Simon Bond is a full-time professional actor and model with a host of high-profile global credits to his name, but rewind a few years and the story was quite different. A typecast part-time model, Simon was struggling to find enough modelling opportunities to sustain his career – until he came to We Are Models, that is.
Here’s his story.
Introducing… Professional Actor & Model Simon Bond
modelling career
WAM: Hi Simon! Thanks so much for making time to chat. You’ve had quite the career…
S.B: Hi! Yes, things have really taken off over the last few years, I have to say.
WAM: Let’s start at the beginning. What’s the context?
S.B: Ok, so I used to be in the building trade. I was a plasterer until I was 39 and then changed careers because of an injury. I was doing a lot of different jobs, and a bit of modelling on the side, but nothing like this.
I was doing some very commercial modelling; a few shoots for Next and Burtons; things like that. I pretty much only did formalwear – suits and so on. I had one agency and I was getting some work, but really not that much. I had to have multiple different jobs, let’s put it that way.
Then I came to We Are Models and they immediately told me I should be working with more than one agency. They told me I could easily be getting a lot more work, but my portfolio was very one-dimensional.
We took a load of different images for my portfolio, doing a lot more expressional work to show my potential for lots of different types of work. It was great. All of a sudden I could play the businessman, the dad, or whatever, when before I was really playing the same role over and over.
WAM: Then what happened?
S.B: After we shot my portfolio, We Are Models gave me a list of agencies to apply to – I think there were 10 or so. I applied, and all except one signed me. If I’d gone to them with my old portfolio, there’s no way they’d have been interested.
modelling career
I applied to 10 agencies and all except one signed me. If I’d gone to them with my old portfolio, there’s no way they’d have been interested.
I really relaunched my career – I was suddenly much more visible and much more appealing to agencies. I was getting five times as much work, and better paying, more prestigious work too.
My career is much more broad now. I was cast for a lot of TV commercials, and then that led into some film work. I’ve always had a passion for acting, so this was my route in, really. One thing led to another, and now I’ve got an acting agent too and go to castings for some pretty high-profile work. I’m in two major feature films coming out this year…
We Are Models elevated me. Without sounding too cringey, it really was down to the We Are Models team. I’d have carried on modelling part-time the way I was, if they hadn’t taught me how to grow my career.
modelling career
I was getting five times as much work, and better paying, more prestigious work too. We Are Models elevated me.
WAM: It sounds like it was quite the wake up call!
S.B: It really was. The team really pushed me, you know? You know when you’re doing something, and you’re not quite comfortable with it? You’re out of your comfort zone, maybe. It feels easier just to keep doing what you’re doing. We Are Models taught me how to work, how to bring out different expressions and play different roles.
They taught me so much when they were directing me in front of the camera; I felt like they were really getting the best out of me.
WAM: Knowing how to work the camera well is one of those things: if you don’t know, you don’t know.
S.B: 100%. It was invaluable. I just really trusted the team immediately. They had such a nice vibe about them, and it was instantly clear how well they knew the business.
modelling career
It was instantly clear how well We Are Models knew the modelling business.
Actually, I remember one of the team saying to me, “You’ve got the ideal look for Germany; you’ll start doing well there”. Now I’m doing a huge amount of work in Germany; it feels like I’m out there every other week.
WAM: Is travel a big part of your career now?
S.B: Yes, I travel a lot. That’s one of my favorite parts of my career. This year already I’ve been to Germany, Switzerland and Serbia for work. I love it.
WAM: Tell us more about the schedule of a professional actor and model then Simon? Are you incredibly busy?
S.B: I probably go to 7 or 8 castings a week, and maybe win two or three jobs. It’s definitely a full-time job; it’s not easy! Jobs might last a day, or they might last months depending on what they are. I was shooting for a big feature film recently and that took three months, but we were working the nightshift. That was hard work. I get direct bookings too, because I’ve built up a reputation and a network in the industry.
WAM: Forgive the crude question Simon, but what’s the money like?
