Castings with international scouts are infrequent, but this is a good chance to show yourself to professionals and try yourself in modelling abroad. If you are lucky and the scout has time, you can ask them about your prospects and ask for advice on what you can work on to increase the chances of a trip.
Model Elena Ivanova, “Image”, shares her experience of passing such castings.
— Usually at such castings, everyone is first seen in casual clothes, so it is best to choose clothes according to the figure, plain, without patterns, so that nothing distracts.
Then everyone or someone is specifically asked to change for snaps. To do this, managers are always asked to bring a separate swimsuit or black underwear (not thongs, not shorts and not a top), black heels and a hair band.
At the beginning of the casting or already before the snaps, the height and parameters are measured. After the snaps, the scouts usually spend a couple of minutes with each model to find out about plans, language skills, a foreign passport or some other clarifying questions. I like the fact that many people ask about the attitude of parents to travel. Mine were worried, and I wanted to talk to them too. The scouts promised to call them before the first trip and tell them everything.
I’ve been through several similar castings. At the first one, we were all snapped, they said if someone was interested, our agency would let us know.
Another time I wasn’t even asked to change into a swimsuit. My friend was then taken away, she told me that it took six months to take a photo for a beech tree (she had very little), to make a passport and a visa. While waiting for the documents, I learned English. She has already flown on her first trip to Japan.
Yesterday, for example, at the casting, we all had the opportunity to ask questions to the scout. Everyone was shy, and the questions were mostly asked by the director of our agency, but it was helpful to listen. They took snaps of me, and immediately put on makeup and took pictures for tests. I have a passport; I understand English relatively well and I really hope that I will be able to leave for my first trip soon!
I can only drive in the summer because of school. Scouts say this is the most difficult time for beginners, since many models with experience also go on vacation and they prefer them, not the new ones. Contracts are sought in advance, two or three months before the trip.
However, sometimes even with a minimum of photos in the book, foreign agencies offer a contract right away (maybe someone couldn’t work, or they really liked you). Then there is a chance to leave promptly. Maybe they’ll take me like that. Or I will try to leave during the winter holidays.
