Perhaps you have a dream of ultimately ending up in big screen film or television – or perhaps you are keen to promote your skills in front of a film camera for modelling work.

Our many and varied clients often require models of all ages, looks and types to take part in their filmed advertisements, campaign material and promotions.

And if they can see just how much you shine out within a moving image then you stand a much greater chance of being selected by them.

So what suggestions do we have for would-be models and actors who have never made a showreel before?

1. Look online to see examples of other people’s showreels. You want to draw ideas from the very best showreels and also consider what you feel doesn’t work very well. Watch lots of different examples and make lots of notes.

2. If you have existing sections of film that you want to include – perhaps from work you have already done – then think carefully about which footage to use. You want to use the sections that will most appeal to the people offering the kind of bookings you would like to accept. Resist the temptation to include everything. Just select the best bits.

3. If you are making a showreel from scratch and do not yet have professional material but want to show yourself moving and interacting with other people in different settings, think about how you can do this. Perhaps select a couple of outfits and ask a friend to film you modelling them. Smile, laugh and change your position as you move, so we can really see what you look like.

4. Make an impression at the beginning of the showreel. Start with the footage you think has the most impact. Then try to keep it engaging throughout. Consider how to finish with a memorable section as well. After all, you want people to remember you.

5. You do not have to pay for a professionally made showreel. There is software that will work on most phones, tablets and laptops these days. Have fun playing about with your showreel. Ask friends and family for advice. Keep it short and sweet, lively and interesting and update it regularly by adding new sections as and when you have them, especially if you complete assignments for us that involve video work.

In fact, it’s often so exciting that you forget to ask the very questions you really wanted to know the answers to!

Our team members at Models Direct are all highly experienced and they discuss bookings with models every single day.

They know all the essential information that has to be passed over – where you need to go, what time you have to be there and what you should wear etc – and they will also always be available to answer questions as the shoot approaches.

But, there is nothing like being organised and making sure you are as well-informed as possible and that you are well prepared for the big day!

Your point of contact at Models Direct will, of course, confirm all the details with you by email, but, if you want to grab a pen and piece of paper when you chat to them, here are just some of the questions you might wish to ask.

Do you know whether the shoot will be inside or outside?

This is obviously important because you need to have some idea of how much you might need to wrap up – or to be able to remove layers if you get hot! You should be told what the client wishes you to wear for the shoot itself or whether you will be fitted with an outfit by the wardrobe team when you arrive. But discussing the possible need for sturdy footwear, coats, jumpers, hats etc is always sensible.

Are there any specific directions I need to follow when I arrive?

If you are attending a shoot in a large location, you may need to know exactly where to head to when you arrive. You may have to park in a particular place, enter via a specific door or ask for a certain person by name when you get there. If there is any doubt about any of these things, please do make sure you arrive in plenty of time.

What should I bring to the shoot?

You may be asked to bring items to the shoot – a beach towel or wellies, for example – or it might be that all props and accessories will be supplied. But sometimes it is a good idea to have items with you such as a book or snack etc – especially if it is going to be a very long day.

Will there be other models at the shoot?

It is always fun when other models are taking part too and it can be good to know in advance whether it will be just you – or you and your family – at the booking or whether other models will be involved. Models Direct often supplies all the models for a particular shoot and so we will be able to tell you whether others are going along too and possibly what roles everyone will be taking on.

This is what some of our models have said about how well prepared they felt they were before an assignment.

Imaan said:

“Working with Models Direct was very smooth and straightforward.

“Charlie was great throughout, reassuring me of what to roughly expect, and with a brief rundown of the shoot. 

“I had fun on the shoot working with another model and can’t wait to do more.”

Yasmina said:

“I had a shoot today which I really enjoyed! Everyone was so welcoming and a pleasure to work with.

“Charlie was so lovely and kept me in the loop of things, making sure I had all the information needed prior to the shoot.”

Gone are the short days of winter. Lengthy periods of light are restored. Most of us generally feel less lethargic. We wake up more regularly as the morning light dictates our natural sleeping patterns.

The season should be the “springboard” for models to change, develop and adapt. It’s a time when people think about altering their look to coincide with the shift in climates and the feel-good factor. It could be a new streamlined hairstyle to accommodate warmer weather, experimenting with different shades of mascara, trying out a fresh wardrobe in preparation for the summer, or trying out trendy fashion accessories. Whatever you choose to change your look, we’d like to see it by updating recent photos in your portfolio account log-in.