S.B: Haha! No, it’s fine. I imagine a lot of people are interested to know. It really depends. A TV commercial might pay anywhere between £1K and £40K depending on how prestigious it is – or even more. On the other end of the spectrum, you might do a smaller piece for a couple of hundred pounds.
modelling career
Depending what you’re doing, you might earn between £1K and £2K a day
If you’re travelling, you might earn between £1K and £2K a day. Bear in mind that you’re not earning that every day though! Also one thing I would say is that modelling is a real wait-to-be-paid industry. By the time clients have released budget and so on, it’s normal to be waiting 3 months for your paycheck. The key is to stack your work up, so there’s continuity.
WAM: Thanks for being so open; that’s really interesting to hear. You mentioned a minute ago about getting direct bookings because of your reputation? How important is building a reputation if you want to be successful?
S.B: So important! I’ve been booked by the same clients loads of times, and that’s because they know you and trust you. It’s the same with photographers. People want to work with you, if you build a reputation for being professional and the casting team like you, like working with you.
modelling career
Your reputation is so important. People want to work with you, if you build a reputation for being professional and the casting team like you
You have to make sure people remember you at castings – that’s important. It’s about being professional, being warm. You have to be on form; you have to bring it. If you fade into the background you’ll probably struggle to build a career.
It’s amazing how much work you get from networking. You have to get a foot in the door first, but then you can really grow your career if you’re always professional and always looking for opportunities.
I’m probably famous for always giving out my business cards, but you’d be surprised how much work I get off the back of that. At the same time, I’ve never been late to a shoot; I’ve always been where I’m supposed to be with what I’m supposed to have. I always take it seriously. You have to get your game-face on and see it as a job.
A lot of people want to do what you do, so people are always waiting for you to slip up. Your reputation is everything. You have to be relied on to deliver – if you can’t do what they want you to do, or you cause problems on set, the client has thrown money away. There’s always that pressure to bring your best self every day.
modelling career
A lot of people want to do what you do, so people are always waiting for you to slip up. You have to be relied on to deliver
WAM: What advice would you share with others hoping to become a professional actor or model?
S.B: There’s such a lot I could say! I guess one of the most important things is to be versatile. Obviously that’s been the big message for me – if you only have one look, that’s incredibly restrictive. And you probably can do more than you think you can do. I’d never have thought I could do all the work I’m doing now; it took We Are Models sitting down with me and talking me through it to realize I wasn’t maximizing my potential.
One of the most important things is to be versatile. If you only have one look, that’s incredibly restrictive. We Are Models helped maximise my potential
Another big one is to realize that modelling is the same as acting really. You have to get your head around the fact that you’re not playing you, you’re playing a role. The minute you enter that space, you lose your inhibitions and anything can happen; you’re in the zone. But you have to let go of any self-consciousness. Sometimes you see these models who’re only comfortable with one angle or one look – it’s like, ‘sure, that’s a great angle, but no-ones going to want to work with you if you won’t take direction and do something else’.
I think it’s about confidence. People walk into their first casting and that can be make or break; you have to conduct yourself in the right way. A lot of people don’t cast well, which is such a shame because they’re really good. It can be a really daunting industry to get into, with a lot of highs and lows, but you’ve got to believe in yourself. We Are Models taught me that.
modelling career
It’s about confidence. A lot of people are held back because they don’t cast well, for example
WAM: Amazing advice Simon, thank you. And finally, you’ve been in the industry for a while now so I’d love to hear your thoughts on how things have changed?
S.B: I think the biggest change is that it’s a lot more competitive. Everyone wants to be in films and to model. A professional actor or model can’t afford to be anything less than at the top of their game now, because of that competition. If you’re not determined, professional and reliable you won’t build a career.
A professional actor or model can’t afford to be anything less than at the top of their game now, because the industry is just so competitive
At the same time, the industry is run a lot better. It’s a tighter ship. 15 years ago, there was a lot of bad behavior; it perhaps wasn’t the best industry for young teens or children to be exposed to. That’s all changed; there are so many structures in place now, it’s a lot safer and more transparent for young people coming in.
WAM: Simon, you’ve been an absolute star. Thank you so much for sharing your story with the rest of our We Are Models community. We’ll look forward to seeing your face on our TV and cinema screens pretty soon!
Simon Bond is a professional actor and model with an incredibly versatile portfolio across photography, TV and film. Keep your eyes peeled – Simon’s likely to be gracing a screen, billboard or magazine very close by! To find out more about how We Are Models can help you take your modelling career to the next level, see our membership page or get in touch today.
