No one is born knowing about the talent business—we weren’t, and neither were you. The information on this page will help you to separate the glamorous fantasy of this business from the reality: it is a business, which like any other, can be enjoyable, but it also requires hard work!

These are questions we’re frequently asked. Learn the answers now, and you’ll have an advantage over other, less-savvy prospective new talents.

What are you looking for in an applicant?

Marketability, and the ability to follow direction (take that as a hint). What’s marketable is a professional judgment on our part, and it changes with seasons, trends, and client needs. Generally, agents and clients are looking for adults and children who are outgoing and animated, with good personalities and good attention spans, who are able to follow instructions well.

We are not necessarily looking for “beauty” or “good looks”; we are looking for character which projects on film.

Children who are shy and cling to their parents are not good candidates (and no, clients will not give them time to “warm up” while on the clock!). In the case of child models, the child must be the one interested in pursuing this, not the parent! If your child is not interested in modeling or acting, please do us, yourself, and your child a huge favor—do not pursue it.

Fashion models, both male and female, advertise clothing and accessories in print, broadcast or runway. You may be surprised to learn that there is no upper age limit for fashion models. But many prospective models cannot meet the height and size requirements. These requirements are largely determined by the sizes of sample merchandise provided by manufacturers to retailers. If you do not fall within these requirements, then you cannot wear these sample garments, and you will not be a fashion model.

Females over the age of 17 years must be 5'9" to 6' tall and must look good in sizes 4, 6, or 8, or plus sizes 14 or 16.

Males over the age of 16 must be 6' to 6'3" tall and must look good in clothing with waist sizes 30 to 34", inseam 30 to 34", and jacket sizes 40R to 42L.

Lifestyle Models appear in non-fashion situations for print and broadcast (but not runway). There are no age limits; we book talent from newborns to senior citizens. And while there are also no firm size requirements, as a practical matter, women shorter than 5'5" and men shorter than 5'9" generally experience fewer opportunities. Outstanding acting ability may help somewhat in countering this effect.

Actors appear in commercials, movies, and industrial (training) films, whether speaking or not. There are no age or size requirements, although wide variation from average size reduces your opportunities. Experience or quality training is vital to success as an actor. You must also have a headshot, demo reel, and resumé—and if you want your resumé to be taken seriously, do not list movie “extra” work on it!

I live in Timbuktu. Can you represent me?

Probably not—unless you live in Timbuktu, Alabama. You should seek representation with a reputable, established agency within a reasonable distance from your residence. This is especially true for children. We’re located in Birmingham, Alabama; use common sense. We do, however, represent experienced professional working talent throughout the Southeast.

Why do I have to submit a photo first?

Because photography is the primary medium in which we deal; therefore, we’re primarily interested in how you project via that medium.

Can I submit my photo by e-mail?

No. Our process requires a hard-copy photograph with the specified information on the back of the photo so it cannot become detached in processing. Photographs attached to e-mail are rejected.

Can I call to see whether you have received my photo or selected me?

No. Our time is spent booking the talent we already represent; if we agree to represent you, you won’t want it any other way! Unfortunately, with the volume of unsolicited photographs we receive, we simply don’t have the time to focus on prospects.

Why didn’t you accept my child or me? What’s wrong with us?

Nothing. We may already have enough talent in your category to meet our current and forecast booking needs. Furthermore, only some of those interested in modeling have marketable characteristics, and we necessarily focus on those applicants. This in no way reflects negatively on those we do not select. We regret that we cannot offer an evaluation service for those whom we have not chosen to represent at this time.

What about these travelling modeling shows (“conventions”) that come through town?

Our experience has given us no reason to believe that these entities are legitimate modeling agencies. Furthermore, if you’re dissatisfied with them, you’re here, and they are—where? Are you prepared to move to where they’re located so they can book you?

What’s the relationship between you and us?

Initially, you’re approaching us to establish a partnership. If you succeed in “selling” us your services as a talent, then we will enter into a business partnership together. You will be our talent, and we will be your booking agent, advising you and acting on your behalf. You will be an independent contractor as defined by the Internal Revenue Service in publication 15, “Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide.” We will not be your employer, nor will you be our employee. You will not be our client, either; the advertiser is our client.

Do I need a portfolio?

No, probably not. Children and most adult talent do not benefit from portfolios in our market. However, a few talent in certain specific categories may be more marketable with a portfolio. If we feel this applies to you, we will discuss it individually.

Is there any expense to me?

Yes. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for knowing the “business of the business” and for providing the tools of your trade. These tools include composite photography, headshots, résumé or demo reels, as appropriate to your experience level and skill set.

