If you weren’t with us for our exclusive modelling tips workshop with Mark Summers a little while ago, you missed out. Luckily for everyone who couldn’t get tickets (we sold out insanely quickly – Mark just has *that* sort of reputation), we’re going to share some of his top modelling tips.
Mark has over 12,000 casting credits to his name, working with some of the biggest names in the industry. He can be a hard man to get hold of – and when he does run these elite workshops, they’re almost always in L.A.
Luckily for We Are Models members, we convinced him to hold a workshop in London just for us.
Here are his top modelling tips for aspiring models and actors.
“Relationships are everything”
In the modelling industry, relationships really are everything. According to Mark there are only 10 to 15 casting directors who really make decisions – so it’s a very, very small world. Get in with the right people and you’re golden – make enemies and you’ll struggle.
Mark Summers | Crowd photo
“Today’s student directors are tomorrow’s Oscar winners”, after all.
“You have to hustle, but never be a hustler”
“If you really, really, really want it, you have to hustle. You don’t have to sell your soul to the devil, but it is an effing massive slog”, says Mark.
You have to be proactive in the modelling industry. You can’t just sit by the phone and wait for it to ring. At the same time though, don’t be a pain. Don’t hassle people, but do hustle. Never stop looking for opportunities to build your network, expand your reach and make connections.
“Education is the key”
Learn everything you can. “Stop blaming everyone else”, Mark roars. “The best advice I can give anyone, models or dancers or actors – take a class. Do a movement class, take an acting class. Anything. Become self aware. Get better, every day”.
“Know your business”
“Would you trust a plumber who didn’t know a kitchen sink from a toilet? Would you?” Mark brings up a slide with around 70 names on it: “Who are these people?” he asks the crowd.
One or two people make tentative suggestions, but the audience are mostly quiet. Mark gives us a few more minutes.
It turns out they’re top directors.
Mark Summers | Casting workhop
“You know the brands. You know the Coca Cola, the Beyoncés, the Brad Pitts, but you don’t know the names of the people who made them famous. You’re not the public! This is meant to be your career. If you don’t know these people, I don’t trust you and I’m not hiring you. That’s why 92% of artistes aren’t working – because they haven’t taken the time to learn their business”
“Know your look”
“What I don’t like is people who don’t know who they are, who try to be something they’re not”, Mark says.
The key to getting booked for jobs is to develop your USP – to “use different to your advantage”.
Mark picks people one by one and gives them honest feedback on their look – admittedly slightly nerve-wracking, but absolutely valuable insight.
Mark Summer | hosting event
“At the end of the day, know who you are. Know your market, and stick to it. You can cross over, but don’t try and play someone you’re not. Don’t be scared of what you look like – the industry is more diverse than it’s ever been before”.
“Don’t give me ancillary reasons NOT to hire you”
“We want to work with professional, friendly and confident people. Models with attitude are quickly found out and dispensed with”, Mark promises.
‘Professional’ is his key point here – know what the casting director is looking for, and then make sure you deliver. Bring the right things. Have the right photos. Know the right questions to ask.
That’s why Mark’s workshop was so valuable – I’m sure most of us had never had the opportunity to sit down with an international casting director while he spelled out, step by step, what made him book someone. As far as modelling tips go, it was an absolutely invaluable experience.
“Have the right photos”
The question of photos comes up about mid-way through the workshop: which photographer should you use? What type of photos do you need? How much should you pay?
The answer, says Mark, is to find a photographer who knows the importance of your look. Look for someone who will work with you, not try to jam you into a mould.
On price – don’t skimp on your career. “If you can’t afford it, give up smoking. Give up drinking. Give up whatever you need to – this is your career”. Saying that, don’t assume that expensive means better. Finding the right photographer for you is the most important thing.
On style – Colour (“we stopped making black and white films years ago”) and true to life (“If what I get in the casting room isn’t what I ordered from the picture, I’ll be livid. Don’t create some fantasy version of yourself”).
“Use social media – it’s powerful”
This is something Mark resoundingly agrees with: “be active on social media. Talk to people. Use it to build the right relationships, and to build your brand”.
Mark himself is a good example of the power of social media. He gets hundreds of emails every day, but he proactively sets aside time for Twitter. Unlike email, Mark is easily accessible via Twitter – which has got to be a no-brainer for aspiring models aiming to build relationships.
“You!” he points someone out in the crowd. “Him! This guy here. I know him through Twitter. We chat. We have rapport. Nice to see you – speak to me afterwards. I want to talk to you about something.”
There you have it. Top modelling tips, straight from the mouth of one of the most important figures in the modelling industry.
Don’t want to miss out on our next Mark Summers event? Need help implementing his advice in the meantime?
For more interviews, top tips and one-on-one career coaching, join the We Are Models community. You can check out our membership page here and we’ll send you invites to more exclusive events just like this.
