ModelLaunch: Behind The Scenes | 3

WHAT MAKES A GOOD MALE MODEL? IN THE 7 YEARS SEAN BICKERTON AND TOM HUDOCK ARE RUNNING THEIR MODELLAUNCH.COM, THEY HAVE BECOME EXPERTS IN THE AREA OF MODELING. IN THIS THIRD AND LAST PART OF THE MODELLAUNCH:BEHIND THE SCENE INTERVIEW, TOM AND SEAN EXPLAIN WHAT MAKES MODELLAUNCH DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MODELING SITES, AND WHAT, ACCORDING TO MODELLAUNCH IT TAKES TO BECOME A MALE MODEL.

Besides giving advice, do you also actually discover and push new male models?

Tom: From the very beginning, the goal of ModelLaunch has been to help new talent get discovered and launch modeling careers. What makes ModelLaunch different from the many other modeling sites is the "Discovery Network," which is a group of agents and scouts from top modeling agencies around the world who judge the model searches and  also scout on our site. Lots of guys have been signed by agencies and booked modeling jobs because of ModelLaunch.


What is your input in the selection of new models?

Sean: If this relates to our model searches, Tom and I screen entries to select the 8 - 12 finalists in each search. Then we leave it up to the judges in our Discovery Network to choose the winner.

What is, according to your personal taste, the new male model?

Tom: The trends are different for American and European models, but, models who are mixed race (such as Italian and Asian) will be in more demand because they appeal to a much wider audience and are somewhat exotic.

Sean: The nice thing is that since we started this website the industry for men has exploded. There are far more opportunities for men in general – they're no longer just props for the girls – and  there are far more high-profile campaigns and editorials than ever before. The result, though, is that any one male model doesn't stand out anymore in the way that Marcus or Joel or the others did in a less crowded field. (Not to take away from Schenkenberg - he'll always be the King.)

I totally agree with Tom though – the hottest faces are no longer white bread, they're exotic, reflecting a world that's becoming more integrated and more networked.

What can you advise our readers who aspire a modeling career?

Tom: Here's my advice:

* Be realistic: Just because your Mom/Friend/Boyfriend/Girlfriend says you can be a model doesn't mean you can.
* You need to be at least 6 feet tall. Very, very few models can do what Joseph Sayers has done.
* You should be drop-dead gorgeous or exotically beautiful. Cute or handsome isn't enough.
* You need to be completely comfortable and uninhibited in front of the camera. If you're stiff or worried about "looking gay" or weird or foolish, then no photographer will want to work with you.
* You need to move to New York or Paris or London if you want to work in the fashion industry. Agents can't do anything for models that live in Idaho.
* You need to have an upbeat, positive personality and be able to get along with people from all walks of life. If you're closed-minded or shy, modeling and fashion are definitely not for you.
* You need to have some basic knowledge about the top clothing designers and labels.
* Getting an agent does not automatically mean you're going to be rich and successful. You need to WOW the clients and photographers you work with so that they request you for future jobs.

Sean: I would add just a couple of comments to what Tom said.

* Spend as much time getting photographed as possible – get really comfortable having someone take your picture.
* Stop posing! Throw out all of your preconceptions about what you think is sexy or hot. If you've seen it in an ad it's already old. Just learn to be comfortable in your own skin and be expressive of what you're really feeling.
* There is nothing more attractive than natural confidence and there's no bigger turnoff than someone who's too cocky.
* Learn how to get along with a lot of different types of people – the industry is like an exotic circus - you don't get a backstage pass if you're uptight or judgmental.
* Stop plucking your eyebrows!!! Those few hairs that grow out of the narrow bridge at the top of your nose are fair game. Otherwise leave your eyebrows alone. -B-

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