It’s a model’s responsibility to upload new photos. Regularly updating your portfolio has two main benefits, namely:

1. It allows our clients to see any model’s current look. It’s largely futile for a brand looking for a certain type of model to be interested in a model’s portfolio, only to find out that the model has completely changed their image or, perhaps even worse, hasn’t revamped their portfolio for months. Our clients must have a fair idea of what a model will look like before they choose them.

2. Clients like our models to be organised and take the industry seriously, and regularly uploading photos tells us that a model has followed recommendations. It’s pretty much imperative, in fact. Ignore your portfolio at your peril!

Most of our models don’t get offered work purely by chance. Every model that registers with us has expectations, and so they should. But a lot of models with repeat bookings continually refresh their portfolios – not exactly out of necessity, but out of professionalism. 

So spring is a fantastic time to re-gather and adapt your look so our clients (and we) can see what you have to offer. This time of the year gives models the perfect atmospheres and backgrounds to really let your photos do the talking.

For outdoor photos, gauge the amount of light before snapping away. Too much light can reduce the intensity of what really matters: you. Try to avoid too many background distractions, although clear photos detailing a fine spring day will help capture the mood.

Alter your look with spring clothes. However, make sure your eyes and hair are not covered – our clients need to see your most important features before they make their decision.

Spring can be just as influential as the New Year to realise ambitions. Don’t leave it to chance by ignoring your portfolios this spring. With so many brands looking for engaging models this 2024, it’d be shame to be overlooked by letting your portfolio pictures slide into obscurity.

They are vital to businesses for visitors to gain knowledge of how their company works. They can improve customer satisfaction. They can generate leads and increase revenue, and they provide the go-to platform for customers to learn more about the brand. Websites are so much more than displaying products, members of staff and contact details. Whether you’re an advocate for technology or a die-hard technophobe, it’s plain to see that the vast majority of companies wouldn’t be where they are today without websites.  

Our website has been an effective tool for years. Many people have praised it for its simplicity, and for the ease in which they can navigate from one page to another.

But we’re also a progressive agency, so we appreciate that we have to move with the times. Letting our operations go stagnant is not in our remit. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is common motto, but sometimes a little update doesn’t go amiss. By modernising our website, we’re showing both our models and clients that we’re not resting on our laurels. Innovation often breeds excellence, and it’s our aim to achieve even better things in the future.

Therefore, our website has had a brand new revamp ready for 2024. It’s the natural development, and we’re proud to tell all our website users about it.  

We know that a lot of our models are tech-savvy. That’s great, but equally some models shy away from websites, preferring instead to use Smartphones for email, or simply picking up the phone, which suits us just fine, too. Either way, we thought our website was in need of a makeover.

Fear not, though. Our new improved website still has everything you’d expect from Europe’s no.1 commercial modelling agency.  

Our homepage displays the all-important quick application form so that models can register with us in minutes. No gimmicks, no long-winded irrelevant questions: just basic information we need from you to kick-start your modelling career. As we have a steady stream of local, national and worldwide modelling assignments available to the right talent, it’s useful for us to be able to decipher applications in a timely and effective way. We don’t want to confuse or irritate applicants by asking for unnecessary information – we’ll leave that to other agencies, thank you!

Users can access current Models Direct news from the homepage, as well as our ever-popular jobs board. When a job catches a model’s attention, it’s important for them to refresh their portfolios with new photos and contact details – although all models should know by now that updating portfolios should be second nature.

We still have helpful info for all modelling types in which we specialise: men, women, children & teenagers, babies and pets.

Our new website represents everything we believe in: innovation, progress, sincerity and frankness.

So, welcome to our brand new website. We’ve been expecting you…

In today’s blog, Model Direct, focuses on an annual event, World Sleep Day, which is marked on the 15th of March. This day aims to shine a spotlight on the importance of good sleep and the problems that can arise with sleep-related issues on our health and well-being if our sleep hygiene is disrupted.

Our perspective of the modelling industry

When you’re a busy working model constantly on the go, being booked in for assignments nationally or even overseas, or clients who are bringing together a wonderful marketing campaign booking models from reputable agencies, it sure is hard work and catching a few z’s and quality sleep is important.

Why is quality sleep essential for our overall health and well-being?

