A Penny For My Thoughts

TIP OF THE WEEK // Casting time!

After so much work, casting time has arrived!

The first advice I feel like giving you is to make sure that your computer system is stable and ready to handle massive lag. This may sound blunt, but it’s true: if you are not able to control your system and manage such a laggy situation as a big casting or a fashion show is, your job opportunities will be limited, especially if you aim at becoming a good runway model in Second Life.

Luckily, there are a couple of simple things that usually work.

Face lag  Close all the unnecessary applications (i.e. messengers, music players, internet browser, graphic softwares, and so on), turn graphics to the minimum, clear cache in your Second Life viewer, and reboot your system. When you log in back to Second Life, it will take some time to fetch inventory again, so make sure to do this preparation well ahead of casting time, possibly hours before. If you have to change outfit during the casting, and if you have the chance to go to casting’s venue before casting time, my advice is to go there and try on all your outfits once so that textures preload. Detach or kill all unnecessary scripts!

Be focused   Big castings are very often confusing. You will find yourself backstage with several other models who are as excited and confused as you are, chit chat will be going on, you will get to know new friends, but stay focused! Casting director will most likely give you instructions on where to walk and pose right when you arrive backstage. So it is your responsability to listen carefully and be reactive in following instructions. Do not panic or ask too many questions because all the information you need is going to be provided. You just have to line up, focus on what you have to do, and patiently wait your turn.

Have fun   Live auditions are an amazing experience because you get to try yourself in a competition with other fellow models, and because that’s where you will network and get to know new people who may become friends. Stay calm, focused, and positive… you will have much fun.

You’re not chosen?   If you consider lots of models apply to a casting, only part of it are invited to live auditions, and only one or few will be picked for the job, you have to take into account the possibility you may not be chosen. If you’re not chosen for the job, never blame it on designer or agency management. Whatever reasons you may have on your side, the truth is that chosen models were better than you in presenting what designer/agency was looking for. This doesn’t mean you’re not a good model. Accepting rejection in a positive way is a very delicate subject, but it’s important that new models stay confident and take all rejections as a trigger to work harder and overcome their own limits. If you stay objective, what may initially feel like a failure will turn in an opportunity to grow and a success for you and your modeling career, probably with some new contacts and friends in it.    Never give up!

(Source: wp.me)