role. This time the screening room was filled with more people and cameras, and the director (who would be directing the actual shoot) was also present. I was asked to simulate a situation again and honestly, not sure if I was doing it properly Lol. I had to pretend I was talking to someone across a desk and shaking someone's hand, when there was no-one in front of me. They gave me specific lines to memorize and recite... then the director asked me to improvise after a while, which was a bit confusing for me because I knew nothing about insurance. 

The Assistant Director was giving me cues from behind the cameras so I had to juggle looking at her signal and at some point looking at the main camera and following directions at the same time. Sometimes I would make mistakes when speaking and had to stop and start over and sometimes they would ask me to repeat with minor changes like stressing on certain words or looking straight into the camera and smiling more or less at certain parts. This was just one scene and I was in the screening room for quite some time. Eventually, I was dismissed. The director gave me no feedback.

Days later, I was told that I did not get the lead role but that I could be an extra. A few days after that, I was contacted again and told that the client (a rep from Scotia Bank) found I looked too 'young' to even be an extra. Chupzzz.

*****

In March, I was contacted by Sasi Caribbean Studios again and told that I was selected to be an extra for a National Gas Liquids Limited TV commercial. We shot from 7-9am at the Hyatt Waterfont. I had no lines to memorize or recite as an extra; the other extras and I were literally just taking up space. In the scene we were shooting, I was dressed in business attire and I basically had to pretend I was going to office- walking briskly and chatting on my cell phone. You guys hear how simple this sounds, right? I did this AT LEAST 100 times :/

The Assistant Director kept making me and the other extras do the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and OVER again with minor variations. The Assistant Director would yell "Cut! Alright guys, one more time!" But when she says "one more time," she means 100 more times -_- The entire shoot was repetitive and annoying... and we were in the hot sun which made it even more tedious!

The other extras lined up before the Assistant Director yelled "Action!"

Everyone had to pretend they were bustling to work. 

Part of the crew

Contract signed by all extras

What one of the crew members was explaining to me is that the scene we were shooting might only get aired for about five seconds in the entire commercial and because I'm an extra, you might not even notice me on TV :/
--still going to look out for myself though! Lol.

Now that I've gotten a little taste of being in a TV commercial, not too sure I quite like it but grateful for the experience nontheless.       

Sasi Caribbean's facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasi-Caribbean/73843059834

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Carnival 2014- Scentsation Nation

For those of you who thought I was playing mas... clearly you don't know me! :p

Once again, I was doing promotions... Exhausted from the previous weekend, but still hustling to make that paper! Lol

I was asked to be a part of "Scentsation Nation", doing AXE promotions at Fantasy's rest stop at the Queen's Park Savannah on both Monday and Tuesday. It was enjoyable and actually not that much work.

The most fun part about the promotion was meeting foreigners and interacting with the masqueraders. I only worked while the band was resting for lunch. So once the bands left the rest stop, the promotional models were free to leave. Though we finished fairly early on both days, home girl was too tired to go and jump up with the rest of the masses. I was so eager to flee Port of Spain so I could reconnect with my bed! :/

I made a total of $10,310 for the Carnival season (the most I've ever made), however I'm not quite sure I'd work as much as I did next year. Since a lot of weekends I ended up working consecutively, when I finished working at a fete, I was too tired to stay back and lime with friends. I found myself counting down until Carnival- not like the average masquerader- but I couldn't wait for the season to be over with.

I am actually surprised I didn't catch the flu since I wasn't taking any multi-vitamins and constantly depriving myself of sleep. I was so drained of energy when Carnival was finally over that I stayed home from school for the remainder of the week *hides face*


Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

DLR Creations Photoshoot

In the midst of all the Carnival promotions, I managed to squeeze in a photo-shoot with the talented designer SpaceBoi De La Rosa.

No doubt I was sleep deprived from promotions the night before and earlier that day but had to press on for the shoot. Luckily I didn't have too far to drive. Make-up and wardrobe was at Trincity while the shoot was held at Eddie Hart Savannah.

