A showreel can be an excellent way of showing prospective employees just what you are capable of – and from Models Direct’s point of view helps us to promote you to our clients.

Once you have made your showreel it can be uploaded to your e-portfolio, giving us and those we find models and actors for, another window to your skills and capabilities.

Not only could a showreel take you one step closer to your dream of appearing in advertisements, but it could also eventually lead to television programmes and even movies.

Models Direct has a broad spectrum of clients on its books who make requests for male, female, child and other types of model.

Having a showreel can set you apart from everyone else and almost act as an audition for a role – without you having to do anything else once it has been created and uploaded.

So where do you start?

As with anything creative, it is always a good idea to seek inspiration from what other people have done.

We are not suggesting you copy the showreels of other models and actors, but by watching their videos you can see what works and what doesn’t.

Jot down a few notes as you go when something strikes you as working especially well.

Then look at what footage you already have that could be included…

Have you appeared in video material before, whether on an assignment you have completed for Models Direct or others?

Take your time going through this film and choosing only the sections that you feel show you at your very best.

Resist the temptation to include everything – your showreel has to be short and punchy to hold the attention.

If you don’t have any existing video then make some.

Let’s see you introducing yourself, modelling different outfits and interacting with others in an interesting and engaging manner.

Again, keep it tight, bright and interesting.

Ensure your very best material comes at the beginning and end of the showreel so you grab the attention of the viewer from the start and leave them with a good impression at the end.

You may well have editing software on your laptop, tablet or phone already.

If not, you should be able to download some from a reputable and trustworthy website. This is usually fairly straightforward to use.

Once you have made your showreel, show it to friends and family members and ask them for their honest opinion.

Take their criticisms on board – all of us get too close to whatever it is we are creating and need to hear the truth from others about it.

Then, make the changes, check it again and when you are ready upload it to your e-portfolio.

Now you are ready to go!

Running out of ideas on what to watch whilst in quarantine? Seen Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney + back to back but want something different?

Well, since Models Direct is a long-standing modelling agency always on the lookout for new models (even during these unprecedented times). We’ve always got our eyes peeled for the newest trends and the latest happening in the modelling industry.

So, we’ve found something for all you budding models out there to watch! You need to head over to BBC Three where an insightful four-part series has just aired its first episode (this Sunday just gone) on our screens – Models: Street To Catwalk. Take it from us, you’ll want to get comfy, cosy and dig into something delish whilst watching this.

What it’s all about

Models: Street To Catwalk takes us on the path of three young gorgeous models who were scouted by a UK modelling agency. The programme will give any prospective models out there a behind-the-scenes pass to what goes on within the industry. You’ll discover the peaks and troughs, achievements and challenges that these young models are journeying through to not just make it into the modelling world but to make it BIG!

For any of you out there reading this and have felt unsure about venturing into this field, this programme opens the doors and reveals how it is for models breaking into the arena. Modelling agencies are matching the demands of consumers. Consumers want to see a real representation of models who bring a unique, flair of diversity. Consumers want to see models who they feel will represent them and who they can relate to. If this is executed accurately, then the industry flourishes.

Models: Street To Catwalk reveals Nemesis’ goal of searching for the edgy, diverse ‘Manchester look’ which is their trending sought after look. The three youngsters are from unconventional backgrounds and are now trying their hand at reigning the camera with awesome poses and bold expressions!

Our thoughts 

We certainly hope you take on our suggestion and watch the series. As a modelling agency ourselves, we too encourage new models and existing ones to come on board and keep up the momentum of excepting assigned new jobs.

We’ll put it out there just as the programme does – modelling isn’t always as easy as it’s hyped up to be. Sometimes waiting to hear back from an agency can be agony but there’s always reward in patience and positivity. 

Register with us

If you’re serious about taking the modelling plunge, we say, head over to our registration page and apply to Models Direct. It really couldn’t be simpler; just hit the send button along with a couple of snapshots of yourself and your application will whizz into cyberspace and reach our inbox in next to no time.

Maybe this will be your time to shine; add an extra job to your CV and earn extra cash too! What’s not to like? Stay tuned to Models: Street To Catwalk for more in-the-know modelling insight and don’t worry if you missed the first episode – you can stream it on BBC iPlayer. 

In a busy office like ours,  there is plenty of chat  about the general goings  on,  who said what, who’s done what and who needs to be saved (and who should go!!),  it’s all pretty gripping stuff!

What is it we all love about #LoveIsland??

Viewing ratings have soared and broken records, so  it’s clearly a concept that appeals to the majority and offers it’s viewers  something not other programs do!

With Charlie, Eyal and Hayley all being models the Models Direct team have been watching what’s going on and how they come across to an audience,  with their toned physique ‘s and  good looks, they seem to be what alot of viewers aspire to be like possibly, is this  a healthy thing? Is it a true representation of how models are in this industry today?