Good sleep is key to giving our body the time and space it needs to repair and recover. Our bodies are constantly working hard during the day with the amount of activities we’re doing (even thinking requires energy!), and the night is dedicated to its recuperation.

Sleeping well helps with muscle recovery, boosting immune system function (so keeping infections at bay) and encouraging tissue growth. Alongside this, sleep enhances the memory, polishes up problem-solving skills, boosts learning, development, and decision-making skills. And to think that just by closing your eyes and drifting away means there’s so much to gain, well, the more snoozes the merrier!

When it comes to mental health, there are lots of studies that link adequate sleep to improved mood, reduced stress, and better emotional well-being. Staying alert, focused, helping regulate appetite, reducing risk of weight gain and obesity are other positive factors of getting adequate kip.

What are the sleep-related issues if you aren’t getting enough sleeping hours?

If you’re not hitting your average 7-9 hours of sleep per night, then you might see that your concentration levels and ability to react quickly reduces. This isn’t good especially if you’re driving or handling machinery.

Some people may experience sleep disturbance such as:

Insomnia – the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for prolonged time.

Sleep apnoea – a stop, start breathing pattern whilst asleep resulting in tiredness during the day and longer term health issues such as developing high blood pressure and stroke.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) – a strong urge to move legs perhaps due to nerve cell damage coupled with the natural cycle of dopamine levels decreasing at night causing the spasms.

Narcolepsy – a neurological disorder which disrupts the natural rhythm of sleep/wake patterns which could result in excessive daytime sleeping to make up for the lost time at night.

Sleep tips to help you drift off to the land of nod

Aside from the usual advice given to set up a healthy night time routine (same bedtime everyday, low lit room, comfy temperature, no interaction with devices at least an hour before bed time, skincare routine, and bath time routine), we’ve seen a surge in recent years of ASMR videos claiming to help people to drift off to sleep easier. On a personal note, this has been tried and tested and it seems to work.

Recent studies have also shown how white, pink and brown noise may also help. “One recent study found that 38% of people fell asleep faster listening to white noise.” – White Noise, Pink Noise, and Brown Noise: What’s the Difference? By Kara Mayer Robinson for WebMD.

If you’re finding your sleep patterns are a bit of a pickle, try listening to these relaxing sounds and of course, always consult with a medical professional!

We hope that you get a good night’s rest after reading this blog and perhaps following some of the suggestions that we have mentioned. If it’s a real struggle, do seek professional advice!

Follow our application image guidelines

When applying, you’ll need to add two profile images – without these, the application won’t be able to move forward to the next stage. Models Direct needs one headshot and one full-length body shot, that’s all. Both images need to be clear, basic shots captured in front of a white background, and in portrait format. The ideal height-width ratio needs to be 5:4. The same would apply to your baby, junior and pet! It might some time to get the perfect shots but it’ll be worth it and help the application process speed up.

To make your images glow up, you don’t need to wear heavy make-up or have your hair done professionally. On the contrary, they need to be as simple as possible with neutral-coloured clothes. Accessories such as jewellery, hats, scarves or bandanas aren’t needed to glow up your images.

However, if you have any unique features – tattoos, piercings, beauty spots, braces or striking features – showcase them too! You can take a look at our blog which looks at unique physical characteristics.

Are you on socials?

If so, let our team know when you’ve sent your application over. When one of our modelling coordinators touches base with you, share your socials with them. You can also pop it into an email. We can take a look at your online presence and understand your visibility.

Do you have a website?

(We do! It’s new and refreshed so check it our here in case you’ve missed it!)

It’s not necessary to have one, but if you do have an online home to your profile pics, or things that interest you, please share it with us. This can add as a unique selling point, setting you apart from other models.

If you’d like to make your model application glow up, it’s much easier than you think! There are no tricks but lots of treats with positive outcomes in the end. Follow our application image guidelines, and let us know if you’re on any socials and if you have a website. All of these areas will help lead to processing your application faster, getting you onto our books and being visible to clients. Good luck! If you have any further questions, get in touch with our expert team!

Models Direct knows that when you enter our industry, it’s very important for models to remember that work isn’t always consistent. It can come in waves, sometimes assignments launch at ultra-high speed or land at a slow-moving pace. So, that all-important outlook to leverage is keeping a positive attitude. How do you do this, you may be asking? We’ll reveal all right here with some useful tips:

Focus on what you can control

When you feel like things aren’t in your control, it can feel overwhelming. If you feel like it’s been a while since you registered as a model or you’re experiencing an overdue since your last assignment, touch base with your modelling agency. In our case, Models Direct is open and encourages our models to reach out to us whenever they need to. This means that if you’re wondering why you haven’t been booked, then we’ll be happy to look into this for you and shed some light. Chances are that you need to update your ePortfolio, directly apply for modelling work via our job board or wait till the right opportunity pops up.