If you think I’m marketable, why don’t you front my expenses?

Because you could be transferred out of town next week, or take a job that would not permit you time off to accept a modeling assignment—or simply decide you just don’t want to model after all. These are not reasonable risks for us to assume. If you believe in yourself, you must invest in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, then why would we?

What’s the likelihood that you will get me an acting or modeling assignment?

None. We don’t get you jobs, we get you exposure to our clients when they are booking talent in your category. You get your own assignments by having outstanding composite photography, by performing well on auditions, and by being easy to work with. Remember, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and since the client (advertiser) is paying the cost of talent, it is the client’s eye, not the agency’s!

How do you earn your money?

“Profit sharing.” We make a commission, typically 20% of your earnings—which is why we don’t book you for free, for experience, or for exposure. If you don’t make money, neither do we. The more we book you, the more we both make.

Do I need training?

Yes. Why? Think about this from the client’s (advertiser’s) point of view: television production time can cost $6,000 an hour—about $100 a minute. If your lack of knowledge and experience delays production just a few minutes, then you’ve cost the client hundreds of dollars—hardly a reasonable risk for the producer to take!

Modeling classes are not required, but good acting training is highly beneficial. We’re not a school, but we can point you toward appropriate resources commensurate with your skill set and experience.

How much will I earn?

That depends on your skill set, your experience, and the market. You may start as an “extra” on TV commercials or print shoots at an appropriate rate. This gives you the opportunity to learn the business, gain experience, show that you’re easy to work with, and impress the clients with your abilities—or not. Your rates will increase with experience, exposure, and good performance. But don’t quit your day job just yet: while talent income can be substantial, in our market it is also unpredictable; there are no benefits; and only a very few extremely marketable professionals can make a full-time living at it.

I have a full-time job. Can I work weekends instead?

No, generally not. Professionals in the advertising business work customary business hours, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., not evenings or weekends, with few exceptions. This means that an adult must have flexibility in taking time off work, and that a child will have to miss some school for auditions and assignments (and a parent will have to be available to take the child). Therefore, please consider your child’s academic performance and your own flexibility at work before considering involvement in modeling. Note that many school teachers and administrators consider working as a professional child model to be an educational experience. Minor children must be registered with the Child Labor Division of the Alabama Department of Labor before being permitted to work as models (we handle this for talent whom we represent).

Can you recommend a test photographer?

No. A talent’s style determines the type of photographer best suited to test that particular talent. Therefore, we cannot recommend photographers until we have met with you.

Can I have a professional photographer friend or relative photograph my child or me?

Probably not. Composite photography must be outstanding to attract the jaded eye of an advertising art director. And since it will bear our logo, your composite photography must meet or exceed the standards set by the other talent in the agency.

Believe it or not, we do not want professional photography—we want commercial photography, the kind for which our clients book our talent. Commercial photographers, often members of the American Society of Magazine Photographers (ASMP), shoot advertising photographs for corporate clients for large-scale reproduction. They are a different sort altogether: they don't do weddings or portraits, they don't advertise to the general public and they don't have signs outside their studios. They are, however, well known to those of us “in the biz.”

Do you require an exclusive contract?

Yes, in general. Both we and our client advertisers must know that we have the authority to speak for you, and the contract spells out that arrangement between us. However, an exception may be made for previously working professional talent on a case-by-case basis.

What about the unions?

The term “union” as used here refers to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA, for live and videotaped television and radio productions) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG, for film productions). It applies only to film, broadcast, and industrials; it does not apply to printwork (still photography).

We generally do not recommend union membership for talent in our market. Most southeastern states, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Mississippi (but not Florida), are right-to-work states. Union talent can not work in non-union productions; however, non-union talent can work in union productions in accordance with the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, the federal law more commonly known as the Taft-Hartley Act. Although we are active in union productions, the majority of our bookings are not union.

Why can’t I look at your talent on this web site?

The talent listing and display on this web site (“Search Talent” link) is for the exclusive use of our booking clients. We have our talents’ consent to use their images for promoting their careers, but not for display to the general public worldwide, which could amount to an invasion of their privacy.

Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?

Yes, since 1987.

Can I copy this FAQ info or send it to a friend?

No. But you are welcome to refer your friend to this page. This information is copyright ©1987, 1996, 2002, 2004 by Kiddin’ Around of Alabama, Inc., also doing business as Jump Start and Real People Models and Talent. All rights reserved. No part of this page may be reproduced in any form without formal written permission of the copyright owner.