I was familiar with the cast members so the shoot was fun and somehow comical.
I felt like a gangster in my outfit! LOL

For more of DLR's designs, check out the following pages:
Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/dlrclothingco
Instagram-- http://instagram.com/dlrclothingco


Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Red Light District

At the Viking Band House casting, I was told that if chosen, I'd have to be on call for a series of events in the upcoming weeks to promote soca artiste Bunji Garlin's concert- Red Light District.

And so said, so done... A few evenings well I had to rush after class straight to the studio for make up (done by the talented Nisha) then to various venues to promote. I met a lovely bunch of young ladies and this is the most fun I think I've ever had at promotions!

The venues included Tequila Twist on the Avenue, Synergy's Friday Night Live, Woodford Cafe and Zen to name a few. My favourite Red Light District promotion was a motorcade in a limousine on the avenue, hitting all the popular bars and hang-out spots! ...Who told them to open the sun roof? We had too much fun!

Red Light District Promotions for the Viking Band House were my most enjoyable so far for the year. Honestly, it didn't feel like I was working at all; felt like I was getting paid to lime! Haha

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Promo Banton

From having sleepless nights, to getting pulled over by the police to falling asleep at events... Lol. If I wasn't documenting this, you guys would probably think I was making all of it up.

One of my crazy Carnival weekend schedules looked like this:

Saturday

Cosmo All Inclusive

2-4am

Hi Lo, St. Augustine

9am-1pm

Xtra Foods, Arima

3-7pm

Wicked in White

10pm-2am

Though I am an experienced promotional model, I still find myself learning more ways to improve... Since my schedule is so jam-packed for one day, I should have probably walked with my change of clothes on me- in the event that I got held back- like I did.

Thank goodness I had my driver's license on me! I had to drive to the driver's sister's home (coincidentally in St. Augutine) so she could take over the wheel from Hi Lo... and meet her brother at the police station.

I know what you guys are thinking-- So why didn't I drive from the beginning if the driver was drinking? But I was drunk with SLEEP and honestly the driver seemed okay enough to drive. I was surprised to find out that he was over the legal limit.

Thank goodness I have a caring sister, Shonelle, that knows I'm super busy and too tired to get behind the wheel. Shonelle drove us to town and hung around just so that my friend and I could have a safe ride to and from the venue. THAT is love! :)

I actually wasn't that sleepy at the first grocery but once I got home, I crashed :/ I felt like someone had beat me up and at the second grocery, I struggled to keep my eyelids open o_O 

At Wicked in White, because I was surrounded by loud music, performances on stage and a very energetic crowd, my sleepy-ness temporarily went away. However once the promotion was over, I cashed again :/

 Nisa caught me sleeping in the Tresemme caravan

while waiting for my sister to pick us up.

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Chronicles of a Rolley Polley

I thought doing a blog related to model fitness would be very timely now since most people focus on nutrition and working out more during the Carnival season.

Check out this video of my fitness instructor Mikhail giving advice on diet and exercise and see some simple cardio moves from my friend Nisa and I. For those who don't have time or money to go to the gym... No excuses! You can do this at home :P

Model Nisa Mohammed on the elliptical machine

Nisa rehydrating after our 'abs and glutes' class

Some models naturally look skinny while eating junk, and I personally have a friend who is really toned and she has never set foot in a gym... Me on the other hand, if I miss consecutive gym days or eat too many carbs, I literally look like a Rolley Polley.

That's why I try to go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week to do light cardio coupled with moderate weight training. I LOVE cardio classes, espicially spin! I'm a member of Xtreme Fitness, Arima (which I believe to be one of the better gyms in Trinidad) and unlike other gyms I've experienced, this one has a wonderful training environment with awesome facilities and it surely helps when the fitness instructors are good looking! ;) 

I try to always watch what I eat but usually put myself on a strict diet two weeks prior to a fashion show. Last year while I was preparing for Tobago Fashion Weekend, I lost 5 lbs without even exercising. Everyday I would eat fruits for breakfast, salad with fish for lunch and sometimes I ate dinner (because the fashion shows would run late into the night and I wouldn't get back to the hotel until 11 or after 12.) However when I had dinner, I had soup. I constantly snacked throughout the day with plantain chips, fruit cocktail, yogurt, granola bars, nuts and raisins, and drank nothing but water. I refrained from flour, oil, sugar and meat... I find it's easier to diet when you eat the same meals repeatedly. However if I were working out, I'd be taking protein powder once or twice a day. I use the protein powder as a meal supplement and it helps tone and build muscle while weight training. 