Keep learning and growing

Whilst you’re waiting, keep yourself active on social with our agency and the modelling industry. Be aware of the latest trends breaking through so that you’re one step ahead and developing your personal modelling knowledge. A current trend such as a beauty hack or statement piece could be the latest addition to your own personal portfolio, and anyone interested will know you’re on top of your trends.

Avoid negative self-talk
It’s very easy to listen to that little voice filling your mind with negativity telling you that you’ll never land a modelling gig or you’re not cut out to make it as a model. One word our modelling experts would tell you is stop (please). Okay, we added in an extra word but yes, please try to avoid negative self-talk. It’s not fair on you and certainly with our agency, it’s untrue. We offer modelling positions to everyone so there’s no chance of us turning anyone down because it goes against our company mission and ethos.

Exercise regularly

Physical activity will help you keep positive as feel-good hormones are released when you exercise, not to mention it’s great for your health and overall well-being. Hormones such as endorphins (natural painkillers that improve mood and reduce stress), norepinephrine (helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure), dopamine (associated with motivation), growth hormone (encourages cell growth and regeneration), and cortisol (a hormone involved in stress response and glucose metabolism).

Practice gratitude

Being grateful to yourself and all around you help shift your mindset away from negativity. When you’re aware of gratitude, it helps to slowly break down negative walls you may have built up. Focus on the present moments and take time to appreciate your health, experiences, surroundings, and all the supportive people in your life.

Give back and help others

When you give back through volunteering, donating or helping someone in need you might see, positive energy increases helping you have an overall feel-good attitude. So, if you’re ever feeling down about where your modelling career is heading, use these tips to shift your outlook, and of course, get in touch with our team to speak to us, and we’ll help you in any way we can.

Easier to compile

We thought, with the way the world is trending, videos are the faster way of pumping easily accessible content out there.

Videos are a fantastic way of communicating and when you’ve got an aim to tell Models Direct followers, and our audience at large, that you’ve had a fab assignment and are eager to fill them in with all the juicy details, it’s no wonder why video feedback would be more favourable in some respects rather than textual feedback.

The goal is that videos will help shape viewers’ understanding of the model’s experience better by immersing them in their experience. Videos will be sharable helping them to extend their reach and also get models seen. Double bonus! Hands up who wouldn’t want to have that kind of exposure and share their unique opportunity with others? What’s more, we’ll be promoting our video feedback across our social media channels too! Yes!

Get video-ready

Showcasing your true self on camera can be a bit daunting especially if you’ve never done it before. However, as the saying goes: practice makes perfect and once you start getting into the swing of it, recording yourself will help boost your confidence.

Or being in front of a lens could just be your thing, flipping the camera around ready for some rolling. You might be a pro at capturing yourself on video and finding yourself in your comfort zone, ready to express your thoughts and recount events knowing that countless people will be on the other side watching and listening to you.

Either way, here are a few tips we can offer so that you can get ready to capture rocking video feedback:

· Find a quiet place

Make sure your battery isn’t low, and locate a perfect spot you can kick-start your vid comfortably.

· Compose a short script

You don’t need to do a lengthy first-time vid; something short and sweet is a perfect way to ease yourself into creating fantastic content.

· Don’t put pressure on yourself

You’ll make mistakes, bloopers and there’ll be blips, no doubt but be kind to yourself. We all do it no matter how rehearsed we are. Allow yourself to make blunders, laugh it off and carry on.

3,2,1…let’s roll

Whether our female, male, child, teen, adult, family or mature models are on an assignment now, we’re looking forward to you and our clients meeting them and hearing from them directly via their video feedback. Let’s go!

When it comes to marketing a campaign, the question that will arise will be whether it is worth sourcing models independently or hiring them through an agency. Essentially it is: do you do it all yourself or enlist the services of professionals in the industry?

Word of mouth referral is great, or even scouting models independently through other mediums such as reaching out over social media platforms to influencers or connecting with models via LinkedIn. These methods are possible whereby you will be contacting and liaising with models on your own terms. It might take some time, research, perseverance and chasing up to find what you are looking for. Your vision for your brand’s or company’s message can be met… but at a price other than just money.

