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!

It’s a fair enough request. We’ve never shied away from informing our clients and models how we conduct our work. A level of transparency is beneficial to a sound working process, so we’re happy to tell others how we book models for all assignments.

We initially receive a brief from our clients, asking for the models we think will serve the client’s needs the best. These briefs usually come by email. We receive several of them daily, as our loyal client list is the most extensive in the UK. A client’s brief can be as simple as “Male model wanted for commercial shoot”, or as detailed as “Mature model aged 65 years – 75 years required for short video as part of a government advert in the EC2N area of London.” A lot of briefs give the specific dates the shoot will take place on. We gave London as an example, but it’s important to know that we operate anywhere in the UK, Ireland and in other countries farther afield – see the fabulous photo of our model Darin, who packed his passport and was whisked off to Spain for a sunny photo shoot.  

After reading briefs, it’s over to our team. We consist of experienced booking professionals who know exactly what our clients need for successful marketing assignments and commercial adverts.

Our team study registered models, gathering their looks, geographical locations and ages, all of which match the brief. We’ll then recommend them to the client in question, which includes giving them access to a model’s all-important portfolio.

The client will then spend time perusing our recommendations before telling us which model (s) they’d like us to contact with the good news. We’ll get in touch with models to offer them the assignment. At this stage, any model can accept or refuse the assignment. We understand that circumstances change, so the timing of the assignment might not be convenient for some models.

When models accept the job (and in most cases they do), we’ll tell our client and arrange all the necessary booking details at our office. This includes informing the model:

• The client’s name and chief contact on the day.
• The location of the assignment.
• Timings of the assignment.
• Any necessary details, e.g. specific clothing to take.
• Their fee (which is paid to all models within 5 working days upon completion of the job)
• Our booking agent’s details.
• That we keep in touch with models prior, during and after their booking.

Key points for all models to know are:

• If you haven’t been offered work sooner than you’d expect, don’t give up. Modelling is competitive, so keep your portfolios updated with current photos.
• We have a sixth sense in knowing what types of models our clients are looking for, but it’s always our client’s decision which models are picked.
• If you refuse an assignment once chosen, we won’t treat you any differently when looking for future bookings.
• We’re always available to speak to for advice, tips and help.

Both clients and models respect our booking process for being straightforward and effective.

It’s proven to be successful for decades. We look forward to booking you as one of our next models, whether it’s part of a film shoot in Devon or a photo session in Scotland. We cover all corners of the UK, giving models better opportunities to shine on assignment.  

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.

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!

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. 

There are so many new and exciting  brands targeting new mums and mums-to-be,  recently at Models Direct we have signed up several new maternity models  and the Models Direct team were   delighted to be able to offer Katie the opportunity to shoot with Aptamil !

Check out how she got on in her  model feedback video and check out the final edit!

Katie – DTDF-6434

She joined the modelling agency Models Direct 2 years ago and has gained confidence and had a lot of fun  as well as making new friends.

Deborah’s top advice for new models:

So go for it, don’t be shy and you never know what you’ll get out of it and at the end of the day it’s worth doing isn’t it. You’re not losing anything, so just go for it.

Watch Deborah on her modelling assignment for Wex Photographic…

She describes her modelling assignment as fun, enjoyable  and ‘pressure free’ and recommends Models Direct to people like her, students, as it fits in around her studying and university commitments.

The company came to the Models Direct Assignments team looking for extras to appear in their new advert. Elena, along with all the other female models that matched the clients requirements were put forward for selection. A choice was made and the Assignments team took care of the rest.

Great feedback Elena from your recent filming assignment in London! Who knew being an extra could be so much fun!! #assignment #feedback #london #commercial #nationwide #modelsdirect #talentagency

A video posted by Models Direct (@modelsdirect) on Jan 20, 2017 at 4:08am PST