Some people tend to think this is extreme but you really get used to it after a while. But now (as I'm not preparing for any fashion shows in the immediate future) I just generally watch what I eat:-

• I keep carbs to a minimum. I eliminate all flour-based products: bread, bake, biscuits, roti, pizza, pasta (yes, all that good stuff lol.) If I eat carbs though, like potato, I have early in the day so I can burn it off during the course of the day.  
• I drink water and... water! Lol Water is all I pretty much drink. I may have a cup of green tea here and there and sometimes while I'm having my Sunday lunch I end up drinking juice. I cannot remember the last time I drank soft drink.
• I don't eat carbs after 6pm... or I'll feel a state of RolleyPolley-ness coming on again.
• I eat a lot of oats, greens, eggs, tuna, cereal and salads.
• I don't drink alcohol. Besides not liking the taste of alcohol, it's really unnecessary calories. 
• I don't drink cow's milk (which is very fattening.) I have almond or rice milk with my cereal.
• I always read labels. If the first ingredient is flour, I put the package back down. 

...FLOUR, OIL AND SUGAR ARE THE DEVIL!

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Fete After Fete After Fete

Well it's Canival season in sweet sweet T&T and for promotional models that means one thing- WORK!

This semester I'm doing 7 courses (yes I know, I'm crazy) and I must admit: it's sometimes challenging balancing my family life, school work and modeling.

Weekends are my busiest times... fete after fete after fete (literally lol.)

It's important though, that we as promotional models get sufficient rest. A lot of times I don't get enough sleep and I'm tired while driving. It's crazy on the roadways and even more so now since it's Carnival.

I was telling my friend that while driving home after promotions an afternoon I fell asleep at the traffic light. Could you imagine that the little time the light took to change from red to green, I dropped to sleep?! Sounds ridiculous right?

After talking to him, however, he warned me and gave me a story that one of his friends died because they fell asleep at the wheel. It really hit home when he spoke to me and I realized that this was dangerous not only for myself, but for other innocent drivers on the road as well.

Now, I feel as though I'm obligated to share some of the tips he taught me. I know it'll be beneficial to all drivers, especially those who usually have to drive while they're sleepy or tired.

TIPS FOR SLEEPY DRIVERS:

1. Turn up the radio. Have it on FULL BLAST. Put the radio on your favourite station and sing along to the songs.

2. If this isn't working, and you feel as though you can drive no longer... PULL OVER! Pull aside on the shoulder for some time. You can even set your phone alarm to wake up at a specified time.

3. Drive to the nearest police station. If you have a long way till your destination, or feel unsafe pulling over in the area in which you are driving, head to the nearest police station. Inform the officers that you're parking your vehicle outside their station to sleep... Safest place to catch a snooze! :p  

Check out my video to see how busy my weekends can be!

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?ref=hl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no

Viking Band Casting

So after learning that I was required to create a blog as my project for Communication via Social Networking, I was left wondering about the topic I could cover. Luckily, my classmate Brian gave me the bright idea of blogging about my modeling journey and experiences! [Big up Bri Bri] 

My goal would be to create awareness of parts of the local modeling industry by displaying behind the scenes footage at castings and training sessions, in addition to interviews from those within the industry. You can also expect to see an inside look at modeling -both promotional and runway- on the job and all the preparation that goes into it.

And how timely this decision was....

[Excerpt of message received] There will be a casting from 6pm to 8 30pm Friday 24th January at the Viking band room on Panka street, St James for promotion girls/models for Red Light District .... dress in black walk with heels...

As soon as class was over, I made my way across to the band room, and dragged Brian with me (lol). We had a little trouble finding the place, but once we got there, I settled in and began documenting my experience.

Have a look! :-)

Standard Casting Call Form 

Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2012 Athaliah Samuel advising one of the models

Be sure to check the following pages for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthescenesofmodeling?skip_nax_wizard=true
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDWkAop0f1I&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/BTSofModeling
http://www.pinterest.com/?allow_nux=no