The art of networking is critical in almost every industry, particularly the talent industry. It is the single most important tool to help market yourself. Networking can help speed up or sustain your personal success, guaranteed. Networking can start with close friends, family and eventually can expand to corporate people, who knows!

Fortunately, booking agents at talent agencies make a lot of connections through social media and other platforms to help their talents book jobs. But, talents can also network for themselves and help the agency make more relationships with clients. In fact, if you network with a potential client for yourself, you should obviously mention that you are represented by MAX agency. That way, the prospective client will be in contact with the booking agent, and that can create more potential jobs for more potential talents, including yourself! Win-win situation here people!

Networking is all about making connections and building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships. Nowadays, its not about who you know, its about who knows you! So get yourself out there, network for yourself and your agency for the greater good! Youd be surprised just how quickly youll start booking more and more jobs!

So, what are you waiting for? Go get your networking on!

Following my post from last week on what actors should wear to auditions, I am going to talk about what models should wear to casting calls or go-zees.

First of all, lets define those two terms.

A casting call consists of a process for selecting the right talent before production starts.

A go-see is an appointment arranged by the model or in this case, the agency, to interview with clients. This is where first impressions are very important.

Here are some tips to really impress the clients.

Keep it simple! it is important that the clients and the production team sees what you truly look like.

This means, wear light make up. Foundation, concealer, lip gloss and mascara should be the bare minimum. Keep your hair out of your face. Pull it back into a pony tail or bun. If you have bangs, clip them back. If you have short hair, style it nicely. Keep your nails neutral. No funky designs or extra long nails. A french manicure would work best. Wear form fitting clothes. This will help the casting team see your shape. Just remember that form fitting does not mean extremely tight. Also, there is no need to over accessorize. It distracts from the simpleness. In terms of shoes, ladies, heels are second nature. No flats or sneakers! Itll make you look very unprofessional.

A perfect example of an outfit to wear to a casting call would be a white tshirt or tank top (form fitting) and shorts for the summer, skinny jeans and leggings for the winter. Heels at all times!

Of course, this is just the basics. If a client specifies otherwise, then forget all of this and listen to the casting director!

Best of luck to all talents!

Choosing the right outfit will help you look and feel the part. It will help bring out confidence in your new persona that the outfit will emanate. When you wear an expensive outfit, it shows quality and prestige. Whereas wearing a T-shirt and jeans makes you look too casual and average. The first impression on how directors, agency execs and clients view you is very important and stems from what you choose to wear to an audition.

Tom Ford said it best: “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

Here is some terminology that most casting directors use to describe the designated audition wardrobe.

Casual: Relaxed environment. Clothing made for socializing comfortably.

Upscale casual: Clothes that are comfortable enough to party in, yet super fashionable.

Outdoorsy: Anything from denim, wool, sweaters, jackets and jeans.

Formal: Tuxedoes for men and evening dresses for women.

Business: Suit and tie for men, pant suit or tailored dress for women.

Trendy: Must be up to date with the latest fashion trends as a casting director is looking for you to wear the latest fad in fashion.

Uniforms/Costumes: Policemen, nurses, doctors, priests, pilots, teacher, firemen etc. This is usually specified in the role your playing.

Work Clothing: Kind of like uniforms. Clothing associated with an occupation.

Sports Wear: Athletic attire i.e. jerseys.

Most of the time the camera will shoot you from the waist up, so put a lot of focus on that part of your wardrobe.

Choose jewel tones (emerald green, topaz, ruby red, sapphire blue, turquoise blue) and rich autumn colours except orange, yellow and gold as those colours dont flatter on TV.

Choose V necks as they are more flattering on camera. Turtle necks make clients wonder why you are hiding your neck and isnt flattering on camera.

Avoid busy patterns, stripes, bright colours, shiny jewelry and logos. They draw attention away from your face. Also, avoid wearing clothes that show too much skin or cleavage unless specific otherwise. It might send the wrong message or be too unflattering.

At the end of the day, you all know your body best and what works for you. These are just tips that can help but if you think something else has been working better for you, then by all means, keep doing it!

Stay tuned for what to wear to a casting call or Go-see for modelling!