Your timeframe might be comprised of searching for the right model. It will take time to find ‘the one.’

Your budget might be more than you predicted even if you have found the right model. If their rates are too high, your expenses may become more of an inconvenience.

Your team may become overworked searching for the right person to fit the bill. It takes dedication but can also mean burning out before you have even started especially if your team have other roles to fulfil.

Your resources might be limited. Where do you start searching for your model? Are they reliable, dedicated and motivated to help you? Do they have references to vouch for them on a professional level?

Your perseverance will be tested when you are working to a timescale. What will happen if you cannot find someone in time?

You might need replacements at short notice. Will you be able to fill your model’s shoes should they back out from the job?

Why choose Models Direct to source your models

Bearing all these pain points in mind, when it comes to embarking on a marketing campaign that you are looking to take to the next level, it might be better to have the experience and expertise of a reputable modelling agency behind you, like ours. We take on all of the hard work so you don’t have to. That means you will have time to work to your deadlines, your budget will be reasonable since our model’s rates vary from £200 to £1000’s depending on the size of the project. Your team will not be overworked because they will be concentrating on what matters the most – making your business run like clockwork. You will not need to worry about your resources and how you will search for your model. Your perseverance will not be tested and you will not need to worry about finding replacements at the last minute.

When it comes to the cost of our models and talent, it is not excessive. Our rates follow the scale of the work outlined, the location, the hours put in, how experienced our model is, and their online presence. Our team are always on standby to support not just our models but our clients too. Both relationships are important to us because, without our wonderful clients, we would not be able to put our models forward for work.

If you are an ambitious company looking to receive unparalleled advice and support about the modelling industry, you are at the right place. Models Direct can help you drive forward with your marketing by finding the right model for you. All you will need to do is state your requirements for a model; we then search our extensive modelling hub, pick the models that match your vision, present them to you, and then you get to choose who you would like to see further in order to promote your project.

It is a straightforward process where we take the stress out of the search and reference. We hope this has helped give you some idea of what we can do for you. Get in touch with our team for further information, and we will be more than happy to have a chat.

A couple of years back we did a blog about the plus-size revolution but we’re curious to revisit this modelling category and see how things may have changed, if anything, since then. Does the industry still use the term plus size? How is it viewed now? Are we still size-inclusive? Let’s explore more here…

What’s it shaping up like out there? 

Models Direct have been scouring through the trails of the world wide web to investigate, and here’s a quick snapshot of what different clothing retailers kick-start their sizing range from and more interestingly what they refer as to their plus-size category:

ASOS begin at size 18, sticking to their roots: plus size and curve

Shein starts at size 16 and just has theirs down as plus

Boohoo’s sizing is at 16 with plus too

Yours are size 14 under as plus

It seems that out of plus-size the word size has been dropped but we’ve seen a similar pattern run through a lot of the industry, the terms are still very much the same so no real big change there. Is this surprising? No, probably not. It might just mean that most people are satisfied with the term and are happy to keep it on continuing their support for size inclusivity. Woohoo! This area of the industry is continuing to grow and develop with all the choices and options out there. So whether you’re a size 14 and onwards, fashionistas can keep up with the latest trends and current styles because they’ve been given the opportunity to continue to do so. Simples!

Conversations about size inclusivity

A few years back, conversing about size has helped to begin the process of debunking body shaming where conversations have sparked what beauty means to people and how it should be showcased, perceived and translated not just in the modelling and fashion world but in the community at large. This has helped break down barriers and push forward positive messages with more acceptance of the variety society has of body shapes and sizes…voila, here we are today!

We’ve got models that are camera present, in the spotlight and being called for assignments regardless of their size and we love it! Take Nadia Aboulhosn, Gabi Fresh, Darnel Ghramm, Tess Holliday, and Ashley Graham, who are just a few of the many influencers rocking up the scene and showing the world that beauty isn’t filtered through slender, tall bodies, it’s through all mediums.

A fresh outlook…always!

Our agency, Models Direct, thrives on what makes us different – this is what’s so wonderful about our way of thinking as a modelling agency. We look outside the box, give pride to how we operate as a business, and continually adapt and innovate according to the changes in our society. So when it comes to body positivity, curves, plus, plus-size, we’re all in.