Models Direct represents all category’s of models, including, fitness, fashion, catalogue and commercial, all  have a variety of shapes, looks and measurements.

Love Island has all the right ingrediants for viewers, fun, laughter, beautiful scenery and of course gorgeous people, all of which is  good escapism from our own lives for a little minute –  it’s very clever, entertaining TV from ITV.

It’s Friday night and with two couples up  for elimination, who are you going to be voting to save??

Have you subscribed to this blog yet??

Trinity and Janay spent 10 days at the show helping the Ocean Brothers promote and raise awareness of their challenge to row the Atlantic to raise money for Skin Cancer Awareness – How exciting!

The Models Direct team love receiving behind the scenes pics from their models  when on assignment, it gives the team here a great insight into your experience  and helps aspiring models  get a better understanding of how the industry works.

The Assignments team at Models Direct always ask their models to take any behind the scenes pics when on assignment if they have permission from the client, so if you have been booked for an assignment soon remember to take pics of your experience, from your outfit on the day, your journey and any  pics you can get of you and the team on set!! (Note: Please make sure you have permission from the client if taking behind the scenes pics on set !).

Our Models, Elle and Phil were amazing and the Models Direct team received great feedback from the client – Congratulations to you both!

Model feedback:

“Hi guys! I have just completed another fantastic booking with models direct, this time for a hotel company ‘Jurys Inn Hotel’. This was a bridal modeling job for advertisement material! It was a fantastic day working alongside all the friendly and talented professionals. We were truly looked after with even complimentary lunch at the hotel and snacks throughout the day! I met another male model from the agency who was my ‘groom’ for the day and we will stay in touch and hope to get future assignments together!

My advice to aspiring models?

Be you and be a u t i f u l! So cliche but so true! The more you can relax , enjoy and be yourself on an assignment the better the outcome! You’ve been booked as an Indiviual so show them your unique personality too! Be that Quirky, confident and funny soul you might be! A client loves to see it all! Just be friendly and professional with it and you can’t go wrong.

I always highly recommend Models Direct and will continue to do so on my next assignment! Each time as something new, with new people and new experiences!

Thanks Models Direct!”

 In the commercial modelling industry there are several different types of work you could be considered for.  At Models Direct we represent models with lots of other talents too, so can provide models to s varied selection of clients across the UK.

Below are some of the areas of the modelling industry we supply models to and the clients we have worked with:

Catalogue Modelling:

 Models are photographed showcasing a brands clothing or products, which is then seen in print in their own publication and supplied to their customers.

We have supplied catalogue models to many different companies, i.e., Matalan, Learning Resources, Next, Mothercare.

A catalogue shoot could be a half day or full day shoot and a model can expect to earn approx £120 – £500, depending on the brand and their budget.

Promotional Modelling:

 This is a form of live modelling which is designed to drive consumer demand for a particular service or product, therefore resulting in more sales for that company. It may also be to create more awareness of a charity, event or organisation. A promotional model needs to have excellent communication skills and an outgoing personality as they will be client facing and the representative of a specific brand.

Models Direct has supplied promotional models to numerous company’s and brands, from handing out leaflets at trade shows to be the face of a new and up and coming product, examples are: Penhaligons, Property companies, Birmingham Bullring Shopping Centre.

Commercial & Print

Commercial and print modelling is done to promote a business, product or service that will be seen by its potential customer by print. These types of advertisements are aimed at ‘real people’.

At Models Direct we get clients requesting two types of commercial model, a Lifestyle model and corporate model. A lifestyle model is there to promote a particular part of stage of life, i.e., acting as a parent for a family holiday brochure, a student promoting a University course or maybe a mature model promoting a new care home that’s opening soon, all of these models will be attractive versions of a stereotype.

Corporate commercial models are often asked to portray doctors, healthcare professionals, business people for advertisements with a business theme. These would be used for brochures, print and annual reports.

At Models Direct we often provide models to the NHS to feature in new print they are producing. Also we have provided more mature models, over the age of 60 for care home brochures and print.

Swimwear/Fitness Models

Both swimwear and fitness models need to have a toned physique and generally a good understanding of fitness and proficient in it. A swimwear model will have a slightly curvier figure than a fashion model and be seen in holiday brochures, beachwear catalogues, and advertisements for sun tan/beach products. Fitness models could be seen in gym advertisements, fitness magazines and or a fitness trade shows.

Models Direct have supplied fitness and swimwear models to a variety of clients, including PureGym.

Acting/Commercials

 TV Commercials are a very powerful why to promote a product, idea or service. It is an exciting opportunity for a commercial model to be selected for a TV Commercial. The client’s requirements may be very specific on whom they are looking for or more general; it really depends who the Director is. It helps if these models have some acting experience, so they are more confident in front of the camera.

Models Direct have supplied models for numerous TV commercials, including Sainsbury’s, Legoland and Huuge Casinos.